Ask about Islam

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace

Misconceptions of non-Muslims

ans is given by Dr. Zakir Naik

MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE KAABA

Question:

When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer?

Answer:

Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers.

It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.

It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:

“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens:

now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee.

Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque:

wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:144]

1. Islam believes in fostering unity

For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba.

If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.

1. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map

The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre.

Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.

1. Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God

When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba.

This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.

1. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)

Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm.

Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.

1. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan

At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer.

One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

institutealislam.com/answers-to-non-muslims-by-dr-zakir-naik/

 

[anon52328184]

Salaam/peace

Misconceptions of non-Muslims

ans is given by Dr. Zakir Naik

MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE KAABA

Question:

When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer?

Answer:

Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers.

It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.

It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:

“We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens:

now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee.

Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque:

wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:144]

1. Islam believes in fostering unity

For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba.

If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.

1. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map

The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre.

Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.

1. Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God

When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba.

This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.

1. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)

Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm.

Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.

1. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan

At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer.

One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

institutealislam.com/answers-to-non-muslims-by-dr-zakir-naik/

muslim woman, i didn’t understand a lot of what you wrote, but i did find interesting what you said about how the muslims were the first to draw a map of the world and the south was upwards and the north was downwards.
i know that the muslims made many discoveries in astronomy and mathematics and were more advanced than the europeans at one time.
when that was exactly, i don’t know. i hope someday, your leaders and your religion will allow the people to once again make important contributions in science, math, astronomy, art, literature, music, etc.
it is sad that it is a crime to convert to another religion for a muslim. until your governments and your religion allow you to have more freedom, i think the creativity and contributions of the arab nations will be stifled.
i don’t want to offend, but i pray that life will change for the millions of people who have to live in fear. i hope someday there will be freedom of religion. i do not know what the future will be for islam, but i hope someday that life will be better for those that believe in it and that there will be no more terrorism and, i especially, hope that someday life will be better for muslim women. in some countries, they are more oppressed than in others.
i hope some day the muslim people know real peace.

 

[inJESUS]

Salaam/peace

Misconceptions of non-Muslims

 

[Americanrevert]

**Hello ,

by Deborahaz

i know that the muslims made many discoveries in astronomy and mathematics and were more advanced than the europeans at one time.
when that was exactly, i don’t know. i hope someday, your leaders and your religion will allow the people to once again make important contributions in science, math, astronomy, art, literature, music, etc.
it is sad that it is a crime to convert to another religion for a muslim. until your governments and your religion allow you to have more freedom, i think the creativity and contributions of the arab nations will be stifled.
i don’t want to offend, but i pray that life will change for the millions of people who have to live in fear. i hope someday there will be freedom of religion. i do not know what the future will be for islam, but i hope someday that life will be better for those that believe in it and that there will be no more terrorism and, i especially, hope that someday life will be better for muslim women. in some countries, they are more oppressed than in others.
i hope some day the muslim people know real peace

.

Hello Deborahaz, Muslims have made beautiful contributions to the world at large (without them, who knows ). They are still being educated in Islamic countries (actually the educational system here in UAE…the highschool is equivalent to college/university in the states). They are still progressing.

It isn’t a matter of fear when the “Patriot Act” has replaced the Constitution? It isn’t fear when they can tap your phones, do away with you if pleased, conspiracies untold, etc.?? Or can hold you without cause and say it is for “security reasons” and never to be heard from again??? This is freedom? More like dictatorship! And I am an American! Even the freedom fries get burned!

Deborah, what one has to understand is that when Allah ordains or prescribes a punishment, it isn’t a crime. It is His law. People nowadays want to worship the way they think one should worship instead of the way God wants you to worship. So, when saying they think something is unfair, they cannot perceive the totality of Allah’s message as something to be adhered to.

Terrorism is everywhere…look at what is inside America. Killings, murders, rapes, hijacks, forceful incest etc…is there as well…oh hmmm wonder if any religion is put in front of these crimes? I think not…but they are related to one.

Deborahaz, go to Yusuf Estess’s sites…they are excellent in learning about Islam!!! He was an ex preacher.

I have to go to my physio appt. again…(tennis elbow) a killer!

be back later!! God willing.

**

 

[anon52328184]

i don’t fear the patriot act. i am happy that the government has put in place ways to track people suspected of terrorism. i am an innocent person and i have nothing to hide.

our country has been safe since 2001 and we have not had more terrorist attacks since then.

yes, i understand that people are still being educated in the universities over there, but what hope do they have?

i think people in the middle east live in more fear because of their governments and their leaders.

our government is not perfect. we have crimes on our streets, but we can freely choose which religion we want to worship. we have churches, synagogues, mosques, buddhist temples in our communities. we welcome people of all faiths and respect their faiths.

i don’t really want to visit any websites to learn more about islam. when the countries that practice islam and adhere to the faith begin to change and live in peace with one another and respect others who do not practice islam,
maybe then i will be impressed by the religion. but from what i know now and see now, i find it very discouraging.

look how many people want to come to our country to live. they come from all over the world.

i will continue to pray for the people of the middle east and that someday they will be able to live in peace with one another.

 

[anon52328184]

yes, i agree with what you have become aware of (name removed by moderator). and i am glad you warned of the claims they make as far as what the muslims have contributed to civilization. i guess i need to do more research. i did think that i had read a little outside of this thread though that did point to a certain time in history when they were more advanced.

however, i just know that we need to continue to pray for them and for a peaceful end to the troubles in the middle east and that there will come a time when they won’t feel so oppressed and hence so angry at everyone else.

this will probably continue for generations to come, unfortunately.

if islam wants to be recognized and trusted by the rest of the world, it needs to improve it public image and learn to get along with others.

 

[dzheremi]

Getting along with others and public image and all this is fine, but I am concerned about Islam’s role as a political system (a “complete way of life”, as Muslims here and elsewhere have put it), because I feel that this is part of what prevents it from reforming itself in the way that Christianity once did. The law is sacred, since it is based on the sacred book, so everything promulgated under it is also sacred and inviolable. Who will be the first to say no to it? Who will make haram what the prophet has declared halal? It’s not as simple as a Muslim turning to a Christian or a Jew and saying “I do not feel superior to you on account of my religion; I will treat you the same as I would treat a Muslim” (which could be construed as being against Islam, too, depending on how the Quran and Hadith are interpreted). It is deeper than surface declarations of mutual respect for common religious figures, which is a long-practiced activity in Muslim public relations, it would involve a reinterpretation of the Quran and the Hadith, a possible rejection of some verses. I don’t see it happening, regardless of the peaceful intentions of many individual Muslims.

 

[Nickkname]

Where did Islamic theology go? I remember that in the middle ages Islam had theologians who would ponder God and heavenly things. Dose Islam still have theologians?

 

[anon52328184]

yes, you make good points and seem to know more about islam than i do.

to be honest, i don’t see an end in sight. i mean, i don’t know how things can ever improve over there mainly because of what you mentioned.

so i don’t know how the situation will ever be solved and it won’t be in my lifetime.

until they can admit there is a problem, it will continue to be a problem.

and the suffering and oppression will continue.

a frustrating realization.

i am responding to post #649 by the way, not the post which precedes mine.

 

[dzheremi]

Hmmm. I do not think I know more about Islam than anyone, but thank you. Those were just some objections that immediately come to mind when people talk about the idea of an Islamic reformation (some people, like Iranian-American writer Reza Aslan, claim that we are in the midst of that now; I guess that makes Bin Laden and similar people Islam’s Martin Luther? I don’t buy it, but okay; he’s Muslim, I’m not, so…)

I do not want to make it seem worse than it is, either. While I think that the system of Islam is unalterable, individuals within the Muslim community may do great things to help their co-religionists on a local level, things that may belie great compassion and forward-thinking vision. Of course, these things are not generally religion-specific (meaning that they do not conciously aim at “reforming” or otherwise altering the religion, even in cases where they may end up doing so, as with anti-child marriage campaigns in some North African/Muslim-dominated countries), but who would deny the greatness of a man like Boubacar Moussad? There are many more like him.

 

[Kaninchen]

I guess that makes Bin Laden and similar people Islam’s Martin Luther? I don’t buy it, but okay; he’s Muslim, I’m not, so…)

Perhaps more of a Girolamo Savonarola.

 

[anon52328184]

Hmmm. I do not think I know more about Islam than anyone, but thank you. Those were just some objections that immediately come to mind when people talk about the idea of an Islamic reformation (some people, like Iranian-American writer Reza Aslan, claim that we are in the midst of that now; I guess that makes Bin Laden and similar people Islam’s Martin Luther? I don’t buy it, but okay; he’s Muslim, I’m not, so…)

I do not want to make it seem worse than it is, either. While I think that the system of Islam is unalterable, individuals within the Muslim community may do great things to help their co-religionists on a local level, things that may belie great compassion and forward-thinking vision. Of course, these things are not generally religion-specific (meaning that they do not conciously aim at “reforming” or otherwise altering the religion, even in cases where they may end up doing so, as with anti-child marriage campaigns in some North African/Muslim-dominated countries), but who would deny the greatness of a man like Boubacar Moussad? There are many more like him.

yes, africa is a whole other subject and the muslim dominated countries in africa. i guess reformation is a word to describe what islam needs. we will have to leave that to the muslims and when they are ready for it. all we can do is watch from the outside and pray that someday they will be tired of the hate and the killing and the oppression against women and desire a better life and they have got to stop blaming other religions and countries, especially israel, for their problems.

 

[Angelos]

**Since youare here and not replying properly, you are suggesting some impossible thing for person who was being persecuted, in Makkah. His men were all in trouble. You think they had helpers or they were well educated in your man-God theology. If Muhammad had to take something from bible then it was necessary to take your son/father business. You do not know what you are talking about.

I am happier now that I know you know nothing.**

Why is it impossible for Mohammad and his scribes to steal from the holy scripture and religious literature of the other faiths prior to Islam? It is actually impossible and unreasonable to assert that Mohammad could not have stolen anything from pre-Islamic sources because he was persecuted. According to the Koran, Mohammad’s very enemies accused him of forgery and plagiarism too. They repetitively said Mohammad recited ancient fables.

**
I wish you could be as good as the Muslims. With your hatred of Muhammad and Islam, it is clear that youare wrong and Muslims are right in loving Jesus which also you have to deny. That is your plan.**

This is but a lie. I never hate Muslims, but I always object to the man-made ideology named Islam, which tries to destroy my faith and replace my scripture. The Koran is hard evidence that Mohammad hated Christianity and Christians before Christians got to know him.

**
I am sure the church has re-written the Torah too and corrupted that too in order to make some ground for their wrong beliefs.**

Your presumption is baseless and faulty since no supposed new and Christian version of the Old Testament can be found in our scripture (NT).

 

[Angelos]

**
There is no need to teach me English. And please do not try to become Jesus now to correct and adjust the words. Jesus should have said, “before Abaraham, I was.” Not I am. I know all about the word I am in the OT. There God replied to Moses with “I am”. Now you want to prove that Jesus also said the samething and so he is god.That is not possible.**

Who are YOU to teach Jesus and how dare you correct His clear statement in the Gospel??? Jesus deliberately and emphatically said “I AM” rather than “I WAS” since He aimed to express His divinity. You are falsely blaming Jesus for uttering a mistaken statement since that very statement rebuts the Islamic allegations and goes against your Koran. It is not possible that Jesus made a mistake.

**
There is no failure of anything in Islam. Only the church has not built well on proper, honest loving grounds. It lacks honesty and welfare and needs toget rid of some of the prejudice against Islam.**

This is your personal view of Christ’s Church, and your comments only demonstrate your hatred towards Christ and His followers.

**
Why should I read it in entirety? I have read the four gospels and that is enough for me. There is something of Jesus there. The rest of your bible is not necessary. Most of it from paul who was an utter enemy of Jesus.**

If you do not read a book in its entirety, you cannot understand it accurately. The things you often claim about the New Testament give you away and consolidate the fact that you have never read any of the Gospels.

**
Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy tht he was calling himself son of God and that he was GOd. Jesus was in trouble due to that.But you people have admitted that they were right at least in their claim and accusation. can you not see that please?**

Do you wonder why Jesus never said “I am not the Son of God” ??? The Jews of Jesus’ time knew what Jesus meant when He said He was the Messiah, the Son of the Most High". The charge of blasphemy resulted from the Jewish lack of faith in Jesus’ statements! Jesus was accused of telling lies about His identity.

**
You are avoiding the issue. They should have at least once called for the stoning punishment. But since they did not and cried hoarse to Crucify Jesus, that means there was no charge of any blasphemy**

John 8:58-59
Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM.** They took up stones therefore to cast at him**. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

John 19:7
The Jews answered him: We have a law; and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

**
There is nothing rational to be understood in the bible. It is all a mystery and a magic of words and unreal terminology.**

There is nothing rational in your remark.

**
Every time Jesus said “You say I am”. Not even once he said, “Yes I am”. That means he denied their charges.**

So you believe that Jesus also denied being the Messiah?

Read the following verses carefully:

Matthew 26:24-25
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born. And Judas that betrayed him answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.

**
We do not have to prove anything when you cannot prove the truth of your statements of Trinity and son God and father god etc and the complicated problem of begetting etc. It is all your problem. When you will solve them then the whole world will understand.**

When you claim we have problems with our faith and theology, it is YOUR duty to solve the so-called problems and help us. LOL

 

[planten]

Who are YOU to teach Jesus and how dare you correct His clear statement in the Gospel??? Jesus deliberately and emphatically said “I AM” rather than “I WAS” since He aimed to express His divinity. You are falsely blaming Jesus for uttering a mistaken statement since that very statement rebuts the Islamic allegations and goes against your Koran. It is not possible that Jesus made a mistake.

** I do not correct Jesus. I do not blame Jesus. But I blame you for reversing the teachings of Jesus. And every day, making changs in the words to benefit you well after few years time. It is illegal. It is your fault, not the fault of Jesus. **

This is your personal view of Christ’s Church, and your comments only demonstrate your hatred towards Christ and His followers.

I have no hatred against any one. But I have the problems with thea acts of the christians who played havoc with the original teachings of Jesus, abondoned the law and what he had come to do for the Jews only and made him into a god. Telling you allthat is no hatred. But your hatred is evident whenever you use bad words about Islam or Muhammad.

If you do not read a book in its entirety, you cannot understand it accurately. The things you often claim about the New Testament give you away and consolidate the fact that you have never read any of the Gospels.

Why should I read your book from beginnign to end. I have no intention of becoming a Padre. What I read is enough to satisfy me for the good things of the bible and for the bad things of the present day church.

Do you wonder why Jesus never said “I am not the Son of God” ??? The Jews of Jesus’ time knew what Jesus meant when He said He was the Messiah, the Son of the Most High". The charge of blasphemy resulted from the Jewish lack of faith in Jesus’ statements! Jesus was accused of telling lies about His identity.

I do not wonder why he said that he was not the son of God. It was real thing. He knew about himself what he was. But he did not know what people would do in his name after him. That is making him the god and the son of God at the same time. Quite an impossible task: To be god and to be the son of the god at same time, dual personality? On top of that to be a man and the son of a man at the same time. Interesting faculty or difficulty.

John 8:58-59
Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM.** They took up stones therefore to cast at him**. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

John 19:7
The Jews answered him: We have a law; and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

**Again the same problem. His message would have been more clear and strong if he had said that he was before Abraham.

Again you are providing proof to the Jews that they were right and Jesus was indeed guilty of blasphemy. But you do not understand.**

There is nothing rational in your remark.

Needs no reply.

So you believe that Jesus also denied being the Messiah?

Read the following verses carefully:

Matthew 26:24-25
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born. And Judas that betrayed him answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.

It is irrelevant. Here Jesus is calling himself the son of man. Why don’t you believe that he was a son of a man and not son of a God. Why you have got such complicated formulae.?

When you claim we have problems with our faith and theology, it is YOUR duty to solve the so-called problems and help us. LOL

Dear angel, you please solve your own problem. Your religion teaches youtaht every one will carry his own cross. Yet you people believe that some one gave his life to redeem your sins. We cannot understand those things.

 

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace

yet when it comes to a statue, Catholics are worshipping a statue. Double standard, ignorance, or both?

 

[dzheremi]

Ughhhh. This again.

Cathloics make statues for worship purposes , that’s forbidden even in their own holy book.

We are forbidden to worship statues themselves. That is idoltry. That is exactly NOT what we’re doing. Please read this to know the Catholic position and why it is acceptable: Do Catholics worship statues?

you are asking a statue to accept your prayer , to bless you.

No, we are not. See the above link.

angels do not have any power to accept prayers. Only God has power to answer your prayers.

Is accepting the same as answering? So I guess then all your prayers are always answered. Hmm…lucky you.

 

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace

… words can do exactly the same and worse…why is there no killing punishment or no punishment on this earth

backbiting make our fasting invalid.

Words of blasphemy is an offensive act . If don’t repent , punihsment could be death penalty.

God forgives you if you repent, out of mercy, but where is Justice if He is both merciful and just?

I answered to your ths question earlier. Pl. explain what exactly you want to know .

In case u missed my ans ,here it is again :

If one offers sincere repentance , his/her sin is forgiven .

If die without repentance , then s/he will get punishment on the last day . That’s the justice. What’s your objection about it ?

2- if an adultress repents, no stoning occurs? if a thief repents, no mutilation is executed?

here is a related verse :

And chastise both of the guilty adulterer parties;

but **if they both repent and mend their ways, leave them alone: **

for, behold, God is an acceptor of repentance, a dispenser of grace.

(An-Nisaa’ 4: 16)

3- If prayer/charity is already an obligation, how can you repay a sin with what is already an obligation?

answered earlier , doing this again. If this is not you want to knkow ,then pl. ask differently .

Offering sincere repentance & performing extra prayers besides the compulsory ones , try hard not to repeat the sins , giving chariry etc are the ways to please God & be forgiven.

giving Zakat ( poor due ) once a year is a must for all rich , adult Muslims.

Besides this compulsory one , we are encouraged to give charity as much as possible .

a related verse :

Have you seen the one who denies the Religion?

Such is he who repulses the orphan, and who does not urge others to feed the poor.

Woe to worshippers, who are absent-minded to their prayer,

those who make a show (of piety), and refuse to render small acts of kindness (towards others).

(Al-Ma`un 107: 1-7).

Prophet (p) said , Even smile is a charity

 

[Muslim_Woman]

Salaam/peace

… So I guess then all your prayers are always answered. Hmm…lucky you.

yes

prayers can be answered in many ways.

1. We will get what we want
2. We will get a better thing
3. some sins will be forgiven
4. some dangers will be removed
5. we will get rewards on the last day.

God is really kind & merciful. Praise be to God only.

 

[planten]

Ughhhh. This again.

We are forbidden to worship statues themselves. That is idoltry. That is exactly NOT what we’re doing. Please read this to know the Catholic position and why it is acceptable: Do Catholics worship statues?

If you are not worshipping the statues then what is the use of having them there in the church? You are very close to idolatory, only a step away from it.