More About Women In Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

I was reading this nice article in Islam News Room that I would like to share with you:

Question:

Islam gives man permission to marry four wives. Why can't a woman have four husbands?

Find out what Islam is really all about - regarding Islams Women

www.IslamsWomen.com (try this too)

Answer:
Al Hamdulilah, was-salat was-salam ala rasoolullah. Allahu 'Alim. (It is Allah who has All Knowledge).

Rights and Limits
First of all, it is important for us to keep in mind that Islam came to establish two very important fundamentals for human beings: Rights and Limits.

Everyone and everything has certain rights given to it by the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Allah). At the same time, each creation has its own limitations established by Allah.

First Right - Allah has the right to be worshipped without making partners from what He has created. Direct worship to Him, alone.

Second Right - Prophet's right to be followed according to his treaching and commandments.

Third Right - Parents rights to be honored and cared for, with special emphasis on the mother first.

Fourth Right - Wives and Husbands have rights on each other.

Conditions 1,400 Years Ago
Now let us do some basic research here. We begin by looking into the condition of the women in various societies at the time 1,400 years ago when Allah revealed the Quran to Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Pagan Arabs - Burying Girls Alive
During that time the pagan Arab men used to bury their newborn daughters alive in the sand, out of shame for having something so low and disgusting like a girl instead of a son. Women were treated horribly and with utter disgust.

Men could marry as many as they liked and very often they owned women like cattle or sheep. There were no laws to protect the women and they had no rights at all.

Christians - Arguing If Women Had Souls
Christians at that time were holding council meetings to determine whether or not a woman even had a soul. The church blamed "Eve" the mother of all humans after Adam, peace be upon him, for the "original sin" and damned her and her seed for what she had done.

Priests - Best Men - Forbidden Marriage - To Any Women

Priests, bishops, cardnels and even the Pope are the very best of the Catholic men within the church. Yet the church still forbids their clergymen the chance for marriage and families. This unnatural situation has caused very serious ramifications throughout the society around the world.

Nuns - Best Women - No Marriage - No Children

Nuns are the very best of the Catholic women. They cover themselves in proper attire much the same way as the Muslim women. Yet, they are never allowed to marry or have children throughout their lives. This unnatural condition has caused untold number of disgraceful and disgusting practices within the very church itself.

If Only Bad People Have Children - What About Tomorrow?
We must ask the question, "If the very best of the men and the very best of the women are not allowed to marry or have children - does this mean only the worst of the people are the ones allowed to reproduce and populate the world?" - And where will that leave us tomorrow?

Jews - Blame Women and Curse Women
The Jews blamed women for the "original sin" and as such they were treated with disgust. A woman's monthly cycle was considered by the Old Testament of the Bible to be a "curse from God" for her inequities. Her child bearing pains were also a 'punishment from God' for her bringing man down from heaven.

Islam - No Blame On Women For Evil
Islam does not blame Eve for Adam's sin. Each of them accepted their own mistake and repented to Allah, and asked Allah to forgive them and Allah did forgive them.

Now before going any further, please read surah An Nisa (chapter 4 in the Quran) - all the way through, in order to better understand what is actually being said about women, men and marriage.

[Want A FREE Quran? - click here]

Read Quran
Now let us think about the verses. Do you believe that Allah Knows what He created and He has revealed the perfect 'deen'? Do you know the condition of the people at the time the order came to restrict the number of wives? (Restricted to be only four)

Now read the verse about having more than one wife, very carefully. [4:3]

What does it say? And what do you understand from it?

Now read the ayah (verse) that forbids men to marry women who are already married. [4:24].

Now read from An Nisa (Chapter 4) about the role of men and women. [4:34]

Man Supports And Protects Women
Do you understand that one must take on the role of supporter, protector, provider, custodian and servant to the family (man's role)?

Woman Gives Birth - Raises Children
One must take on the role of carrying the child and delivering it and then feeding it and raising it to become a true servant of Allah (woman's role).

Not Equal - But Treated Fairly In Justice
Men and women are not the same nor are they "equal" as some folks would have us believe. Whatever is on one side of an 'equals' sign must be exactly the same as what is on the other side without any difference in value, only in the way that it is expressed. How then could we say that a man, who is unable to conceive or give birth and then breast feed a baby is the equal to a woman who can?

Equal In Faith And Actions
They are equal in their beliefs and good deeds of course. But still they are not the same as each other. Each one must fulfill their role as humans.

Children's Rights Protected
Islam is also very much about rights. Children also have rights in Islam. When a man dies his wealth is left to his family. How could the court know who to give the wealth of a man, if he was one of several husbands to a woman? How would a child know who his father was? No society ever supported the concept of a woman being married to two or more men at the same time.

Women's Right - Best Treatment
Almost every society supported the concept of a man having more than one woman. Yet, they did not limit the number nor did they provide the protection and maintenance that Islam insists on for each one. Islam came to set things straight. Women were given rights. Men were strictly ordered to treat their women with the very best of treatment.

Limit - Number in Marriage
When the verse was revealed the companions of Muhammad, peace be upon him, did not run out with the attitude that they were going to get four wives all of a sudden. Some of them already had much more than that and these men had to divorce their wives, if they had more than four. So this was not an order to go out and get four wives. It was an order to begin limitations. And the first limitation was; No more than four.

Limit - Equal Maintenance and Treatment
Second, the limitation of equal treatment for all of them. How could a man keep more than one wife unless he was exceedingly wealthy and/or exceedingly strong and virile?

Next, the limitation very clearly states; ".. but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them) then only one ..."

Muslims Today - Most Monogamous
Step by step, the men of Islam have come to be known today as the most monogamous of all men on earth (we only have one wife). Check for yourself and see. In the majority of all the Muslim homes on earth, a man gets married once, to one woman and then he stays married to her until the death of either himself or his wife.

Woman's Right To Choose Any Husband She Likes -
Even If He Is Already Married
One very important point that is often overlooked by modern society is the right that Islam gave to the women that it does not give to the man. A man is limited to marry only from the woman who is not already married. Obviously, this provides rights for the children and provides for them from inheritance from the father. But Islam also permits the women to marry a man who is already married to protect her in a society where the number of women outnumbers the population of men. Additionally, the woman has a large selection of men to choose from. In fact, she has the right to choose from any man in the community as long as he does not already have four wives. She also has the opportunity to see how the other wife was being treated and go into a marriage knowing exactly what to expect from her husband. After all, he must treat her in the same way as he is treating the other wife.

Women Need Husbands - Allah Provided the Answer
The prophet, peace be upon him, predicted that in the Last Days the women would outnumber the men to a great extent. Today we are seeing this become a reality all over the world. Allah has already provided for us for this occasion. After all, He is the One who makes it all happen and He already knew that many women would come into Islam in these days. He also knew many of the Muslim men would be killed or die at an early age, just as it is happening these days. These women all need husbands. Allah has given us the solution to all of life's problems.

Women's Right to Vote - 1,400 Years Ago
We might add that Islam also gave the women full status as citizens over 1,400 years ago by giving her to right to speak and vote the same as anyone else. American women had to take their cause to the streets with "Women's Suffrage" and were not granted the right to vote until just ninety years ago.

Women Keep Their Identity - And Their Names
Additionally, Islam protected women's rights to keep their identity and they were not considered property of some man. As such, they were no longer forced to change their last names to be that of their husbands. This is still the practice of Muslim women today just as it was fourteen hundred years ago.

Women Keep Their Property And Earnings - Men Must Share
Yet, at the same time the western society is so concerned about the way Islam demands that a couple be married, the man actually must work instead of the woman; the woman owns her own property without giving anything for the support of the house or the child; a child has the right to his or her own mother raising them instead of a baby sitter or day care; father must support his children; divorce is hated; and marriage is sanctified.

West Can't Tolerate Man And Woman - In Marriage
It is strange isn't it, a society like America, has no problem accepting sex without marriage; homosexuality; same sex marriages; sex without responsibility; children without fathers; and divorces are more common place than the measles or chicken pox. Yet, there is no tolerance for marriage between a man and a woman if it is not on their terms.

What Needs to Be Re-evaluated?
Compare the two for yourself and see which one needs correction.

Prophet Muhammad's Wisdom (III)

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

We continue discovering the wisdom of the Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him.

From The Wisdom Fund Website:

• A keeper of the fast, who doth not abandon lying and detraction, God careth not about his leaving off eating and drinking.
• The adultery of the eye is to look with desire on the wife of another; and the adultery of the tongue is to utter what is forbidden.
• Verily, to honor an old man is showing respect to God.
• The best of almsgiving is that which springeth from the heart, and is uttered by the lips to soften the wounds of the injured.
• Fear God, in treating dumb animals and ride them when they are fit to be ridden and get off them when they are tired.
• An adultress passed by a dog at a well; and the dog was holding out his tongue from thirst, which was near killing him, and the woman drew off her boot, and tied it to the end of her garment, and drew water for the dog, and gave him to drink; and she was forgiven for that act.
• Backbiting vitiates ablution and fasting.
• Muhammad said, "That person will not enter Paradise who hath one atom of pride in his heart." And a man present said, "Verily, a man is fond of having good clothes, and good shoes." Muhammad said, "God is Beauty and delighteth in the beautiful; but pride is holding man in contempt."
• Verily it is better for any of you to take your rope and bring a bundle of wood upon your back and sell it, in which case God guardeth your honor than to beg of people, whether they give or not; if they do not give, your reputation suffereth, and you return disappointed; and if they give, it is worse than that, for it layeth you under obligation.
• When you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust; commit not fornication; be chaste; have no impure desires; withold your hands from striking, and from taking that which is unlawful and bad. The best of God's servants are those who when seen, remind of God; and the worst of God's servants are those who carry tales about, and do mischief and separate friends, and seek for the defects of the good.
• Modesty and chastity are part of the faith.
• When the bier of anyone passeth by thee, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim, rise to thy feet.
• God is pure and loveth purity and cleanliness.
• There is no reward but Paradise for a Muslim who suffereth with patience when the soul of his affectionate friend is taken.
• A man asked Muhammad what was the mark whereby he might know the reality of his faith. Muhammad said, "If thou derive pleasure from the good which thou hast performed and thou be grieved for the evil which thou hast committed, thou art a true believer." The man said. "In what doth a fault really consist?" Muhammad said, "when action pricketh thy conscience, forsake it."

Islam & Worshiping - Not Difficult

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Some Muslims find worshiping very difficult! And some non-Muslims see worshiping in Islam very extreme!

• The true believer will love reading the Quran over reading a novel or a magazine.
• The true believer will rush to the Masjid for prayers and will prepare for it very well.
• The true believer will prefer watching a religious program on TV over a football game.
• The true believer will prefer attending a lecture in the Masjid over going to the mall for sightseeing.
• The true believer will decide to do pilgrimage this year rather postponing it until s/he reaches 50s.
• The true believer will keep reminding himself/herself that Allah is watching and prepares to be good for 24/7/12.
• The true believer will fast in Ramadan and thanks Allah for food and water and prays the poor get what s/he is eating and drinking.
  

A true believer prays five times a day. The average total time of prayers in 24 hours is 15 minutes! A person watches TV for three hours and does not be conscious of how the time runs so fast! The hypocrite will keep thinking that 5 minutes are so precious to waste in praying and decides not to pray until s/he gets married, sick or very old! Poor soul!

What do you think?

Enjoining What Is Good & Forbidding What Is Evil

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

One of the important duties of Muslims is:

1. enjoining what is good (al-ma'roof) and
   
2. forbidding what is evil (al-munkar)

These two duties cannot be separable. If you see an adult shouting and raising his hand at his parents, you have to do something. You can come to the adult and tell him that what he is doing is very wrong and he should treat his parents with respect and love, or you can just show him that you are shocked of what he is doing. In both situations you are:

• trying to stop the evil
• trying to enjoin the good

In the first situation, you moved. You talked directly to the adult and advised him to respect his parents. This is a great act because you are meaning to help to stop the evil and want it to change to good. In the second situation, you did not move. You just implied without words that what you are seeing is just wrong and unacceptable. The adult may either be ashamed and apologize to his parents, or he will defy more.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; and if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart [by feeling that it is wrong] – and that is the weakest of faith.” (Narrated by Muslim, 49)

The person in the previous situation and in any other must be wise. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

"Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is best aware of those who go aright." The Bee 16:125

From Islam Q&A:

Question:
Why do the Muslims consider enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil to be one of the basic principles of their religion?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

Man is very forgetful and makes a lot of mistakes. His own self (nafs) tells him to do evil and the Shaytaan tempts him to commit sin. When bodies get sick and are afflicted with disease, one has to find a doctor who can prescribe the appropriate medicine so that the body may be restored to full health. Similarly, souls and hearts may be afflicted with the diseases of desire and doubt, so people do things which Allaah has forbidden, such as shedding blood, committing adultery, drinking alcohol, oppressing people and consuming their wealth unlawfully, preventing people from following the way of Allaah and disbelieving in Allaah.

The diseases of the heart [psychological and spiritual diseases] are worse than diseases of the body. This means that one must find a doctor who is skilled in treating such diseases. Because the diseases of the heart are so many and cause the spread of evil and corruption, Allaah has enjoined the believers to treat these diseases, by enjoining that which is good and forbidding that which is evil. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:104]

Enjoining what is good (al-ma’roof) and forbidding what is evil (al-munkar) is one of the most important Islamic duties, indeed it is the noblest and most sublime. This is the task of the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers” [al-Nisaa’ 4:165]

Allaah has made the Muslim ummah the best nation ever raised up for mankind, in order to do this important task, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allaah” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:110]

If the ummah fails to do its duty of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, wrongdoing and corruption will spread throughout the ummah, and it will deserve the curse of Allaah. For Allaah cursed those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved because they failed in this important duty. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawood (David) and ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allaah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.

They used not to forbid one another from Al-Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do [al-Maa’idah 5:78]

Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is one of the basic principles of this religion, and doing this is jihaad for the sake of Allaah. Jihaad requires putting up with difficulties and bearing insults and harm with patience, as Luqmaan said to his son:

“O my son! Aqim-is-Salaah (perform As-Salaah), enjoin (on people) Al-Ma‘roof (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allaah, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allaah with no exemption” [Luqmaan 31:17 – interpretation of the meaning]

Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is an important mission, hence those who undertake this mission must be of good character and must understand the objectives of sharee’ah; they must call people with wisdom and fair preaching and deal with them in a kind and gentle manner, so that Allaah may guide those whom He wills at their hands. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’aan) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided” [al-Nahl 16:125]

The ummah which establishes the symbols of Islam, enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil, will attain happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. Allaah will send them His support and grant them victory, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, Allaah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allaah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.

Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) enjoin Iqamaat-as-Salaah [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salaah (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakaah and they enjoin Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur’aan as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allaah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures)” [al-Hajj 22:40-41]

Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is a mission which will never end until the Hour begins. It is obligatory upon all the ummah, rulers and subjects, men and women, each according to his or her circumstances. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; and if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart [by feeling that it is wrong] – and that is the weakest of faith.” (Narrated by Muslim, 49)

The Muslim ummah is one nation, and if corruption becomes widespread in it and its circumstances turn bad, then all the Muslims are obliged to reform it, rid it of evil things, enjoin what is good and forbid what is bad, and offer sincere advice to all. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Religion is sincerity.” We said, “To whom?” He said, “To Allaah and His Book, and His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.” (Narrated by Muslim, 95).

If a Muslim is commanded to do something, he should be the quickest of people to do it, and if he is forbidden to do something, he must be the one who keeps furthest away from it. Allaah has issued a warning to those who go against that, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?

Most hateful it is with Allaah that you say that which you do not do” [al-Saff 61:2-3]

No matter how righteous a person may be, he still needs sincere advice, guidance and reminders in the light of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Allaah said to the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds, the most perfect of all creation (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Prophet (Muhammad)! Keep your duty to Allaah, and obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites (i.e., do not follow their advice). Verily, Allaah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise” [al-Ahzaab 33:1]

So we must all enjoin that which is good and forbid that which is evil, so that we may attain the Pleasure of Allaah and His Paradise.

Islam And Racial Discrimination

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Islam came and abolished racial discrimination. No person is better than the other except in piety.

We should not forget the Messenger's Farewell Sermon in which he said:

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Source: Wikipedia

From Islam Q&A:

Question:
What does Islam say about racial discrimination?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

All people are the descendants of one man and one woman, believer and kaafir, black and white, Arab and non-Arab, rich and poor, noble and lowly.

Islam does not pay attention to differences in colour, race or lineage. All people come from Adam, and Adam was created from dust. In Islam, differentiation between people is based on faith (eemaan) and piety (taqwaa), by doing that which Allaah has enjoined and avoiding that which Allaah has prohibited. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious)]. Verily, Allaah is All-Knowing, All Aware” [al-Hujuraat 49:13]

Islam regards all people as equal as far as rights and duties are concerned People are equal before the law (sharee’ah), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)” [al-Nahl 16:97]

Faith, truthfulness and piety all lead to Paradise, which is the right of the one who acquires these attributes, even if he is one of the weakest or lowliest of people. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whosoever believes in Allaah and performs righteous good deeds, He will admit him into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever. Allaah has indeed granted for him an excellent provision” [al-Talaaq 65:11]

Kufr, arrogance and oppression all lead to Hell, even if the one who does these things is one of the richest or noblest of people. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allaah – Islamic Monotheism) and denied Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination” [al-Taghaabun 64:10]

The advisors of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) included Muslim men of all tribes, races and colours. Their hearts were filled with Tawheed and they were brought together by their faith and piety – such as Abu Bakr from Quraysh, ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib from Bani Haashim, Bilaal the Ethiopian, Suhayb the Roman, Salmaan the Persian, rich men like ‘Uthmaan and poor men like ‘Ammaar, people of means and poor people like Ahl al-Suffah, and others.

They believed in Allaah and strove for His sake, until Allaah and His Messenger were pleased with them. They were the true believers.

“Their reward with their Lord is ‘Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow. They will abide therein forever, Allaah will be pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord”

[al-Bayyinah 98:8 – interpretation of the meaning]

The Wealthy, Zakaah And Extravagance

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

One of the greatest orders from Allah is zakaah:

Zakaah in Arabic means growth, blessing and purification.

Islam is the religion of justice. Islam assures the welfare of the individual and the group. The wealthy must pay zakaah to the poor annually. From Islam Q&A:

Question:
If someone is extremely wealthy how much of their wealth should they keep for themselves? Are they allowed to buy a big house or should they give more money to the poor?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

What is obligatory on the wealth of the rich is zakaah; whatever is left after paying zakaah, even if it is a lot, is halaal (permissible) for them and it is permissible for them to buy a big house, but they should avoid extravagance because it is haraam in Islam even if the extravagant person is rich, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“… and waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not those who waste by extravagance.” [al-An’aam 6:141]

It is mustahabb for them to give charity to the poor apart from zakaah, and the best charity is that which comes from richness. According to Islam, they are also obliged to honour their guests and help those who are in desperate need, and to give to poor people who ask for help – even if they have already paid their zakaah.

And Allaah knows best.

Charity is highly rewarded. Drawing a smile on others' face, helping people in need, offering water for free on the road, giving extra food to hungry people, ... etc. each of these is related to justice and peace.

Maqasid Al-Shariah: Purposes of the Islamic Law (Part 1)

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Sharia, the divine guidance from Allah, is a very broad topic. I mentioned it in these posts:

1. Democracy And Rights In Islam
2. More About Sharia
3. Islam & Politics: An Unholy Mix?

To elaborate more on Sharia purposes, Reading Islam is presenting a new series of articles about it. Here is the first part of: Maqasid Al-Shariah: Purposes of the Islamic Law.

Fate

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

The humans, unlike the rest of Allah's living creatures, use their mind to think and decide.

A person who did not know about Islam would either follow it by nature since every human being thinking and observing this world, at some point(s) of time, can believe in the existence of only one Creator, or the person can be following the religious beliefs of his/her parents or the people around him/her - or can be an atheist.

The topic of fate is very interesting. The Islamic view of fate, as explained in Islam Q&A, is as follows:

The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah is that a person has freedom of will, and hence he will be rewarded or punished. But his will is subject to the will of Allaah, and nothing can take place in the universe that is not willed by Allaah.

What some people say, that we have the choice to follow whatever path we want but at the end of this path you will find what Allaah has decreed for you, is a correct view. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful” [al-Insaan 76:3]

“And shown him the two ways (good and evil)?” [al-Balad 90:10]

“And say: “The truth is from your Lord.” Then whosoever wills, let him believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve” [al-Kahf 18:29]

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, explaining the view of Ahl al-Sunnah with regard to man’s deeds:

People act in a real sense, and Allaah is the Creator of their actions. A person may be a believer or a kaafir, righteous or immoral, he may pray and fast. People have control over their actions, and they have their own will, and Allaah is the Creator of their control and will, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight.
And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allaah wills the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)” [al-Takweer 81:28-29]

The topic I am going to provoke your thinking into it is: why people either believe, disbelieve or wrongly believe in (not the same) god?

The Scientific Miracles Of The Holy Quran

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

The Quran, as well as the original holy books from Allah, are great.

The Holy Quran presents many scientific information.

From The Religion of Islam Website, the scientific miracles of the Holy Quran are:

1. The Earth’s Atmosphere
2. The Quran on Human Embryonic Development
3. The Quran on Mountains
4. The Quran on the Origin of the Universe
5. The Quran on the Cerebrum
6. The Quran on Seas and Rivers
7. The Quran on Deep Seas and Internal Waves
8. The Quran on Clouds
9. Scientists’ Comments on the Scientific Miracles in the Holy Quran
10. The Miracle of Iron

You may consider visiting Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar Website about scientific miracles of the Holy Quran.

Why Do We Need Islam?

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

Islam is not only a religion, but it is also a way of life.

Why is Islam the last religion? Why is Quran the Last Testament?

The answers are:

• more guidance
• removing deviations
  
• calling the people to worshiping Allah
  
• building a better world
• ensuring a happy life in the hereafter
  

What if most of the people, say 70% of them, were Muslims? What would life look like?

From Reading Islam:

Question:

Religion is really a waste time of people. Religion is waste to everyone. People died for the sake of countless "gods". Long before the birth of Christ and Islam, our ancestors worshipped the sun, moon, fire, animals, etc. People worshipped for the sake of worshipping. There is a sixth sense in their mind that there is an existence of the "superhuman". One that possesses absolute ability.

With such comfort of existence in place, humans pursue spiritual guidance but do not challenge its "existence". Questions such as... "Are we alone in the universe?", "Does God exist?", "Why monkeys do not worship gods?", etc so and so...

Take Islam for example. If Islam is so perfect, the entire world would have been the Muslim’s earth of today. Many of the teachings of Islam is becoming obsolete with time. Such is the example of Muslims men can have 4 wives. But our genetics chances of males & females is 50-50. If every Muslim man have 4 wives today, three quarters of the Muslims men would now be bachelors.

As for the chopping of limps for stealing, this form of amputation have been practiced in ancient China, long before the birth of Islam. However, such justice has been intermixed with religion. Such practices are currently banned throughout civilized nations. Plus the stoning to death by adultery, and so on.

The way women dress, why not men too? Is men wearing western or American blue jeans a form of "un-Islamic"?

The eating of pork is a tenet of Islam. As far as I am concerned, If Mohammad dislike eating pork, please do not encourage his followers likewise. There is a saying, you narrow your quest, you narrow your mind... Such method only encourages "inward" self.

At that time, Mohammad the messenger of Allah, only rides on a camel to spread the teachings of Allah. If Allah "Almighty" is so powerful, why not give him a space ship to travel... faster? Also, religion should come from the heart, not justice and laws, etc.

Answer:
Salaam Mr. Soon,

Thank you for your question.

It is my pleasure to correspond with you. Your question is rather more than one question, but if you permit me, I will try to answer you. Bear with me as my answer will, of necessity, be quite long. You say one thing but perhaps you really believe something else? Let me see if I can explain to you some of the benefits of Islam.

For example, I believe Man first came to earth with knowledge. He was not ignorant. He had been taught by God. It was only when Man lost contact with God that he became primitive and took to worshipping idols. It is up to each one of us to find our way back to the One True God.

Let us look around us. What do we see; we see cars, buildings, planes, boats, bridges railways and so on. All of which have been constructed by mankind. In other words, Man can utilize the resources available but he cannot make the resources. Then, if we look again we can see animals, vegetation, birds, mountains and valleys, the sky, stars, moon and the sun, along with mankind.

Where did they all come from? These are the things that man did not make. Do they just happen to be there? Can man create an egg or a seed? Even the woman comes into the world with her life-time supply of eggs. So, Man is not a creator, he can only utilize the resources, which are already provided.

Let us look again, this time at the desert either sand or ice. We may see tracks or bones. Do we have to see the creatures that made the tracks or left the bones to know what they were? In general, we can tell a lot from the tracks or the bones as to what type of animal it was, without even seeing it. In the Empty Quarter, the big desert in the south of Saudi Arabia, the desert Arabs can tell the age of the camel, the sex of the camel, whether the camels were lightly loaded or more heavily loaded and to what tribe the camels belonged, simply from the tracks left in the desert. So, we do not have to actually see something to believe in it.

This is true for God. Man cannot see God. We see Him by His signs. His signs are His creation. A mountain reflects the glory of its Creator, it cannot do anything other than be a mountain. This is similar for every aspect of God’s creation. While our own tongue may be denying God, our bodies are functioning exactly as He created them. In our own life-times our heart will pump about 40 railway wagons of blood in each month, and a river of blood in our life-time, generally with no help from ourselves. This is an example of the signs of God!

You give an example of the ‘monkeys do not worship God’. I would ask, How do you know? For example the ‘dawn chorus’ of birds may be their form of worship of God. Any part of creation is reflecting its Creator simply by being itself. A monkey cannot be other than a monkey. It functions as a monkey because it was created to be a monkey. In India, there are monkeys which if they eat a plant which is poisonous to them, they know to eat some other plant which is the antidote to the poison. How do they know that? Who taught it to them? I would suggest their Creator. There are many such examples, which we take for granted simply because we don’t want to believe in a Creator…

I went away from Christianity and became Muslim some eight years later. I, too, was a little skeptical. However, I didn’t believe we were like birds coming from where we knew not, through a window and into a room lit like daylight, where we spend some time and then exit by another window into total darkness to where we know not. I felt there had to be more to life than that.

Islam answers questions like:

• Where did I come from?
  
• Why am I here?
  
• Where am I going?

Allah tells us in the Quran, He created Man from sounding clay and breathed into him the soul. Allah also tells us, He created mankind and spirits to worship Him. He created Man in the best possible mould to do this. He also tells us, We will return to Him.

So, we should prepare ourselves for that meeting. Only then will we know if we have been successful or not in this life. We trust in the mercy of Allah that we will be successful… After all, Allah promises us that if we follow the guidance that is coming from Him - in the form of the Qur’an and the practice of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - we shall have no fear nor shall we grieve, meaning that we will be successful in the next life.

As for your comment: “if Islam is so perfect”, well, in Chapter 5 verse 3 of the Qur’an we read he meaning of:

*{Today have I perfected My favor upon you, and completed your religion for you, and chosen Islam as your way of life.}*

Complete and perfect: no omission no commission, no addition no subtraction, no modification and no editing…

Also, the whole earth has been declared a mosque for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers. So, it is not even necessary to have a building to be able to pray or to worship God.

Now, you suggest: “many of the Islamic teachings become obsolete with time.”

Personally, I - and many Muslims - would dispute this with you. Islam has the solutions to the world’s problems for all time. Let me come back to that as you raise the point of a Muslim being allowed to marry four wives and with the population being split more or less evenly between males and females, this resulting in many men (75%) not being able to find wives! Let us look into this…

First, your figures of 50/50 are not quite right; there are probably more women than men in the world. In New York there are more than a million women than men. However, during the war between xUSSR and Afghanistan there were many Afghan men killed. Similarly, in the Iraq/Iran war there were many men killed on both sides. At times like these there is an imbalance in the population, what are the women to do?

Islam safeguards them by allowing a man, provided he can afford it and can treat them equitably to marry up to four wives. It is conditional on the man treating all his wives equally, something which is very difficult in real life. So, you see there are times when such an allowance would need to be applied more than at other times.

Not only for the reason already given, but some men are simply not satisfied with one woman, they have affairs. Who suffers: the children and the wife? Islam allows for this situation by insisting on the second woman being a wife. This way she has rights and obligations and so do the children. In Islam, the woman is a sister, a wife, a mother or a daughter. She is not a mistress, a concubine nor a kept woman. The woman has her status and respect.

In China, the government brought in the 4 grand-parents, 2 parents and 1 child system. It has caused some problems as I found out when I was there in 1989. Who looks after the children when the parents both want to go out to work and the house is not big enough to house the child’s grandparents? Since the girl, when she gets married, goes to live with the husband’s family, who looks after her parents now that the family can only have one child?

There have also been instances where boys are preferred to girls and drastic steps may be taken. Islam came to abolish child infanticide, the killing of baby girls at birth. This was a practice prevailing at the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and it was stopped by the Prophet (pbuh) when Islam came. Islam encourages extended families.

These are just a couple of instances where Islam is certainly not obsolete.

I said Islam has the solution to the problems of the world for all time. May I request you make a list of the problems you think are prevalent in the world, then compare those with Islam and see for yourself if Islam does have the solution? For example: I might suggest the following: drugs and alcohol; sex, prostitution and illegitimate children; wars; crime; interest and usury etc.

For drugs, Islam totally forbids them. For alcohol, there is some benefit and some harm, the harm outweighs the benefit, do not come near to alcohol – totally prohibited.

As for sex and prostitution, I have already given the status of women in Islam. Also, the four wives is a solution for those men who are not satisfied with one woman. There is also control for those who aren’t married. “Marry as soon as you can afford it,” Muslims are advised, and if you cannot afford it and have trouble controlling yourself then fast.

A young man told the prophet (pbuh) that he wanted to fornicate. The companions of the prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) were aghast and tried to stop him talking.

The prophet (pbuh) said:

“Let him speak.”

Then the prophet (pbuh) said:

“Would you like someone to do it to your sister, your mother, your daughter or your wife?”

Here, the young man promised he would not indulge in fornication. With societies following such guidelines, I think you would agree there would be a drop in the number of births outside marriage.

As for wars, this is always difficult but I will simply say: “Where are the Muslims fighting wars of aggression? Where are the Muslims fighting for something that has not been promised to them? Where is the justice?”

You must know the situation with the Uighurs and what has happened to them. The Philippines promised an autonomous region for the Muslims with the 1960 Tripoli Accord, only it was never implemented. The Middle East is racked by the Palestinians being displaced by Israeli’s. Yet, at the time of the establishment of the State of Israel, the League of Nations called for a State of Israel alongside the State of Palestine. Where is the State of Palestine today?

In Afghanistan it was the Russians who caused the war. In Yugoslavia it wasn’t the Muslims who caused the war and they had no weapons to fight with due to an embargo. We could go on… Even in China I think you would agree there have been wars which have not involved religion. It is not the religion, it is Man’s greed.

I mentioned crime in general, but specifically let us consider cutting hands. I sometimes think people assume amputations of hands for stealing is an automatic punishment. The fact China used to cut the hand suggests there may be good things in Chinese culture if only the wisdom was understood today. To suggest “good things are intermixed with religion” is not quite right.

In any way of life there will be some things that are ‘disliked’ by some. Some things will seem harsher than others, but would it be a good system if there was no or next to no punishment? It would be best if people believed in the system they lived by, then everyone would simply do their best. They would not be interested in doing their best at the expense of others.

In fact, Islam is not simply a religion but a total way of life. There will be some things we will find harsh. Some punishments have been decreed by Allah. These are fixed. Man cannot change them. However, to assume a hand will be cut automatically for theft is wrong. Shari`a (Islamic law) is only applied to the maximum if there are no extenuating circumstances. If I were to tell you that there were only four amputations in Saudi Arabia in the past decade you will have some idea of how flexible, rather than rigid, the system really is.

This writer spent 23 years in Saudi Arabia and I only saw one severed hand. This was for a policeman who had been on duty outside a bank when Saudi Arabia was using cash. People would take bundles of notes to and from the bank in their pockets or in brief cases. This policeman had watched some 37 people put brief-cases full of notes into their cars and then go off shopping. He broke into the cars and stole the brief cases. Since he was considered beyond rehabilitation his hand was cut.

Now, look at the impact on the society. The whole area, Dhahran, was quiet for weeks afterwards. Every one was remembering the amputation when they went to the Mosque. Contrast this atmosphere with the Great Train Robbery in the UK where the amount involved would be about the same as the total amount the policeman stole in Saudi Arabia. People were openly speculating as to whether the criminals would be caught and what would be their punishment.

In fact, they even made a film about it. Wasn’t this a way of glorifying crime? What was the impact of this crime and the criminal’s punishment on society compared to the incident in Dhahran? Vastly different and very ineffective, in my opinion!

As for your mentioning of clothes, in Islam both men and women are told to cover certain parts of their body when they go out. For example there is a specific type of swimming costume for men and another one for women - when women are swimming with women. Men are supposed to wear long shorts to their knees when they play football for example.

Women are told to cover their hair and to pull their jilbab (wide long dresses) around them when they go out. They are also told only to show their hands and their feet. As for covering the face, it is optional. How would you prefer your wife to dress when she goes out, with or without you? Should she display herself or should she dress modestly? Your comment concerning ‘American blue jeans’ does have some merit, as men are supposed to avoid wearing tight fitting clothes especially trousers. There is nothing anti-Islamic in the blue jeans style, except the tightness. That is whether for blue jeans or any other styles.

Then you come to dietary restrictions, e.g. pig products. Since Muslims believe that total knowledge is with Allah, that nothing exists outside of His knowledge, and the future is already known to Him; if He tells us something is bad for us, or forbids us to eat it that is perfectly acceptable as He knows and we don’t know. On this basis, I believe we should not try to rationalize what Allah specifically forbids us. It is not a question of Muhammad (pbuh) liking or disliking, it is a question of Allah forbidding.

Your comment on Muhammad (pbuh) riding a camel while he could travel faster on a space-ship goes against the basic element of learning. It is not a question of speed. It is a question of how fast or how much can be absorbed. The Qur’an was revealed over 23 years. Do you think if it had all been revealed at once, people would have learnt it and acted on it? Their hearts, as you so rightly point out, have to accept and absorb the message of the Qur’an.

If you read the Qur’an from the back, you will find these generally short chapters were revealed to strengthen the faith of the people. They deal mainly with one problem in the society at a time. They also show how uniquely intertwined was the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the revelation. Actually the revelation did come to solve problems in the society, and the society did learn and apply the teachings in the Qur’an.

In fact, people used to memorize 5 verses at a time and only when they were acting on them would they learn another 5 verses and act on them and so on. At the time of Muhammad (pbuh) there were some 18 people in Makkah and 12 in Madinah who could read and write. The desert Arabs were wielded into a coherent group that eventually swept out of the desert and, within a few years of the demise of Muhammad (pbuh), Islam had spread to the borders of China and the borders of France and Austria. This wasn’t done by coercion, force or the sword. How many people would be needed for that? No! It was done by assimilation.

I totally agree with you that religion is in the heart. Once it is there it should control all our actions, we should be our own policeman. Police forces are something from the 18th century, they are not something from early civilizations. Man has forgotten how to control himself. Justice is how one deals with fellowman, with the rest of creation, and the relationship we have with our Creator. If faith and belief are not in the heart we may see people saying one thing and doing another, or people arguing simply for the sake of arguing. If faith and belief are in the heart then we should see people living what they are saying.

Another point worth mentioning is usury. We only have to look at the third world and developing countries to see the impact of debt and usury. The World Bank and the IMF are quite happy lending money but they want more back than they lend, which is the case for every bank. Is this guaranteed unearned practically risk free income fair to the borrower?

Look at the number of people in debt and at the countries also and one can only wonder why such a system is allowed to continue. We are told by UN reports, the world’s richest 200 people own more wealth than the world’s poorest 1.5 billion people. Does this suggest capitalism is working? If you ask 200 people the answer will be, Yes! But if you ask 1.5 billion the answer is, No!

Islam seeks to redistribute wealth over about three generations by the laws of inheritance and by the obligatory wealth payment (zakat) of 2.5% of any annual accrued wealth (above a certain minimum). Zakat can only be paid to some eight categories of people as their right. This also helps us to remember that whatever we have is not ours, we hold it in trust from Allah, for as long as He wills.

I apologize for the length of this article, but you raised so many issues. I feel, even after all this that I haven’t done justice to all the points you raise, so forgive my shortcomings. Please feel free to ask more questions if you would like to.

However, I would like to share with you one last point:

Allah:

The unique usage of Allah as a personal name of God is a reflection of Islam’s emphasis on the purity of belief in God, which is the essence of the message of all God’s messengers. Because of this, Islam considers associating any deity or personality with God as a deadly sin which God will never forgive, despite the fact He may forgive all other sins.

The Creator must be of a different nature from that of the created, because if He is of the same nature as they are, He will be temporal and will therefore need a maker. It follows that nothing is like Him. If the Maker is not temporal, He must be eternal. But if He is eternal, He cannot be caused, and if nothing caused Him to come into existence, nothing outside of Him causes Him to continue to exist, which means that He must be self-sufficient.

Thus, if he does not depend on anything for the continuance of His own existence, then this existence can have no end. The Creator is, therefore, Eternal and Everlasting. He is the first and the last. The Creator does not create only in the sense of bringing things into being, He also preserves them and takes them out of existence and is the Ultimate Cause of whatever happens to them.

If the Creator is eternal and everlasting, then His attributes must also be eternal and everlasting. He should not lose any of His attributes nor acquire new ones. If this is so, then His attributes are absolute. Can there be more than One Creator with such powerful attributes? A moments thought shows it isn’t feasible.

May we all learn the purpose of our lives and strive to do the best we can to improve ourselves, the society we live in and humanity in general; and may we help to make the world become a better place, amen.

Thank you again for your question and please, do keep in touch.

Salaam.

Homosexuality In Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

What is homosexuality? Is it a natural phenomenon? Is it logical? Is it legal?

What did Allah say about homosexuality to the previous nations? To Lot's nation?

What does Islam say about homosexuality?

From Reading Islam:

Question:

I am a happy, young gay man, and I am at university studying chemistry. What I want to know is why homosexuals are regarded to be sinners and are to be murdered. How can I look at another Muslim, knowing that they have been taught that I am to be slaughtered? I know a lot of other religions practice this too. If Islam is supposed to be a peaceful religion, then why are homophobic murders carried out in the name of Islam? Also, why do Muslim women have to cover up all of their bodies?

Answer:

To begin with, you should know that Muslims believe in Allah as the One and Only Creator of all that exists and therefore accept that Allah has full knowledge of His creation. Allah Most High knows about every aspect of human life and has knowledge of even the inner, unexpressed thoughts of human beings.

Therefore, in Islam, the understanding is that Allah Most High has created mankind from a male and a female, the first human pair being Adam and Eve. All subsequent generations to emerge from Adam and Eve have been possible because of the natural reproductive process, that is, the union of a male and a female. In the context of society, even this union between a male and a female is regulated, and according to Islam, should not exist outside of the institution of marriage.

As humans were created of two sexes to be able to reproduce sexually (as opposed to asexually as some lower creatures do), what is considered most unnatural in Islam is the existence of non-platonic relationships (i.e., involving sexual attraction) of men to men and women to women. What is acceptable, of course, is platonic, entirely non-sexual, love expressed by men to men and by women to women in a brotherly and sisterly manner.

This does not mean, however, that Islam turns a blind eye to the existence of homosexuality. In fact, the Qur'an does not deny that some men and women might be inclined towards homosexual and lesbian behavior, but it is quite clear from Islamic teachings that when and if such behavior becomes manifest, it has to be stopped because it is both unnatural and destructive to the social fabric.

We are reminded for example in the Qur'an of the statement of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) who found his people engaged in homosexuality and said what means:

*{And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: "Lo! ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you. Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway and practice wickedness (even) in your councils?" But his people gave no answer but this: they said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth."}* (Al-`Ankabut 29:28-29)

In another verse in the Qur'an, Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) also said to them:

*{Of all the creatures of the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, you are a people transgressing (all limits)!}* (Ash-Shu`araa' 26:165-166)

So, the Qur'an in general regards homosexuality as unnatural and informs us that it was not known among the creation before the people of Lot practiced it. Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) attempted to advise his people to refrain from this unnatural behavior lest they incur the wrath of God.

As for the second part of your question, from the first instance of homosexual behavior (with the people of Lot), such behavior has been a punishable offense. It is clear that when the people who engaged in homosexual behavior taunted Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) to bring on the punishment, Allah punished them.

As we read in the Qur'an, Allah states what means:

*{and We rained on them a rain of torment. And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned}* (Ash-Shu`ara' 26:173).

Essentially, Allah is Merciful and offers great hope to His followers to repent and to seek His forgiveness; but for those who sin and flaunt their sins, this episode with the people of Lot (peace be upon him) makes it clear to us that there is no tolerance.

As to the actual means of punishment, there are different opinions among Muslim scholars. There is definitely no consensus that the punishment is death. However, it is important to know that the basis upon which some scholars have founded their opinions is their comparison between the punishment for fornication (which can only be punishable if there are four witnesses to the act itself) and homosexuality, as both acts despite their differences, are also similar. As marriage in Islam — the only possibility for sexual relations — can only be between a man and woman, any homosexual behavior will immediately be a form of fornication anyway.

"Muslim jurists hold different opinions for this abominable practice. Should it be the same as the punishment for fornication, or should both the active and passive participants be put to death? While such punishments may seem cruel, they have been suggested to maintain the purity of the Islamic society and to keep it clean of perverted elements." To read the whole fatwa click Here.

The reason for the punishment, however, is also important to understand. Just as fornication can destroy the fabric of society by creating social problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, emotional and psychological stress, the breakup of the family, unwanted pregnancies and illegitimate children, homosexuality is seen in the same light. As Islam is both an individual and a communal worldview and way of life, the preservation of the social order that God has deemed to be best for humanity plays an essential role in the social laws laid down in the Qur'an and by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Islam is a peaceful, comprehensive, universal, and timeless religion whose teachings are a direct revelation from the Creator Himself. Therefore, the fact because Islamic teachings dictate that homosexuality is a sin and must be punished does not make Islam any less peaceful. Rather, this particular teaching, as we have mentioned above, aims to protect society and to keep it from utter moral deterioration.

You have nothing to fear, though. Muslims do not go around wanting to punish homosexuals! On the contrary, they do not have the right to do so, according to Islam. Only an Islamic government has the right to do so and only in the case of a confession or the testimony of four witnesses as mentioned. Also, the law only applies to Muslim citizens not to non-Muslims.

As for what a non-homosexual Muslim would think of a homosexual when they meet, the typical upright Muslim should feel pity and mercy towards his homosexual friend. He should only dream of having his friend come back to what Muslims regard as the "heaven of normality" and practice a "natural" happy life accepted and respected by the societies and their very selves.

The maximum a Muslim should do is to invite his homosexual friend to what the Muslim regards as the right path. A Muslim would regard this as being his duty; he would believe he owes friendship that much. He might preach to him a bit, but that's it! No killing.

Finally, you ask about the clothing of Muslim women. Our brief response is that the guidelines dealing with the clothing for men and women are in place to ensure their dignity and modesty.

Men and women do their best to look good in Islam. Looking good is not at all associated with how much skin one exposes, nor how much one highlights the shape of the body. Although the garments are meant to cover the physical body, Muslims are motivated by an innate desire to be constantly God-conscious and, therefore, to also protect and preserve their inner beauty.

In essence, for both genders, the clothing must be at the minimum loose-fitting and non-transparent.

There is so much more that needs to be said, but we hope this brief explanation sparks your interest to read further about Islam in general. For more on hijab, however, you can read Hijab: What's It All About?

Thank you once again, Thomas, for your question, and please keep in touch.

Useful Links:

• Gay, Struggling, and in Need of Help
• About Children of Interfaith Marriages and Gays
• Homosexuality… From an Islamic Stand
• A Homosexual Friend
• Repenting Homosexuality … A Chance for a New Beginning
• Repenting Homosexual Acts
• Homosexuality: The Nature of Perversion
• Setting Priorities… Creed or Deeds?

Seeking The Truth About Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

I was looking for information about Daud Matthews, a Counselor working in Reading Islam, on Google and I found the following comment on a blog's post:

Dear Friend,
I am a non-Muslim and would like to thank all those who took the time yesterday to explain and help me develop a greater understanding of Islam at the Islamic Awareness Week event.

I enjoyed the lecture from David Matthews and wished I had been able to attend the previous lecture on Sharia law.

I think it is very sad that so often the media only appears to focus on a negative portrayal of the Islamic faith. I have been fortunate to spend time in Muslim countries, Malaysia, Indonesia and Indian Kashmir and admire the discipline and strength of belief I witnessed and the kindness and hospitality I received throughout my visits.

Thank-you

Carol Grayson

Surely, the best way to learn about Islam is to listen and interact :)

Enjoying Life In Islam

Peace of God and His mercy to you.

A non-Muslim who did not interact with Muslims would not imagine how a devout Muslim is pious and how happy his/her life is.

From Islam Q&A:

A non-Muslim is objecting to a Muslim student who does not enjoy himself with them in night clubs!

Question:

I have a Muslim student in my class at university and he never comes and sits with us nor does he come out to the night club/leisure with us. My question is why does Islam teach people not to enjoy them selves and be miserable all the time. cheers.

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

The idea of your writing to an Islamic website is a good idea in and of itself, which shows that you are on the right path of asking about what you want to know. You have done well by doing so, and we are enjoined to commend the one who does well, and to praise his actions if they are good.

For our part, we are happy to answer your questions and queries, not only about this matter, but about everything that you want to know about this religion, or everything that you think you should know.

We would like you to pay attention to what we are going to tell you, and we are sure that you are not just asking for fun, or to impugn the rulings of the Islamic faith. We think that you are only asking because you want to know more.

We would like to answer your question by making a few points, and we think that you are able to understand what we are saying.

1.

What would you think if a woman came to offer you condolences for the death of a relative of yours, wearing a swimsuit? Would you accept that? We think that the answer would be no, it is not acceptable, because the occasion requires the one who comes offering condolences to wear clothes that suit the occasion, doesn’t it? The question is: what is it that has restricted this person’s freedom of dress and requires him to wear one type of clothing and not another? It is customs and traditions, is it not? So one is not free to do whatever one wants in all circumstances, rather custom sometimes prevents a person from doing something and puts some limits on his freedom.

What would you think if a person was eating with you at the same table, and during the meal he burped? Would you accept that from him? We think that the answer will be no, this behaviour is not acceptable, because this action is contrary to good table manners, is it not?

Question: What is it that limits the freedom of this person and prevents him from doing this action whilst eating? It is good taste and manners, is it not? So a person is not free to do whatever he wants whilst eating food with others, such as burping, sticking his fingers up his nose and so on, because good taste requires certain things from him, and prevents him from doing others.

What do you think if a driver drives his car opposite to the flow of traffic, or parks in a place where parking is not allowed? Would you accept that from him? We think that the answer will be no, those actions are not acceptable, because doing that is objectionable and unacceptable; the right to drive is not based on his whims, and not all places are good to park in, is that not so? Question: What is it that limited this driver’s freedom and prevents him from driving opposite to the flow of traffic and prevents him from parking in that spot? It is the law, is it not? So a person is not free even to drive his car however he wants or to park wherever he wants, because the law dictates that the traffic should go a certain way, and prevents parking in certain places.

So you can see that customs and traditions, good taste and the law all have some authority over people, by preventing them from doing certain things and obliging them to do others. So it is nothing strange that God or religion should have some authority over people. We see what our Lord or our religion forbid to us, and we refrain from it and regard it as prohibited. This is the issue in a nutshell. We think that you will understand that the prohibition of the Lord and of religion is more important than all the things we have mentioned, and it is more important to pay heed and refrain from those things, because He is the Creator Who has decreed that we should be His servants and we have accepted Him as our Lord, legislator and ruler.

What the Muslim student is ding by not going to the nightclub and not drinking alcohol – he is only doing that for the sake of Allaah Who has forbidden that to him.

2.

Moreover, you are objecting to that Muslim student not going to the nightclub and not enjoying himself with you. We ask you: Are there any limits to this enjoyment or is it without limits? We will be more frank with you: Would you accept for your girlfriend among the female students to be the girlfriend of another student or a teacher? Would you accept for someone else to be intimate with her as you are? We know about a lot of the cases of murder that happen in secondary schools and colleges because of such actions. There is no need to answer us, because we have seen and heard and read about fights that often end in killing, and all of that is because of competing to win the heart of a female student. Is that not so? So what is the enjoyment that you are calling for? Why do you prohibit this kind of enjoyment to students or teachers who want be intimate with the same female student, and she may also want that?

If you go against sound human nature and the reality in which you live, and accept for other students to be intimate with the female student who you are in love with, would you agree for the same thing to happen with your wife? We hope that you will not be angered by this question, all we want to do is explain to you that there are contradictions in your society, whereby you call for fun and enjoyment, but you limit it to things that have to do with yourselves and your whims and desires, and if a Muslim refuses to do that because of his religion, he is made a laughing stock and criticized. Moreover, there is a reference to a similar question in our religion. Do you know what that is? A young man came to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and asked him for permission to commit fornication. Yes, he asked for permission to commit fornication with the daughters and womenfolk of other people. Do you know what our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him? He said to him: “Would you accept it for your mother? Would you accept it for your sister? Would you accept it for your daughter?” and each time the young man said no, that he would not accept for anyone to commit fornication with his mother, sister or daughter, and each time the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him: “And by the same token, people do not accept it for their mothers, sisters or daughters.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed for him, and when he left him, fornication was the most hateful of deeds in his mind.

You are calling this Muslim to have fun, and we have asked a logical question: Would you accept for him to be intimate with your girlfriend whom you love? Would you accept for him to be intimate with your wife? Would you accept for him to be intimate with your daughter? We are quite certain that the incidents where unfaithful wives are killed happen because of the sound human nature that God has created in all people, whereby people refuse that and denounce it strongly, even if that leads to killing her or killing her and her lover, even if the end result is life imprisonment or execution. An unfaithful girlfriend is definitely not like an unfaithful wife, but even boyfriends do not accept for their girlfriends to be available to all people.

3.

Islam brought rulings that are well-founded and most wise; they are in the best interests of individuals, societies and states. When Islam forbade sexual relations outside the framework of marriage, the aim was so that societies would be pure in heart and body. It is sufficient for you to know the huge numbers of those who are affected by sexually transmitted diseases which are caused by sinful and perverse relationships, concerning the prohibition of which there should be no difference among various religions. How many victims of AIDS are there? How many have been infected? How do those of them who have not died live? It is a wretched life and a terrible death that a person leads himself to when he pays with his life for a few moments of pleasure. Islam brought that which protects the Muslim’s religious commitment, heart and body, so the Muslim refuses to do haraam (forbidden) things and is content with that which Allaah has decreed for him, for He knows best what is in the best interests of people.

4.

You should note that there is nothing in this world to feel regret for missing out on. For the Muslim, this world is a prison, and his Paradise and true enjoyment are in the Hereafter. As for the disbeliever, his paradise is in this world only, where he enjoys its delights, then his ultimate fate will be humiliation and loss.

Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that when he said: “This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the kaafir.” Narrated by Muslim (2956).

Our scholars explained it to us as follows:

Every believer who is imprisoned in this world and deprived of forbidden and abhorrent whims and desires is obliged to do difficult acts of obedience, but when he dies he will be relieved of that, and he will attain what Allaah has prepared for him of eternal delights and complete serenity that is not disturbed by anything.

As for the kaafir (disbeliever), he has whatever he gets of that in this world, although it is very little and it is disturbed by many problems and distresses, but when he dies, he will end up in eternal torment and misery.

Sharh al-Nawawi (18/93).

We hope that you will think about this matter and we hope that it will be the key that opens your heart to the truth.

5.

Who told you that there is no enjoyment in Islam? We do enjoy ourselves, but it is with what Allaah has permitted to us. We enjoy much more than you enjoy – and think it is enjoyment – because there is no enjoyment in a haraam thing, rather true enjoyment is in permissible things. Sin is followed by a sense of regret, and the one who does it can never be happy. Look at your own situation to see the truth of this.

If you enjoy intimacy with one wife, we can enjoy intimacy with four wives. What is the matter with your people who denounce us night and day and insult our religion for allowing us this pleasure?

We enjoy life with our sons and daughters, hence you will see that Muslim families are large and have many children. What kind of enjoyment do you have in this respect?

We enjoy the love of our mothers and fathers. Do you know the reality of the relationship of one of you with his mother and father?

We enjoy delicious, permissible food, and we enjoy delicious permissible drinks, and the same may be said about many other aspects of life. What matters is that Allaah has permitted it to us and allowed us to enjoy it.

It is sufficient for us that we are happy and enjoy that to which Allaah has guided us, which is that we should follow the right path with which Allaah is pleased, and which was followed by the noble Prophets before us. This is the happiness of which millions of people are deprived, who accept for themselves to worship rocks or idols, or humans like them. Allaah has told us that the lives of these people will never be pleasant, and their hearts will never be at rest, because they have forsaken belief in the Oneness (Tawheed) of their Lord Who created them, and they have associated other gods with Him, so Allaah punishes them in this world with anxiety and He will punish them with constriction of their graves, then with the harshness of the gathering (on the Day of Judgement) and their ultimate fate will be Hell in which they will abide forever.

If you want to understand the truth of these words, then read the stories of those among your own people, or others, who entered Islam. Look at the great changes that occurred in their lives, and look at the great happiness that they enjoy now. This is the enjoyment that you should seek. Just as you call on us to have fun and enjoyment, we call you sincerely to come and find enjoyment with us, and follow the path of happiness, and taste true happiness that will be with you as you go to sleep and as you wake up, and will never leave you, until you enter your grave, until your Lord admits you to the abode of happiness, which is Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth.

We ask Allaah our Lord to guide you to knowledge of the truth, and not to cause you to die except in the religion with which He ended the divine messages.

And Allaah is the source of strength.