The Quranists (Quranism)

 

The word Quranism describes a type of Islam in which the Quran is accepted as revelation from God but the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and hadith collection[1]  are rejected.  Those who share this belief are known as Quranists.  The doctrine Quranists adhere to states that the message in the Quran is clear and complete and thus it can be understood without reference to the Sunnah or hadith.

Islamic scholars, including those who are often denounced as too moderate, condemn this belief.  They point to the fact that the Quran commands Muslims to follow the example, or Sunnah, of Prophet Muhammad.  Many scholars add that without the hadith literature many Islamic concepts would be abstract and without substance.  For example it is the hadith literature that teaches us how to pray, fast, give the obligatory alms or charity, and how to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. 

It is difficult to estimate the number of people following this deviant sect of Islam due to the fact that, as a general rule, they avoid any organised religious group or organisation.  There are however, several groups that have gathered together under the names, Ahle-Quran, Submitters (or Submission) and from Nigeria a group called Kala Kato.  In his Sunnah, Prophet Muhammad warned us about such people.

"I do not want to see any one of you reclining on his couch and, when he hears of my instructions or prohibitions, saying ‘I don’t accept it; we didn’t find any such thing in the Book of God.’"[2]

"Would any of you think that God would only describe what is forbidden in the Quran? I tell you, by God, that I have warned and commanded and prohibited things that are as important as what is in the Quran, if not more so."[3]

Islam teaches us that the hadith and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad explain and complete the Quran.  The evidence for this comes from the Quran itself.  God said that he revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad so that he could make it clear and understandable to humankind.  (Quran 16:44) The importance of obeying Prophet Muhammad can be understood from this verse:

"… they can have no Faith, until they make you (Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission." (Quran 4:65)

God warns us not to disobey Prophet Muhammad, stating that whoever does so will be doomed.  He says ".  .  .  And let those who oppose the Messenger’s commandment beware, lest some fitnah (trial, affliction, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them." (Quran 24:63)

The Quran and the Sunnah, including the authentic hadith cannot be understood correctly without recourse to each other.   The scholars of Islam all agree that the Quranists’ suggestion that all the hadith are fabricated is nonsense.  Throughout Islamic history scholars took care to purify the Sunnah from all strange or outlandish elements.  If they had any doubts about the truthfulness of any narrator, or if there was the slightest possibility the narrator may have forgotten something, this would be sufficient grounds to reject a hadith.

Authenticating hadith is a meticulous science and involves strict adherence to procedures built up over centuries.  A hadith is authenticated and classified in several different ways and before you read one it has gone through several methods of classification, the most well-known of which is classification according to the reliability and memory of the reporters.

When a person rejects the hadith or the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad a very important question arises.  How does a Muslim worship God without recourse to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad?  For example, the Quran does not provide a detailed prescription of the prayer nor the conditions required for an accepted prayer.  When God commands the believers to pray He does not mention the timing of the prayers or the details of performing them.   Prophet Muhammad however clarifies this when he says, "Pray as you have seen me praying."[4]  And the hadith literature gives us the details of how to do so.

God makes the pilgrimage obligatory but does not explain the details in the Quran on how to perform this act of worship.  Prophet Muhammad explains the intricacies and rules.   When God made giving alms obligatory He did not mention the particulars.  The Sunnah however clarifies this and takes it from a general command to a specific set of details.  In short it is the actions and sayings of Prophet Muhammad that explain and illustrate what God is telling us in the Quran.

Prophet Muhammad’s beloved wife Aisha described her husband’s character as the Quran[5].  Imam An-Nawawi, an esteemed hadith scholar, said that this meant that Prophet Muhammad acted in accordance to the Quran, he adhered to its limits, followed its etiquette, paid heed to its lessons and parables, pondered its meanings and recited it correctly.  The traditions, the Sunnah and the authentic hadith, are in fact inseparable from the Quran.

The vast majority of Muslims recognise that the Quran and the Sunnah are intertwined.  One is not complete without the other.  Centuries of scholarship have left Muslims in the enviable position of being able to trace the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad.  We are able to build up a very clear picture of his life and times.  We know that his companions looked to him to explain and clarify the revelations that were sent down to him by God.

Sadly, although they are not the very first people to do so, the Quranists seek to confuse people by rejecting the hadith literature.  Some of these small but active groups go to great lengths to portray themselves as mainstream when in fact they are not.  In this day and age where people have access to vast amounts of knowledge at the touch of a button it is important to recognise when a website is portraying itself as something that it is not.  They like to give the appearance of having many followers and try to trace their roots back through the centuries of Islamic scholarship.  If you stumble upon one of their many websites it should not prove difficult to realise your mistake.  Quranist websites will usually, in their introductory pages, reveal the importance they place on the Quran as the only source of Islamic law.  On the other hand, the vast majority of Islamic websites draw attention to both sources of law the Quran and the Sunnah.

- islamreligion.com

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Footnotes:

[1]Sunnah refers to the teachings and way of life of Prophet Muhammad.  It is preserved in what is known as the hadith literature.

[2]At-Tirmidhi

[3]Abu Dawood

[4]Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[5]Saheeh Muslim

The Quran on the Origin of the Universe

 

The science of modern cosmology, observational and theoretical, clearly indicates that, at one point in time, the whole universe was nothing but a cloud of ‘smoke’ (i.e. an opaque highly dense and hot gaseous composition).[1]  This is one of the undisputed principles of standard modern cosmology.  Scientists now can observe new stars forming out of the remnants of that ‘smoke’ (see figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1: A new star forming out of a cloud of gas and dust (nebula), which is one of the remnants of the ‘smoke’ that was the origin of the whole universe. (The Space Atlas, Heather and Henbest, p. 50.)

Figure 2: The Lagoon nebula is a cloud of gas and dust, about 60 light years in diameter.  It is excited by the ultraviolet radiation of the hot stars that have recently formed within its bulk. (Horizons, Exploring the Universe, Seeds, plate 9, from Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.)

The illuminating stars we see at night were, just as was the whole universe, in that ‘smoke’ material.  God has said in the Quran:

“Then He turned to the heaven when it was smoke...” (Quran 41:11)

Because the earth and the heavens above (the sun, the moon, stars, planets, galaxies, etc.) have been formed from this same ‘smoke,’ we conclude that the earth and the heavens were one connected entity.  Then out of this homogeneous ‘smoke,’ they formed and separated from each other. God has said in the Quran:

“Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?...” (Quran 21:30)

Dr. Alfred Kroner is one of the world’s renowned geologists.  He is Professor of Geology and the Chairman of the Department of Geology at the Institute of Geosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.  He said: “Thinking where Muhammad came from . . . I think it is almost impossible that he could have known about things like the common origin of the universe, because scientists have only found out within the last few years, with very complicated and advanced technological methods, that this is the case.”[2]  (To view the RealPlayer video of this comment click here).  Also he said: “Somebody who did not know something about nuclear physics fourteen hundred years ago could not, I think, be in a position to find out from his own mind, for instance, that the earth and the heavens had the same origin.”[3] (View the RealPlayer video of this comment).

- islamreligion.com

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Footnotes:

[1]The First Three Minutes, a Modern View of the Origin of the Universe, Weinberg, pp. 94-105.

[2]The reference for this saying is This is the Truth (videotape).  For a copy of this videotape, please visit this page.

[3]This is the Truth (videotape).

Generosity

 

As humans, we have an innate sense of morality.  No matter what religion, race or colour we are, certain qualities serve as the moral standard.  We admire justice, bravery, honesty and compassion.  We abhor those who demonstrate treachery, cruelty or corruption.  Moral standards are universal, and one of the most important aspects of Islam is adherence to high moral standards and good manners.  Prophet Muhammad. May the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, taught Muslims to have the best manners and personal characteristics.  The Prophet’s own high standard of morals and manners made him the best example for Muslims to follow.  God said in the Quran:

“And verily you, O Muhammad, are on an exalted standard of character.” (Quran 68:4)

Generosity was among the countless good qualities of the Prophet Muhammad.  He was the most generous of people and he used to be most generous in Ramadan.[1]

One day the Prophet Muhammad offered the prayer in the mosque and then hurriedly went to his house and returned immediately.  A companion asked  why he left and he replied,

“I left a piece of gold at home which was given for charity and I disliked letting it remain a night in my house, so I bought it to the mosque to distribute.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Our worldly possessions are bounties from God, who is Al Kareem, the Most Generous.  Muslims believe that everything originates from God and everything will return to Him, thus, it is logical to behave as if that which we possess is merely a loan, something we are obligated to preserve, protect and ultimately share.

Whenever Prophet Muhammad met a miserly person, he advised him to be more generous and charitable.  Ibn `Abbas said that he heard Prophet Muhammad say, “The believer is not the one who eats when his neighbour beside him is hungry,” another companion heard the Prophet say, “The believer is simple and generous, but the wicked person is deceitful and ignoble.”

Generosity Defined

Princeton University wordnet defines generosity as the willingness to give freely.  Islam encourages this concept of generosity so much so that it is embedded in one of the five pillars of Islam, the obligatory charity known as Zakaat.  In Arabic, the term zakaat literally means purification of the heart however; it is also the payment, from surplus money, of an obligatory charity designed by God to provide for all the needy members of the community.  It is a fixed calculable amount.

There is also another form of generosity in Islam called sadaqa.  Linguistically, sadaqa means truthfulness, and some scholars have described it as the heart being truthful to its Creator. Anything given generously - freely to others - with the intention of pleasing God is sadaqa.  Sadaqa can be as simple as a smile, helping an elderly person with their groceries or removing objects from the road or path.

Generosity can be viewed as a wise investment in the future. Generosity or sadaqa may pave the way to Paradise because with every generous act comes great reward from God. However, being generous does not only mean giving freely from what you have in abundance.  Generosity does not lie in giving away something that is no longer useful but in giving freely from the things we love or need.

Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) said, “A lady, along with her two daughters came to me asking for some alms, but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

God tells us in the Quran that whatever we give away generously, with the intention of pleasing Him, He will replace it. God knows what is in the hearts of men.

Say: “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and also restricts it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in God’s Cause), He will replace it.  And He is the Best of providers.” (Quran 34:39)

The Value of Generosity

The companions of Prophet Muhammad understood the value of being generous. Abdullah ibn Omar was seen in the market buying fodder for his camel on credit.  One of the men queried this knowing that Abdullah had received 4000 dirhams and a blanket the previous day.  It was explained that before nightfall Abdullah had distributed the money amongst the needy.  He then took the blanket, threw it over his shoulder and headed home, but by the time he arrived even the blanket was gone, he had given it to a needy person.

After the death of the Prophet, the people faced great hardship due to drought.  They came to Abu Bakr asking him to provide them with enough to sustain them, but he was unable to help, the treasury was empty.  Just at that time, the camel caravan belonging to Uthman arrived from Damascus.  It was filled with foodstuffs and other goods.  The merchants gathered at Uthman’s house offering him large amounts of money for the goods; however, he turned them down saying he was prepared only to give the goods to the One from whom he would receive the greatest reward.  Uthman gave all the goods to the starving people of Madinah and did not charge them.  He knew that God would reward him with something far greater than money.

Even in the direst of circumstances, person who is a true believer in Almighty God is able to be generous.

The people came to the Prophet Muhammad and asked, “If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?”  He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).”  The people further asked, “If he cannot find even that?”  He replied, “He should help the needy who appeal for help.”  Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?”  He replied, “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

And God says in the Quran that He will repay the generosity of a believer.

“And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.” (Quran 2:272)

God is the One who provides for us and He expects us to share generously.  We are encouraged to be benevolent and unselfish with our possessions, with our time and with our exemplary behaviour towards others.

- islamreligion.com

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Footnotes:

[1]Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim

The Islamic month in which Muslims fast, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Homosexuality

 

Homosexuality is one of the 21st century’s hot topics. The issue of gay marriage is being debated around the world. Strangely however many people do not understand what the word homosexuality means nor do they understand what Islam says about the issue. In this article we will define the term, look at scientific evidences related to homosexuality, discuss the view of other religious groups and finally see just what Islam says about the issue.

Homosexuality is the manifestation of sexual desire toward a member of one’s own sex or the erotic activity with a member of the same sex. (The Greek word homos means the same). A lesbian is a female homosexual. More recently the term “gay” has come into popular use to refer to both sexes who are homosexuals.

The Merriam Webster free online dictionary,   in its concise encyclopaedia defines homosexuality as sexual interest in and attraction to members of one's own sex. Female homosexuality is frequently referred to as lesbianism; the word gay is often used as an alternative for both “homosexual” and “lesbian,” though it may  (on occasion) refer specifically to male homosexuality.

The role of biological factors in the development of human sexual orientation is a widely debated topic. There is a wide spectrum of opinions about the effect genes, prenatal hormones and brain structure can have on the development of a heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or asexual person. It seems unclear even to those who declare homosexuality an innate trait. At a PrideWorks[1]  conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender minors it was stated that "sexuality is fluid" and "may change over time" however, homosexual activists continue to maintain that they are "born gay."

The latest research by the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) suggests that homosexuality is not written in our DNA sequence, which explains why scientists have failed so far to find “gay genes,” despite intensive investigations. Instead, they say, it is in certain modifications to how and when DNA is activated. These changes can have environmental roots, so are not normally permanent enough to be passed from parent to child. There is a post script however, because apparently, occasionally they are passed from parent to child. This is a branch of science called epigenetics.[2]

Throughout history particular cultures and societies have treated homosexuality in a number of ways.  Homosexual behaviour has variously been encouraged, approved of, tolerated, punished, and banned. The three so called Abrahamic faiths Judaism, Christianity, and Islam  have generally viewed homosexuality as sinful.

Attitudes toward homosexuality are generally in flux, due in part to increased political activism, however until the early 1970s many medical organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, classified homosexuality as a mental illness. In the past couple of decades many Christian denominations have changed their views quite significantly and we now see homosexual ministers and an acceptance of same sex marriages, this however is not the case with the Catholic Church. In late 2012 the Vatican spoke out against any suggestions that traditional marriage had been defeated, following significant victories for gay marriage activists in the United States and Europe. In his Peace Day message the pope said, "(There is) a need to acknowledge and promote the natural structure of marriage as the union of a man and a woman in the face of attempts to make it  equivalent to radically different types of union. Such attempts actually harm and help to destabilize marriage, obscuring its specific nature and its indispensable role in society." Earlier in the year the pontiff declared that same sex marriage threatened human dignity and the future of humankind.

Judaism is also struggling with modern day attitudes to homosexuality. The known history of homosexuality in Judaism begins in Leviticus, where intercourse between male homosexuals is a capital offence. "[A man] shall not lie with another man as [he would] with a woman, it is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). Thus Orthodoxy’s foundational beliefs concerning the Divinity of Torah and the authority of halachah (received Jewish law) declare homosexuality (the sexual act) as a prohibited action. 

In late 2012 the USA’s largest rabbinic organization, the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) formally withdrew its support of JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality). Judaism’s approach to homosexuality has long been one of rehabilitation, as has the Mormon Church. In America Jews struggling with homosexual inclinations are encouraged to seek therapy to help them overcome unnatural desires.  At this point it is interesting to note that both JONAH and various gay organisations refer to homosexuality, as fluid, a state that can fluctuate.  Many ex-homosexuals agree that homosexuality is a choice.

Greg Quinlan, president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX), says, “I, as a former homosexual, along with tens of thousands of others who left homosexuality, [am] proof that it is not immutable; you can change." and "It is not innate; you are not born that way." There are also a number of Islamic ex-gay groups aimed at attempting to guide homosexuals towards heterosexuality; including the Straightway Foundation, a UK based ex-gay organization which works with homosexual Muslims seeking to eliminate their same-sex attraction.

In the Quran God explicitly condemns homosexuality.

“When their brother Lot said to them, “Will you not fear God? Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear God and obey me. I ask no reward from you, for my only reward is with the Lord of the Worlds. Must you, unlike [other] people, lust after males and abandon the wives that God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds" (Quran 26: 161-166)

There is a consensus among Islamic scholars that human beings are naturally heterosexual. Homosexuality is seen as a perverted deviation from the norm and all schools of thought and jurisprudence consider homosexual acts to be unlawful. Islam considers that our relaxed attitude in this day and age is a product of the times in which we live, where morals have been completely liquefied.

Homosexuality is considered the sin of the people of Prophet Lot[3]  and its Arabic word is lutiyya. Liwat is the word for sodomy, under which heading the topic of homosexuality is found in the books of Islamic jurisprudence.  Under Islamic law both the (same-sex) sodomizer and sodomized are condemned to death. However it must be pointed out that the death penalty is applied only under strict conditions and rules of evidence, and only in places that live under Islamic law. There is no fixed prescribed punishment for lesbianism since sexual intercourse does not take place, however it is undoubtedly prohibited and sinful.

In words that are reminiscent of the Catholic pontiff speech in December 2012, the Quran tells us that marriage, a union between the two sexes is a  combination of love, tenderness, and care, so that each finds in the other completeness, tranquillity, and support (Quran 30:21). According to the Quran it is through this spousal connection that men and women find comfort, peace of mind, satisfaction, and fulfilment. These relationships extend beyond the physical sexual contact and to psychological, spiritual relations.

Islam says unequivocally that even if one harbours an urge for homosexual contact the nobility of the human spirit is able to overcome such urges through dedication to pleasing God, and submitting willingly to His commands that are undoubtedly designed for our benefit.

- islamreligion.com

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Footnotes:

[1]A USA based conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender youth and their allies.

[2]For more detailed information
(http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/13/new-insight-into-the-epigenetic-roots-of-homosexuality/)

[3](http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/1872/viewall/)

10 Lessons from the Grandparents of Jesus

 

It’s quite interesting that even the grandparents of Jesus (peace be upon him) are mentioned in the Quran, albeit briefly.  We know that his maternal grandfather was called Imran, but not much else is known about him.  We also know that his maternal grandmother (name not known) prayed fervently for the birth of a child that she could devote to the service of God.  In chapter Ale Imran (chapter 3) God says:

"God chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran over all other people.  They are descendants of one another.  God hears and knows all.  Imran’s wife said, ‘Lord, I have dedicated what is growing in my womb entirely to You, so accept this from me.  You are the One who hears and knows all,’ but when she delivered, she said, ‘My Lord! I have given birth to a girl’—and God fully knew what she had delivered—‘and the male is not like the female.  I name her Mary and I seek Your protection for her and her offspring from Satan, the accursed.’" [Quran 3:33-36]

So what lessons can we learn?

1.    You can be among great people for doing things that no one knows about.  We do not really know much about Imran.  However, God mentions his family among the chosen ones and places his name next to Adam, Noah, and Abraham (peace be upon them)—all magnificent prophets in their own right.  God named the third chapter in the Quran Ale Imran—the Family of Imran.

2.    Do good without seeking approval and even if people are not appreciative.  Going on from the last point—we do not really know much about the actions of Imran.  We know he was the father figure in a successful family that is mentioned throughout the Quran, but not much else is known.  However, we know he was a pious man.  And God-consciousness can make us great, even if people do not appreciate.

3.    Make the effort, even if you do not see the end result.  Scholars say that Imran died even before Maryam was born, so he did not actually see his daughter grow up to be a great woman.  However, he still did his part in setting up a household that was pious, and he encouraged religiosity in his house.  He never saw his daughter become one of the greatest women to have ever lived or his two grandsons John and Jesus become prophets or when his son-in-law Zechariah took care of his daughter.  He paved the way for that and God rewards him for it.

4.    He allowed his wife to make decisions.  The wife of Imran decided that her child would be dedicated to the service of God, and there was no hint of any opposition from him.  It is quite clear that they were both partners in righteousness that helped one another achieve good deeds—just like how an Islamic marriage should be.

5.    Make supplication before a child is born.  Mary’s mother is supplicating for her child even before she is born.  That is something that we need to pick up today.

6.    Be careful—society does affect us.  Mary’s mother was from a society that really did not value women.  She initially fell into the same trap when she thought giving birth to a baby girl would ruin her plans of letting her child take the path of God, and that is something we are affected by even today.  And yet God shatters those stereotypes.

7.    Reform in society starts with women—invest in them.  God wanted to reform the Children of Israel, and He chose a woman.  He chose Mary instead of a man.  God is showing us through this that if we truly want to be successful as an Ummah[1] we really need to start investing in our girls and helping them achieve success in both this world and the next.

8.    What God gives is always better.  The mother of Mary hoped for a son, but she got a daughter.  Her daughter ended up being one of the greatest women in history.  What God gives us is better for us even if we do not understand.

9.    Accept what God gives and do your best with it.  As soon as realization hit the mother of Mary, she immediately supplicated for her daughter again after birth.  She accepted what God had given her, and she immediately went about preparing her daughter for the task.  Whatever we get in life, we need to learn to make the best of it.  Just like Mary turned out more suitable than any other man, we don’t know what it is that will turn out the best for us.

10.  The supplication of a mother is powerful.  Mary’s mother made supplication seeking refuge from Satan for Mary and her offspring.  Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said that the only two human beings who were not touched by Satan were Mary and Jesus.  Subhan Allah (How Perfect is God!), what power the supplication of a mother carries!

- islamreligion.com

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Footnotes:

[1]The translation of the Arabic word Ummah is nation.   However, it means more than a country with borders; it is a fellowship of men women and children united in their love for One God and their admiration for Muhammad, the Prophet of God.   

Who is Allah?

 

Some of the biggest misconceptions that many non-Muslims have about Islam have to do with the word “Allah.”  For various reasons, many people have come to believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews.  This is totally false, since “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for “God” - and there is only One God.  Let there be no doubt - Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus - peace be upon them all.  However, it is certainly true that Jews, Christians and Muslims all have different concepts of Almighty God.  For example, Muslims - like Jews - reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine Incarnation.  This, however, does not mean that each of these three religions worships a different God - because, as we have already said, there is only One True God.  Judaism, Christianity and Islam all claim to be “Abrahamic Faiths”, and all of them are also classified as “monotheistic.”  However, Islam teaches that other religions have, in one way or another, distorted and nullified a pure and proper belief in Almighty God by neglecting His true teachings and mixing them with man-made ideas.

First of all, it is important to note that “Allah” is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God.  If you pick up an Arabic Bible, you will see the word “Allah” being used where “God” is used in English.  This is because “Allah” is a word in the Arabic language equivalent to the English word “God” with a capital “G”.  Additionally, the word “Allah” cannot be made plural, a fact which goes hand-in-hand with the Islamic concept of God.

It is interesting to note that the Aramaic word “El”, which is the word for God in the language that Jesus spoke, is certainly more similar in sound to the word “Allah” than the English word “God.”  This also holds true for the various Hebrew words for God, which are “El” and “Elah”, and the plural or glorified form “Elohim.”  The reason for these similarities is that Aramaic, Hebrew and Arabic are all Semitic languages with common origins.  It should also be noted that in translating the Bible into English, the Hebrew word “El” is translated variously as “God”, “god” and “angel”!  This imprecise language allows different translators, based on their preconceived notions, to translate the word to fit their own views.  The Arabic word “Allah” presents no such difficulty or ambiguity, since it is only used for Almighty God alone.  Additionally, in English, the only difference between “god”, meaning a false god, and “God”, meaning the One True God, is the capital “G”.  Due to the above mentioned facts, a more accurate translation of the word “Allah” into English might be “The One -and-Only God” or “The One True God.”

More importantly, it should also be noted that the Arabic word “Allah” contains a deep religious message due to its root meaning and origin.  This is because it stems from the Arabic verb ta’allaha (or alaha), which means “to be worshipped.”  Thus in Arabic, the word “Allah” means “The One who deserves all worship.”  This, in a nutshell, is the Pure Monotheistic message of Islam.

Suffice it to say that just because someone claims to be a “monotheistic” Jew, Christian or Muslim, that does not keep them from falling into corrupt beliefs and idolatrous practices.  Many people, including some Muslims, claim belief in “One God” even though they’ve fallen into acts of idolatry.  Certainly, many Protestants accuse Roman Catholics of idolatrous practices in regards to the saints and the Virgin Mary.  Likewise, the Greek Orthodox Church is considered “idolatrous” by many other Christians because in much of their worship they use icons.  However, if you ask a Roman Catholic or a Greek Orthodox person if God is “One”, they will invariably answer: “Yes!.”  This claim, however, does not stop them from being “creature worshipping” idolaters.  The same goes for Hindus, who just consider their gods to be “manifestations” or “incarnations” of the One Supreme God.

Before concluding… there are some people out there, who are obviously not on the side of truth, that want to get people to believe that “Allah” is just some Arabian “god”[1], and that Islam is completely “other” - meaning that it has no common roots with the other Abrahamic religions (i.e. Christianity and Judaism).  To say that Muslims worship a different “God” because they say “Allah” is just as illogical as saying that French people worship another God because they use the word “Dieu”, that Spanish-speaking people worship a different God because they say “Dios” or that the Jews worshipp a different God because they sometimes call Him “Yahweh.”  Certainly, reasoning like this is quite ridiculous!  It should also be mentioned, that claiming that any one language uses the only the correct word for God is tantamount to denying the universality of God’s message to mankind, which was to all nations, tribes and people through various prophets who spoke different languages.

We would like to ask our readers about the motives of these people?  The reason is that the Ultimate Truth of Islam stands on solid ground and its unshakeable belief in the Unity of God is above reproach.  Due to this, Christians can’t criticize its doctrines directly, but instead fabricate things about Islam that aren’t true so that people lose the desire to learn more.  If Islam were presented in the proper way to the world, it surely might make many people reconsider and re-evaluate their own beliefs.  It is quite likely that when they find out that there is a universal religion in the world that teaches people to worship and love God, while also practicing Pure Monotheism, would at least feel that they should re-examine the basis for their own beliefs and doctrines.

 islamreligion.com

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Footnotes:

[1]Such as the claim propagated by Robert Morey in his work, The Moon-god Allaah in the Archeology of the Middle East. For a discussion of this work, please see the following links:

(http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Sources/Allah/moongod.html)

Why Pork is Forbidden in Islam : Obeying the laws of God

Islam is a holistic way of life, taking into account physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being, each a separate but overlapping part of the structure of a human being.  God created us with a purpose; to worship Him, (Quran 51:56) but He did not abandon us to a world of instability and insecurity.  He gave us a book of guidance, the Quran, and the example of Prophets and Messengers to explain that trusting in God was the way for us to achieve success in this life and in the hereafter.

.  A Muslim spends his or her life endeavouring to please God by worshipping Him and obeying His laws, or rules.  One of those rules is that the eating pork, or pork products is forbidden.

At first, one might wonder what harm could come from pork, a product eaten in many parts of the world, and the fact that pork contains parasites and diseases harmful to man may spring to mind as a justifiable reason for abstaining.  However, when analysing why Muslims are forbidden to eat pork, this becomes a secondary reason.  Muslims simply do not eat pork or pork products because God has prohibited it.

“He has forbidden you only dead animals, and blood, and the swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than God.” (Quran 2:173)

Sometimes we may never know or understand why God has ordained some things and prohibited others.  In the case of pork, no specific reason for the prohibition is given except in Quran 6: 145 when God says, in reference to the flesh of swine (pig), “for that surely is impure”.  A Muslim submits to God’s commands willingly, without needing to know the reason behind the divine rule.  Moreover, God has expressly stated that a believer hears the words of his Lord and obeys them.

“‘We hear and we obey.’  And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).” (Quran 24:51)

“When God and His Messenger have decreed a matter, they (the believers) should not have any option in their decision.  And whoever disobeys God and His Messenger; he has indeed strayed into a plain error.” (Quran 33:36)

A believer understands that God is the Most Wise and the Most Just; therefore, His rules are designed to benefit us in our daily needs, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual.  The Creator knows the best way for His creation to live in this world and prepare for the next.  It is not permissible for a Muslim to consume pork under any circumstances except in cases of dire necessity, such as, if a person’s life depends on eating it.  In cases of dire necessity, prohibited things are permitted.

God allows us to enjoy all the good lawful things and forbids us to partake of those things that may be harmful to our beliefs, health, well being, or morals.[1a]  Consequently, Muslims are acutely aware of the dangers of eating things that are forbidden and therefore make concerted efforts to seek out permissible food, even if it involves extra effort or expense.

If a believer consumes pork unknowingly or by mistake, there is no sin of him or her.  God does not punish anyone for lack of knowledge, nor for unintentional mistakes or forgetfulness.  However if a believer is certain, or thinks that any pork, or pork products may be in his food, drinks  or medicines then it is not permissible for him or her to consume it.  If he has doubts then he must make an effort to inquire about the ingredients or ask for details.[2a]  Nowadays knowledge about ingredients and the manufacturing process is readily available and the prohibition applies whether there is a small amount of pork or pork products, or a large amount.

The scholars of Islam differ over the issue of whether or not changing the form of the impurity (in this case pork products) lifts the prohibition.  The Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences is of the opinion that changing the form (for example, food, and medicine additives) so that it becomes something different, does lift the prohibition.  However, there is no doubt and no difference of opinion that it is forbidden to consume meat derived from the pig, including ham and bacon.

The recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and North America led some countries to slaughter pigs en masse however there is ample scientific evidence to suggest that pigs harbour parasites that are harmful to humans and the pig has long been considered the ideal breeding ground for influenza.

As the Creator of humankind and all that exists, God knows what is good for us, and He has sent guidance enabling us to make wise decisions.  Just as a computer would not work properly if it were incorrectly programmed, a human being is not able to function if he is not nourished correctly.  Islam is a holistic religion that recognises the interconnectedness of spiritual, emotional, and physical health.  What a person eats and drinks has a direct bearing on their overall health and well-being.

Virologists have long been aware that the pig is an ideal breeding ground for influenza, so it is no surprise that the latest threat, swine flu, originated in pigs.  Microbiologist and immunology expert, Dr Graham Burgess[1]  says, “Viruses that would normally grow in the chicken can potentially grow in the pig and ones that grow in humans will potentially grow in pigs.  So we consider the pig a great mixing pot for viruses and this is where it can play a real role in generating new viruses".

The pig is known to harbour parasites as well as bacteria and viruses.  Cysticercosis is an infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.  Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (cysts).  When cysticerci are found in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis.  This tapeworm in pigs is found worldwide but is most problematic in poor and developing countries were pigs are allowed to roam freely and often eat human faeces.  This infection can occur even in modern developed countries but the CDC reports that it is very rare in Muslim countries where eating pork is forbidden.[2]

Trichinellosis, also called trichinosis, is caused by eating raw or undercooked meat of animals infected with the larvae of a species of worm called Trichinella.  Infection occurs most commonly in certain wild carnivorous (meat-eating) animals but it may also occur in domestic pigs.  The CDC warns that if a human eats meat containing infective Trichinella cysts, the acid in the stomach dissolves the hard covering of the cyst and releases the worms.

The worms pass into the small intestine and, in 1-2 days, become mature.  After mating, adult females lay eggs.  These eggs develop into immature worms, travel through the arteries, and are transported to muscles.  Within the muscles, the worms curl into a ball and encyst (become enclosed in a capsule).  This infection occurs when these encysted worms are consumed in meat.  The number of cases of trichinellosis throughout the world has steadily decreased due to an awareness of the dangers of eating raw and undercooked pork products and legislation prohibiting feeding raw meat garbage to pigs.[3]

Pigs are omnivores, which means they consume both plants and animals.  Pigs will scavenge and eat any type of food, including dead insects, worms, tree bark, rotting carcasses, garbage, and even other pigs.  Pigs have very few sweat glands so therefore they are unable to completely rid their bodies of toxins.  New evidence indicates that farming practices are leading directly to the spread of human bacterial infections.

Pigs often live in the small spaces and fetid conditions that exist in many modern factory farms and studies are revealing that pigs frequently harbour antibiotic resistant staph bacteria.  This drug resistant bacterium is now entering our food supply and recent investigations in the United States of America indicate that 49% of pigs and 45% of pig workers now harbour these bacteria responsible for killing more then 18,000 people in the US every year.[4]

“He has forbidden you only dead animals, and blood, and the flesh of swine...” (Quran 2:173)

“For that surely is impure” (Quran 6:145)

Muslims refrain from eating pork and pork products because God has forbidden it.  However a little investigation into the anatomy and lifestyle of the pig reveals that it is certainly an unclean animal.  Those interested in consuming healthy, natural, and pure foods would do well to abstain from pork and pork products.

- islamreligion.com

Footnotes:

[1a]At Tabarani (classified as authentic by Sheikh  al Albanee).

[2a]Scholars of the Standing Committee for issuing Fatwas (Islamic rulings) Saudi Arabia.

[1]James Cook University, Queensland Australia.  (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/27/2554021.htm)

[2](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cysticercosis/factsht_cysticercosis.htm)

[3](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/trichinosis/factsht_trichinosis.htm)

[4](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=sick-farms-infected-food) &

(http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=new-drug-resistant-mrsa-in-pigs)