What are the fruits of Islam?

[Montalban]

I’m a mathematician. The Arabs made some contributions to the advance of mathematics. Algebra actually gets its name from an Arabic word or phrase which would translate as “the restoration of broken parts”.

These Arabs happened to be Muslims, but you would find me very hard pressed to believe that their discoveries had much to do with the philosophy they derived from their religion.

Much of what is supposed to be “Islamic Science” is science got from other cultures.

Islamic concepts of science are confused (if one goes by the Koran and Hadith; see below)

The term Al-gebra comes from a Persian writing in Arabic, however …
“The origins of algebra can be traced to the ancient Babylonians”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebra

Thus ancient Persian developed it, and at the time of the Islamic conquest wrote in Arabic, or their native Farsi.

From the Hadith…
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 158:
Narrated Abu Bakra:
Allah’s Apostle said: “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone but Allah frightens His devotees with them.”
usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/018.sbt.html#002.018.158

What about camel’s urine? Is it healthy? Drinking camel’s urine will make you healthy…
Volume 7, Book 71, Number 590:
Narrated Anas:
The climate of Medina did not suit some people, so the Prophet ordered them to follow his shepherd, i.e. his camels, and drink their milk and urine (as a medicine). So they followed the shepherd that is the camels and drank their milk and urine till their bodies became healthy. Then they killed the shepherd and drove away the camels. When the news reached the Prophet he sent some people in their pursuit. When they were brought, he cut their hands and feet and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron.
usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/071.sbt.html#007.071.590

 

[Montalban]

Someone mentioned Charity, I think the word they use is Zakat, it is the third Pillar of Islam. They may give more than is required if they wish, but most keep it a secret. To me something positive from it is the belief that all things belong to God, so whatever we have as far as material things we are actually holding it in trust. I am not a Muslim but I consider that a valuable thing. And I have seen it in action. It does not always have to be money, there are many poor, sick, and/or handicapped Muslims just like in any other part of society.

Moslems are expected to pay a tithe called the Zakat at 2.5% however in Islamic nations they require non-Moslems to pay a special poll-tax, just for being non-Moslem. This is paid at a rate of 10%. It is akin to protection money, because (in theory) if you pay the money you’ll be largely left alone. This tax is called the Jizya and is based on the Koran
[9.29] Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.

Something to remember when you think of Moslems tax requirements being something to look up to.

 

[Montalban]

If Moslems do understand what the fruits of the spirit are, it is a limited understanding and not in keeping with God’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves - our neighbor being everyone around you, no matter what church, mosque or temple they attend.

I have yet to find in the Koran a version of “Love your neighbour”. They have a “love your brother” but this is restricted to fellow Moslems.