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Name
Asma
-
Profession
Student
Question
Is it true that the Qur'an has condemned the poets?
Answer
Hello Asma,
Assalamu alaikum.
Thank you for your question.
The Qur’an has not condemned ALL poets. Read the translation of the verses in question:
“And the Poets,- It is those straying in Evil, who follow them: Seest thou not that they wander distracted in every valley?- And that they say what they practise not?- Except those who believe, work righteousness, engage much in the remembrance of Allah, and defend themselves only after they are unjustly attacked. And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take!” (Ash-Shu`araa' 26:224-227)
Here Allah Almighty refers to those poets, who “wander distracted in every valley” and who do not practice what they say. It is these poets who are disapproved. But note the exception: Those who believe, work righteousness, engage much in remembrance of Allah etc. So it is clear that Allah in the Holy Qur’an does not condemn all poets, but only some poets.
Certainly, the Qur’an disapproves of the kind of vain poetry which many in Pre-Islamic days favored. But at the same time see that the Prophet, peace be on him, praised some of the poets of the time. It is reported that he listened attentively to Ka'ab ibn Zuhair, when he recited his poems, before his declaring his change of attitude towards the Prophet and Islam. Likewise the Prophet encouraged Hasan ibn Thabit, to compose poems in answer to the campaign of abuse unleashed by the Quraish.
Islam indeed encourages literature and the use of attractive language for writing and speech. The Qur’an itself is a model as to how beautiful ideas can be expressed in beautiful language. Remember that the Qur’an is a Book of Guidance, and so it condemns writers of blasphemous or obscene works, who serve as bad models for people by encouraging immorality or exerting an evil influence on society. And Allah knows best.
Name
Anon
-
Profession
student
Question
What about womankind? Why is the Qur'an so sexist? No offense intended.
Answer
Hello Anon,
Peace be with you!
Thank you very much for your question.
In fact, the Qur'an is not sexist; though some Muslims may deserve that qualification. It often depends on the way some of the verses of the Qur'an are interpreted, whether you call them "sexist" or not. A male chavinist can interpret certain verses in the Qur'an, as anti-male so to say, if he is so inclined. For instance, the provision that the man should meet all the expenses of the family can be interpreted as a discrimination against males, if you look at it from the "masculinist" point of view.
We need to view the Islamic View of Life from an over-all perspective, taking into consideration the kind of society Islam visualizes.
If you consider the rewards Allah offers the males and females for their faith and good deeds, there is no discrimination whatever, from any point of view. But when you consider the legalistic aspects of family life or social life, the roles set for males and females are not equal, but complementary; but this is in keeping with the biological, psychological and social aspects of life.
When all factors are taken into consideration, we can see that the Qur'anic view of the roles of men and women as well as their mutual relationships is balanced and fair.
For further information on the topic you may read the article entitled, "Gender Equity in Islam" by Dr Jamal Badawi, available online here:
http://www.iad.org/books/GEI.html
And Allah knows best.
Name
Hosni
- Bahrain
Profession
Question
Why Islamic ulema's are nowadays very much negative about wearing caps? We were taught to wear the cap specilly when praying, eating and inside the toilet.
Answer
Editor's Note:
Thank you for your question. We apologize for not answering it as it is not related to the topic of this session.
Name
Isabelle
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
I understand that the Quran is the "Bible" of the Muslims. So why are you saying that it is a guidance for mankind? Shouldn't the title be "for Muslims"?
Answer
Hello Isabelle,
Peace be with you!
Thank you for a very pertinent question.
It is not entirely wrong to call the Qur'an, "the Bible of the Muslims". But when we say so, the world of difference between the Bible and the Qur'an must not be lost upon us.
The Bible is not one book, it is (as claimed by the Christian scholars) "a library of books"; as it contains a large number of books composed and compiled by a large number of people in different periods of history. But the Qur'an is just ONE BOOK. And it is not the work of any human author. It is literally the Word of God revealed by God to His prophet. And the whole of the Qur'an has been preserved intact, without any omission or addition. We cannot claim this of the books of the Bible. For one thing, even the number of the books and its contents are disputed by the Christians themselves.
One important quality of the Qur'an is that it calls itself, a Guidance from God, as you can read in these verses here:
Qur'an Chapter 39: verse 41:
"Verily We have revealed the Book to thee (the Prophet) in Truth, for (instructing) mankind. He, then, that receives guidance benefits his own soul: but he that strays injures his own soul. Nor art thou set over them to dispose of their affairs."
Qur'an Chapter 6:verse 155:
"And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy"
It is true that those who accept this Guidance in toto cannot but be Muslims (Muslims = those who live a life of obedience to God. But the targeted audience of the Qur'an are humankind at large. That is why, we find God in the Qur'an addresses the whole of mankind in many verses beginning: "O mankind!"
Look at the major ideas the Qur'an presents before mankind, and decide for yourself:
1. God is One Only; so submit to Him and live a life of obedience to Him.
2. God sent His Guidance through His Messengers or prophets from the very beginning of mankind: Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, among others, were all Messengers of God who lived in Islam (Submission to God).
3. Our life does not end with death; we will be brought before God on the Day of Judgment and those who believed in God and led a good life will be sent to heaven and those who refused to do so, will be sent to hell.
These are the basic teachings of Islam and these are addressed to all humans. And obviously those who accept these teachings can be called Muslims or those who submit to God.
Hope I have answered your question.
Thank you.
Name
Mariam
-
Profession
Question
How can the Qur'an which is in Arabic be a guide for non-Arabic speakers? at the same time, at least when I first read the Qur'an in English, i was told that this was not a translation of the Qur'an, but was a translation of the MEANINGS of the Quran and that the Quran could never be translated into any other language - it was sent in Arabic. Why? I have always found this question hard to answer, especially since Islam is supposed to be for all humanity and not just the Arabs.
Answer
Hello Mariam,
Assalamu alaikum.
Thank you for your question.
It is true that the Qur'an is in Arabic. It has got to be in one language, unless God decides to reveal the Book in all languages at the same time, to a number of prophets speaking these languages.
There is no meaning in saying that a translation of the Qur'an is not a translation, but the translation of the meaning of the Qur'an. Because, for one thing, if such a claim is made, only Allah can know the MEANING of the Qur'an. But please understand that in the case of any translation from one language to another, much meaning is lost. You need to get it back from explanations or by learning the original language. This is unavoidable, as we humans, our languages and our abilities and so on are imperfect.
But Allah has very clearly said in His Qur'an that He has made the Qur'an easy:
"We have brought them a Book elucidating everything with knowledge, as guidance and a mercy for people who believe." (Al-A`raf 7:52)
"Look how We explain the Signs with various symbols so that hopefully they will understand." (Al-An`am 6:65)
"Allah does not impose on any soul more than it can bear. It shall be requited for whatever good and whatever evil it has done. (Al-Baqarah 2:286)
The Prophet has been telling every one to make things easy for people; but Muslims do just the opposite most of the times. And hence the question you raised. So we need to make things clear and easy for all people to follow.
I hope I have answered your question.
Thank you.
Name
Jon
-
Profession
Question
is the koran only for believers and not for sinners?
Answer
Hello Jon,
Peace be with you!
Thank you for your question.
We humans are likely to commit sins, whether we are believers or not. So we need to ask for the forgiveness of God so often, and at the same time correct our wonted ways. The Qur'an guides us to follow the Correct Path, and to avoid all pitfalls and lapses, so that we can save ourselves from committing sins. In Islam there is no Son of God who comes to suffer and die for us to save us from sins. That job we need to do ourselves; and for that work God rewards us.
Hope I have answered your question.
Thank you.
Name
Md. Tauhidul Islam Mohim
- Bangladesh
Profession
Student
Question
can you say me what the HOLY QUARAN says about the field of science and tecnology?
Answer
Hello Tauhidul Islam,
Assalamu alaikum
Thank you for your question.
The Qur'an is Allah's Book of Guidance for mankind as said in so many of its verses like:
"We have only sent down the Book to you so that you can make clear to them the things about which they differ, and as a guidance and a mercy to people who believe." (An-Nahl 16:64)
“This Qur'an guides to the most upright Way and gives good news to the believers who do right actions that they will have a large reward.” (Al-Israa' 17:9)
“This (the Qur'an) is clear insight for humanity and guidance and mercy for people with certainty.” (Al-Jathiyya 45:20)
The Qur'an is not a text book on science and technology. But Allah guides us to the learning of all the sciences as well as humanities. And any perceptive reader who ponders over the pheonomena of nature will be led to the Incommensurable and Indescribable Creative Power of the Almighty. That is what the Qur'an says in so many of its verses.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Billy
- Canada
Profession
Question
Hello,
I think Muslims are okay folk - work hard and try to be good people. However, I'm wondering how Muslims can say Islam has more perserved sources than Christianity? The hadiths could be related to the New Testment, written years after. So how can the Muslims say it's different when by logic alone they use texts years after the prophet was made as Chrsitians use the NT after Jesus was around...I don't care how many checks are in place, it's still after the fact. The Qu'ran is a cool book, to me it's message is saying 'there is one god only.' However, do we have a Qur'an today from Muhammad's time in existence? I have checked that the museums have two qur'ans that date from 800AD...Anway, take care and thanks for taking my questions.
Peace be upon you.
Answer
Hello Billy,
Peace be with you!
Thank you for your question.
You have said: "I don't care how many checks are in place, it's still after the fact." Can we apply this logic to Jesus and say that he borrowed a great deal from Judaism, and so his religion loses all validity?
In fact Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad were all prophets from the same ONE GOD. So all of them speak the same Message: That we must worship none but the ONE TRUE GOD: Read your own book:
"Which commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered: "The first is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one...." (Mark 12: 29)
The Qur'an is the confirmation and a fulfilment of the earlier scriptures like the Torah or the Gospel. Prophet Muhammad never claimed that he was teaching a new religion. He said that his mission was to restore the original religion of God taught by all the prophets of God like Abraham, Moses and Jesus. To the Jews Muslims would say: be good followers of Moses; and to Christians Muslims would say: be good followers of Jesus.
But now instead of following Jesus, the Christians are following a man called Saul of Tarsus, (later known as St Paul). In fact this Paul hijacked Christ's religion and paganized it: So the Christians have a three-in-one deity called a Trinity: somewhat like the Hindu Trimurti.
Part of Muhammad's mission was to ask the Christians to follow the teachings of Jesus. Because you can see that Jesus never ever asked his followers to worship him. It was Paul and company who came later to undermine his teaching and introduced the idea of worshipping a Son of God, who "saved" all sinners by suffering and dying on the cross.
The Qur'an clearly confirms all the truth in the Torah and the Gospel and corrects the deviations and distortions therein. Please make an objective comparative study with a mind cleared of all prejudices and then you can see the truth.
May God guide us all to the True Path!
Thank you.
Name
Michael Rubens
-
Profession
reporter
Question
Correct me if I am mistaken. Muhammad was born in 640 AD, I believe. And according to what i have read, he "received" the Koran at the age of 40. that means around 680 AD. So 680 years after the birth of Christ, and thousands of years after the first humans were on earth, Muhammad receives a book that claims it is for all time and all people. my question here is: what about the thousands and thousands of years BEFORE Muhammad?
Answer
Hello Rubens,
Peace be with you!
Thank you very much for your question.
{Please read my answer to Billy above}
You should understand that humankind has been progressing through all these centuries from the time of Adam and Eve. And at different stages in that long history, God used to send His prophets to teach the people the Way to God, which has already been taught by the previous prophets. Why did God send the later prophets? You may find the answer in the Bible itself. You can see that those people either forgot the TRUE teachings or distorted them through their wickedness. To restore the TRUE teachings of earlier prophets, new prophets were being sent until one last prophet would come and complete the Guidance of God.
Jesus told his disciples on the eve of his departure about the coming of that Last Prophet in John 16:13:
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.."
You can see here that someone who "will guide you into all truth" will come and "he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak..." etc.
This prophecy is about the last Prophet Muhammad and not about one of the three persons in One God as alleged. Because if it were God the Holy Spirit, why can't he speak of himself, but must hear from God? Which God other than himself? Do you believe in many gods?
Think.
Islam is the corrected and completed form of Christianity.
Study well, seek the Truth and " the truth shall make you free" as taught by none other than Jesus the son of Mary.
