Atronomy:
Some decades ago, scientists described the formation of the universe.I hope you have studied about the Big Bang in Physics.This was there in the Quran 1400 years ago in surah Ambiya (chapter 21 verse 30)
"Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together and We seperated them"
Now the scientists have proved the moving of the celestial bodies in space where as it was mentioned in the Quran 1400 hundered years ago: (Surah Ambiya chapter 21 verse 30)
"It is Allah who has created the night and the day, the Sun and the moon each one travelling in a orbit with its own motion" The word used in the Quran YASBAHUN (own motion) refers to the rotation of the earth in its own axis.
Hubble discovered that the universe is expanding.I hope you have heard of the Hubble's law which was proven some years ago.The Quran mentions this 1400 years ago: (Surah Dhariab chapter 51 verse 47)
"We have created the expanding universe."
Water Cycle:
Scientists had discovered the water cycle and it was said that the process is not mentioned in the Quran. The Quran says in Surah Tariq: (chpter 86 verse 11)
"By the capacity of the heavens to return." Almost all the scholars who analyzed the verse analyzed it as "The capacity of the Heavens to retun (rain)."
Now you might ask "Why didn't Allah specifically say,the capacity to return rain.Instead Allah just said "the capacity to return"? Because Allah is All-knowing.Now we have come to know that besides returning rain it even returns the other beneficial matter and energy which is required by the human beings. Today we have come to know that it even returns waves of telecommunication,of television, of radio.Besides that it even returns the harmful rays of the outer space.For example, the ultra violet rays of the Sunlight is absorbed by the ionosphere. If this would have not been done,light on the earth would have ceased to exist. So Allah is more accurate when he says,"The capacity of the heavens to return"
But this is not all.The Quran Does describe the water cycle in great detail. In Surah Nur(24:30). In Surah Ruum(30:48). In Surah Muminoon(23:18). In Surah Ruum(30:24). In Surah Al-Hijja(15:22). In Surah Al-Araab(7:57). In Surah Furqan(25:48-49). In Surah Yaseen(36:34). There are still some more but I think these will be satisfactory for you.(I don't know who was so dumb as to say that the water cycle is not described in the Quran.)
The Quran describes embryology in Surah Muminun: (chapter 23 verse 12 to 14)
"We have created the human beings from a nutfa (a minute quantity of liquid) then placed it in aqrar-e-maqeen (a place of security), then we made it into an Alaqa (a leech like substance,something which clings) then we made that Alaka into a Mudgah (a chewed like lump) then we made the Mudgah into bones, then closed the bones with flesh. Then We made it a new creature. Blessed be Allah who is the best creator."
These 3 verses describe the embryological stages in great detail. Professor Keethmore (a european proffesor) accepted Islam when he analyzed these verses because these verses perfectly described the embryological stages 1400 years ago, while modern science discovered it recently.
In the past the scientists believed that only the brain was responsible for feeling of pain. The Quran says in Surah Nisa: (chapter 4 verse 56)
"Ask to those who reject our signs, We shall cast them in the Hell fire and as often as the skins are roasted, We shall give them new skins so that they shall feel the pain."
This verse indicates that there is something in the skin which is responsible for causing pain. Now the scientists have discovered that there are pain receptors underneath the skin which are responsible for the feeling of pain.
If the Quran was meant for the 7th century then how are all the things discovered recently already present in the Quran from 1400 years (Not to mention that all the things are 100% accurate). What we discover now is what Allah told us 1400 years ago. This doesn't mean that Quran was meant for the 7th century. It means that we discovered now, what was told to us in the 7th century.
OR in your words, Islam is a free size dress made for all ages. If a six year old fits into the dress then it doesn't mean that a 21 year old won't fit into it.
** "Glory to Allah, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as their own (human) kind and (other) things of which they have no knowledge."** (36:36)
"...and other things of which they have no knowledge": For every matter that exists in the universe, there is an anti-matter...
The Quran says: (Surah Nisa chapter 4 verse129)
"It is difficult to do justice between a wife, therefore do not turn away from them altogether."
First of all, a limit is set (on the number of wives) to stop the men from marrying infinite number of wives and sleeping with them just once and never even looking at them again.In other words, to prevent men from doing injustice to their wives. Then why four? Because of the same reason. To avoid injustice towards the wife. Imagine a man with 8 wives. How will he satisfy all 8 of them. Now you might say that a man having 4 wives might also do injustice to 1 of them. That is why the Quran suggests man to marry only one wife. But a maximum limit of 4 wives are allowed if he thinks that he can do justice to all four.
Hmm, another Islam vs West mud slinging match...she's got ya'll strung.
Ms H Ali has made an excellent career move ... anything by association with Mr Rushdie is bound to be.
What the bimbo (can highlights affect the neuro system?) doesn't realise is by asking the authorities not to invest in muslims, she is marginalising a group that is already seen as an outsider. Yes work is needed, education and awareness is needed and this can be done only by government help. Its a cultural issue, not an "Islamic" one.
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*Originally posted by Axiom: *
"But you can marry four. Why not five or six?"
The Quran says: (Surah Nisa chapter 4 verse129)
"It is difficult to do justice between a wife, therefore do not turn away from them altogether."
First of all, a limit is set (on the number of wives) to stop the men from marrying infinite number of wives and sleeping with them just once and never even looking at them again.In other words, to prevent men from doing injustice to their wives. Then why four? Because of the same reason. To avoid injustice towards the wife. Imagine a man with 8 wives. How will he satisfy all 8 of them. Now you might say that a man having 4 wives might also do injustice to 1 of them. That is why the Quran suggests man to marry only one wife. But a maximum limit of 4 wives are allowed if he thinks that he can do justice to all four.
[/QUOTE]
Just cuz' the quran says doesn't make it right to a non-muslim. It's a matter fo faith for you guys, and that is fine. TO me quoting the koran to prove the koran is circlar logic. I might be more evolved...but go on.:)
Let's look at your 8 wife example. Just as a man can or cannot satisfy 8 wives, a man can/cannot satisfy 4. It's comon sense not divine wisdom. This is the very point I am making. The message as I would understand in Koran should be "Treat your spouse with justice and satisfy her". Not "You can marry up to 4 women because that's the most you can satisfy".
This is problem with literalist interpretation. Koran was written in the 7th century for a 7th century lifestyle. The messages in all great relaigions are the same, Islam is no different. Understand the message and 90% of the work is done. It's the 10% rules that create the problems. Khilafah, jihad, and so on and so forth.
"Just cuz' the quran says doesn't make it right to a non-muslim. It's a matter fo faith for you guys, and that is fine. TO me quoting the koran to prove the koran is circlar logic. I might be more evolved...but go on."
The verses I have stated are not based on theory or faith. They are facts established by modern science. If you don't believe them then you don't believe in modern science. AND I think that facts have been proven for non Muslims as well as Muslims. So if you don't believe in modern science then i can't help it.
"Let's look at your 8 wife example. Just as a man can or cannot satisfy 8 wives, a man can/cannot satisfy 4. It's comon sense not divine wisdom. This is the very point I am making. The message as I would understand in Koran should be "Treat your spouse with justice and satisfy her". Not "You can marry up to 4 women because that's the most you can satisfy".
First of all, ALHAMDULILLAH. You finally realized that Islam is pure common sense. You don't need missionaries as in christianity to explain the unscientific errors in Christianity. Secondly "Treat your spouse with justice" indicates that a man can have only 1 wife. But what if the man is able to satisfy more than 1 wife (he has enough desires and money to do justice to more than 1 wife) . He will look at other women with lustful eyes. SO, "TREAT YOUR SPOUSE WITH JUSTICE" cannot be a divine revelation because after following it, man will do bad things (look at other women indecently, which can lead to some other crimes like adultery).
Now you might say "ok let it be TREAT YOUR SPOUSE/SPOUSES WITH JUSTICE" which is still wrong. The verse says that a man can marry any number of women as long as he does justice with them. Consider a man with 10 wives. He does justice to each of them. But one day, he suddenly dies of some accident. So he will leave behind him, 10 widows. Who will take care of them. So the widows will have to either become prostitutes or they will have to work even if they don't want to. Even if one of them is lucky to find a man who is ready to marry a widow what about the rest of the 9. So when Allah says that marry maximum of four he prevents a lot of women from being forced to spend miserable lives.
Just imagine what troubles could this little common sense of yours cause. That is why when Allah sets a limit of four it is divine, not common sense.
"This is problem with literalist interpretation. Koran was written in the 7th century for a 7th century lifestyle. The messages in all great relaigions are the same, Islam is no different. Understand the message and 90% of the work is done. It's the 10% rules that create the problems. Khilafah, jihad, and so on and so forth."
Sure, the Quran was written in the 7th century but this 7th century text is still, in the year 2002, considered as the best form of arabic text available in the entire world. If you have interpretation problems in the best form of text in the world, then you need something better than the best, which you cannot get. Besides, when you say that the message in all religions is the same, I get a picture that you don't know any religion in the world!!! Islam is the only religion in the world which tells its followers to worship one God. There is no other religion which says about worshipping only one God and no one else but one God. Christianity speaks of three gods (trinity). Where as Hinduism has countless gods. All three messages are in no way the same.
Thanks Moona, but this requires a lot of time and i'm afraid it might affect my studies. But when I see all those pointless accusations against Islam I just can't stop myself from posting. The thing that angers me even more is that some of the muslims in here are unable to answer the accusations against Islam. COME ON EVERYONE. WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU. ISLAM IS THE BEST RELIGION. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH TO PROVE IT TO THE OTHERS (because, unfortunately(due to laziness) we are not well versed with the Quran.) MAKE THIS EFFORT. BECAUSE THIS EFFORT OF YOURS WILL REALLY HELP ISLAM BIG TIME. (phew .....Don't mind, I just got a little carried away)
Some people say that women are treated bad in muslim lands but what is the reality of women in the west? some claim that we should follow western ideas and culture in order to give protection to women, BUT have the methods of Western values and ideas given women rights they rae entilted to?
Eradicate Western values to halt violence on women
On 12 November, the Women Development Ministry announced the setting up of twenty crisis centres to assist women in distress throughout Pakistan. This represents the latest attempt by the government to address the serious problem of violence upon woman. However it is a matter of great concern is that this strategy only mimics the failed measures adopted in the West to halt this terrible plague. In spite of an abundance of crisis centres in the West, violence on women in America is such that as a woman raped every single minute and a woman is battered in domestic violence every 15 seconds.
As for Britain 1/3 of women have been sexually abused by the age of 18 and one woman is killed through domestic violence every three days. This horrible war on women is despite a "revolution" in which woman was to be "liberated." However, in reality it was man that was "liberated" from fulfilling the rights due to a woman in a relationship. Woman is now presented in society as an object for man to deal with as he sees fit rather than an honour to be preserved and protected. As such crisis centres really don't stand a chance when faced by an entire culture built on the exploitation of woman and erosion of her sanctity. It is this matter that needs to be addressed. One wonders what really is the point of the government opening crisis centres when it is the same government that has opened the floodgates of these Western values, in the disguise of festivals, cultural events, music concerts and advertising that all present the woman as an object rather than an honour. Indeed, the solution to the problem of violence upon women will not be found in adopting the Western "freedoms" or Western programmes. The real solution lies in the implementation of Islam for it binds man and woman to fulfil the rights and duties due to each other of compassion (muwaddah), maintenance (nafaqah), honour (izza) and good relations (b'il maroof).
[quote]
Hmm, another Islam vs West mud slinging match...she's got ya'll strung.
Ms H Ali has made an excellent career move ... anything by association with Mr Rushdie is bound to be.
What the bimbo (can highlights affect the neuro system?) doesn't realise is by asking the authorities not to invest in muslims, she is marginalising a group that is already seen as an outsider. Yes work is needed, education and awareness is needed and this can be done only by government help. Its a cultural issue, not an "Islamic" one.
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I liked what u wrote KH, but do u think calling her a bimbo is justified? She's obviously gone thru a lotta hell to have that kind of thinking.
On the face of it, I was inclined to agree with her - but that stopping the funding for multicultural programs really got me. I mean, it's not as if things in Europe r all hunky-dory for immigrants, and esp. muslims. If she's seen a lot of injustice meted out, she should be actively propagating the fact that these types of inhumane conditions exist in Europe as well as so-called Muslim countries. She ought to be *supporting * government-funded multicultural programs that increase diversity awareness, blah blah.
As u said, it's a cultural issue, not an Islamic one. I donno how she got off on that track... maybe there's more to this issue than meets the eye?