Assalamu alaikum

[Joe_Monahan]

MODERATOR WARNING!!!

When I moved this thread from the Back Fence Forum to here, I did so because the thread had significantly progressed beyond “Meet & Greet” and I was impressed with the overall civility of the discussion between Abdullah and the others posting to the thread. It looked to represent a model thread for discussion between Christians and Muslims in this forum, where rancor is too often the watchword in such exchanges.

On looking at the thread tonight, I was again impressed - chiefly by the chutzpah of those posters who concluded that the thread represented an opportunity for them to hone their skills at verbally bashing one another, to the absolute exclusion of anything even remotely pertinent to the topics introduced to the thread by the original poster or anyone else who was legitimately participating in it.

I have just deleted 70+ posts from this thread - better than half of those posted to it. The thread remains open for the sole purpose of on-topic discussion, presented in a civil and charitable manner and adhering to the standards of discourse in polite society.

Joe Monahan

 

[exoflare]

It probably has to do with their interpretation of Islam. Some Islamic governments have taken a very puritanical view of the Quran and Islam. If I remember correctly, there is supposed to be a special tax, jizya, for non – Muslim adult males who are neither sick nor monks. It is supposed to entitle them to practice their faith fairly freely and it provides them with the protection of the military without any obligation to serve in the military. There can be no compulsion in religion, we are told in the Quran, so any government that is trying to restrict or destroy the freedom of religion of the people of the book is in violation of Islamic law. As my wife often says, it can be difficult to find a genuine Islamic government these days.

I don’t think I’ve talked to you yet, Abdullah, but anyway welcome to the forums!

There’s one thing in there where I quoted you, though… Are you sure that the verse regarding “no compulsion in religion” is not one of the verses that was later abrogated? There may be different opinions on this even among Muslims but I was wondering what you thought. Do you believe there were ANY verses in the Quran that were later abrogated by others?

 

[didymus]

I am new to this forum. I am a Sunni Muslim and I hope to have respectful discussions with people of all faiths while I am here. I am a student and I live in America with parents and siblings. I just want to say “hello” to everyone.

Welcome to the forums, Abdullah.
I have a question for you about the Msulim teaching about Paradise and Hell. I have read, from a non-Muslims source, that supposedly:

Virtuous Muslims go to Paradise.
Virtuous non-Muslims go to Paradise (I forget if this is restrict to “People of the Book”).
Everybody else goes to Hell.
Except Muslim sinners only go to Hell until their sins are expiated and then go on to Paradise.

Is this correct? If so it seems that Muslims are guaranteed to go to Paradise (eventually) simply by virtue of being Muslim.

 

[junvir]

Junvir- what is your point by re-posting my post without any commentary?

If you want to discuss kissing Icons or statues let’s go. Start a thread!

BTW- Abdulla- I did not post the link for you to defend the struggle- I only offered you my feelings that it upsets me to see conflict amoung those who worship God. Look at Christians for cyring out loud. Dont think I was trying to make Islam or Sunni/shia look bad, I go across the board with being sad at conflict in all areas of religion.

Hope you understand!

 

[inJESUS]

On this I am no expert so please do not take my word as the official view of Islam. From my understanding, early Islamic sources indicate that the corruption of non – Islamic holy books may be as much misinterpretation of the verses of those books as it was changing or alteration of the words. I am no expert and have not studied the issue. I can’t provide you much beyond that, I am sorry.

.

this is what i call a correct, logical and honest answer. Indeed, the tafasir and hadith explain it as misinterpretation because no one can change God’s word.