Ask about Islam

[davgrant]

Originally Posted by Pingu

Yes, there are similarities. The turn the other cheek principle and forgiveness is taught in the Qur'an. It is one of the aims of Ramadan (ongoing) not to make anyone mad and not get mad yourself. A practice which should be done all year round.



Yes it is.

Gandhi also believed in the same principle.

[444]

Originally Posted by Pingu

It is one of the aims of Ramadan (ongoing) not to make anyone mad and not get mad yourself. A practice which should be done all year round.

Interesting. I find that super ironic since it's hell trying to drive on the streets here nowadays because of 1) really super fast cars driving on the roads to get home in time for the breaking of fast, 2) Super slow cars on the road from people who have no energy to press the accelerator faster, 3) Super reckless drivers who are just reckless and 4) Giant 16 wheelers getting into giant accidents on the highways during peak hours. Of course not all of them are muslim but hey, in a country where ramadhan is almost a nation-wide thing and non-muslims like me make it a point to stay off the roads right before Maghrib... It's really not hard to get mad when you're operating an expensive motorvehicle and your life is at stake.

But then again, I've always heard that muslims fast to 'experience poverty' or something....

[Pingu]

Originally Posted by 444

But then again, I've always heard that muslims fast to 'experience poverty' or something....

There are many reasons for it. That's one of them. One of the others is that you're prepared to give up anything for God. The other that I have mentioned is to almost "train" your body into being a better person generally. If you're able to give up food then you should be able to control your temperament.

But yeah, Asian roads are hell at the best of times without adding iftar time to it.

[MasterThx]

Pingu, as a fellow muslim but also a fellow human I want to thank you and let you know I have alot of respect for you. God bless you.

[Pingu]

Thought I would bump this after OBL's death.

[crew]

Originally Posted by Pingu

Thought I would bump this after OBL's death.

I have three questions:
1) is jesus involved in Islam? I've heard he was in the Koran.
2)was OBL a visionary? Or was he like the westboro baptist church of Islam?
And 3) what do you believe happens after death?

[cbtslave4u2]

I'm sorry for the A-holes comparing Islam to "islamic" terrorists. I'm not sure where you live Pingu (i saw a previous comment of yours say "here" as if you were somewhere else) most people here dont care one way or another if someone is Muslim or not.

My question is about pork. I know pork is considered "unclean" but I think there is a simple explaination as to why this is believed. Pork has a higher cooking temperature than beef or chicken. 2000 years ago they only had a camp fire to cook with. Is it possible that they couldn't cook pork at the right temperature? If they didn't cook it right they would get very sick and possibly die. They could have thought Allah was telling them not to eat pigs.

Could I be correct? I hope I made sense.

[chubbsman7]

I find this thread to be very interesting. I myself have several questions about Islam, both in the modern and traditional aspect of the religion.

Traditionally and stereotypically, Muslims are known to be quite anti-semetic. From what I understand, if what you say is true about respect for all three of the Abrahamic Religions, why is there so much anti-semitism in the Middle East today? I realize I may have crossed a stereotyping boundary for Islam, but I also know that you cannot account for all of the Muslim's in the world.

Secondly, what is your opinion of the use of feminism apposed to Sharia law in a modern/post-modern culture? Now, don't get me wrong, I realize that using Sharia law today may be in similar to using the Torah as the law for all Christianity. (I could go on a tangent of Christianity vs. Judaism but I won't for time's sake)

Third: I read on a previous comment that the Torah/Hebrew Text/Bible is 'tainted.' According to Islamic Teachings, what is the basis of this belief? Was it ever valid, at one time? And what the base of the belief that your prophet, Muhammet, is the one true prophet, and his teachings invalidate previous Hebrew teachings, since they share the same God.

Fourth: What is your view of extremism in modern Islam? In a modern Muslim's view, do they propose valid points, but wrong methods of achieving these goals, or any combination of these?

Hand in hand with that, I do know a Christian Missionary that served in Afghanistan. He WAS nearly killed, and he and his family were forced to leave because of religious threats. What is your view of these things? I realize that in modern day, Islam and Christianity are seen as polar opposites rather than similar religions with the same background and same God.

Lastly, what is your view of 'Jihad' in the modern state and culture? Could you compare it to the Renaissance Era Crusades?

Thank you for your time. I hope I didn't offend anyone, as these are legitimate concerns and questions.

[Pingu]

Originally Posted by crew

I have three questions:
1) is jesus involved in Islam? I've heard he was in the Koran.
2)was OBL a visionary? Or was he like the westboro baptist church of Islam?
And 3) what do you believe happens after death?

Muslims believe him (Jesus or Isa in Islam) to be one of 25 Prophets who came to Earth and he is one of the most revered. Whereas Christians believe that he is the Son of God, Muslims just believe that he was "human" and a Prophet.

OBL is an idiot who used Islam as shield to try and justify his attacks. The use of suicide bombing etc. is widely condemned amongst Islamic scholars. Committing suicide in general in Islam is one of the worst sins, couple it with killing innocent people makes it even worse.

Islam's teaching of life after death is similar to other major religions in that there is Heaven and Hell.

[Pingu]

Originally Posted by cbtslave4u2

I'm sorry for the A-holes comparing Islam to "islamic" terrorists. I'm not sure where you live Pingu (i saw a previous comment of yours say "here" as if you were somewhere else) most people here dont care one way or another if someone is Muslim or not.

My question is about pork. I know pork is considered "unclean" but I think there is a simple explaination as to why this is believed. Pork has a higher cooking temperature than beef or chicken. 2000 years ago they only had a camp fire to cook with. Is it possible that they couldn't cook pork at the right temperature? If they didn't cook it right they would get very sick and possibly die. They could have thought Allah was telling them not to eat pigs.

Could I be correct? I hope I made sense.

I believe the most plausible explanation is that pigs are known to eat pretty much anything and it is this that Muslims regards to be "unclean".

[Pingu]

Originally Posted by chubbsman7

Traditionally and stereotypically, Muslims are known to be quite anti-semetic. From what I understand, if what you say is true about respect for all three of the Abrahamic Religions, why is there so much anti-semitism in the Middle East today? I realize I may have crossed a stereotyping boundary for Islam, but I also know that you cannot account for all of the Muslim's in the world.

I would think that most of it comes down to the creation if Israel and the the effect that it has had on the Middle East. A lot of people say that religion causes war but if you take away religion, you would have war and most of it based on land. The failure of the Arab states to defeat Israel and prevent it's creation is a sore point for the Middle East in general. With that said, the way that Israel goes about its business does not help matter matters and as such breeds anti-Semiticsm. Clearly it is wrong to generalise a religion on the action's of a nation but that's the world we live in.

Originally Posted by chubbsman7

Secondly, what is your opinion of the use of feminism apposed to Sharia law in a modern/post-modern culture? Now, don't get me wrong, I realize that using Sharia law today may be in similar to using the Torah as the law for all Christianity.

You would have to expand on this question a little more. The truth is that there are some cultural laws get mistaken for Islamic/Sharia Law. An example would be how the Taliban treated women in Afghanistan. Most people don't realise that Prophet Muhammad's first wife was actually a businesswoman. One of his favourite wifes was actually a scholar. Denying women education/jobs is not something that Islam promotes.

Many people put forward the hijab as something which oppresses women but others feel that it empowers them. There are arguments for and against but it is misconception that it is forced upon women and that they don't like wearing it. My family in general do not wear the hijab but my cousin does through her own choice. If you asked her was she being oppressed by wearing it, she would probably laugh and say by asking her to take it off, you are oppressing her.

Women are free to marry/divorce who they like, whether this happens in practice is something else but as I said earlier, this tends to be down to culture rather than the religion.

A quite famous quote in Islam is that of Prophet Muhammad, when he was asked how do you reach Heaven? He replied through your mother 3 times. Women in general are incredibly important in Islam, however sometimes the media with their agendas like to create misconceptions by inaccurate reports.

Originally Posted by chubbsman7

Third: I read on a previous comment that the Torah/Hebrew Text/Bible is 'tainted.' According to Islamic Teachings, what is the basis of this belief? Was it ever valid, at one time? And what the base of the belief that your prophet, Muhammet, is the one true prophet, and his teachings invalidate previous Hebrew teachings, since they share the same God.

The Torah/Bible were said to be valid at one time but became corrupted by people putting their own agenda into it and changing passages here and there. The Qur'an is said to be the true word of God and there obvious differences between the three. The reason why it is regarded as being "true" is because how it has stayed in it's original form since it was first "created" whereas as it widely recognised that the Bible/Torah have been changed.

Originally Posted by chubbsman7

What is your view of extremism in modern Islam? In a modern Muslim's view, do they propose valid points, but wrong methods of achieving these goals, or any combination of these?

I am going to link this in with your last question as I believe they are inter linked. I think the problem with Islam at the moment is that there is no senior religious figure leading the religion as a whole. This has meant that people follow their own "type" of Islam. If you add that with people wanting to achieve their own agenda (i.e OBL) then you have a very dangerous mix. This is not only true with Islam but other religions, you mention the Crusades and that is a valid example.

If people with to practice their own "extreme" view of Islam then it's up to them but the problem occurs when they try to force others to do it that way.

[Sharp Nacelle]

Interesting thread, thanks for starting it.

Can you tell me what your thoughts as a Muslim are on the creation of the universe?

[Pingu]

Originally Posted by Sharp Nacelle

Interesting thread, thanks for starting it.

Can you tell me what your thoughts as a Muslim are on the creation of the universe?

There is a bit of debate about this. There is the creationistic account where everything was created in 6 days. However the word that was used in the Qur'an for "day" is generally used to mean a long period of time. Thus there are arguments that the Qur'an supports evolution but it was in fact Allah that is controlling it.

Perhaps even more interestingly for those more scientifically minded upon us, the Qur'an also mentions that the Earth was created after a big explosion. Some people have related this to the Big Bang.

[loke]

What is the Muslim's belief on forgiveness?

[GetdareTEO]

I might hit a sore point now, sorry if it happens

1. I have heard you are not allowed to eat pig and drink alcohol. Is it because it is unclean?

2. Why is it forbidden to depict Muhammed. Why is that?

3. I think many americans (mostly. sorry, guys) are afraid of wild muslim terrorists and Al Quaeda and Taleban. I was just wondering: Does these organisations have anything to do with Islam, or is it just a cultural enterprise? I don't think muslims are more agressive than other people, I can't see why this should be a religious tendency...

4. Why do some muslim women wear a burqa?

And thanks for posting this thread, it's one of the most interesting and informing ones on the site