Basic questions about Islam (2)

[smaneck]

If so, why is Muhammad a more important man?

You did get where I indicated that what the Qur'an says and what people do were two different things? Naturally Muslims are going to honor the Prophet they associate with their own religion.

Is he a messenger or a prophet or both or more than both?

Both, but understand that Prophets and Messengers in Islam have a much higher station than they have in Christianity.

If I said something against Muhammad, would I be punished?

Muslims are very touchy about defending the Prophet's honor, so I would avoid doing so. This isn't the shariah, it is just human sentiment. From the Islamic standpoint it would be wrong to denigrate any of God's prophets and messengers. Even my blood pressure goes up when I see people do this and it doesn't much matter which prophet we are talking about.

 

[smaneck]

This is about practice. Is there any theoretical base about polygamy?
Why can a man have a few wife, but not a woman has a few husband?

The assumption is that if a woman had more than one husband one wouldn't know who the father is. But keep in mind, the Qur'an also insists that being monogamous is really the only way to avoid injustice. So having one wife, is preferable although polygamy is not forbidden.

 

[smaneck]

Who were Messengers before Muhammad? Why is Muhammad the last one?

Most of the Messengers mentioned in the Qur'an are from the Bible, plus a few Arab prophets. However, the Qur'an affirms "that there is no people to whom a prophet has not been sent." Muhammad is called the Seal of the Prophets in the Qu'ran and Muslims have taken this to mean Muhammad is the last Messenger. Baha'is part company with Muslims on this point.

 

[Aidan K]

Yes, but then we are talking about the Baha'i Faith not Islam. While the concept of Manifestation exists in Shi'ite Islam, most Sunnis would not accept it. However, in Shi'ite Islam the martyrdom of the Imam Husayn has that redemptive power.

If I can be forgiven for going into more depth about the Baha'i concept of atonement and sacrifice, there are passages in the Baha'i Writings that appear to accept the notion of atonement and sacrifices for sin. For instance:

"That which thou hast heard concerning Abraham, the Friend of the All-Merciful, is the truth, and no doubt is there about it. The Voice of God commanded Him to offer up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His steadfastness in the Faith of God and His detachment from all else but Him may be demonstrated unto men. The purpose of God, moreover, was to sacrifice him as a ransom for the sins and iniquities of all the peoples of the earth. This same honor, Jesus, the Son of Mary, besought the one true God, exalted be His name and glory, to confer upon Him. For the same reason was Husayn offered up as a sacrifice by
Muhammad, the Apostle of God.
No man can ever claim to have comprehended the nature of the hidden andmanifold grace of God; none can fathom His all-embracing mercy. Such hath been the perversity of men and their transgressions, so grievous have been the trials that have afflicted the Prophets of God and their chosen ones, that all mankind deserveth to be tormented and to perish. God's hidden and most loving providence, however, hath, through both visible and invisible agencies, protected and will continue to protect it from the penalty of its wickedness. Ponder this in thine heart, that the truth may be revealed unto thee, and be thou steadfast in His path." Gleanings 75-76.

Likewise He speaks of Himself:

"Fix your gaze upon Him Who is the Temple of God amongst men. He, in truth, hath offered up His life as a ransom for the redemption of the world. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Gracious, the Most High.If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name's sake and as a token of your love for My manifest and resplendent Cause." Gleanings, 314.

So the Writings do speak of ransom but they also speak of repentance as being the sole prerequisite of forgiveness. We even have references to the kind of 'death-bed' conversions that some people make fun of Christianity for:

"He should forgive the sinful, and never despise his low estate, for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How often hath a sinner, at the hour of death, attained to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the celestial Concourse. And how often hath a devout believer, at the hour of his soul's ascension, been so changed as to
fall into the nethermost fire." KI 194-95

He likewise says; "Should anyone be afflicted by a sin, it behoveth him to repent thereof and return unto his Lord. He, verily, granteth forgiveness unto whomsoever He willeth, and none may question that which it pleaseth Him to ordain."

Repentance doesn't mean simply feeling sorry for one sins, it means turning towards God. One story that is told about Muslim mystic Rabi'a is that one day she came upon Hasan al-Basra (an earlier Muslim mystic) who was weeping and wailing over his sins, saying what a wretched man he was. Rabi'a said, "Yes, you are. Because had you truly turned towards God you would be looking at Him and not noticing your own sins."

If repentance is the only prerequisite for forgiveness why then does Baha'u'llah speak of 'ransoms'? Perhaps it is because only these kinds of sacrifices which make true repentance, true focusing on God out of love possible. This is what another medieval Christian theologian, Peter of Abelard argued. He held that the Crucifixion was necessary to forgive men's sin not because it was required on God's part but because only such a dramatic expression of God's love would enable people to repent and cause them to turn towards Him.

It strikes me that this form of atonement, unlike Anselm's formulation is relational. But it is also something which could not be done once and never again as in Christianity. If it is indeed grounded in God's determination to reach us, instead of satisfying some abstract requirements of the Divine Essence, then it would happen again and again as Baha'u'llah seems to affirm.

I think there is a great danger in seeing God as static, understandable by human categories like justice and mercy as Anselm liked to do. The God of Abraham was a Living God, a Person and like all persons (and unlike pure essences) He had a Will, one like all wills was subject to change on occasion. It seems to me this attempt to make God fit our mental conceptions, to put Him
into a predictable box is in the end, a form of idolatry. The Living God is not so predictable. He fulfills prophecies in ways we don't expect, and at times appears to fulfill them not at all.

Now that is a very long answer to your very short question.

Thank you so much Susan

 

[smaneck]

How could transgender process take place at the time of Muhammad? Does it mean man wears woman's dresses or vice versa?

They are called mukhannathun which means effeminate. And yes, they would adopt women's dress and make-up. One of the 'ulama or clerics describes them thusly:

"A mukhannath is the one ("male") who carries in his movements, in his appearance and in his language the characteristics of a woman. There are two types; the first is the one in whom these characteristics are innate, he did not put them on by himself, and therein is no guilt, no blame and no shame, as long as he does not perform any (illicit) act or exploit it for money (prostitution etc.). The second type acts like a woman out of immoral purposes and he is the sinner and blameworthy."

 

[juvenissun]

You did get where I indicated that what the Qur'an says and what people do were two different things? Naturally Muslims are going to honor the Prophet they associate with their own religion.

Both, but understand that Prophets and Messengers in Islam have a much higher station than they have in Christianity.

Muslims are very touchy about defending the Prophet's honor, so I would avoid doing so. This isn't the shariah, it is just human sentiment. From the Islamic standpoint it would be wrong to denigrate any of God's prophets and messengers. Even my blood pressure goes up when I see people do this and it doesn't much matter which prophet we are talking about.

I do think there is much more than that. That is what I do not understand. I am not in disagreement with Allah. I just disagreed with a "man". Even he is a chosen man of Allah, why should it make people so excited? Could you give me one or two scripture verses that make you feel so strongly about it.

 

[LoveBeingAMuslimah]

Is human "created" by Allah? Should a Muslim believe in biologic evolution which said that human evolved from chimp?

Yes, Adam (peace be upon him) was fashioned by Allaah's Hands and all humans are his descendants. He had no mother and no father. The origin of humans is clear in Islaam.

As for evolution regarding non-human organisms, I don't know if I'd have a problem with much of that. Allaah knows best about His creation though.

Could animal go to Paradise too? Why not?

"....a man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “O Messenger of Allaah, are there horses in Paradise?” He said, “If Allaah admits you to Paradise, any time you wish to be carried on a horse of red rubies that will fly with you wherever you want in Paradise, you will do that.” Another man asked him, “O Messenger of Allaah, will there be camels in Paradise?” and he did not say to him something like he said to his companion. He said, “If Allaah admits you to Paradise, you will have there whatever your heart desires.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi

http://islamqa.info/en/20286

http://islamqa.info/en/14404

Generally speaking, animals will be turned into dust on the Day of Judgement after they settle their scores with one another (because Allaah is not unjust with any of His creation). They're not held accountable for their actions for eternity.

Does Islam allow polygamy? Homosexual?

Islaam allows polygny. It does not allow acts of homosexuality.

OK, an important question:

Why is Muhammad a more important person (a human) than any other one in Islam?

Because he is the final Messenger.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I will be the leader of the sons of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, and the first one for whom the grave is opened, and the first one to intercede and the first one whose intercession will be accepted.” [Saheeh Muslim]

There are many other reasons but to keep it short, I'll leave it there.

If so, why is Muhammad a more important man? Is he a messenger or a prophet or both or more than both?

He's both since being a Messenger automatically means he's a Prophet. One cannot be a Messenger without also being a Prophet.

There are many humans and the absolute best of them are the Prophets of God. The best of the Prophets are Messengers. The best of the Messengers are the Messengers Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. The best of those Messengers is Muhammad. May the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them all.

If I said something against Muhammad, would I be punished?

In an Islaamic state, the one who slanders any of the Prophets and it reaches the authorities will be punished if there is sufficient proof and other criteria is met.

 

[smaneck]

I do think there is much more than that. That is what I do not understand. I am not in disagreement with Allah. I just disagreed with a "man". Even he is a chosen man of Allah, why should it make people so excited? Could you give me one or two scripture verses that make you feel so strongly about it.

In practice Muslims are more likely to get upset if you insult their prophet than they are if you say something negative about God. But we are not talking about disagreements here, we are talking about attacks and insults. If I started saying bad things about Jesus I would be kicked off this forum, would I not? Do you remember the reaction Christians had when the movie the Last Temptation came out? Movie theaters were being fire-bombed. Someone even drove a truck through the lobby of a movie theater. In a lot of countries it was banned entirely. But no, I can't show you scriptural verses. As I indicated before, this is more a matter of strong human sentiment. There is a Qur'anic verse that indicates God will curse those who curse His Prophets, but that is about it.

 

[Niblo]

Hello juvenissun. I trust you are well.

You asked about messengers and prophets.

Two words are used in the Qur’an to describe what translators call a ‘Messenger’ or a ‘Prophet’. These words are: Nabī (‘Prophet’) and Rasūl (‘Messenger’).

In the Islamic context, a Nabī is a man sent by Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) to provide guidance, or give warning, to those who are already under the Law; whereas a Rasūl (‘Messenger’) is charged with delivering the Law in the first place - in the form of scripture (he is also required to provide guidance and give warning, of course). All Rasūl are considered to be Nabī; but not all Nabī were Rasūl. Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was a Rasūl.

You wrote: ‘If I said something against Muhammad, would I be punished?’

Backbiting (Gheebah) - in the form of libel, slander, malicious gossip and so on - is a very serious matter in Islam:

‘Believers, no one group of men should jeer at another, who may after all be better than them; no one group of women should jeer at another, who may after all be better than them; do not speak ill of one another; do not use offensive nicknames for one another. How bad it is to be called a mischief-maker after accepting faith! Those who do not repent of this behaviour are evildoers. Believers, avoid making too many assumptions - some assumptions are sinful - and do not spy on one another or speak ill of people behind their backs: would any of you like to eat the flesh of your dead brother? No, you would hate it. So be mindful of Allāh: Allāh is ever relenting, most merciful.’

(Al-Hujurat: Verses 11-12).

These verses make it perfectly clear that Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) forbids backbiting; and in the strongest possible terms. He likens it to cannibalism; and who of the Musims - or of the People of the Book - would choose to be a cannibal?

Making false testimony against another is counted among the gravest of the major sins:

‘It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdur-Rahman b. Abu Bakra that his father said: “We were in the company of the Messenger of Allāh (may peace be upon him) that he observed: Should I not inform you about the most grievous of the grave sins? (The Holy Prophet) repeated it three times, and then said: Associating anyone with Allāh, disobedience to parents, false testimony or false utterance. The Holy Prophet was reclining, then he sat up, and he repeated it so many times that we wished that he
should become silent.’

(Sahih Muslim: Book 001, Number 0158).

And again:

‘Anas narrated from the Apostle (may peace be upon him) about the major sins. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: “Associating anyone with Allāh, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance.’

(Sahih Muslim: Book 001, Number 0159). See also Number 0160.

Muslims should speak of another (Muslim or non-Muslim) only if there is some benefit in their words. It does not become a Muslim to engage in harsh or hurtful speech.

Backbiting can arise from anger; envy; spite; arrogance; ignorance; from a desire to exalt oneself by means of degrading another, and so on. All of these things are detrimental to society and to good relationships. A Muslim is supposed to treat other people well, except if there is some justifiable need to do otherwise. In the Qur’an we read: ‘Allāh may still bring about affection between you and your present enemies - Allāh is all powerful; Allāh is most forgiving and merciful - and He does not forbid you to deal kindly and justly with anyone who has not fought you for your faith or driven you out of your homes: Allāh loves the just.’ (Al-Mumtahana: 7-8).

It is permissible to speak against another person:

1. When narrating the faults of that person before a judge in a trial, in the hope of achieving some legal remedy; or to assist the legal process.

2. When helping to change that person’s bad behaviour.

3. When seeking a ruling from an Imam, Shaykh or Mufti concerning a person’s bad behaviour.

4. When warning a person against the ill-intent of another.

5. When calling a person by a well-known surname; for the purpose of identification, and not from any harmful motive. (In the Valleys of South Wales, the youngest - or only
male child - is very often referred to as ‘Niblo’; as in: ‘Look after Niblo while I run down the shops, will you?’….and now you know how I got my forum name!).

6. To disclose the bad deeds of another, and so prevent harm being done.

Listening to backbiting is considered to be as bad as backbiting itself. Only if the listener protests against the backbiting - or moves away from it - is he exempted from its sin.

The scholars agree that a backbiter has committed two offences:

The first offence is towards Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) - who has prohibited backbiting. The expiation is to turn to Him in repentance, and to regret what has been done.

The second is against the person. The expiation for this is to seek forgiveness from that person, and to express sincere regret for what has been said.

If the person offended against is dead, then the offender must pray to Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla), seeking that person's forgiveness in due time. The offender must also resolve never to repeat the offence.

The Muslim who protects the honour of another in his absence gains honour on the Day of Judgement. This may be one reason why Muslims protect the honour of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

Before going any further, I must declare that what I am about to say does not reflect the consensus of Islamic Scholars - people who know far more than I do about the laws and practices of Islam; and who would say that speaking ill of the Prophet does indeed deserve earthly punishment.

I apologise in advance to my Sister - and to any other Muslim - who may be offended by what I am about to say. I ask them to accept that I do so with honesty and with the deepest respect for the Prophet himself, and for their own heart-felt convictions, whatever these may be:

In my opinion, one does not protect the honour of the Prophet by dishing out any form of earthly punishment. The Qur'an tells us to dismiss the people of ignorance, and not to give any attention to them: ‘Be tolerant and command what is right; pay no attention to foolish people.’ (Al-A‘raf: 199).

This matter is so important that the Qur’an makes it one of the traits of the Muslims: ‘The Servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk humbly on the Earth, and who, when the foolish address them, reply “Peace'” (Al-Furqan: 63).

Referring to the worship of idols, Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) says: ‘(Believers), do not revile those they call on beside Allāh in case they, in their hostility and ignorance, revile Allāh. To each community We make their own actions seem alluring, but in the end they will return to their Lord and He will inform them of all they did.’ (Al-An‘am: 108).

This verse has a direct bearing on how we should react to those who insult the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam). No matter how much we disagree with them, or how much we detest their actions, we must not resort to physical violence. Doing so only brings Islam into disrepute.

Those who say that people should be punished for insulting the Prophet would do well to remember what happened when he visited the village of Ta’if - along with Zayd ibn Harithah - to preach to them the word of Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla). The people of Ta’if rejected him, and told their children to throw stones at him and his companion; and to drive them out of the village.

The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) bled so profusely that his sandals were filled with blood. His response to this act of violence was to pray for the peace and wellbeing of the village, and of its children.

What gives us the right to behave violently towards those who insult the Prophet, when he himself did not? We honour him best by showing tolerance to others. Those who adopt a negative stance towards him will be judged by Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) - who knows the innermost recesses of their hearts better than we ever could. I think we should leave it at that.

Have a good day.

 

[LoveBeingAMuslimah]

Who were Messengers before Muhammad? Why is Muhammad the last one?

Examples include Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus as I mentioned before. (Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them all).

We don't know all of them by name - only those which Allaah revealed in His Book or through His Messenger's (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sayings - but we believe in them all.

He's the last one because that's how Allaah made him to be. It's why he's the Messenger of all of mankind (instead of a certain group of people) and why the Qur'aan is the one scripture of all the past scriptures that Allaah promised to preserve.

This is about practice. Is there any theoretical base about polygamy?
Why can a man have a few wife, but not a woman has a few husband?

If you're wondering the reason given in Islaam, there isn't any reason. It's just something we hear and we obey because we already know the truthfulness of our religion and acknowledge the Lordship of Allaah.

You did get where I indicated that what the Qur'an says and what people do were two different things? Naturally Muslims are going to honor the Prophet they associate with their own religion.

We make no distinction between them in that they were all Prophets. We do not reject some of them and accept others. We believe in their Prophethood, their sincerity, their truth, the Books with which they were sent, etc. However, we also know that some Prophets were better than others:

“Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others; to some of them Allaah spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honor)....” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:253)

The Superiority of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to all of creation

I do think there is much more than that. That is what I do not understand. I am not in disagreement with Allah. I just disagreed with a "man". Even he is a chosen man of Allah, why should it make people so excited? Could you give me one or two scripture verses that make you feel so strongly about it.

The Qur'aan is God's Words and the rest of what the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said is from Allaah. He is definitely not God, but he is the Messenger of God. And to insult the Messenger is to insult God.

"Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred, Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed, Taught to him by one intense in strength - One of soundness..." (Surah an-Najm 53:6)

"And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy." (Surah Ale 'Imraan 3:132)

"O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not." (Surah al-Hujuraat 49:2)

 

[juvenissun]

In an Islaamic state, the one who slanders any of the Prophets and it reaches the authorities will be punished if there is sufficient proof and other criteria is met.

Could I publicly "disagree" with (no insult) what a Messenger said? If not, is what a Messenger said have an equal weight than what Allah said?

 

[juvenissun]

If you're wondering the reason given in Islaam, there isn't any reason. It's just something we hear and we obey because we already know the truthfulness of our religion and acknowledge the Lordship of Allaah.

This is a very important point. Thanks.

 

[smaneck]

Could I publicly "disagree" with (no insult) what a Messenger said? If not, is what a Messenger said have an equal weight than what Allah said?

The only way God speaks to us is through His Messengers, so how can there be a difference?

 

[juvenissun]

The only way God speaks to us is through His Messengers, so how can there be a difference?

Good answer.
But, there is no Messenger now. Does Allah still speak to people? How does Allah answer your prayer if you ask Him a question?
According to what you said, it means: Allah does not answer prayer, and we can only find Allah's answer in written words include the Quran. Is that right?
If that is the case, what should people do if two knowledgeable Muslims have different views of the scripture? Do they physically fight for the final answer?

 

[smaneck]

Good answer.
But, there is no Messenger now.

Messengers are few and far between, but remember Baha'is don't believe that revelation ended with Muhammad.

Does Allah still speak to people? How does Allah answer your prayer if you ask Him a question?
According to what you said, it means: Allah does not answer prayer, and we can only find Allah's answer in written words include the Quran. Is that right?

He may well answer prayers but He probably won't do so with words.

If that is the case, what should people do if two knowledgeable Muslims have different views of the scripture? Do they physically fight for the final answer?

Forming different denominations as in Christianity would be strongly discouraged as the Qur'an condemns "those who have split their religion, and have become sects, where every party rejoices in what is their own." (Qur'an 30: 31) There are, however, differences that are so strong they lead to splits, such as the Sunni/Shi'ite split. However, there are differences in interpretations of Islamic law which most Muslims just learn to live with. And ultimately as the Qur'an states, "none knoweth its interpretation save God, and those who are endowed with knowledge."

Of course Muslims should turn to God for guidance, but if their personal 'guidance' is seen as running contrary to what has been revealed through the Prophets, it is the Prophet's authority that must be accepted. For everyone to follow their own personal understanding of the guidance of the Holy Spirit as Christians sometimes do would lead to chaos.

 

[juvenissun]

Messenger are few and far between, but remember Baha'is don't believe that revelation ended with Muhammad.
He may well answer prayers but He probably won't do so with words.

Forming different denominations as in Christianity would be strongly discouraged as the Qur'an condemns "those who have split their religion, and have become sects, where every party rejoices in what is their own." (Qur'an 30: 31) There are, however, differences that are so strong the lead to splits, such as the Sunni/Shi'ite split. However, there are differences in interpretations of Islamic law which most Muslims just learn to live with. And ultimately as the Qur'an states, "none knoweth its interpretation save God, and those who are endowed with knowledge."

Of course Muslims should turn to God for guidance, but if their personal 'guidance' is seen as running contrary to what has been revealed through the Prophets, it is the Prophet's authority that must be accepted. For everyone to follow their own personal understanding of the guidance of the Holy Spirit as Christians sometimes do would lead to chaos.

Allah chose people to be noble prophets and messengers. Has Allah also chosen any prophet/messenger to suffer in his life? My assumed answer is not, right?

 

[juvenissun]

Messenger are few and far between, but remember Baha'is don't believe that revelation ended with Muhammad.

He may well answer prayers but He probably won't do so with words.

How should one pray to Allah? What to pray? Should we pray to Muhammad?

 

[smaneck]

Allah chose people to be noble prophets and messengers. Has Allah also chosen any prophet/messenger to suffer in his life? My assumed answer is not, right?

I wouldn't say that they were 'chosen to suffer' but every prophet has suffered.

 

[smaneck]

How should one pray to Allah? What to pray? Should we pray to Muhammad?

There are various forms of prayer in Islam. The primary form is Salat or obligatory prayers which Muslims say five times a day and which are accompanied by various postures:

There is also personal prayer called munajat or doa. There is also dhikr or remembrance which often involves reciting the attributes of God.

As for pray to those who have past to the next world for intercession is a matter of controversy among Muslims. Salafi Muslims (Wahhabis) reject intercession entirely even to the extent of destroying the Prophet's own gravesite, but it is quite common among Shi'ites who venerate the Imams and Sufis who often worship at saint shrines.

 

[juvenissun]

There are various forms of prayer in Islam. The primary form is Salat or obligatory prayers which Muslims say five times a day and which are accompanied by various postures:

There is also personal prayer called munajat or doa. There is also dhikr or remembrance which often involves reciting the attributes of God.

As for pray to those who have past to the next world for intercession is a matter of controversy among Muslims. Salafi Muslims (Wahhabis) reject intercession entirely even to the extent of destroying the Prophet's own gravesite, but it is quite common among Shi'ites who venerate the Imams and Sufis who often worship at saint shrines.

How do they explain that they might have violated the One God commandment?
Is it OK to you to pray to Muhammad? At least say something like: "Great Messenger, help me."