Assalamu Alaikum,
I feel the timings of the live dialogue should be extended in this site as thia is the only site i found was the best of all.Why dont you do it?
Thank you.
Answer
We will forward this request to the managing board.We thank you for your interest.
Name
Rashad
- United States
Profession
Social Services
Question
As-salamu alaikum,
Where should we start? What should we discuss when we are under attack by the west and are expected to give up our way of life?
Answer
Dear
I would like first to distinguish between being subject to questions and even misconceptions and discrimination on one hand, and being asked to give up your way of life.
In many contexts you are under harsh criticism, but people do not ask you to give up your religion..
In other situations they are disregarding your religion out of neglect, absent mindedness or even ignorance.
You should simply start by the situation you are in and the challenge you are facing. If you assume they are asking you to give in while they are acting based on neglect and biases then taking a reaction based on your own interpretation of the situation might lead you to the wrong response.
I do not intend to imply Islam has no enemies, but I want to suggest to you that in many cases people just adopt a careless way of reacting to the other, or asking the minority to be more royal than the king himself. and if you widen the scope you will find out that they are in some contexts not only discriminating against you but also against Hispanics and blacks.. hence where is your role not only to defend Islam or explain your self but also to network with others against discrimination.
I hope you would consider that a starting point. Then deal with challenges situation by situation, and develop a strategy to have sustainable effort to make people aware of your way of life, your rights as an equal citizen and also the rights of other discriminated against ethnic and religious minorities and groups.
I wish you strength and wisdom.
Name
Nabeel
- Canada
Profession
Question
Salam,
I have learnt a lot about Islam from this site. I hople Allah reward each one of your providing such a good service. I would like to ask couple of questions:
1. Is Sikhism more close to Islam than Christianity? What reasons I could give to prove that Sikhism is NOT close to Islam ??
2. How can I answer If a non-muslim asks me that: How can you prove that Prophet Mohammad(saw) was a Prophet of God and Guru Nanak was NOT ??
3. I believe that Sikhism is not a religion but it's rather a "tradition" as I read on this site. Would you be able to add some more points that would prove that Sikhism is INFACT a tradition only.
Answer
Dear Brother
I assure you that we also learn a lot through your questions that help us reflect and revsist our own ideas and investigate and polish our understanding of Islam.
Let me start to reply to your questions by order:
1-No specific religion or faith is closer nor more distant form Islam than another.
When you study comparative religion from an Islamic perspective you find some faiths closer to Islam -say-in their conception of God and the notion of revelation than others. On the other hand the same faith might be completely contradictory to Islam on one level while it is closer to it on another level of analysis. In interfaith dialogues we try to find out the commonalities and try manage difference regarding the radical disagreements. So I actually do not agree on the logic of your question and need to know what motivated this way of thinking? Is it for example the wish of someone to marry a Christian woman while he comes from an Indian family with friends from the Sikhs? etc. Sometimes the logic is developed to respond to a life situation, so we should be careful about it.
2-The second question is about claim and proof.. Mohamed claimed he was a prophet and there are signs and miracles and manifestations of his prophecy that enabled people to believe in him, let alone his manners and integrity as a person. He also related his message to other messages and considered himself the last messenger, hence advocating his religion as embracing and continuing the message of Tawhid and giving other faiths a legal status and accepting their adherents as citizens. Then shift to comparisons between the two persons , their socio-historical context and their contribution to humanity. Guru could have been a wise man-but not a prophet. and explain why Islam sees the message of Islam delivered by Muhammad as the last message, etc..
3-Fiths are for there adherents religions and traditions at the same time. I think that your mission is to explain your faith not ridicule the faith of others. You also might consider it more useful if you belong to the same community to simply cooperate in addressing the needs and problems of the community and living your Islam in that process, allowing people to see Islam brought to life through your Islamic attitude. All wise men and reformers targeted the good of their communities so why don't we start from there and allow everyone through interaction to discover the other.. and choose. Only Allah can show your Sikh friends the path you believe in and took as the right path, so pray to Allah to help you in your endeavor and feel the mercy and passion prophet Muhammad had towards all human beings.. this passion is a light that will reach the hearts of others, sometimes more than argumentations that provoke hostility and challenge.
Salam.
Name
Ahmed Khan
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
How do we find a common ground between Muslims and Westerners despite the fact of the clash of civilizations that occured already-- in my point of view-- after the West bids to insult Islam and prove that Muslims are violent and uncivilized people.
Answer
Dear Brother..
I learnt through different encounters that there is no unified West. The West is a geographical entity that contains people from all faiths and diversified socio-economic backgrounds.
If there are enemies then we use argumentation, legal tools of self-defense and even economic boycott. But we also have allies in the West who hate hegemony , reject imperialism, and respect your right to be a Muslim. We came across many of those people. There are also those who have nothing against you but who also have nothing to do with you, so what did you do to reach them , connect to their world even if on the cyberspace, and reach out to them , their needs and their concerns?
Let us start from here.
Remember that the Quran teaches us "they are not all alike" and that among the non-Muslims there are people of faith who pray to Allah and have good hearts and fear Him.
With those we should communicate and network, with radicals we should use other strategies, but generalizations are not useful, nor discrimination against minorities in our own homeland .Fairness is the key word, and justice -my brother- is the challenge that faces Muslims in times of crisis and confrontation.
Name
Emma
- United States
Profession
Question
Sister,
I am wondering, in the Quran Allah says that the Muslim people are the best people on earth because we enjoin in the good and forbid the evil. How do Muslims see this? How do the Westerners see this?
Answer
Dear Emma
Thank you for your question.It is indeed a very important query.
I just want to point out at the beginning that being the best people is conditioned by fulfilling the message, and doing exactly what you mentioned: enjoining in the good and forbidding the evil. In the Quran it is clearly stated that if Muslims do not abide by the ethics and commandments of Islam Allh will simply not see them as the best people and even punish them for what they neglected.So in Islam there is no notion of a "chosen people".
Of course some Muslims enjoy taking half of the truth and seeing the full half of the glass, like any group of people who want to have a positive self image of their faith-race or ethnicity.
But the truth is Muslims are only the best when they act so, and when they become the defenders of human dignity and the values of fairness and justice and become the guradians of the message of Allah and "mercy to humanity" as Prophet Muhammad was. Any group that assumes it is better without being that mercy to humanity and blessing for other nations and faiths would actually become more of a fascist group that has little to do with its own original fith.The examples that come to my mind of course as a political scientist are of course fascist Germany that saw the German race as superior, the Zionist project(materialized in the state of Isreal) that sees the Jewsih people as chosen people above other nations and faiths and superior to their Arab inhabitants seeking to establish an exclusively Jewish state, and of course the political attitude of the administration of the American Empire (not the American people) that sees America having a mission to bring democracy to different peoples (even if by bombing them).Muslims would betray their faith if they act in the same way, and see themselve above ,instead of a community of believers ordered to be "for the othes".By the way the correct translation of the verse of the Quran is not "you are the best peoples on earth" ...it is "you are the best peoples brought to humanity e.g. (dedicated to humanity) .So it is by fulfilling the mission that we become so not by becoming chauvinist and intolerant.
Thank you.
Name
julia
- United States
Profession
housewife
Question
As an American muslim , I've been feeling the heat of 'Arab phobia'.
My question is was democracy ever establish in the time of the prophet Sahi ala wa salam or was it after the profete grandson Ali establish the law of politics ?
Answer
Thank you for your very good question.
Reading the Seerah (the history of the prophet and the early Islamic community) would clearly show you that the prophet established a multi-faith and multi-ethnic community. He respected what we call today multicultural rights of citizenship and introduced a notion of citizenship that combines religious commitment with democratic politics of participation and presence in a quite "republican" way-meaning the rule of the people and actively engaged citizens' participation.
The early Muslim community was not a-human, it was a human society with aspirations and shortcomings, social conflicts and power politics too. we read the Islamic history to learn lessons and also to draw lessons, and surely we have a long way to go to re-establish such a community on a larger scale in a post-modern age, a challenge that deserves more space to explain, but I just wanted to respond briefly to your question.
Name
Mayila
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
student
Question
In face of the current hostility Muslims are facing is it still wise to stay in the west (dar-ul-kufr) in false hopes of establishing peace rather than returning/moving to muslim countries (dar-ul-Islam) and strenthening them?
Answer
This is a question my dear that desreves a fatwa, meaning it is a case-by-case issue with no sweeping answer that is of "one size fits all" nature.
We believe indeed that all the earth is a dar-ul-eman, land of faith, and the distiction you mentioned was a military one that Muslim scholars invented in times of war when there were clear boundaries between the Muslim land and the land of non-Muslim nations.On one hand these boundaries shift, and on the other hand we also have a changing notion of space and time in our age, so is it wise to wothdraw from the world and stick to our boundaries, deconstruct our mosques and Islamic schools and Islamic presence in the West and leave it all behind to other faiths, even if we adopt your own logic?
I assume not.
I also think you overly romainticise the situation in dar-ul-Islam.Many minorities exist in the West because they actually escaped military totalitarian regimes in the land of the Muslim majority..
I think each person should see what he is or she is doing for Islam where ever he or she is.Some people can go back, some can not.Others need to leave their homelands and move to ther non-Muslim countries.We live in that world of mobility, and we also have a cuberspace we interact in, and the limitation of spaces and localtions is not the spirit of the age, actually of any age.
Let me also remind you that within the boundaries of the Mulsim land we have western capitalist markets, so we have to face challenges here as well.
Islam is a religion for humanity, so let us work in all places and on all levels to spread it as a word of justice and mercy.
Thank you.
Name
Farrukh
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
What do you think about bringing people together through the diversity in our different types of food? Perhaps a big food fair representing the differentflavours and taste of the world? Friendliness based on something we all enjoy, eating?
Answer
This is a great idea.Actually it shows how we are different but also united as human beings in our wish to celebrate life and enjoy Allah's creation.
I will prepare a dish :-)
Of course this is one way of celebrating difference, and seeking communalities..but mind that I am on a diet.
Haha.
Thank you for you "tasty" idea.
Name
Jason Forbes
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
If anybody knows the history of the West they will acknowledge it is inherently racist. To expect any sort of true, meaningful dialogue with Muslims is 50 years off at least. It takes America a long time to get over issues and learn. In fact, they still have a large issue with Mexicans and Blacks, so to assume the West can somehow have meaningful dialogue with Muslims when 9/11 is only a few years ago is a dream...it'a all talk. But yes, let's be good people and try to open up talks...let's just not lie to ourselves though that some fundamental change will take place anytime soon.
Answer
It is not fully true ..allow me to disagree. The history of the West witnessed stryggles for liberty, afforts to develop ideas of justice and equality.It is like the history of any people..mixed with human aspirations and also a manifestation of human failures.
I do believe we can still have a meaningful dialogue with many individuals and institutions in the West, and that we can network together to defend civil liberties in the West that are under attack due to security concerns, a situation politicians abuse very well.
I would like to see the Arab region I belong to witnessing a dawn of genuine democracy , but this does not necessarily mean I wish to see democracy erroded in the West.
I will repeat again: let us be fair..and let us all act locally for real representation of the people and their empowerment and network globally for a better world.Let us keep the hope.
Name
AbderRahim
- Morocco
Profession
teacher
Question
Is there possibility for a real, fair dialogue taking into account the different both recent and old mishaps targetting Islam?
Answer
I believe there always is a possibility. We should try, and struggle, and reach out and exert all efforts. We are ordered to my brother. It is part of our mission in this life as Muslims.. to protect civility and humanity, and this can not exist without dialogue.
Name
zaki
- Malaysia
Profession
research assistant
Question
As-salam`alykum dr;
i think that a real dialogue can not be achieved as long as both sides are injected with news from unfair media or fair-but-not-responsibility media. we have seen that a media plays very crucial role to unite or divide a community.
is there any possible for muslims and westerns to come with a solid and very mutual media to convey truth?
Answer
I think what we can seek is to pressure the media to tell the truth and voice the concerns of all parties, but at the same time have alternative media . AlJazeera was an attempt even if I disagree with some of their media policies, and Islamonline.net is also an attempt to have alternative paltforms. Media in a modern and post-modern age is the media of breaking news serving a society of the spactacle as Guy Debord described it, so we should try reform it, raise voices, and seek alternative routes to mirror our opinions.Don't you agree?
Name
Ibrahim
- China
Profession
teacher
Question
Muslim is a nation of loving peace,and does not like clash,war,unfair,insult,and so on,therefore,the westerners should respect muslim and do not pick a hole in the affair of muslim designedly,otherwise,muslim should do something to maintain the dignity,such as,if our believing in islam are banned, if our country are occupied,if our family are killed by the westerners,how can we do? i think, we should struggl against the unjustice.
Answer
Struggle can take different forms, no form should be excluded nor undermined.I agree that when territories are occupied then freedom fighting is a right, but when we talk about media wars then you have to fight with the same tool.This is what we learn in politics.It is how to set your goals, acquire your resources and target the issues with relevant tools .Sometimes more than one tool is necessary, and sometimes using the wrong tool is counteractive.
We need to reflect, tailor the right strategy for each situation and context, and set our agenda on long term basis so that we would not remain in the corner of reaction instaed of becoming proactive.
Thank you and vest reagrds to the Muslims of China, and also all the Chinese who support justice, fairness, and mutual respect of cultures.
Name
Ahmed
-
Profession
Question
Why do Muslims keep trying to destroy Israel?
Answer
Hmmmm..why don't we start from the history of the establishment of the Israeli state on the Palestinian territory 1948 and the guerilla wars of Israeli gangs of terrorists that came to the region with a dream of a promised land to a chosen people ? I suggest you go back to the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict in the 20th century and read it carefully . I am sure you will come back to me on another occasion with a re-formulated question.
Best regards-Ahmed.
Name
Alexander
- Canada
Profession
Question
The average person is an idiot. They see 9/11 and assume all Muslims are that way. Period. Don't sugar coat it. Yes, people can learn but it takes lots of time. Time many Muslims do not have. The damage is done and certain religious groups will exploit this event for everything it is worth to drive Muslims away or from Islam. Serious damage. The best thing we can do is wait many years and keep working hard and praying. The truth is, the average Westerner is so far from religion themselves that to add Islam to the equation is just too much thought process. Immediately they kick into putting up walls and bias. I see the matter just getting worse over the immediate years.
Answer
Alexander I will simply agree with you when you say that we should keep doing our best.If we sincerely do I hope things will become better.I am not over optimistic, but I have no space nor time for pessimism neither.
Name
Abdullah
- Canada
Profession
Student
Question
When right-wingers or skinheads attack Islam, it is not unexpected, since Islam was opposed even during the time of the Prophet (S). There is no point in reasoning with these people as they are consumed with unimaginable hate. But what really worries me is that now even the decent and open minded people in the west are being swept by Islamophobia, mainly due to the constant negative feed they get from the media and their western peers. This hatred for Islam is increasing day by day, and there are tons of people out of there who are just waiting to wipe out the Muslims from the west. Now, what can be done to stop westerners in general from hating Muslims ? I am not referring to the skinheads, but to the decent and friendly people who are getting averse to Muslims. Thank you.
Answer
I think you should keep spreading the word of Islam but more important reaching those people with deeds not words only. Being an active citizen who addresses the needs of the local community is a good start.
I also see the skinheaded as a generation, many of them grow out of it, and many cahnge attitude later in their life.Be there for everyone, and make room for all.The mission is turning their radicals into moderates.Beware of the circumstances turning our moderates into radicals.We would then be loosing our mission, our passion and our real Islamic devotion.
Name
Atiqur
- Japan
Profession
University teacher
Question
America utters the democracy which is reflected by peoples opinion in election, Hamas is elected by Palestine people. But America is denying them. Does America believe in democracy in deed?
Answer
It does, but a democracy thatit can combine with national interest as defined by neo-cons.Many liberals voted against them, many Alericans do not agree to their policies and more people are acting publicly against the war.Let us network with the other America that believes in freedom and justice, the America the Bush adminstration wants to silence and intimidate.
Name
Asif
- United Kingdom
Profession
student
Question
Assalum Walaikum brother, My question is regarding the Prophet's (pbuh) grandsons, Imam Hassan And Imam Hussain, and Sunni beliefs regarding them. I was just wondering if you could explain to me how Sunnis feel regarding their roles, importance and their teachings (and what relevance they have), I have asked many people and found differing answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I apologise if this question has been posted in the wrong place. Thank You
Answer
First I am not a brother. I am a sister. Heba is a common Arabic name for girls, meaning gift.
I advise you to address the fatwa section to get a thourogh answer , and also browse the site for relevant texts and articles.
Thank you
Name
hawa
- Canada
Profession
mother
Question
How to--as mother-- make your son understand being friend with non muslim is dangerous?
Answer
By teaching him that it is even more dangerous to isloate himself from members of the same community. There is no point in talking about the global mission of Islam if we ask chlidren to avoid non-Muslims.
What you should teach him is dangerous is making friends with paople who do not share the same ethics, not necessarily the same religion.If he can find a non-Muslim child from a good christian family that respects you for what you are and that teaches its children christian morlas and values, then there would be no problem.Teach him about fitra, about the original state of innocence on the human nature, and how to always be good to all and spread his mercy and compassion, and become a man of mission and inetgrity.You will not worry about him then..he would know how to pick his friends.
Name
Richard
- United States
Profession
Question
Muslims have to clean up their own mess before asking anybody else to be understanding. You allow dictators to rule you, you refuse to clean house of your radicals, many think Israel doesn't have a right to exist, you have a very poor Public Relations. A lot of window dressing in Islam: big beards, proper dress etc...but little in actions as a group. You have to understand that you people will remain under our thumb until you comply with Western values. The deal is, we are stronger and have more friends around that globe that will force you to comply with some basics beliefs we have. Allah is not hearing you. You have to understand your religion is not the world's religion. You must comply and drop the attitude you know better. You had you days of advancement, but now you are outdated and depend on oil to survive. You must adopt or ways or we will continue to pressure your youth to become like us until a day Islam is a secondary thought in their minds.
Answer
Well Ricahrd there is some truth in some of the things you said but I do not agree with your conclusions.
This "WE" implies you are one entity, one ideology, one religion and one voice, which is not true at all.If you mean the "WE" Samuel Huntington wrote about in his book "Who Are WE" insisting that America is protestant and anglophone, excluding and marginalizing all ethnic groups and other religions then I disagree.If this is not even ture in the States how can you even assume the State can impose this on the world.You critisise Muslims for not being democratic and I do not smell any tolerance or liberal democratic spirit in your comment.And we are indeed trying to establish democracies in our Arab world , but guess who has been supporting the totalitarian regimes in the region :the USA. Guess who is occupying Iraq?
But let me anyway thank you for your time and for coming all the way from where you come from to drop a line here..I do thank you for bothering..and will assume you expect my answer, that is why I too cared to reply, yet insist on disagreeing.
Thank you.
.
Name
Billy
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Dialogue. Why is it that in Egypt or Saudi Arabia I can't have dialogue about Christianity. I just don't get why the West has to have any sort of dialogue when in your countries dialogue is under key and lock. So, either you say the West is the best because one can talk freely, or you want your cake and eat it too.
Answer
Actually we do have dialogues, and since 1992 I personally have been engaged in many dialogues with fellow copt Egyptian citizens, and we published our debates.Churches are active here and though every now and then we have a crisis here or there, but this is the situation in any multi-religious or multi-ethnic community .
I lived in the UK for two years and respect the multi-cultural atmosphere, and think it is not to be compared with other countries, but like all societies you also have your own problems.
It is a small world Billy, so let us discuss sincerely how to solve our common probelms together, and also think with you how our freedom of expression can be guaranteed, while yours would not be restricted on some issues and encouraged to keep silent on others.
Thank you.
Name
Fowsiya
- United Kingdom
Profession
Admin
Question
Assalam Alaekum Dear brethren
The better dialogue, debate and two parties talking to each other to achieve certain goal and media coverage could be the best solution to reach a real Inter-faith dialogues Dialogue? The Muslims& Westerners are responsibility to have open dialogue. And not to insult our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), we need all religions same protection and educated the people said free press or democracy to insulted all Muslim.
I think theirs bridges of communication between the Muslims& westerner and they need to solve their problem and agree they’re different views and not listing with our right as Muslims to stand up and show our frustration.
I do not agree violence or that flag burning is wrong is not best way to solve the problem. Some people are said Muslim is poor that’s why they are became anger but we are not poor, we love our religion. I am very sorry my long question details May Allah reward all of you immensely!
Answer
Thank you for your comment.I feel your concerns and may Allah bless you for the sincere passion.
Best.
Name
Surria
- Canada
Profession
Student
Question
Greetings!
What does Islamists, Islamism or fundamental Islam mean? I'm a political science student and I have been hearing about these terms lately. Certainly, I don’t believe that there exists a version of Islam that is predisposed to Violence.
what are your thoughts on this issue?
Regards,
Surria
Answer
It depends on the use of each author of the terms and the meaning it gives to them.Important to remember that fundamentalist trends emerged in all faiths and religious traditions in the last three deacdes of the twentieth century, and you can find many books comparing different versions of that in different contexts. So simply try to read more about that from a comparative and complex sociological perspective.
Name
Tarek
-
Profession
Question
Thank you for this important topic.
What do you think is the most important common grounds with the West for starting a constructive dialogue, as often it seems each side is talking on a different "wave length"?
What do you suggest are the main prerequisites for a positive dialogue? And is that better conducted on the academic level rather than on the public level?
Answer
Let me start with the last question..all levels are important.Each person has his skill in each respective level.They also sometimes overalp.
I think the priority should be given to dialogues that lead to networking and action.By action here I mean joining hand in hand to alleviate poverty, fight illness and also perform all efforts of relief.This is not only during natural catastrophes, but to address local community needs in the poorest areas.We can talk for centuries on religious and theological differences, but we need to give priority to performing the message of mercy, equality and justice our different faiths were revealed to fulfill.
No wave lengthe is better than serving those who need help and cooperating in that ..we would then have dialogues that are based on trust, co-work and shared human experience.
Name
Ali Syed
- Canada
Profession
Student
Question
ASAK doctor.
Sir I have a very important question to ask. Often I am asked about "right hands possess" and captive slaves in women. I have good knowledge about mostly all other Muslim views on issues, but on this issue I am stuck, and yet I am asked a lot about this. So I have a few questions about status of slaves in Islam. Was intercourse with slaves permissible without their consent, even if we meant to take care and provide for them?
thank you.
Answer
Please address your question to the fatwa section or ask about ISlam page.They have already many answers to similar questions that can not only be addressed from a purely religious point of view but also comparative historical and political one.
Name
Abdullah
- United States
Profession
Question
There is a solution. There are shows on T.V. called Trading Spouses and Wife Swamp. The idea is spouses switch families for a couple of weeks in order to learn about one another. I think every Muslim home and those willing to participate should have a switch like this so people can equate Muslims to Human beings rather than ideas they see on TV.
Answer
Should I consider this a frustrated comment?
Of course we are humans.But may be we have to be more humane even if faced by intlearnce and discrimantion.This is what Prophet Muhammad taught us, what Jesus taught his disciples, and what all prophet taught their followers.
Patience,mercy and forgiveness, and a determination to put through the message and change the whole world for better.
Name
Taha
- Canada
Profession
Office Admin
Question
Assalaam alaikum
I recently came to know
that my husband had cheated on me seven years ago. He did some shameful sexual things (not intercourse) with a woman he met for the first time, after chatting with her on the internet for quite a few months. I love my husband and I have been faithful to him and I'm a very pious muslim, and we have been married for close to 18 years now. I feel betrayed, cheated and voilated. Even though I have not thought of seperation and have decided to reconcile, as my husband is very ashamed of his behaviour and is asking for my forgiveness. But I'm not able to forgive him and forget easily as I'm reminded of his lewdness when he comes close to me. There are several other issues he has about which I never knew till last month. He has always been very selfish and has never stood up for me. I'm always sad and depressed these days. Please tell me how to get over this dilemma. I know that I'm suppose to put the past behind and move ahead but I'm constantly reminded of what he did and I hate him for it.
Answer
Kindly address your concern to the cyber counselor section that you can access through the right bar on the main page.
If I can only have one word I would say to you: who has no mercy will not have mercy.And what Jesus used to say to his followers: we all have sins.
If you can find it in your heart to forgive this will bring you happiness, and him relief..
Love is about forgiveness my dear.
Pray and forgive him.
Name
Yusef
- United Kingdom
Profession
Engineer
Question
I do not believe that we can ever enter into a constructive dialogue with the western cultures until we are willing to offer their cultures the same respect we demand from them.
Muslim societies worldwide are so closed and intolerant that we do not allow for any opposition. I believe that if the Prophet (PBUH) were alive today he would condemn us for our violence and intolerance. While many of our scholars condemn violence, they secretly support those terrorists worldwide. Face it, when was the last time anyone ever heard of a Buddhist terrorist or a Lutheral terrorist. Do you believe we must join the 21st century in order to win the respect of the world?
Answer
Indeed there are terrorists and criminals in all faiths, but surely we do not hear of them because of many reasons u know well.But this is not the issue.I agree that we should have more mercy and compassion and follow the Prophet PBUH in his kindness and care.
And we are in the 21st century already, but there are many modernities existing already on the scene, we should simply formulate ours, and interact with different efforts to build bridges.
Name
Ali
- Jordan
Profession
Question
As a woman do you think you are just being optimistic about change? I know women like to dream but are not always practical. The West is the Devil and we need them not for anything.
Answer
I challnge you by the Quran:"They are not all the same" and also "we created you to know each other".
I am not optimistic nor romantic.I am a Muslim who follows a prophet who taught us to be fair and to take the burden of fulfilling the testimony towards humanity.It is not an easy task. Racism ,intolerance and hate are very easy, and a step away. Fairness and mercy and hope are difficult because they put the burden of responsibility on your shoulder not on the shoulder of the others.
It is as simple as that.
That's all, brother/
By the way..I am also a political scientist, a lecturer and a mother, and a political activist. So do not only see me in terms of my womanhood. This is too simplistic.
Name
Frank
- United States
Profession
Question
Salaam alaikum, sister
Is it possible to have real and meaningful discuss with Western Governments, when the Muslim are in the weaker position. Power respects power and until Moslems prepare as Allah has guide them. We will continue the experience of being under Western domination.
Answer
We also are powerful, but we need to re-discover our power points, and to see how to use them correctly.I would not like to think of power in terms of hegemony and monopoly.I would not like to swap positions and simply strive to opres intsead of being oppressed.I have a dream of justice and I think that we have the power but we do not have the will. We are dis-empowered but we are not powerless.
That's the starting point for change.
Name
Taha
- Canada
Profession
Office Admin
Question
What is your opinion regarding the concept/practice of woman-led prayers and the idea that imams do not necessarily need to be male ( as there is no explicit designation of an imam's gender in the Quran/Hadith
Answer
This question needs a long reply.I wrote about it a long reflection in Emel magazine published in the UK..I will try to find it and post it on islamonline.net soon.
