Is there a need for Islam??

[ServantofTheOne]

#5) Personal Hygiene, Cleanliness, and Beautification

In Islam, cleanliness and purification are not only requirements for the performance of worship, or when embracing Islam, but are part of a Muslim’s very faith. Allah says in the Qur’an: "…Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers etc.)." (Al Baqarah: 222)

"O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful." (5:6)

"Every Muslim should bathe once every seven days where he should wash his head and alt of his body." [Note: Agreed upon on the authority of Abu Hurairan, Al-Lu `Lu' Wal Marjan, (No.442)]


"The Swak(toothstick) is a purifying agent for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's Pleasure." [Note: Reported by Ahmad on the authority Abi Bakr; also by Al-Shafi'i, Ahmad, Nasa'i, Ibn Khaizamah, Ibn Hibban, Al-hakim and Al-Baihaqi on the authority of `Aishah, and by Ibn Majah on the authority of Abi Umaman, Sahih Al-Jami Al-Saghir, (3695)]


"Whoever has hair should care about it." [Note: Reported by Abu Dawud on the authority of Abu Rurairah, (No. 4163), Sahih Al-Jami' Al-Saghir, (No.6497)] `Ata' Ibn Yasser reported that: "A man came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him): When he was in the mosque with uncomped hair and an untidy beard. The Prophet pointed to him as if ordering him to fix his hair and beard. He did so and returned. Thereupon the Prophet (Peace be upon him): When he was in the mosque observed, "Isn't this better than one of you coming with his hair uncomped, as if he was a devil ?" [Note: Reported by Malik, Al-Mawatta', vol.2, p.949]

Thus the Prophet as the instructor taught the Muslims the importance of having a pleasant appearance which comes second in importance after the excellence of the inner self. Furthermore, he taught Muslims to wash their hands thrice on waking up before putting them in the water, saying, "For no one knows where his bands were during sleep." [Note: Reported by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majab, Al-Nasa'i, Abu Dawud, and Al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abu Hurairah, Sahih Al-Jam'i Al Saghir, No.332]

"Whoever goes to sleep without washing his hands from the traces of fatty foods, exposes himself to illness and should blame no one but himself." [Note: Reported by Abu Dawud (No.3852), Al-Tirmidhi (No.1861), Ibn Majah (No.3267), and Ibn Hibban as mentioned in Al-Mawarid (No. 1354), all of them reported it on the authority of Abu Hurairah except Ibn Majah who reported it after Fatimah, (May Allah be pleased with both of them), No.3296]

Purification or cleanliness is considered an inseparable part of faith to the extent that some Muslims mistook the saying: "Cleanliness is a sign of faith" as a hadith. The actual authentic hadith in this respect says: "Purification is half of faith" [Note: Reported by Muslim, Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abi Malik Al-Ash'ari, Sahih Al- Jami' Al-Saghir (No.3957)]

Second, cleanliness is the pathway to health and strength. Islam aspires the health and strength of Muslims, preparing them to confront and overcome different circumstances and as ammunition for the Muslim group. The strong believer is better and Allah loves him more than the weak believer. The Muslim is entrusted with his body thus, he must not neglect it until it becomes plagued with disease for the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Your body has a right on you." [Note: Agreed upon on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn `Amr, Al-Lu `lu' Wal Marjan (No.715)]

Third, cleanliness is a prerequisite to beautification or appearing in the way most loved by Allah and His Prophet. It is reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah is Beautiful and He loves beauty."

After the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "If one has an atom's weight of arrogant pride in his he! he will not enter Paradise". On hearing the Prophet's words, a man said: I like to wear elegant clothes and shoes or he said one likes to wear elegant clothes and shoes.' The Prophet commented, "Allah is beautiful and he loves beauty, arrogant pride means the denial of the truth and despising people." [Note: Reported by Muslim on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud in the book of Iman, (No.147)]

Allah, the Exalted says: "O children of Adam, adorn yourselves fully at every time of prayer." And says: "Who had forbidden the ornament of God which He brought forth for His servants and who has forbidden the good things which he has provided?" (7:31-32)

 

[rahul_sharma]

you are welcome also to offer in this thread what opinion, if any, Hinduism offers in respect to the following topics:

1. oneness of humanity and racism
2. tolerance of other religions
3. value of education and pursuit of knowledge
4. respect for and gaurdianship of the environment

bear in mind this is only the beginning, if you join please provide references in your scripture.

As a Hindu , i sometimes laugh when someone comments my God , your God , Allah is God or God is Allah , Allah is truth and others are not or others are truth and Allah is not....Hinduism boldly say Allah is greatest , Jesus is greatest , Krishna is greatest because Hindu knows There is only one God in many forms and each form is due to particular reason and for the benefit of the humanity. (Thats different thing, humans had made these forms of same God controversial in there ego and for there personal benefits). My religion has taught me to think much above this divisions of God made by humanity. At the end Hinduism says all is one , God is one.

Lord krishna said in Geeta , In whatever form devotee will worship me but with full devotion , i will fullfill his wish in that form. Krishna will not send you to hell if you will not worship him because the one whom you are worshipping is Krishna because only Krishna exists in different forms.

Can any religion show more oneness than this?? Can any religion show more tolerance than this??

 

[rahul_sharma]

#5) Personal Hygiene, Cleanliness, and Beautification

In Islam, cleanliness and purification are not only requirements for the performance of worship, or when embracing Islam, but are part of a Muslim’s very faith. Allah says in the Qur’an: "…Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers etc.)." (Al Baqarah: 222)

"O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful." (5:6)

"Every Muslim should bathe once every seven days where he should wash his head and alt of his body."[Note: Agreed upon on the authority of Abu Hurairan, Al-Lu `Lu' Wal Marjan, (No.442)]


"The Swak(toothstick) is a purifying agent for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's Pleasure."[Note: Reported by Ahmad on the authority Abi Bakr; also by Al-Shafi'i, Ahmad, Nasa'i, Ibn Khaizamah, Ibn Hibban, Al-hakim and Al-Baihaqi on the authority of `Aishah, and by Ibn Majah on the authority of Abi Umaman, Sahih Al-Jami Al-Saghir, (3695)]


"Whoever has hair should care about it." [Note: Reported by Abu Dawud on the authority of Abu Rurairah, (No. 4163), Sahih Al-Jami' Al-Saghir, (No.6497)] `Ata' Ibn Yasser reported that: "A man came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him): When he was in the mosque with uncomped hair and an untidy beard. The Prophet pointed to him as if ordering him to fix his hair and beard. He did so and returned. Thereupon the Prophet (Peace be upon him): When he was in the mosque observed, "Isn't this better than one of you coming with his hair uncomped, as if he was a devil ?" [Note: Reported by Malik, Al-Mawatta', vol.2, p.949]

Thus the Prophet as the instructor taught the Muslims the importance of having a pleasant appearance which comes second in importance after the excellence of the inner self. Furthermore, he taught Muslims to wash their hands thrice on waking up before putting them in the water, saying,"For no one knows where his bands were during sleep."[Note: Reported by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majab, Al-Nasa'i, Abu Dawud, and Al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abu Hurairah, Sahih Al-Jam'i Al Saghir, No.332]

"Whoever goes to sleep without washing his hands from the traces of fatty foods, exposes himself to illness and should blame no one but himself." [Note: Reported by Abu Dawud (No.3852), Al-Tirmidhi (No.1861), Ibn Majah (No.3267), and Ibn Hibban as mentioned in Al-Mawarid (No. 1354), all of them reported it on the authority of Abu Hurairah except Ibn Majah who reported it after Fatimah, (May Allah be pleased with both of them), No.3296]

Purification or cleanliness is considered an inseparable part of faith to the extent that some Muslims mistook the saying: "Cleanliness is a sign of faith" as a hadith. The actual authentic hadith in this respect says: "Purification is half of faith" [Note: Reported by Muslim, Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abi Malik Al-Ash'ari, Sahih Al- Jami' Al-Saghir (No.3957)]

Second, cleanliness is the pathway to health and strength. Islam aspires the health and strength of Muslims, preparing them to confront and overcome different circumstances and as ammunition for the Muslim group. The strong believer is better and Allah loves him more than the weak believer. The Muslim is entrusted with his body thus, he must not neglect it until it becomes plagued with disease for the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Your body has a right on you." [Note: Agreed upon on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn `Amr, Al-Lu `lu' Wal Marjan (No.715)]

Third, cleanliness is a prerequisite to beautification or appearing in the way most loved by Allah and His Prophet. It is reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah is Beautiful and He loves beauty."

After the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "If one has an atom's weight of arrogant pride in his he! he will not enter Paradise". On hearing the Prophet's words, a man said: I like to wear elegant clothes and shoes or he said one likes to wear elegant clothes and shoes.' The Prophet commented, "Allah is beautiful and he loves beauty, arrogant pride means the denial of the truth and despising people." [Note: Reported by Muslim on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud in the book of Iman, (No.147)]

Allah, the Exalted says: "O children of Adam, adorn yourselves fully at every time of prayer." And says: "Who had forbidden the ornament of God which He brought forth for His servants and who has forbidden the good things which he has provided?"(7:31-32)

Religion means eternal Spirituality , Religion is usefull if it raises higher conciousness and spiritual understanding among its followers with basic morals and should be open for Spiritual questions and answers. Religion based on dogmatic and strict book is more harmfull that good because it closses mind of its followers rationally. It closes all windows of spirituality which arises due to continous questions and freedom.
Like jailor can made rules for moralless prisoners , i will compare this with that. SALMAN RUSHEDIE is also very good writer and like him there are many ..they can write moral books better than before ...will you accept them? Anybody can write books based on everyday rules and regulations but real spiritual book is that with gives you guidelines of basic and eternal morals rather than rules and combine them with ocean of Spirituality.

 

[ServantofTheOne]

Religion means eternal Spirituality , Religion is usefull if it raises higher conciousness and spiritual understanding among its followers with basic morals and should be open for Spiritual questions and answers. Religion based on dogmatic and strict book is more harmfull that good because it closses mind of its followers rationally. It closes all windows of spirituality which arises due to continous questions and freedom.
Like jailor can made rules for moralless prisoners , i will compare this with that. SALMAN RUSHEDIE is also very good writer and like him there are many ..they can write moral books better than before ...will you accept them? Anybody can write books based on everyday rules and regulations but real spiritual book is that with gives you guidelines of basic and eternal morals rather than rules and combine them with ocean of Spirituality.

in prison, you must follow the rules, in life you have the option to choose to follow the guidelines of the Creator.

Islam is belief combined with action. what is spirituality without proper action complementing it.

 

[rahul_sharma]

in prison, you must follow the rules, in life you have the option to choose to follow the guidelines of the Creator.

Real spirituality and understanding of eternal nature of God is more important than following dogmatic rules and regulations of particular region which arise due to particular and local conditions of some time. Religion should raise Spirituality instead of binding like a jailor.

Islam is belief combined with action. what is spirituality without proper action complementing it.

Morals are different from rules and regulations. Morals are more important than dogmatic rules. Religion should ask its followers to follow morals, use mind , ask questions and slowly raise Spiritual understanding of God which is the most important mission of Soul.

 

[ServantofTheOne]

Real spirituality and understanding of eternal nature of God is more important than following dogmatic rules and regulations of particular region which arise due to particular and local conditions of some time. Religion should raise Spirituality instead of binding like a jailor.

i think you misunderstood. I was referring to your original analogy of rules of prison and rules of religion. I wanted to distinguish that if one is in prison, they have no choice but to follow the rules. where as in life adopting a religion or not, or as to which one is entirely an option, not a requirement. There is no compulsion in religion.

Our prophet(pbuh) for the first 13 years of his prophethood taught the nature and oneness of our Creator. what we know of our Creator is what is taught to us by the Creator, not something that we made up.

Morals are different from rules and regulations. Morals are more important than dogmatic rules. Religion should ask its followers to follow morals, use mind , ask questions and slowly raise Spiritual understanding of God which is the most important mission of Soul.

Indeed, islam has comprehensive guidance on morals, and islam encourages us to use our intellect, to ask questions and to seek knowledge and understanding of the Creator.

Islam provides a balance of spiritual and physical guidance.

 

[rahul_sharma]

#5) Personal Hygiene, Cleanliness, and Beautification

In Islam, cleanliness and purification are not only requirements for the performance of worship, or when embracing Islam, but are part of a Muslim’s very faith. Allah says in the Qur’an: "…Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers etc.)." (Al Baqarah: 222)

"O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful." (5:6)

"Every Muslim should bathe once every seven days where he should wash his head and alt of his body."[Note: Agreed upon on the authority of Abu Hurairan, Al-Lu `Lu' Wal Marjan, (No.442)]


"The Swak(toothstick) is a purifying agent for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's Pleasure."[Note: Reported by Ahmad on the authority Abi Bakr; also by Al-Shafi'i, Ahmad, Nasa'i, Ibn Khaizamah, Ibn Hibban, Al-hakim and Al-Baihaqi on the authority of `Aishah, and by Ibn Majah on the authority of Abi Umaman, Sahih Al-Jami Al-Saghir, (3695)]


"Whoever has hair should care about it." [Note: Reported by Abu Dawud on the authority of Abu Rurairah, (No. 4163), Sahih Al-Jami' Al-Saghir, (No.6497)] `Ata' Ibn Yasser reported that: "A man came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him): When he was in the mosque with uncomped hair and an untidy beard. The Prophet pointed to him as if ordering him to fix his hair and beard. He did so and returned. Thereupon the Prophet (Peace be upon him): When he was in the mosque observed, "Isn't this better than one of you coming with his hair uncomped, as if he was a devil ?" [Note: Reported by Malik, Al-Mawatta', vol.2, p.949]

Thus the Prophet as the instructor taught the Muslims the importance of having a pleasant appearance which comes second in importance after the excellence of the inner self. Furthermore, he taught Muslims to wash their hands thrice on waking up before putting them in the water, saying,"For no one knows where his bands were during sleep."[Note: Reported by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majab, Al-Nasa'i, Abu Dawud, and Al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abu Hurairah, Sahih Al-Jam'i Al Saghir, No.332]

"Whoever goes to sleep without washing his hands from the traces of fatty foods, exposes himself to illness and should blame no one but himself." [Note: Reported by Abu Dawud (No.3852), Al-Tirmidhi (No.1861), Ibn Majah (No.3267), and Ibn Hibban as mentioned in Al-Mawarid (No. 1354), all of them reported it on the authority of Abu Hurairah except Ibn Majah who reported it after Fatimah, (May Allah be pleased with both of them), No.3296]

Purification or cleanliness is considered an inseparable part of faith to the extent that some Muslims mistook the saying: "Cleanliness is a sign of faith" as a hadith. The actual authentic hadith in this respect says: "Purification is half of faith" [Note: Reported by Muslim, Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abi Malik Al-Ash'ari, Sahih Al- Jami' Al-Saghir (No.3957)]

Second, cleanliness is the pathway to health and strength. Islam aspires the health and strength of Muslims, preparing them to confront and overcome different circumstances and as ammunition for the Muslim group. The strong believer is better and Allah loves him more than the weak believer. The Muslim is entrusted with his body thus, he must not neglect it until it becomes plagued with disease for the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Your body has a right on you." [Note: Agreed upon on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn `Amr, Al-Lu `lu' Wal Marjan (No.715)]

Third, cleanliness is a prerequisite to beautification or appearing in the way most loved by Allah and His Prophet. It is reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah is Beautiful and He loves beauty."

After the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "If one has an atom's weight of arrogant pride in his he! he will not enter Paradise". On hearing the Prophet's words, a man said: I like to wear elegant clothes and shoes or he said one likes to wear elegant clothes and shoes.' The Prophet commented, "Allah is beautiful and he loves beauty, arrogant pride means the denial of the truth and despising people." [Note: Reported by Muslim on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud in the book of Iman, (No.147)]

Allah, the Exalted says: "O children of Adam, adorn yourselves fully at every time of prayer." And says: "Who had forbidden the ornament of God which He brought forth for His servants and who has forbidden the good things which he has provided?"(7:31-32)

So, whats the use of posting such things , you are posting it as if all these basic attitudes were invented by mohammed and Islam.
You mean to say those who never read quran or folllow islam ...they dont bath once a day , they dont wash there hands before eating , they dont comb there hairs properly and they dont wash there faces before prayers??


Even atheists do all these things.

Every where i see in muslim posts all such things . If not these, Then posts contain follow Allah or Go to hell....Inbetween no ways or thoughts of spirituality.


Some times i feel its possible Mohammed was right in presenting all these BASICS to those spiritualless pagans of that Small region of Arabia. Thats why, Mohammed who was devotee of Lord Shiva (Allah) presented eternal Hinduism in simplified form to these pagans who may have corrupted Vedic beliefs of that region. http://www.christianforums.com/t1164094-is-islam-angry-childcorrupted-form-of-hinduism.html By doing this , he may have done 2 things simultaneously....He presented real vedic spirituality in simplified form to fighiting people of that area and also taught them the importance of comb , Bath and washing hands.

 

[ServantofTheOne]

the value of cleanliness and personal hygiene would have helped europe out in the dark ages when hundreds of thousands were dying from the plague, not to mention the fact that the medical profession finally figured out it would be more sanitary to wash their hands before performing surgery or delivering a baby after how many centuries of people dying unnecessarily due to unsanitary conditions.

If you believe that islam is a subset of Hinduism, then please give us some references to the topics raised. Please include quotes from scripture. Then we will know if there are any relationships between them. It is better to provide sources as evidence rather than offer conjecture.

I would be to happy to learn what guidance Hinduism has regarding those issues.

 

[rahul_sharma]

the value of cleanliness and personal hygiene would have helped europe out in the dark ages when hundreds of thousands were dying from the plague, not to mention the fact that the medical profession finally figured out it would be more sanitary to wash their hands before performing surgery or delivering a baby after how many centuries of people dying unnecessarily due to unsanitary conditions.

When did islam reached Europe , America or ancient Indus valley . Indus valley gave this world first sanitation system , first writing script and advanced civilization before 4000 years of Islam's birth. Aurveda was first ancient herbal medicine even used today . It was also 3000 years before Islam.

Even today , middle east "the hub of Islam" is most voilent and lawless places on earth. All this because of Islam?

If you believe that islam is a subset of Hinduism, then please give us some references to the topics raised. Please include quotes from scripture. Then we will know if there are any relationships between them. It is better to provide sources as evidence rather than offer conjecture.

I would be to happy to learn what guidance Hinduism has regarding those issues

Why dont you come to those threads and reply there in which i had invited you ? You are talking about these small things i have already provided and prooved even the most fundamental basics of Islam and other religions were based on eternal Hindu Spirituality.

 

[ServantofTheOne]

Why dont you come to those threads and reply there in which i had invited you ? You are talking about these small things i have already provided and prooved even the most fundamental basics of Islam and other religions were based on eternal Hindu Spirituality.

i don't believe these are small things. These issues are things that affect everyday life. aren't we both spiritual and physical beings?? does Hinduism deny or reject our physical attributes and needs.

can we assume then that Hinduism offers no guidance on such things as the value of cleanliness, oneness of humanity regardless of race, religion, gender, the value of education and the pursuit of knowledge, and humanity's guaurdianship of the environment.

all of these things are relevant. I hope you can contribute Hinduism's position.

 

[rahul_sharma]

does Hinduism deny or reject our physical attributes and needs.

can we assume then that Hinduism offers no guidance on such things as the value of cleanliness, oneness of humanity regardless of race, religion, gender, the value of education and the pursuit of knowledge, and humanity's guaurdianship of the environment.

all of these things are relevant. I hope you can contribute Hinduism's position.

The main aim of Hindu faith is spiritual understanding of God . Hinduism is based on eternal truths rather than book which stops its followers to think rationally.

This thread is not for disscussing Hinduism , if you are intrested in asking questions about Hinduism you are most welcome in this thread.
http://www.christianforums.com/t1144868-a-question-to-hindus.html

But since you have asked me what Hinduism says on basic things other than SPIRITUALITY , so i am providing you some links...

Good and Pure
http://www.hinduism.co.za/goodand.htm

Sattwa, Rajas & Tamas[Note:Sattwa = Goodness, Rajas = Passion, Tamas = Darkness]

http://www.hinduism.co.za/sattwa,.htm

Abusive Speech
http://www.hinduism.co.za/abusive.htm

Conduct
http://www.hinduism.co.za/conduct.htm

self-restraint
http://www.hinduism.co.za/self-res.htm

Immortality
http://www.hinduism.co.za/immortal.htm

Thought, Speech and Deed
http://www.hinduism.co.za/thought,.htm

Senses – Self-discipline
http://www.hinduism.co.za/senses-.htm

Egoism
http://www.hinduism.co.za/egoism.htm

Yoga
http://www.hinduism.co.za/yoga.htm
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/yoga.htm

.....MANY MORE......on every angle of life but Spiritual understanding is most important and where there is True Spiritual understanding all these qualities will come automatically. There will bo no use of dogmatic rules and regulations like a jailor.

and for oneness and equality of religions read again my reply no. 202

 

[FullyAmbivalent]

You still do NOT get the point. we talk about islam not muslims and what they do. ISLAM ALLOWED MORE THAN 1 WOMAN. THIS MEANS WOMEN ARE NOT EQUAL TO MEN IN ISLAM. TOGETHER WITH ALL THE OTHER PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED IMPURITIES OF ISLAM, WE CAN EASILY CONCLUDE THAT ISLAM IS NOT FROM THE TRUE GOD BUT FROM SATAN. THIS IS TO KEEP YOU BUSY AND AWAY FROM YOUR SALVATION.

You are so quick to attack another religion because of the way it treats women...

Have you read the bible lately? Read the old testament!

A man could marry (literally to "become the master of the woman") as often as he desired. In Genesis 4:19, Lamech became the first known polygamist when he took two wives. Subsequent men who took multiple wives included: Esau with 3 wives; Jacob: 2; Ashur: 2; Gideon: many; Elkanah: 2; David: many; Solomon: 700 wives of royal birth; Rehaboam: 3; Abijah: 14. Jehoram, Joash, Ahab, Jeholachin and Belshazzar also had multiple wives.

In Numbers 27:8-11, Moses describes the rules of inheritance that God has stated. If a man dies, his son inherits the estate; his daughter gets nothing. If there is no son, then his daughter inherits. If there are no children, then the estate is given to the man's brothers; his sister(s) get nothing.

Numbers 30 describes that a vow taken by a man is binding. But a vow taken by a woman can be nullified by her father, if she is still living in her family of origin, or by her husband, if she is married.

Deuteronomy 21:10-13 describes how a soldier can marry a woman captive without regard for her wishes

Deuteronomy 22:13-21 requires that a woman be a virgin when she is married. If she has had sexual relations while single in her father's house, then she would be stoned to death. There were no similar virginity requirements for men.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 requires that a virgin woman who has been raped must marry her attacker, no matter what her feelings are towards the rapist.

Deuteronomy 24:1 describes the procedure for obtaining a divorce. This can only be initiated by the husband, not by the wife.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10: states that if a woman is widowed, her former brother-in-law would normally marry her. This was called a "levirate" marriage. Their first-born son will be considered to be the son of the deceased husband. The man could refuse to marry her. Women were not given a choice in the matter.

Judges 19:16-30 describes an event similar to Genesis 19. Some men in the city wanted to "know" a visiting Levite. The owner of the house offered his virgin daughter and the concubine of the Levite so that they could "do to them whatever you wish." The man sent his concubine outside to the gang, who proceeded to serially rape her. She died of the attacks. The Levite only learned of her death when he was leaving the house in the morning and stumbled across her body. The woman was clearly considered expendable and of little value.

Exodus 20:17 lists the last of the Ten Commandments. It forbids coveting your neighbor's house, wife, slaves, animals or anything else that the neighbor owns. The wife is clearly regarded as equivalent to a piece of property.

Exodus 21:4: A slaveowner was permitted to give a woman to his male slave as a wife. There is no indication that women were consulted during this type of transaction.

Exodus 21:7: A father could sell his daughter as a slave.

Exodus 21:7: A male slave is given his freedom after 6 years; but a female slave remained a slave forever.

Exodus 22:1-17: This section deals with restitution in case of stealing or damage to a person's property. The final verses deal with the case of a man who seduces a virgin. This was seen as a property offense against the woman's father. The seducer was required to pay money to her father, even if he did not marry the woman. The money would be in compensation for the damage to the father's property - his daughter.

Deuteronomy 22:13-21: A bride who had been presented as a virgin, and who could not be proven to be one, was to be stoned to death by the men of her village. There appears to have been no similar penalty for men who had engaged in consensual pre-marital sexual activity.

Source: http://www.religioustolerance.org/ofe_bibl.htm

 

[Kris_J]

Is there a need for Islam??



What is it that islam offers that Christianity does not offers?

I wonder what Islam offers in terms of aged care. Its seems that Christianity does not have any specific provisions for the elderly. Does Islam specify the quality of life our ageing parents ought to have? ie. to be taken care of by their children in their old age? Or has Islamic countries also succumbed to having nursing homes etc like Christian nations?

 

[hernyaccent]

Everything you mentained above is true about Christianity as well. The only difference in my own experience is that Muslim's don't try to convert me and for that I must respect them.

 

[Bookofknowledge]

I wonder what Islam offers in terms of aged care. Its seems that Christianity does not have any specific provisions for the elderly. Does Islam specify the quality of life our ageing parents ought to have? ie. to be taken care of by their children in their old age? Or has Islamic countries also succumbed to having nursing homes etc like Christian nations?

16:70
Allah is the One Who created you, then He causes you to die; there are some amongst you whose lives are prolonged to an abject old age so that they know nothing after having known much. In fact Allah is the All-Knowing , Almighty.

16:71
Allah has made some of you excel in sustenance over the others; those who are so favored, do not give away their sustenance to their slaves so as to make them their equals. How can you think that Allah will allow other deities to be His equals? Would they refuse to acknowledge the favors of Allah?

17:23
Your Rabb has decreed to you that: You shall worship none but Him, and you shall be kind to your parents; if one or both of them live to their old age in your lifetime, you shall not say to them any word of contempt nor repel them and you shall address them in kind words.

17:24
You shall lower to them your wings of humility and pray: "O Rabb! Bestow on them Your blessings just as they cherished me when I was a little child."

17:25
Your Rabb knows best what is in your hearts. If you do good deeds, certainly He is most forgiving to those who turn to Him in repentance.

17:26
You shall give to your relatives their due and to the needy and to the wayfarers. You shall not be a spendthrift

17:27
- as spendthrifts are the brethren of shaitan and shaitan is ever ungrateful to His Rabb.

17:28
You shall speak courteously to needy persons if you are waiting for your Rabb's bounty and you lack the means to assist them.

17:29
You shall neither tie your hands to your neck (be miserly) nor stretch them forth to their utmost reach (be prodigal), lest you sit back, blameworthy, destitute.

17:30
Surely your Rabb gives abundantly to whom He pleases and sparingly to whom He wills, for He is aware of the condition of His servants and observes them closely.

The commandments continue….

 

[ServantofTheOne]

I wonder what Islam offers in terms of aged care. Its seems that Christianity does not have any specific provisions for the elderly. Does Islam specify the quality of life our ageing parents ought to have? ie. to be taken care of by their children in their old age? Or has Islamic countries also succumbed to having nursing homes etc like Christian nations?

The Qur’an guides us: "Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say "fie’ to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honour and kindness. Treat them with humility, and say ‘My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little’ (17:23-4).In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second to prayer, and it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult.

In the Islamic world old people’s homes are very rare. The strain of caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honour and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. God asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they put us before themselves. Mothers are particularly honoured: the Prophet taught that ‘Paradise lies at the feet of your mother’ (Al-Jami & Musnad Al-Shihab). When they reach old age, Muslim parents are treated mercifully, with kindness and selflessness. In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second only to prayer, and it is the parents’ right to expect it.

 

[The thinker]

I live in a Muslim country and am a strong Christian. There are some slightly restricting rules for Christians like for example your not allowed to preach in a public place and when lots of Christians gather the police usually get quite suspicious but there is nothing that is outrageous.

My best friend is a Muslim and he is a perfectly normal guy the only thing I could criticize is that when he talks to me about Islam (we often debate about religion) he is very tunnel minded and its extremely hard to get a point across with him if it is anything slightly against Islam but not all Muslims are like that and some Christians are like that.


I think that the general view of Muslims is blown way out of proportion by some people but there is however some small truth to the ideas which have been fueld by recent events.

 

[Phred]

What is it that Christianity offers?

• Love? How? It's not possible to love and murder doctors sitting at their kitchen tables, or believe that anyone with a different skin color than yours is inferior and not worthy of life. Dragging a black man behind your car or bashing out the teeth of homosexuals is not love.
• Peace? All Christian countries are full of contentions and hatred, even for the harmless minorities.
• Purity? What a joke! Consider verses such as: Ezekiel 23:20
  There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
• Justice? When you discover your husband is married to another 3 women at the same time? (mormons) Or when the woman works for half what the man does. Let's not forget that woman is given the blame for the fall of all men.
• Joy? Look at most Christians and you will see the misery in their thoughts and actions. See their frustruations when you question their Christ?
• Truth? Complete denial when you prove a point. They cannot admit they are wrong, because they know once they do admit, it is the end of fundamentalism.

The list can go on. But with any luck no one will dignify this post with any further responses. Hopefully this points out the blatant ignorance of the OP.

.​

 

[S Walch]

What is it that Christianity offers?

• Purity? What a joke! Consider verses such as: Ezekiel 23:20
  There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.

• 
  
  Perhaps you'd like to read Ezekiel 23:1-30 in context please - then you might actually understand.
  
  1 The word of the LORD came to me:
  2 "Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother.
  3 They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.
  4 The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.
  5 "Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians-warriors
  6 clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen.
  7 She gave herself as a prostitute to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after.
  8 She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust upon her.
  9 "Therefore I handed her over to her lovers, the Assyrians, for whom she lusted.
  10 They stripped her naked, took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women, and punishment was inflicted on her.
  11 "Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister.
  12 She too lusted after the Assyrians-governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men.
  13 I saw that she too defiled herself; both of them went the same way.
  14 "But she carried her prostitution still further. She saw men portrayed on a wall, figures of Chaldeans portrayed in red,
  15 with belts around their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like Babylonian chariot officers, natives of Chaldea.
  16 As soon as she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
  17 Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust.
  18 When she carried on her prostitution openly and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister. 19 Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt.
  20 There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.
  21 So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.
  22 "Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will stir up your lovers against you, those you turned away from in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side-
  23 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, handsome young men, all of them governors and commanders, chariot officers and men of high rank, all mounted on horses.
  24 They will come against you with weapons, chariots and wagons and with a throng of people; they will take up positions against you on every side with large and small shields and with helmets. I will turn you over to them for punishment, and they will punish you according to their standards.
  25 I will direct my jealous anger against you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and your ears, and those of you who are left will fall by the sword. They will take away your sons and daughters, and those of you who are left will be consumed by fire.
  26 They will also strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry.
  27 So I will put a stop to the lewdness and prostitution you began in Egypt. You will not look on these things with longing or remember Egypt anymore.
  28 "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to hand you over to those you hate, to those you turned away from in disgust.
  29 They will deal with you in hatred and take away everything you have worked for. They will leave you naked and bare, and the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your lewdness and promiscuity
  30 have brought this upon you, because you lusted after the nations and defiled yourself with their idols.
  
  Here we can see the Lord condeming prostitution and other sexual immorality.
  
  This is not a bump up verse for christains to spout on about purity for
  
  

  Love? How? It's not possible to love and murder doctors sitting at their kitchen tables, or believe that anyone with a different skin color than yours is inferior and not worthy of life. Dragging a black man behind your car or bashing out the teeth of homosexuals is not love.

  
  Any christian that murders is breaking one of the 10 Commandments.
  
  Anyone who says they love God yet hates their neighbour is a liar.
  
  Anyone who brings harm upon another human being is dissobeying Jesus when he goes on about turning the other cheek in The sermon on the mount in Matthew 6 - Whether they're homosexual or not.
  
  1 Corinthians 13:1-7
  
  1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
  2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
  3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
  4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
  5 It is not rude, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
  6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
  7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
  
  
  My advice to you and to any of the other poeple who do the things that you mentioned - find out what love really is.

 

[Phred]

<snip>

In your zeal to defend your faith you missed the point entirely. Let me try again...

What the OP calls out Islam for... Christianity can also be nailed for... all you have to do is recognize outlandish hatred (KKK) as Christianity, take the Bible out of context and recognize anyone who calls themselves Christian as representing the whole.

Just what the OP did to Islam.

.​