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Name
Ann
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Profession
Question
I have just read two articles about the wives of Mohamed PBUH and in one Merium the Copt is said not to be his wife but his right hand possession and in the second "Beautiful Wives" he is said to have married her and so she was his wife.
Also in the first article there is an account of "consummating marriage" at 9 years old. What is the evidence for this. I find this very hard to believe. At nine - a child?
Answer
In the name of Allah the Merciful.
Salam, Ann.
Whether Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was married to Maria, the Copt, or whether she was a one whose his right hand possessed is a matter that some scholars agree to either opinion. In both cases, Islam highly respects the woman. That is the point. Most scholars agree that Maria was not a wife and that she became "um al-walad" (another highly-respected status in Islam, which is the mother of the lawfully-born son) after she became the mother of the Prophet's son Ibrahim.
Islam never regards a woman as a merely sex object, but she is a soul partner and she has variable and different respected statuses, whatever they are. Being a possession of the right hand means she is not "cheap" or public property for every man to enjoy her. But she has a certain status and she knows her duties and rights.
As for Lady `Aisha, yes, she was a child of 9 when she was first married. But this was 1400 years ago. The norms were different. Other wives of the Prophet whom were already widowed before marrying him, married him at the age of 16 & 17, what do we think their age was at their first marriage.
Books of history narrate that the Prophet died when `Aisha was 18 or 19 and she never re-married, doesn’t this indicate she was a happy wife who lived for his memory? During his life time, she was a woman who burnt with rage of jealousy when the name of his deceased "old" wife Khadijah was mentioned. Isn’t this a woman with a heart warm with love for her husband? Books of her hadith narrate her words of love to the Prophet, they never narrate that she ever wanted to rid the marriage.
It was a marriage of love, of a husband who chose to burry his head in the arms of this wife when his death was due.
Please read more about both topics through the following links:
If it's so true that Islam teaches peace and all... then why, i keep asking myself, why are almost ALL terrorist bombings or attempts at bombings carried out by MUSLIMS?
Answer
Salam, Jon.
I am happy that you are asking and that you not concluding. You need to read more of today’s news. In my personal catalogue, a terrorist is a person or any entity that terrifies people, scares souls, mutilates bodies and kills children. This would be the title I give to the person or the entity whether he/she/it is living somewhere in an Arabian desert, in an American white house or in an Israeli shielded shell!
I am short of words trying to narrate the stories of Iraqi mothers losing their children, of Lebanese children losing their childhood days... dare I try to make it poetic!!!
If some Muslims go fanatic every now & then, we need to be objective here. Fanaticism is a human trait, in every tribe, religious sect and ethnicity you will find some people tending to be fanatic. It is an eternal human trait; trying to force the other into whatever one’s believe in.
But, if we go by the book in Islam, the Qur'an simply and directly says: *{No compulsion in religion}* and Islam directly demands us to spread peace even when we salute or greet one another by our "salam" greeting.
If some people deviate, we can't blame Islam for that, or we ourselves won't be objective. Can we blame Christ for the rapped women in Bosnia? Can we blame Israel himself for the mutilated bodies in Lebanon and Palestine? We need to revise our criteria.
How can I bring my sister to islam if she is becoming a christian? she has said some hurtful things about the origion of Islam, because the faith contradicts the concept of Isa (pbuh) being 'The Son of God'. She has tried to bring me to her faith but i do not believe in the foundations of christianity to accept it. i have given her leaflets on Isa(pbuh) in Islam and bought a dvd debate on the crucifixtion by Sheik Ahmed Deedat but it seems she has become closed minded what shall i do? thank you
Answer
Salams, Anon.
My dear, sometimes we need to revise our roles in life. It is usually our thundering pleasure when we find a heart submitting to the One and Only Beloved, Allah. Yet, we need not be hard on ourselves. It is not our roles to "bring" people to Islam. It is our role to "call" them to Islam. It is our roles to explain Islam, to convey its message, to play positive role models and to pray sincerely to God asking Him to accept our efforts and guide our beloved ones.
This is very theoretic, yes! But this is very fair and just too. Because, we do not own hearts and brains, we cannot control what other’s feel, love and belief. The Qur’an directs its wordings to Prophet Muhammad telling him that it is not his duty but to *{… convey the message.}* Then it is God who shows each heart its guidance, not us. We are finally, really, helpless creatures!
I chose to start with these words because I don't want you to be hard on yourself, nor on your sister. Then, now you need to seriously worry about your sister and try your best to explain things to her. But, don’t be pushy and don’t call her "closed minded"! Allah has called Christians to be "People of the Book" and He never called them to be "closed minded". We need to learn to respect the other, no matter how different we are. We fully disagree with her opinion of course.
What you need to do is to be nice to her, read a lot, lot lot. Don’t scold her, don’t fight with her. Take her out, have fun with her. Keep her company. Gradually (maybe you need months or even years, be patient) get her around good Muslims and get her to meet good scholars. Don’t have people push her. Pray a lot, lot lot. Make that late at night, if you care for her and be sincere about your prayers if you want her back. Make sure to discuss with her other topics, have other things in common between you and her. Never break the ties. Have faith in God and hopefully, some day she will come back. Don’t give up. But show her that you accept her. Always be a good example infront of her eyes. Don't act. Be one. May God be with you.
Salam, sister, What should i tell someone who asks me if the true islam is "Shiite" or "sunni"?
Answer
Salam Mo'men.
True Islam is true "iman" (belief), which means a person has simply to be a "mo'men" (as your name) and that’s what counts. A Mo'men is a believer. A believer is a person who believes in God, the One and Only Creator of all that exists. Then, a Muslim is a person who performs "tasleem", which is complete and peaceful submission that one chooses willingly. A person who surrenders and gives his or her whole self to the One and Only God, this is a Muslim.
It doesn't make a difference if he is a Sunni or she is a Shiite. What counts is that they both worship the One and Only Creator and Sustainer; the One Beloved of all.
why do muslims mix politics and religion so much? it seems i can not talk to ANY muslims without them bringing up politics - kashmir, palestine, iraq, etc. etc. etc... sometimes i just want to hear about islam and not the politics of muslims!
Answer
Salam, Wendy.
This is simply because Islam is a creed and a way of life. It is a comprehensive ideology that encompasses all aspects of life. Yet, a very simple one!
Islam is not practiced inside the mosque. Islam is practice on all arenas of life, including mosques. This depends on Muslims belief in the One and Only God Who chose mankind as a creation in this life to be His vicegerents to fulfill success and civilization on earth. If you are interested to know about a specific aspect of Islam, its creedal aspect for example, then you need her to re-phrase your question and explain that you are interested in interfaith or creedal dialogue.
As for why Muslims bring the political aspects out of all aspects when you open discussions with them, simply because it is a “bleeding wound” as we express it in our Arabic language. The political situation of most Islamic countries is heart-breaking for the eyes of any human being, not only Muslims. So, as humans we ache for our brethrens in religion and humanity who are being torn in oceans of blood day and night.
