Islam. what do you want to know about it?

[SoHuda]

this is the thread where you can learn about Islam
anything you have to say about islam, what do you think about it? and what are things that you want to know about it?? because there are so many misconceptions about it and we want to set the record straight ;D

[Zach]

Great thread! Karma. Well, maybe you can start off basic for those of us who don't know very much about Islam. What do you believe? How do you worship? etc.

[AK]

Glad that you started this thread Huda!I have one question here please.

The Holy Koran preaches values of love, peace and brotherhood, doesn't it?

But then, why are these terrorists and militants (most of them who're followers of Islam) hell-bent on waging war in the name of religion?
Why do they want to impose their faith on everyone else?I'm saying this, because in the history of Medieval India, we had many Muslim rulers who invaded our country, looted and plundered all our wealth, destroyed all temples, massacred thousands of Hindus, Sikhs and people of other faiths and wanted everyone to convert to Islam (or else face death).

I don't think that the Holy Koran could ever preach that one should impose Islam on the rest of the world or wipe off people of other faiths (in case they don't convert to Islam).

Why is it that most followers of Islam seem to be wary of people from other faiths?

P.S - I sincerely apologise in case any of my comments in this post seem inappropriate.No offence meant to anyone.Peace and respect for all! Thank you.

[SoHuda]

anu1789 said:

Glad that you started this thread Huda!I have one question here please.

The Holy Koran preaches values of love, peace and brotherhood, doesn't it?

But then, why are these terrorists and militants (most of them who're followers of Islam) hell-bent on waging war in the name of religion?
Why do they want to impose their faith on everyone else?I'm saying this, because in the history of Medieval India, we had many Muslim rulers who invaded our country, looted and plundered all our wealth, destroyed all temples, massacred thousands of Hindus, Sikhs and people of other faiths and wanted everyone to convert to Islam (or else face death).

I don't think that the Holy Koran could ever preach that one should impose Islam on the rest of the world or wipe off people of other faiths (in case they don't convert to Islam).

Why is it that most followers of Islam seem to be wary of people from other faiths?

P.S - I sincerely apologise in case any of my comments in this post seem inappropriate.No offence meant to anyone.Peace and respect for all! Thank you.

you know, we all believe that our religion is the best religion, right? but we don't go saying that everywhere, but some of us.. want to show that and want everyone to convert the religion they believe in..
now we -muslims- respect others and their religions, and if we can spread the message of Islam, but not preaching -although some do that-
and if they didn't do anything to us then we should let them be..
so those people are narrow-minded.. and don't really know much about Islam.. I mean they don't have that faith that makes them make peace with everyone..
if you have more questions, feel free to ask them.. ;D

[SoHuda]

Thanks Zach.. ;D
Our basic beliefs are:
we believe that there's only one God (Allah) and we worship him and we believe that faith is everything and we should only fear Allah and no one else, because he's the one who controls everything..
and if something bad happened to us then there are certain reasons:
whether Allah has a special place for that person, so we believe that when we go through a bad thing then it is because it is to test our patienace and how much can we bear it and then God can offer us good things after that as a reward and to see how much they can afford and have patience.. like if we're sick/ill, Allah is going to reward us for taking any pain..
or Allah is punishing people, because they did bad things..
so if Allah made go through tough things then it's just a test to see how much we can take and how patient we are..
and we believe in all of the prophets and there messages from Allah.. and we believe in human rights and that we are all equal.. and we go for peace if no one did anything wrong then no need for violance..
and as for worshing, we pray to Allah 5 times a day...
let me simplify our believes, we believe in 6 basic things:
- Allah
- Angels
- The books that God sent to us -like the bible-
- The prophets
- There here after -the day where we will be reborn and rewarded -either to heaven or to hell-
- That all things happen on the will of God but that doesn't mean that we can't change bad things... or good ones! it's that God has control but again we can make things better by working hard and such and so it will change to the best!

[Zach]

Sounds great! Karma from me. You did a good job..

[SoHuda]

thanks Zach ;D
any further questions are welcomed

[SoHuda]

so many misconceptions about Islam.. we want here to clear things out about muslims and about islam
photobucket.com/mediadetail/?media=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff179%2FHavikkkk%2Fmainmosque2.jpg&searchTerm=muslims&pageOffset=16
I also one time saw a picture that said: I convereted to Islam, now I can beat up my wife..

I mean that's so wrong!!!!
Islam doesn't allow men to beat up their wives! in fact Islam doesn't allow anyone to beat anyone!!!
Islam gives rights to us as women! we have a right to get education and to work! so if some muslims don't agree to let their daughters go to schools/universities or men don't let their wives work doesn't mean that Islam prevents this but because they are close-minded and it has nothing to do with Islam! those people have the wrong idea of Islam...
those are some of the misconceptions! will post again soon! till then, so long!

[AK]

Okay Huda!Thanks for your details and cooperation in this discussion about Islam.Please tell me, does Islam hold men superior to women?You did say that Islam gives rights to women, but tell me does Islam give EQUAL RIGHTS to both men and women?

And yes!What laws or norms does Islam have, for widows?I don't know about it so that's why I asked.

I have a lot more questions, but I thought I shouldn't burden you at once!

[winmsn]

anu1789 said:

Why do they want to impose their faith on everyone else?I'm saying this, because in the history of Medieval India, we had many Muslim rulers who invaded our country, looted and plundered all our wealth, destroyed all temples, massacred thousands of Hindus, Sikhs and people of other faiths and wanted everyone to convert to Islam (or else face death).

With all due respect, I think that has more to do with "empires" rather than religon. During the Crusades many Jews, and Muslims were killed, by Europeans.

The British Empire took advantage and exploited the resources of the countries they just colonized. And they took slaves. It's about power really (in my opinion). So even if they use religon as an excuse : it's mainly about power. Most colonial powers have used violent means : in order to capture lands.

[fathiamar]

Agree with winmsn. It's all about power. Nothing to do with religion.

*Good thread huda.

[alyssamilanofan]

fathiamar said:

Agree with winmsn. It's all about power. Nothing to do with religion.

*Good thread huda.

yeah exactly.. but it was/is also about Money and Greed.. for example if you look what's in the Vatican cellar or any other high profile catholic church you'll see that half of the stuff there is not from the Church but was concoured during the many crusades..
And you can make a lot of money through terrorisme for example in the stock market..

[SoHuda]

thanks ;D
and Anu, will be replying soon to your questions..

[Zach]

I also have another question.. what do you think about the "jhihad" (not sure how to spell it). What is it, and what do you think it means?

[winmsn]

admin said:

I also have another question.. what do you think about the "jhihad" (not sure how to spell it). What is it, and what do you think it means?

Jihad - prehaps one of the widely misused words in the world .

Anyhoo, Jihad has many meanings. The first biggest Jihad, is fighting the evil inside of you. Trying to be a good soul.

Now, there is 'Jihad by the sword'. What this applies to is : self-defence. If you're attacked : you have the right to defend your self.

[SoHuda]

Are men and women equal in Islam? No
because equality implies no differentiation between the two.
But if we say justice, which means giving each one that to which he or she is entitled.
There are matters in which men and women are treated differently in Islamic sharee’ah (law):
1- being in charge of the household: "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women" meaning that the man is in charge of the woman, i.e., he is the leader and head of the household.
2- Testimony or bearing witness: There may be some women who are wiser than some men, but this is not the usual rule and such women are not in the majority. Sharee’ah is based on what is general and most common, The fact that women are lacking in reason does not mean that they are crazy, rather their reason is often overtaken by their emotions, and this happens to women more often than it happens to men. No one would deny this except one who is arrogant.
3- A woman inherits half of what a man inherits: For example, a man is obliged to spend more than a woman, so it is appropriate that he should have a larger share of inheritance than a woman.
4- Clothing: The least that can be said is that she should not uncover anything except her face and hands. and women are allowed to wear silk and gold but men aren't.

other differences:
- A man can marry four women -but only in special cases and if you like I can talk more about this: polygamy-, but a woman can only have one husband.
- A man has the right to issue a divorce and it is valid if he does so, but a woman does not have the right to issue a divorce.
-A man may marry a woman from among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), but a Muslim woman may not marry anyone but a Muslim.. because children will have the same religion as their father.
- Prayer in the mosque is obligatory for men, but not for women; a woman’s prayer in her house is more beloved to Allaah.

And men are different in intellectual terms, for men are known for their strength of understanding and their memory as compared to women. Women are weaker than men in memory and forget more than men do. This is well known, for most of the reputable scholars in the world are men.

Islam regards men and women as equally obliged with regard to many acts of worship and interactions with others.
Women are like men in some aspects and they differ from them in others. Most of the rulings of Islam apply to men and women equally. In cases where a distinction is made between the sexes, the Muslim regards that as a mercy from Allaah and a sign of His knowledge of His creation.

and at last: Allah knows best..
hopefully I have answered your question Anu, if you have more questions on this subject please ask

[AK]

Very impressive and pretty debatable as well...but I'd choose not to argue.Thanks for answering my questions Huda.I dare not ask anymore, especially about females for I might not be able to digest all those replies.

Here's a quote I'd like to share: "There is difference and there is power. And who holds the power decides the meaning of the difference." --June Jordan

It is males how held (and continue to hold) power, and it is them who decided (and continue to decide) the difference.That's all I gotta say.

[fathiamar]

I so love this thread being here, and i can see toleration in answers and questions unlike at VOY.

As any religion promotes good-will, believer should just believe. The lost should get guidance.

[SoHuda]

exactly Amar
and sorry but I don't know anything about widows right too
do you Amar or winmsn know anythng about that?

[SoHuda]

as we are talking about homos in the 'christianity' thread..
I thought I'd post here about homos from Islam's point of view:



"Homosexuality is a moral disorder. It is a moral disease, a sin and corruption... No person is born homosexual, just like no one is born a thief, a liar or murderer. People acquire these evil habits due to a lack of proper guidance and education."

"There are many reasons why it is forbidden in Islam. Homosexuality is dangerous for the health of the individuals and for the society. It is a main cause of one of the most harmful and fatal diseases. It is disgraceful for both men and women. It degrades a person. Islam teaches that men should be men and women should be women. Homosexuality deprives a man of his manhood and a woman of her womanhood. It is the most un-natural way of life. Homosexuality leads to the destruction of family life."


-Homosexuality is considered sinful within Islam.
-Homosexuality is a profound mistake.
-Humans are all naturally heterosexual.
-Homosexuality is caused by environmental factors, particularly near the time of puberty.
-People can control their thoughts and steer themselves away from homosexuality.
-Homosexuality is a chosen sexual orientation.
-Any homosexual can become a heterosexual.

*this is quoted from: www.religioustolerance.org/hom_isla2.htm