Why Islam?

A young American Muslim, talking about Islamic religion..

Quotes from the video;

"I think Islam is the most misunderstood religion in the world, not just by non-Muslims, but by Muslims as well."

"And unfortunately their actions and behaviors reflect their lake of understanding. And finally you have people who twist the verses of Qur'an. The in result is a lot confused people and a lot of confusion about what Islam really teaches."

"Prove to me that this book is perfect, just like its creator, and then I'll follow it. Otherwise if the book has even one error, it proves this has been edited or written by men."

"I became Muslim before 9-11, before all this propaganda. If you watched TV long enough, you'd believe this religion is a religion of fanatics. With actions that are not based on reason or rationality."

"Islam teaches you to think, and reflect. To observe the world around you."

"Have you ever tried memorizing a book cover to cover?"

"And the Qur'an challenges men to write a book like it if he's in doubt that this book is actually from the Creator, to prove it's a book cannot be written by a human being."

"What Islam really teaches? What Muslims really believe in? Well, first of, delete everything you've heard in the Media, because Muslims are not nonsense. And all these people who try to spread hatred by copying&pasting texts out of context, those people have no idea what thy're talking about. I'll tell you what we Muslims really believe in."

"What is the meaning of the word "Muslim"? He's the one who submits to God."

"And not even Muslims have a free ticket to paradise. Each person will be judged for their intentions and their actions."

"Now, all the stuff I've been talking to you about maybe some different of what you've seen or heard about Muslims. Maybe as because of the actions of some Muslims out there. Some who are just Muslims by name, representing Islam, and if you compared their actions to what Islam really teaches, you'll notice that they have nothing to do with each other."

"Thanks to God, Allah showed me Islam before He showed me Muslims."

"Five to eight Million Muslim live here in the United States. If Islam really preaches violence, then ask yourself "Where is the violence?" "

"So all the "kill all of the infidels" stuff is nonsense, because if they were true, how it was used in Christians who lived generations after generations for 1400 years in the middle east, .. and they still live in the middle east. Think about it!"

Climate Change .. An Islamic perspective

Today is 15th of October. It's not just a normal day, but it's the day when more than 7,000 blogs are going to unite their efforts to talk about only one subject .. Climate Change. It's Blog Action Day.

As a religious blog, I must talk about the subject as a religious blog. I'll do all my best to reveal the perspective of Islam about protecting surrounding environment..

Reading the 41th verse of the 30th Chapter in Qur'an we can notice that Qur'an is paying our attention to the essential subject of Environmental Pollution being caused by the hands of human themselves..

"Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that ((Allah)) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil)."

In another verse, we can see an obvious confirmation that God created nature in a perfect balance among all its factors, that we must keep that balance..

"And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance." 15:19

When we follow the sayings of prophet Muhammad we can find out all his invitations encouraging all members of Islamic community to spread the trees, reclaim the desert lands..

Allah's Apostle said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." Sahih Bukhari

The Prophet said, "He who cultivates land that does not belong to anybody is more rightful (to own it)." Sahih Bukhari

On the other side, we can also find out when we follow the verses of Qur'an and sayings of the prophet the continuous confirmation to keep the resources of nature and to use them in a balanced way away from any extravagance..

In verses 26 and 27 in the 17th chapter we can find that Qur'an is confirming that we should keep our resources, and not to waste them..

".. But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. * Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful." 17:26, 27

In chapter 6, verse 141 we can find the verse paying our attention to the nature, ending with an inhibition to waste the products of nature..

"It is He Who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters." 6:141

In another verse we can see a direct inhibition to mischief on earth that has been reformed..

"Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds! * .. * Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good." 7: 54, 56

It's recorded too in the books of Sunnah, that the prophet inhibited extravagance in using water even when on the side of a river.

Islamic perspective of protecting environment depends on the following points;

a) Respecting Nature.

b) Keeping The Natural Resources From Wasting And Misuse.

c) Increasing The Amount Of Trees.

d) Increasing The Suitable Lands For Agriculture Through Encouraging Reclaiming Dead Lands.

If governments of the world followed that Islamic protocol, the world will be a better and safer place.

Questions About Women In Islam (Hijab)

Why are Muslim women wearing a head scarf?

According to Islamic Sharia, there is a dress code for both men and women which serves the purpose of protecting their dignity and modesty and giving them respect. Both of them should not wear cloths that accentuate the shape of the body in such a way as to attract the attention of the opposite sex. Therefore clothing should not cling closely to the body, nor should it be transparent. As hair and hairstyle of a woman is an important part of her looks and may also add to her attractiveness, women avoid displaying this area by covering their heads. According to a saying by prophet Muhammad, nothing of a woman should be publicly visible except her face and her hands. Her intentions, personality and presence are best ascertained, in fact, from these areas of the body.

These rules are applicable only in the presence of non-kin men whom the woman in question could marry in theory. Within the family circle and in the company of some of her kinsfolk a woman may appear without covering her head. These kinship relationships are mentioned in detail in Qur'an, Chapter 24, Verse 31. At an older age a woman may discard the head-cover partially. However, as she also sets an example for the younger generation, it is better for her to continue to cover herself in accordance with the Islamic dress code. "Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage,- there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: .." 24:60

Muslim girls start to adhere to the above Islamic dress code when they begin to develop a female shape (usually at the onset of puberty).

What about the Nikab?

There are two levels of Muslim women dress; the first is the Hijab, which refers to covering all the body, excluding the face and the hands. The second level is covering all the body, including the face and or without the hands. The four main Fiqh schools consider only the Hijab as the religious duty on Muslim women, the Nikab according to these schools is just a higher rank or a favor, but not a religious duty. Only few other non-main schools consider the Nikab as a religious duty. So, according to the major trend in Sharia law, only covering the head except the face and the hands, is the religious duty. But covering the face is not a religious duty.

Does the head scarf obstruct the Muslim woman from being an active member in her society?

No, at all. There have been across Islamic history great examples of successful Muslim women wearing the head scarf. The wife of the prophet, Aisha was known as a great scholar and narrator of prophet's life. The greatest fellows of the prophet (Sahaba) were consulting her after his death in the (Islamic Law) Fiqh issues. Head scarf did not restrict Muslim women to be scholars, poets, professors, doctors, nurses, TV interviewers, artists and scientists in all fields; Physics, Biology, Engineering, Crystallography, Zoology, etc. Hijab don't restrict Muslim woman from her given right according to Sharia to educate and work.

Is the head scarf an intruder product of Islamic culture?

Of course not. If we looked at three images put side by side, the first is of The Virgin Mary, the second is of mother Tresa, the third is of any Muslim woman. What would be the common thing between the three of them?

It's the scarf of the head. The three of Virgin Mary, mother Tresa and a Muslim woman are covering their heads. This can tell us that the head scarf is not related to some culture, but it's related to keeping dignity and modesty of the woman. We never claimed that head scarf of the virgin Mary or mother Tresa was an obstacle stone in their progress and success path. We never thought that the head scarf is an scarf over their minds. Neither we thought that their head scarf is an oppression to these great examples of purity and charity.

Muslims & Christians .. "A Common Word"

At Georgetown university in Washington, a wonderful experience of cultural talk is going on. A conference among senior Muslim scholars including the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Ali Gomaa, and Amr Khaled, the famous Muslim preacher who have wide fame among Muslim youth, and senior Christian scholars. Political personalities are attending the conference from among them are Tony Blair, Professor John Esposito and Anwar Ibrahim. This two-day conference will take the "Common Word" initiative to the next stage by focusing on global issues and initiatives for change. Global political and religious leaders, scholars, media, and community representatives will discuss and develop concrete proposals to advance global peace and security between Muslim and Western societies.

This bright experience started 3 years ago, when Pope Benedict XVI offered a speech offending Muslims around the world. An action that was faced by a wise reaction from 38 Islamic authorities and scholars from around the world, representing all denominations and schools of thought, joined together to deliver an answer to the Pope in the spirit of open intellectual exchange and mutual understanding. The number expanded a year later to be 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals coming together to declare the common ground between Christianity and Islam. All major Muslim countries were represented in the message that is addressed to all Churches and indeed all Christians all over the world. The uniqueness of this initiative is that it depends on the teachings of the two great prophets, Muhammad and Jesus (Peace Be Upon Both of Them).

In a related event at Johns Hopkins University organized by US Institute of Peace, Dr. Ali

Gomaa will discuss the challenge of moderation in Islam. Dr. Gomaa has been a regular critic of violence being practiced in the name of Islam, and has written extensively on spirituality, prevention of violence, human rights, women's equality and peacemaking. Dr. Gomaa has a wide fame among Muslims and particularly in Egypt.

Following is the Summary of the introduction to the initiative..

Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world's population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians.

The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbour. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity. The Unity of God, the necessity of love for Him, and the necessity of love of the neighbour is thus the common ground between Islam and Christianity. The following are only a few examples:

Of God's Unity, God says in the Holy Qur'an: "Say: He is God, the One! / God, the Self-Sufficient Besought of all!"(Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-2). Of the necessity of love for God, God says in the Holy Qur'an: "So invoke the Name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him with a complete devotion"(Al-Muzzammil, 73:8). Of the necessity of love for the neighbour, the Prophet Muhammad said: "None of you has faith until you love for your neighbour what you love for yourself."

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ said: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / And you shall love the Lord

your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. / And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)

In the Holy Qur'an, God Most High enjoins Muslims to issue the following call to Christians (and Jews—the People of the Scripture):

"Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him)." (Aal 'Imran 3:64)

The words: "we shall ascribe no partner unto Him" relate to the Unity of God, and the words:"worship none but God", relate to being totally devoted to God. Hence they all relate to the First and Greatest Commandment. According to one of the oldest and most authoritative commentaries on the Holy Qur'an the words: "that none of us shall take others for lords beside God", mean 'that none of us should obey the other in disobedience to what God has commanded'. This relates to the Second Commandment because justice and freedom of religion are a crucial part of love of the neighbor.

Thus in obedience to the Holy Qur'an, we as Muslims invite Christians to come together with us on the basis of what is common to us, which is also what is most essential to our faith and practice: the Two Commandments of love.

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The full introduction is available on the Official Website of A Common Word

Questions About Women In Islam (Marriage)

Is a Muslim woman allowed to choose her husband herself?

Islam gives woman the right to choose her own husband. Without her consent no marriage can take place; and should thus take place, such marriage is invalid. Narrated Abu Huraira: Prophet Muhammad said, "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! How can we know her permission (Because a virgin feels shy)?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her permission)." Sahih Bukhari

How are we to understand the permission for polygamy in Islam?

Technically, Islam allows men to marry four women; however, there are certain conditions to be met. This is best understood from the following verse in Qur'an: "And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans; then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you -- [even] two, three, or four; but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one -- or [from among] those whom you righfully possess." (Chapter of Women, Verse 3)

The requirement of justice and identical treatment is therefor a condition closely tied up with polygamy. This, however, largely depends upon the personality of the man and the woman. It is possible for a man to grant a widow or a divorcee honourable maintenance by marrying her as a second wife. Moreover, from a woman's point of view a polygamous marriage, in which each wife has equal rights, is a choice preferable to that of a mistress who has no rights.

Islam did not outlaw polygamy, as did many other peoples and religious communities; rather, it regulated and restricted it. It is neither required nor encouraged, but simply permitted and did not outlaw. The only passage in the Qur'an (4:3) that explicitly addresses polygamy and restricts its practice, in terms of the number of wives permitted and the requirement of justice between them, was revealed after the Battle of Uhud, in which dozens of Muslims were martyred, leaving behind widows and orphans. This seems to indicate that the intent of its continued permissibility , at least in part, is to deal with individual and collective contingencies that may arise from time to time (e.g, imbalances between the number of males and females, created by war). This provides a moral, practical and humane solution to the problems of widows and orphans, who would otherwise surely be more vulnerable in the absence of a husband.

Does a woman have an option to face polygamy?

Absolutely, a prospective first wife may include in her marital contract a condition that her prospective husband shall practice monogamy. If this condition is mutually accepted, it becomes binding on the husband. Should he later violate this condition, his first wife will be entitled to seek divorce with all the financial rights connected with it. If such a condition was not included in the marital contract, and if the husband marries a second wife, the first wife may seek khul' (divestiture).

Is a Muslim man allowed to beat his wife?

This subject is burdened with a lot of prejudice. This question arise from the verse in the Qur'an which reads as follows: ".. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all)." (Women Chapter, Verse 34). This verse makes it clear that the husband is required to apply three steps in any case: Admonition, Separation in bed, and only thirdly Beating. This means that beating in the heat of the moment is specifically forbidden. In the second place, according to the Muslim scholars, "beating" has more of a symbolic connotation rather than the meaning of physical injury or hurt. Prophet Muhammad did express quite clearly his misgivings about beating a woman by saying: "Is it really possible for you to beat your wife as if she were a servant and then go to her at night?" He himself never beat a woman and he is the best example for Muslims.

What did prophet Muhammad said about treating women as wives?

In his "farewell pilgrimage" address, he said in his famous "Farewell Sermon", that is really appreciated by all Muslims; "O People! It is true that you have certain rights in regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat you women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste."

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Sources:

-WOMAN IN ISLAM, by Discover Islam Center, Kingdom of Bahrain.

-GENDER EQUITY IN ISLAM (BASIC PRINCIPLES), by Jamal Badawi, Ph.D., American Trust Publications