Questions about Islam ?

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

First of I want to declare that I am a Muslim which most of you are gonna denay after reding this post.Secondly that I am not from a convertee’s family . I have been thinking about all this for a long time and now I think I should ask this here just in case ANYONE has answer for this .

  1. Quran says Islam is a religon of peace .
    we have told that When Muslims came to India the lower cast hindus turned to Islam after observing the life it offers. Not by reading Islam and by believing in God and is prophit, but just to get rid of their social status . Higher cast had to convert to save their lives . THEY WERE NOT IMPRESSED BY MUSLIMS but muslims were gonna kill them .
  2. We have been asked to say prayers five times a day . Now how practical is that . When we were ordered to do so then no one had any thing to do . Now talking about myself it’s very very rare for me to get any time for luch or evening tea and going to bed before 2 or 3 in the morning . If you say that things have changed these days then that means that Islam was not forever but just for a small portion of time .
    3)I have n’t seen any Chritian turning to Islam by reading and experiencing it (I am not talking about those who were forced to convert by sword). Because how can you believe if some one just comes and say that Mohammed (PBUH) was not correct , like Ahmedis , what if they are correct . Okay if we say that christ said that there is gonna be a last prophit and then when Jesus was crossified in front of their eyes some one comes and that he is not dead but was replaced with some one , who the hell is gonna believe . What if some one comes and say that Imam hussan was not killed but was changed with some one else .Are we going to believe . Then whats wrong with Chritians if they do n’t believe us .
  3. We muslims say that Bible has been changed and the Holy Quran can never be changed since God has promised the authenticity, no doubt I can not deniay this but now there are so many types of muslim I can n’t even count
    shia,suni,el-e-hadis etc etc etc each of them have their own Quran , now which one is correct .
    Please reply only if you a soild point .
2

You gotta ask a solid question to get a solid answer.
Anyway...
for your first question, would you mind telling what your sources are when you say that muslims would have killed the hindus, hence the hindus started converting to Islam? Hindus will say it one way, and muslims will say it another way. Its something that hasnt been documented properly, however, Islam is not a religion to be imposed upon anyone, since that defeats the whole purpose of being a muslim. If indeed anyone out there does try to shove Islam down someones throat by force, he is doing a disservice to Islam. And I dont see any example of such behavior in the Islamic world.
For your second question, well good for you since initially Allah SWT ordered muslims to pray 50 times a day, but later on reduced it to 5, since it was deemed extensive. About your reasons for not being able to pray, or as most people say, "I dont get any time", well, its just a weakness of faith that we all have in us to some extent. Some pray all 5 salats together at night, some try to pray as regularly as possible, and there are others who pray right on time, come what may. They will line up in the office cafeteria or in the stairs and pray if they have to, but they never delay their prayers. These are degrees of faith, and it differs from person to person. Noone has the time. We all are busy, but that really isnt an excuse. God forbid we ever "have time". Like one learned person told me once, referring to people who say, "fursat nahin milti", he said, "Allah na karey kisi ko kabhi fursat milay". Because people who have empty time on their hands are not always in the best of situations. A person in jail has a lot of fursat. So does a sick person lying in bed. So would u rather have fursat or be busy?
About ur third point, sure you might not have seen any christian or non muslim converting to islam after reading and experiencing it, but thats just you. There are billions others in this world besides you, and what you see or dont see doesnt speak for the whole world. My point is, there certainly are loads of muslims who became so after extensive research into Islam. And lastly, Quran hasnt been changed, and cant be changed. There are no two versions of The Holy Quran.
All you need to do is direct your faith in the right direction, and then keep it there rather let it go astray. We all have weaknesses in our faiths, but the beliefs shouldnt falter.

3

It's a very good reply I must say espcially what you said about the prayars"Allah na karey kisi ko kabhi fursat milay" is really convincing but again as you said that there were 50 salats before but that was n't reasonable for that time , just like that I do n't think that 5 are reasonable now , but still you have come up with a very good point ,but I think if some one just say thank GOD five times a day it means he is remembering Allah and saying thanks then physical gestures have no meanings, out of those who say prayers how many of them actually understand what they are saying word to word
DO YOU?
apart from this I am sorry my friend you really have n't got the answers I am looking for .
As you said"You gotta ask a solid question to get a solid answer"
I would say these are not the proper answers .but still please do reply .

4

Yes you can thank Allah SWT five times a day, but would that be equal to praying 5 times a day? Well, you decide that yourself. Are you married? if so, what if instead of going home to your wife and kids every night, you just called her up on the phone and said, "honey i miss you and im thinking about you", and send her money for expenses every now and then. Would that suffice? I dont think so...not for you, and not for your family. And even though you might just eat, watch tv and go to sleep every night, your family would still prefer you do it in front of them rather than away. The same goes for praying 5 times a day. Allah SWT has tied up expectations from us, just as our families tie expectations to us.
About understanding what we read in the salat, personally speaking, yes i do, and most of the people that i know also do know what they read in namaz. Its something that you catch on, since you do it regularly. And yes, it IS as simple as it sounds..you just have to give it a try. For your other questions, you would have to come up with specific situations, because generalizing it doesnt sit well with me. Because the points you mentioned about forcing islam on people, conversion of christians to islam, and the altering of Quran, are all generalized points. To give a general answer, Islam cant be forced on someone, and if someone does do so, he is not following the norms of Islam. And yes, there are more than just a few muslims who were previously non muslims, and i say that from personal experience, who have studied the Quran and Islam, and basically got convinced that Islam was the right way. And as for the alteration of Quran, you really would have to show me 2 different versions of Quran before i can say anything about that.

[This message has been edited by Akif (edited January 28, 2000).]

5

Salaaam!!!
First of all let me tell you that, there are alot of real Alims and Muftis, if you have doubts you should ask them!!!! they will really guide you!!!!we are humans as the time passes there are doubts which come in our mind!!!! the best source is to talk with ALIMS and MUFTIS...
The western civlization has created alot of impat on Islam...after seeing the western society, enjoying there day and night life, muslim people also get attracted!!!! and thos doubts appear!! before a persons gets too much lost in this society it is best thing to ask them!!!
About your first question!!! truly Islam is the religion of peace!!! and a true religion.It is the religion which stopped a person from Idol worshipping, burrieing of small girls, equality between black and a white, no body is supperior infront of GOD( Allah Ta'la) accepts due to a persons deeds, ethics of wars, not to harm women, trees, elders and children in war, respecting the neighbours, the equality between wife and husbands ets...as we go on there are tons of things that made a change due to islam..
which shows its peacefulness
Ok, now about converting people to islam by sword!!!!first of all I agree with Akif, bring a narration of a book that says that Islam spreaded on the sword bases!! If you are talking about sub conti. before Mohammad Bin Qasim, the islamic preacher were long before in sub-conti! they worked on individual basis they didn't have a whole army to back them up, that was there charracter and way of life that influenced the others( names of those islamic preacher can be given, but as I am writing the reply from job so I may provide from home)
About the second question ie about prayer! it is a personal obligation to fullfill it!!if you are living in a country they have laws, If you dont obey the law, what you get a ticket or a punishment, the same goes with the prayers it is the LAW ie Farz you have to fulfill it!!! a person gets a time to sleep, eat, to earn money, to watch TV, to entertain, to spend time with family...etc etc!!!! a person has 24 hrs and he cannot spare 30 minutes for a simple prayers by which his life after death can be changed!!! By the Way the Ultimate reason for the creation for human beings was to bow his head infront of God and to thank him for his givings....
Now the third question!!!according to the census Islam is the fastest growing religion not in America but also arround the world, they are not enforced to do that but after carefull studying they revert back to islam!!! about the historical events about jesus christ(pbuh) it is a historical fact which a person has to believe, first of all it is in the Holy Quran ,after saying that it is in the quran, no explanation is necessay, but the christians also believe in it the Jesus will come back to save them from the distress of this world cuz it is in there bible!!!!! bible still has alot of versus which are still the same ie they are not changed I may narrate them as I go home!!!! you can see what those versus say!!!
Lastly, about various sect in islam!!!I dont want to argue about it who is correct or not, or who will go to hell fire or nor!!!!I believe in one thing ie "Follow islam and life according to the Quranic teachings and the way of Mohammad(pbuh) and then by the way of Sahaaba(Mohammad (pbuh) friend) then a person is entitled for forgiveness by Allah Ta'ala!! Even Mohammad (pbuh) used to pray for his foregiveness!!!!

I think these answers may help!!!!!!!
May God help me, you and all muslim brother and sisters to learn the true living way of islam and give courrage to fullfill his laws!!

6

I think Ber-ail-wiz and al-e-hadis both have different and Dev-bundiz well
tell you some thing altough I do n't say my prayers five times a day but when ever I do I do not care about the location (ofcourse towards Qibla, I mean my personel location) but I have seen people who do say their prayers five times a day but they do n't go to the mosques of Berailwiz . I actually experience this few months back when I was in pakistan that we went some where for Jumma and my uncle who says his prayers five times a day turned back from the mosque becasue he said that it's of a Berailwe .

7

A486,

I think we should discuss your questions one at a time. I don't have any problems with any of your questions, your questions imply that you have quest for understanding. That should be admirable compare to muslims who just follow their religion because their forefathers had been following it.

Now lets come to the first Question, Like Asif mentioned, how did you arrive at the conclusion that low-cast hindus converted to Islam due to fear rather than open-heartness. If we are going to discuss this issue, we should back our statements through factual findings or references of some sort. Even if you have a strong proof of the 'Islam by sword' was the underlying theme in Arab/Persian Muslim leaders who invaded India, would you care to tell me if you know the significance and lives of many Sufis/muslim saints whose shrines are still visited by thousands of people every year in Indo/Pak.

Secondly, I am not denying that there wasn't a possiblity of people accepting Islam due to fear. We know that had happened not only in India but also in Prophet's time. If that wasn't the case, we wouldn't have had Sura-e-Munafayqooon. But thats different topic all together.

Our main issue here is to find out if your theory or statement that Islam spread in India by means of sword can be considered the case for the majority of hindus who converted to Islam

8

Deobandis, or as you have written dev-bandis do not have a different version of Quran. It is a school of thought and nothing more. Anyone who has looked at it or promoted it as being more is incorrect.

9

Let me add to Mr. Fraudia's message,

In my limited knowledge, all muslims believe in same Quran, whether they be Sunnis, Hanafis, Shahfahis, Malaki, Jafari, DeoBandis etc etc.

Majority of muslim scholars/muftis, alims believe that there are five branches of fiqahs/discipline in Islam as follows:

  1. Hanafi
  2. Shahfayi
  3. Malaki
  4. Hanbali
  5. Jafari

(Above mentioned list is a loose interpretation of fatha given by Mufti-e-Azam of Islamic Al Azher University of Cairo, which is considered the oldest and most respected Islamic university of Islamic World).

10

Imran
Your post is out of place; it does not, in any way, relate to the post being discussed here, unless you are keen in playing the looser's game of 'who's true and who's not'.

It's noted that you are a Jafri shia and is keen on bashing other shias; my friend - don't waste your time or live in delusion.

1)Could you pls post a link where as you say
"Majority of muslim scholars/muftis, alims believe that there are five branches of fiqahs/discipline in Islam as follows:"
I would like to see it out of curiosity more than anything else.

2) Also, could you pls tell us who founded the Al-Azhar University?

Finally, an advise to the muftis/scholars who keep playing this looser's game - stick to ensuring that your followers are behaving and respecting others; and, pls stop telling others what to follow. It's not even funny anymore.

Thank you.

11

here we go again

http://www.pak.org/gupshup/frown.gif

12

wowyi,

First of all, I added the comments to a question that was initiated by A486 about Quran and that different muslims follow different versions of Quran.

The reason I brought up that statement was just to say that not only these sects have same Quran but also that they share fiqahs with just minor differences.

So, NO I WAS NOT OUT OF PLACE and NO my intention is not like u stated.

Secondly, the fact I wrote Jafari or included Jafari sect in the list was not out of personal preference or inclination but the fact that that is how it was stated in the Fatha from the Grand Mufti of Al Azhar university.

My mere iteration of the list from highly known fatha of that scholar doesn't imply my keen interest in bashing any sect let alone other shias as you stated.

In addition, I think you conveniently forgot my starting statement where I indicated that I am giving an opinionated statement. As such, I stated a generalized statement of how I think majority of muslim alims/scholars agree.

If you don't agree with that, thats your prerogative and you are entitled to your belief just like I am. Hence, you are welcomed to state it rather than crictizing others.

As to your second question, seems like you well equiped with the information on Al Azhar University, as such, why don't you enlighten me and others with how you perceive that University and its scholars as well as anything that relates to it.

Last, since I brought up the statement on "majority of muslim scholars/muftis", I take it your last statement was directed to me, As such I am letting you know that I was not preaching to others to come and join any of those five groups. If your tolerance level is so weak that the mere mentioning of those type of general statements are not "funny", I suggest you strengthen your "Emaan" in whatever fiqah you follow.

I think you need to read my post with a clear and open mind without any prejudice.

Now I think we have difference of opinion, you think my post was irrelevant, while I think otherwise. You have stated your view and I have mine... Lets get to the First question on this topic.

Any intake on that??

[This message has been edited by Imranz (edited January 28, 2000).]

13

Akif,

Sorry that wasn't my intention... I only brought it up because one of the questions was in reference to having different version of Qurans and i just wanted to say that they share more than just Quran and that their fiqahs are very similar as well

[This message has been edited by Imranz (edited January 28, 2000).]

14

Imran

Now you trying to twist what I said. Again, you delude yourself by stating the blarney about my 'Iman'.

I asked you two questions and you failed to provide me the answer to either; instead, I receive a colourful mumbo-jumbo. I asked you:
1)Could you pls post a link where as you say
"Majority of muslim scholars/muftis, alims believe that there are five branches of fiqahs/discipline in Islam as follows:"
I would like to see it out of curiosity more than anything else.

2) Also, could you pls tell us who founded the Al-Azhar University?

I still would like to see that link; and, your unwillingness to answer Q2) speaks a lot to me. Anyways, I think we understand each other.

You state that you were expressing an opinion, rather you were making a statement.

[This message has been edited by wowyi (edited January 29, 2000).]

15

wowyi,

I think you failed to understand otherwise you wouldn't have reiterated your question for a 'link'. My opinion was as a statement. since it was my opinion, I don't see a reason for providing a 'link'.

Anyhow, if you understand me as you claim, we don't need to prolong this and go any further on this.

16

This noty getting any where folks
any way Imranz please explain this a bit to me are you saying these mentioned groups follow the same beliefs and The Quran ,this is what I am saying that these groups might have same beliefs and Quran but what about the others DO THEY HAVE DIFFERENT QURAN?
thats all I am asking.
and yes we will discuss this querstion first of all .

17

A486 either you are fakepaki or you both got the same dictionary.

what about the others DO THEY HAVE DIFFERENT QURAN?

what are you talking about? Who are the others? How could they have a different Qur~an when we have just told you there are no different versions?

If your trying to make some sort of point just spit it out, don’t try to be clever. Your pal fakepaki

http://www.pak.org/gupshup/clown.gif

is too dumb to get away with it so I don’t think it will be any different for you.

18

A486,
Let me see if I can answer your question!
First all muslims agree that they all follow the same Quran; you may wish to read the thread: The Glorious Quran in the religious forum 'cause we both have questions on this!

All the sects in Islam believe in the Prophet and the Quran but, how they go about achieving union with Divine Reality is different. You are correct there are many sects with their own interpretations of this!

Also, the biggest motivator for splits in Islam and its downfall can be directly attributed to personalities like Mr. Xtreme.

19

tut tut. Is this what they teach you in your temples?

http://www.pak.org/gupshup/nook.gif

Come out of the closet chaman lal.

You can admit it. No shame in being a hindu. :slight_smile:

Say what you want with conviction. Don’t put on a dupatta hoping we won’t recognise you.

20

A486,

As long as we stay objective, I have no problem in discussing all these questions.

Now lets get to your inquiry, you are mentioning some other groups besides the one I mentioned. Now I believe that all muslims follow the same Quran, their interpretation of Quran may be different (thats a given, because everyone things differently and with different variables), but nonetheless, you can pick up a Quran at Sunni's mosque or shia's or whoever, and Quran you would find would be identical.

You mentioned some "Other groups/muslims". Could you elaborate further on this. Who are the "others" you are asking about?? I acknowledge the fact that there are other smaller groups which historically branched off the main ones. Unless I am wrong with this info and someone corrects me, I think these are the main discipline/sects within Islam.

[This message has been edited by Imranz (edited January 31, 2000).]