A Muslim in the Family

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Hi Holistic, no I didn't see it, sorry.

I guess these people are searching for something, like we all are.
I would like to understand Islam the religion.

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Didn't see it, but wish I had it sounds interesting. perhaps you can enlighten us?

June

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Dear Whispers

They are some of the most humble people I have ever met some friends are from Egypt, one of my closest is a muslim doctor from Pakistan and another a beloved Italian brother ( I met through HP) who converted. When I asked him why? He said that he had studied all of the scriptures from all of the religions and it was only the Qu'ran that really touched his soul. He said that the words were written in poetry and that they had to be read in Arabic to truly appreciate them, because the beauty of it does not come across in translation due to there not being the appropriate words. Fortunately for him he speaks five languages including Arabic.

It is written that the poetry was received from Archangel Gabriel the messenger for GOD.

Allah is the most merciful and most gracious and Allah is just one of a thousand names for GOD.

The key principle of the religion is surrender to GOD and I did not know this when I first met my Italian brother, there I was keep telling him to let go and surrender not having any idea of the importance to him until he explained it fully to me. It was music to his ears that I was able to explain to him how surrender to GOD is possible.

Like a lot of things people tell one to do something but do not tell you how to do it and I have experienced this with a lot of muslim friends although their devotion to their faith and beliefs in 90% of cases is beyond doubt. Recently the doctor told me that her religion is crashing down and that her family spread around the world are becoming spiritual and their religion is coming second.

I think it was Roger that told me that Islam means surrender.

The GOD of Islam is neither male or female it is omnipotent and omnipresence.

They honour Master Jesus and his mother Mary but they state that Master Jesus did not die on the cross. They also believe in the second coming of Christ and the doctors mother stated that the Qu'ran mentions the raising of consciousness and the 5th dimension.

Like all religions I feel the true essence has been misconstrued and abused by some who choose it. But I am no expert I am more Buddhist/Gnostic in nature then anything else.

being love

Kim xx

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Thanks for that Kim.

You are right that sometimes Islam is not portayed well by some muslims and also it is misunderstood by many people.

A few important things to understand about Islam, firstly, the most important institution in Islam is that of the family, old, young, male and female, much of Islam is there to protect the family and as a result protect society as a whole. The aim being to promote a peaceful and moral society where all members, especially vunerable sections are protected.

Islam in my opinion laid down the first detailed and formal rulings for a social state, justice and women's rights, yes, these issues were not invented when the Qur'an was written, however, many of the good practices, legal and social we take for granted in the Uk were inspired by Qu'ran, furthermore many mathmatical ideas and studies and astrological information came from the Qu'ran and islamic scholars.

A social state and democracy are important parts of Islam, freedom of speech, freedom to live a free and peaceful life where human rights are not trampled on are i portant rules in Islam. Oppressors are hated by Allah, also it is stated that it is wrong to turn a blind eye and allow other countries to suffer oppressors,

he who walks hand in ahnd with an oppressor is not one of us.

The social state is run by leaders and money is collected in the form of Zakar, an obligatory tax, it is a pillar of Islam, only those who can afford it should pay, the collections are to be used to help those who are unable to work, orphans, elderly, cripples, etc, etc.

Equality is part of the spirit of Islam,

This has been exemplified by the Prophet in one of his sayings thus:
"No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay" (al-Bayhaqi and al-Bazzaz).

Education is another important matter, parents are encouraged to treat male and female children equally and that education the the greatest gift we can give to them. Women should have the same chances as their brothers in reciveving a good education. Women are also encouraged to persue honourable careers, a women who is ambitious and successful will be rewarded by Allah and should be respected.

men are supposed to work, laziness is not liked by Allah, men have a responsibility to support their families and should never shirk this duty, women are not obliged to work as we believe they have often many responsibilities already, men may not take their money if they choose to work unless the women wishes to give it. it is recognised that women can easily get into a situation where they get the raw deal as do many single parent mothers in the UK. ie they work full time, struggle on a low wage, return home tired but have many domestic chores to do and little energy left for enjoying themselves and their kids.

Work and responsibility are very important, it is however recognised that the work done at home is also important if not more so, raising children is a big responsibility for fathers and mothers as these are tomorrows society, if this is not done well then society as a whole will suffer.

Another really good thing about islam is women's rights, a few examples:

Women have the right to voice political opinions, be actively involved in politics and community matters...so clearly they are allowed to vote and be part of democratic process.

Women have the right to property, it is interesting to compare their rights with those of Victorian women in the UK who were so open to severe abuses - a Victorian women could own property until her mariage when all she owned would automatically pass to her husband.

A muslim woman owns her own property, either that was given, left to or earned by her, itr is hers until she legally passes it to someone else.

Victorian women could be abandoned o

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Dear Halimah

Thank you for sharing.

I was also reading in my interfaith manual today that Islam believe there are eight archangels that surround the throne of GOD.

And how do you reconcile some of these things written

I received this email from a muslim friend yesterday.

God the most merciful, says I do not judge humans, they judge themselves, our judgement of our selves is much harder than our creator.

being love

Kim xx

RE: A Muslim in the Family

I have only just come across the reply to this thread, but big thanks to both of you for your intelligent and thougtful response.

June

RE: A Muslim in the Family

And how do you reconcile some of these things written

How do you mean?

RE: A Muslim in the Family

GOD makes no judgement only man judges man

being love

kim xx

RE: A Muslim in the Family

GOD makes no judgement only man judges man

Oh, I see...wel, as a Muslim, I disagree, we are taught to believe that Allah/God will judge us on the day of judgement and can pass judgement at any time choosen.

Allah is a judge, he also forgives, he is slow to judge and is fair to all people.

One of the 99 names of Allah is, " Al-Fataah," which means the judge.

He is also, "Al-Gaffar," the most forgiving.

Of course man passes judgements all the time in different ways, for example in legal systems it is up to man to pass judgements on criminals. Allah has given advice to us on how to make fair and good judgements to help us in society. However, Allah will be the final judge, humans make mistakes, Allah will not make mistakes.

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Dear Halimah

Have you studied the esoteric side of Islam and the teachings of the Sufi's and Shites?

I feel it is good for all of us to consider the implications of the esoteric for it holds many messages and truth that has been removed/hidden within many main stream religions. e.g. the power of the knowledge of the Kabbalah in the Jewish religion and the mystical esoteric knowledge removed from Buddhism.

Interesting your response in comparison with a Muslim's doctors response to Judgement.

being love

kim xx

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Hi Kim,

I don't think that DR has a different view to me coz he is a DR, just like in all communities, some people have another point of view and that is cool!

I think you will find a lot of Muslims would say as I have done, when I respond to a question I prefer to go the roots which is the Qu'ran which is very clear and straightforward. The Qu'ran clearly mentions judgement in great detail, Allah will judge us as indivduals on the last day, on that day people's opinions and bias will not be an issue, only Allah's fair judgement.

Judgement happens every days in many levels, of course community is important and to appear in a good way to others, however we are encouraged not to act for others to see. Because, we can hide things from people, lie, cover up etc, from Allah we cannot as he sees everything and knows our thoughts.

Understanding Allah sees all and is our ultimate judge is important to encourage good behaviour in private and public, very often Muslims will say, "It is not up to me to judge, it is between you and Allah,"

Allah actually doesn't like people to constantly pass judgement on others and keep after everyone's standards.

RE: A Muslim in the Family

Have you studied the esoteric side of Islam and the teachings of the Sufi's and ****es?

To a limited extent, I have nothing against sufis, Muslim, Christian or otherwise, it is not my family tradition, we are more Qu'ran based, more so than hadith but it's all the same at the end of the day.

I assume you mean Shi'ite Muslims, I am sunni and know little about them, there are differences but I choose to see that we are all people and although the story may differ, it finishes the same. One problem I have is the idea of certain people being descended from the Prophet or certain followers and as a result being in a position to change or re-interpret rules..ie Iatollahs. They believe that Imams have an inherant and infallable knowledge etc. I believe that this can lead to a misuse of power. Also it contradicts for me some important parts of Islam.

One is that all men and women are equal, there is no such thing as a noble birth, no one is better than anyone else as a result of his or her parents. Every human stands for him opr herself, on the day of judgement we will be judged alone, having a parent who was very good and pious etc doesn't mean that you will also be like that and will not mean you have a right to make rules.

Also I believe it goes against the democratic process encouraged by Islam and our Prophet(pbuh).

There is much truth and magic in the Qu'ran and in praying and feeling near Allah, I think most Muslims will not seek more, some will. Islam is actually a very straight forward religion for all, it is supposed to help you live life and not take you away from reality.

I don't know about mysticism etc, perhaps not for everyone, I do think that islam needs to go back to it's roots again, simplified again so the real message is important again.

I have a reservation or two about scholars etc studying to death and deciding what it's all about, reading nonsense into simple text and as a result finding new rules to force others to live by.

I think simplicity and love is more important, people read between the lines which is not what we were supposed to do and then the trouble starts.

The idea of the Qu'ran is to be really straightforward for everyone to understand, not to interfere or meddle with what is clearly written, where too many people start having messages and truths means someone is understanding or inventing a bit more.

Muslims believe that Prophet Mohammad(pbuh) was the last of many prophets, his message is to be the last and complete version sent due to corruption of other religions, ie changes made by man to the rules for their own interests.