The Unofficial "Ask a Muslim" Thread.

[BuffedGuy]

Peace be unto you, BgMc.

And therein lies the problem Buffed...religion to often deals in absolutes. And that is the reason it is THE major cause of more death and destruction than any other man-made phenomenon in the history of mankind.

I agree with you. The Quran itself says that the people only differed when divine knowledge was given to them. The Quran says:

"People who were given the scripture differed after they received (Divine) Knowledge, for they were unjust to each other." (Quran, 3:19)

But this does not mean that an absolute truth does not exist. Yes, people claiming that what they have is absolute truth can be divisive; even having the absolute truth itself can cause people to become divisive. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the Absolute Truth doesn't exist at all. That would be flawed logic.

It simply means that one should be cautious of this.

So the Quranic logic is that the believer should be just, kind, and courteous with those who do not agree with our religion, even whilst it posits itself as the Absolute Truth, wherein there is no doubt. Yes, many Muslims don't follow that, but again, it doesn't necessarily follow that there can be no absolute truth just because it would be divisive. The divisiveness of the followers does not mean that the religion itself preaches divisiveness. The Quran says:

"Hold fast you all to the rope of God and do not be divided amongst yourselves." (Qur'an 3:103)

Religion to me is deeply personal and because people are always trying to 'convert' others to their way of thinking it causes more problems than it solves.

Agreed. But the same thing I said above.

Let's face it, holy books have been refuted by science time and again.

I disagree with this. I can't speak for the Bible, but all I can say is that the Quran doesn't go into the details like the Bible does. The Quran is a book of religious guidance, not science. I don't think there is anything in the Quran that is refuted by science. I urge you to read the Quran. I've linked to a very good translation above. It's totally free.

Why not print out some of it and read it? (It's just better to read on paper as opposed to the computer screen.) I usually print pdf's four pages on one page, and four pages on the backside. So I manage to get eight pages on one computer page. Or you could obviously just read it off the computer. EDIT: You know what, if you PM me your address, I'll just ship you a free Quran, God-Willing. I think that might be best.

There is no denying the fact that the Abrahamic faiths are all based on the Egyptian mythology of Horace and others.

Again, I can't speak for Christianity or the Bible, but I can speak on behalf of Islam and the Quran. The fact that the Quranic stories are also found in ancient books (from Egypt mythology or whatever) does not disprove Islam at all; rather, it affirms Islam and is a proof *for* Islam. You see, we believe that all the nations of the world were sent prophets and holy books; there were more than 124,000 prophets in all.

Therefore, just because an ancient Greek or Egyptian book talks about the flood, this doesn't mean that the Bible just copied the story from them and that it didn't happen to Prophet Noah [as]. It simply means that other nations were also sent the stories of the prophets as well. The Quran itself affirms Progressive Revelation, so there is nothing really new in the Quran. It was all told to the people of ancient times, but they all perverted it, corrupted it, added their own words, deleted words, etc. So the Quran came to verify the truth in all that and to get rid of the corruption. And we believe the Quran is the Final Testament sent to mankind, perfecting all the books that came before it, and fixing all the mistakes which were introduced into those books. And we believe that God has promised to protect this Quran from corruption, unlike any other religious book.

All holy books are full of racism, sexism, and any other -ism you can think of. The bible condones these things, because it was written during a time when these things were acceptable.

I'm not going to speak on behalf of the Bible, but I can attest to the Quran. There is absolutely no racism, malicious sexism, or any other -ism in it. I don't ask you to take my word for it, but just read the Quran yourself. I've linked to it in the previous post.

My father, a Christian minister and teacher, calls me a "convenient Christian", so be it. My father is a great man and my heroe, but we differ on many things. He doesn't love me any less for my beliefs and he believes eventually I'll come around. Religion and spirtuality is ever evolving in my life. Two years ago I was a devout athleist. But because I was missing something in my life, I decided to live a more spiritual existence. Believing there was nothing greater than myself and that I had all the answers wasn't working for me. So I began learning the principles of Christianity and found that I could live a good life following many of the principles. But I also recognized that many of my most intimate beliefs don't coincide with what the bible teaches. Therefore I cannot give myself totally to a belief system I don't whole-heartedly believe in. Saying something is concrete simply because a book, written by man, tells us so isn't logical, IMO.

Your father calls you a "Convenient Christian." I am going to go one step further, and say I don't think you are Christian at all. Now don't get offended just yet, because I don't consider you a disbeliever in God. Rather, you are a theist and believer in God.

I think that if Christianity or the Bible doesn't fit for you, then read up on other religions. Read the religious texts of other faiths. I would ask you to read the Quran. The entire purpose of the Quran--as stated by itself--is that it came to "clean up" what was wrong in the Bible. Many converts to Islam from Christianity say that it was like a sanitized version of the Bible. One convert whom I linked to earlier said: "It felt like the Quran was the Old Testament and the New Testament put through a strainer."

Maybe you'll decide Islam is not for you; then study Judaism, other faiths, etc. You've already gone from atheism to theism. So you are not someone stubborn, but rather someone who wishes to learn and expand himself, and who will entertain new ideas, beliefs, etc.

But I think that no matter which faith you pick, it only logically makes sense to follow it 100%. The logic behind this statement is explained in the lecture I linked you to (in the first 15 minutes). I didn't write on this since I wanted you to watch the link, although maybe you won't have the time to do that. But at minimum, I think you owe it to yourself to read the Quran.

There is nothing to lose. Maybe you will like it and think Islam works for you. Maybe you will not like it or decide it is not for you, but you will come out of the experience with more knowledge, experience, and self-understanding.

Anyways, I'm done preaching, hehe. I just think you owe it to yourself to read the Quran, the most memorized book in the world...just like I tell Muslims that they owe it to themselves to read the Bible, the most sold book in the world. I think it's just a must.

I know I've turned preachy on you, and moved away from just spreading awareness which was my initial purpose on this site. But I just got a special feeling about you. Had it from the start. I don't know. Just intuition. Wallahu Aalim (and God knows best!)

[BgMc31]

Buffed,

I have began investigating other religions. I don't claim to know everything about any religion but I am aware of many rituals and beliefs of all the major religions. From what I've learned of all, they all have positives and negatives.

Thank for the suggestion to read the Quaran. I've downloaded your link. As I've downloaded the bible and pieces of the Torah. I also have copies of the dead sea scrolls, many ancient greek text, and books on Buddishm, and religious egyptian text. My spiritual journey is a lengthy one, but one I am prepared and eager to continue to make. Maybe I'll find a destination, maybe I won't, but one thing for sure it will be worth the trip!!!

Again, I admire your conviction in your faith. Living the life of the truely faithful is definately an ardious one. So I respect your commitment that seems unwavering even in these most troubling times.

Peace go with you my friend!!!

[BuffedGuy]

Buffed,

I have began investigating other religions. I don't claim to know everything about any religion but I am aware of many rituals and beliefs of all the major religions. From what I've learned of all, they all have positives and negatives.

Thank for the suggestion to read the Quaran. I've downloaded your link. As I've downloaded the bible and pieces of the Torah. I also have copies of the dead sea scrolls, many ancient greek text, and books on Buddishm, and religious egyptian text. My spiritual journey is a lengthy one, but one I am prepared and eager to continue to make. Maybe I'll find a destination, maybe I won't, but one thing for sure it will be worth the trip!!!

Again, I admire your conviction in your faith. Living the life of the truely faithful is definately an ardious one. So I respect your commitment that seems unwavering even in these most troubling times.

Peace go with you my friend!!!

Peace be unto you, BgMc.

It's very inspiring to hear how you are going on a spiritual journey. May God bless your journey and guide you to whatever is the Truth. May you not slacken in your quest, nor tire, nor become lazy, all of which are the shortcomings of man.

It's great to hear you are reading widely. Please keep in touch and let me know how your journey goes.

In the Care of the Lord,
-Saladin.

[xlxBigSexyxlx]

Hey buff. Good ol' buddy. Hows it going?

Anywho, Im not religious. Probably more agnostic if anything. I was raised Lutheran.

I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with this, but I got into it with my mom the other night. Of course your not lutheran, or christian for that matter.
According to them, one must believe jesus is the messiah to get into heaven. And she said everyone else is going to hell. I can't bring myself to see that.

It was funny, because I immediately thought of you lol. I mean, I don't personally know you, but I was thinking man, someone like buff, a good ol guy, can't be forever tortured and blah blah blah. lol

Do you believe that non muslims are all going to whatever hell is, and be tortured forever and ever?

[BuffedGuy]

Peace be unto you, Big.

Hey buff. Good ol' buddy. Hows it going?

Anywho, Im not religious. Probably more agnostic if anything. I was raised Lutheran.

I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with this, but I got into it with my mom the other night. Of course your not lutheran, or christian for that matter.
According to them, one must believe jesus is the messiah to get into heaven. And she said everyone else is going to hell. I can't bring myself to see that.

It was funny, because I immediately thought of you lol. I mean, I don't personally know you, but I was thinking man, someone like buff, a good ol guy, can't be forever tortured and blah blah blah. lol

Do you believe that non muslims are all going to whatever hell is, and be tortured forever and ever?

You posting in this thread in the way you just did reminded me of the following verse in the Quran:

"It may be that God will create love and friendship between you and those whom you now hold as enemies. For God has power over all things, and God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran, 60:7)

To answer your question, the Quran says:

"They say: 'None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.' Those are their vain desires. Say: 'Produce your proof if you are truthful!' Nay! Whosoever submits his whole self to God and is a doer of good, he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve...The Jews say: 'The Christians have no basis for their religion'; and the Christians say: 'The Jews have no basis for their religion.' Yet they profess to study the same Book! ...They say: 'Become Jews or Christians if you wish to be guided to salvation.' Say you: 'Nay! I would rather follow the Religion of Abraham the monotheist, and he joined not gods with God.' Say you: 'We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all prophets from their Lord: We do not differentiate between any of them: And we submit to God!' ....Our religion is the Baptism of God. And who can baptize better than God? And it is He Whom we worship...Or do you say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: 'Do you know better than God?'" (Quran, 2:112-140)

"Surely, those who believe [Muslims]--and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabians--whosoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good--such shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve." (Quran, 2:62)

So to be clear: we do not limit Paradise to those who profess to be Muslims in this life. However, having said that, we believe that anyone who hears the Message of God in its pure form, and who rejects it after that, such will not enter Paradise. In other words, you might enter Paradise if you haven't affirmed Islam (as mentioned in the above verses), but you will go to Hell-fire if you reject Islam. There is a difference then between simply not affirming Islam on the one hand and negating it on the other hand.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the term "Islam" means "submission to God" and "Muslim" means "submitter to God". That is why the Quran says that all of the prophets--including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc (all whom came before Prophet Muhammad)--were "Muslims", i.e. submitters to God. So there is a difference between the specific meaning of the word "Muslim" (i.e. a follower of Prophet Muhammad) and the general usage of the term (i.e. anyone who submits to God). Therefore, we say that the past prophets may not have been "Muslim" in the specific sense, but they were "Muslim" in the general sense. Likewise, there are people on earth today who are "Muslim" in the general sense but not "specific" sense. For example, many people who convert to Islam say that when they read the Quran for the first time, they would say to themselves "I already believed in this stuff before I actually read it here". In other words, their heart was Muslim (in the general sense) before their tongue affirmed Islam in the specific sense.

There are Christians out there today who are Muslim in their hearts, i.e. Muslim in the general sense of the word, i.e. submitters to God. Again, the meaning of "Muslim" is just "submitter to God", or as the Quran says: "whosoever believes in God and the Last Day..." Such we believe will enter Paradise "if they do good".

I hope this makes sense?

In the Care of the Lord,
-Saladin.

[xlxBigSexyxlx]

Cool. I gotcha. Thanks.


lol, are we enemies or something? (in response to the very first part)

[BuffedGuy]

Cool. I gotcha. Thanks.


lol, are we enemies or something? (in response to the very first part)

Nope, we are not enemies. But we did go at it before. Good to see we're not any more.

By the way, I added some stuff in the last post. Make sure you refresh and see the whole thing. I have a nasty habit of editing posts a million times.