Ask Me Anything: Muslim Edition

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We do have religious music, but it’s not really used in worship. There’s a formula to how things go, and innovation is discouraged. The exact order of what happens during Friday prayers differs between Sunni and Shia. Shia Islam has a much more complex formula for what exactly needs to happen for the Friday obligation to be completed. In general, people do their ritual washing before the Adhan (call to prayer), then perform salah prayers (usually 2 units of prayer called rak’ah, but some people do more if they feel like it and have arrived early). There are two sermons with a space in between for private reflection. Then a communal prayer where everyone does 2 rak’ahs together. In some mosques, the imam may give a talk on some relevant subject early before prayers begin, but it’s not the same as the sermons.
 
CatholicDetroit said:
Haha cool! I wish you the best on your research. I converted to Islam and stayed for a good while before becoming Catholic last year. Everything I loved about Islam I have found it in the Catholic Church. I look forward to talking with you more. Also, is your brother on this site too?
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I was just thinking that a lot of what she wrote is in line with Catholic morality.
 
Thanks for the reply Shazirah!

Yes I have worked at an Islamic school for 2 years here in the United States. I know of many Muslims of varying backgrounds including a few Shia Muslims I have meant from Iraq. I would say a minority of these Muslims reject interfaith marriage and would disown their children upon an interfaith marriage. I have also meant a lady from Jordan, a Christian doctor she was, she even told me some of her Christian family members would disown her if she married a Muslim. She was saying Interfaith marriage and religious conversion is a world wide issue and certainly I would agree.

Most of the Muslims I know of are Sunni. I can say of the Muslims I have talked to some agree that a Muslim woman perhaps marrying a Catholic man is ok, others totally disagree even saying that a Muslim man should not marry a Christian or Jewish woman.

In Muslim majority Turkey interfaith marriage is legal and accepted, but in most or all other middle eastern countries including the wealthy and successful Israel and Saudi Arabia, interfaith marriage is not accepted.

Fwiw, in the USA 25 % of Marriages involving Muslims are interfaith. I can understand some people like this , others not so much. But I submit its a travesty of justice when any country prevents interfaith marriage, it does not make people feel good. Well it would only be right and honorable if someone wanted to marry within their faith, thats ok, its also equally ok for folk to marry outside their faith 🙂
 
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Hello shazirah,

Thanks for your kindness with the thread.

Islam has been able to flourish and grow and has not declined. What do you see as the reason for this?
 
I agree that it’s wrong to legally prevent it. I have problems with the state policing morality beyond public safety and property law because I feel like it coerces people instead of allowing them to freely choose to follow God. Intermarriage is getting more common in the US, too, because there just aren’t enough Muslim men to go around here. I can’t remember where I read it recently, but someone reported that the statistic was up to like 40% interfaith marriage among American Muslims, which seems high. There’s also a lot of pressure of children of immigrant families to marry young, because that’s how it’s done in The Old Country, so that limits the dating pool a little. When I told my mom I was ready to think about getting married, I’m pretty sure she had a Syrian matchmaker already on speed dial since I’m almost “too old” now lol.
 
Well, personally, I believe it’s because Islam is true and blessed by Allah. 😉

But from a more detached position, I think it’s because Islam promotes strong communities. Muslim families tend to be big and very involved with each others lives. There’s a tradition of institutional help for the poor and distressed - sort of a “no one gets left behind” way of thinking. Everyone has a place in Islamic society. So, I think it’s just a good way to live.
 
Thank for the reply and I very much appreciate your efforts here. Good luck finding a good Muslim man if this i your goal to marry a Muslim man.

Well I would say here where I live in New York we have numerous cases of Muslim guys dating Christian woman. Now as we both now, dating is frowned upon by some segments of elder Muslims even some elder Christians. I get this. Some Muslim elders want their kids or grand kids to marry inside of the faith. While both Muslims and Christians strongly believe in marrying inside of the faith, other Muslims and Christians strongly believe God accepts interfaith marriage, I will myself take that view to the grave and am ready for judgement. I respect others though who may disagree and say that interfaith marriage is not accepted by Islam or Christianity.

My own sister converted from Catholic to Muslim, and Im Catholic I love the Church and Jesus with all my heart and soul. I was very young when my older sister converted but as an adult today I accept my Muslim sister. My sister is conservative in her clothing as is her husband and family, but whats interesting is that one of my Muslim in laws is a lady and she is married to a Catholic.
 
Inisfallen said:
leave this thread (which is fascinating, by the way – thanks, Shazirah!) to those of us who are learning something from it
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Is it wise to accept as “learning” statements on the internet from an anonymous person that are subjected to no scrutiny or challenge? I agree the other poster is a tad combative in tone/style, but not out of order.
 
What does she have to gain from it?
I seriously doubt that anyone here will convert to Islam due to a discussion on a forum.
 
I think it shuts down any actual productive discussion, as Maximilian says no-one is going to be convinced over an internet back-and-forth. Also, it takes away from the original purpose of the thread - ask a Muslim, not debate a Muslim. It just stops people learning about a different faith.

I’d just like to reiterate what I said to the OP when I posted earlier to follow the discussion - thank you for doing this (I think you’re really brave!). I’ve learned a lot about Islam from you.
 
I don’t think any discussion has been shutdown, but i agree the tenor of the thread would change if multiple posters engaged in debate.
Lou2U said:
no-one is going to be convinced over an internet back-and-forth
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While probably true, I can understand some sensitivity from CAF regulars to let pass what seems an unsupportable claim against the Christian faith.

I think the accusation of rule breaches were over the top. The better plea is to retain the Q&A structure and invite shazirah to a debate various claims of Islam separately (new thread).
 
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Hi Shazirah, thanks for your time!

I know that one of the titles for Allah in Islam is the All-Merciful. However, I have a Muslim friend, and she told me that Allah does not forgive the sin of apostasy. In other words, if you renounce Islam, you’re finished. As such, how can Allah be called All-Merciful when he will not forgive that sin if someone wants to come back to him? Isn’t that counterintuitive?

Thanks, and may God bless you always! 🙂
 
Many thanks for your answers Shazirah!
Please don’t get into a debate as some suggested.

Another question if you don’t mind:
What do you see as the top (3?) challenges facing Islam today 1. Internally and 2.externally?
 
There are verses in the Koran that can be interpreted either way and there’s a ream of scholarly work on the subject, but to boil all that down into a simple answer: in the opinion of most clerics, it depends on the nature of the apostasy. If some commits major apostasy, which is that they leave Islam and then actively work against the Islamic community, that’s the unforgivable sin. Minor apostasy, which is just that someone converts to another religion and then goes on with their life, can be recanted by affirming the shahada sincerely and desiring forgiveness as long as the person remains alive. If someone dies in a state of minor apostasy, then the sin becomes unforgivable. One of the issues is that there can be all kinds of complicating factors in a person’s apostasy. In order to be considered a true case of apostasy, a person has to knowingly, willfully, and with full understanding of their actions choose to abandon the faith. So, a child, a mentally ill person, a senile person, or just someone undergoing a traumatic state that might move them to act out of raw emotion, for instance, are not capable of committing true apostasy. Modernist Muslims tend to believe that Allah is merciful to anyone who seeks forgiveness, save those who have betrayed and become enemies of the faithful.
 
Thank you for opening up for questions.

I had a few questions.
  1. Who do you say is the ultimate authority in Islam, interpreting the Quran, Hadiths etc.
  2. What is the official interpretation and definition of Taqiyya, because as I understand it, it permits lying, or deception in certain circumstances.
 
Thank you for your response! But the dilemma still remains - how can Allah be considered All-Merciful if he will not forgive someone who tries to repent of the major apostasy? What if that person did indeed renounce Islam and actively work against the Islamic community but then sees the errors of his ways and tries to come back?

This does not seem to make any sense at the moment…

Thanks!
 
Rau said:
While probably true, I can understand some sensitivity from CAF regulars to let pass what seems an unsupportable claim against the Christian faith.
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This isn’t a debate thread, and Shazirah isn’t proselytizing.

Of course Islam makes claims that contradict Christian beliefs (and vice versa). And that’s an interesting topic in and of itself.

But I don’t think this thread is the place for debate. And certainly not for the lack of courtesy I’ve seen (not from you) in this thread.

Seems to me Shazirah has been providing us with a fascinating look into her faith, and she should be treated as a welcome guest.
 
Another question
How widespread is nominal Muslims? Eg how many of your friends would call themselves Muslims but not really practice it?
What are some of the important things in Islam that even Nominal Muslims would practice?
 
shazirah said:
If some commits major apostasy, which is that they leave Islam and then actively work against the Islamic community, that’s the unforgivable sin.
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I guess the “actively work against…” part goes beyond the dictionary meaning of apostasy.

But even if that expanded act is committed, are you saying that repentance is - in that case - insufficient to save the individual? He will not be forgiven? That’s an interesting distinction with Christianity where our understanding is that one can always genuinely repent and be forgiven.
 
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