Is the Quran Authentic?

The Quran, sometimes called the Holy Quran or the Noble Quran is the divine scripture or sacred text of the religion of Islam.  Muslims believe that the Quran is the literal word of God.  It was revealed to God’s final messenger Muhammad, to bring humankind out of the darkness of polytheism and ignorance and into the light of Islam.  Quran confirms the books that were sent before it, including the Jewish Torah and the Gospels of Jesus.  It became the book of guidance for all humankind.  Quran abrogates all scriptures before it.  It contains signs of God’s greatness, miracles, parables, and lessons.  The Quran explains the names and attributes of God and His creation.  It calls us to believe in God, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and in in fate or the divine decree.

“And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran) as an exposition of everything, guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves.” (Quran 16:89)

“The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord and (so do) the believers.  Each one believes in God, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers.  (They say)  ‘We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers’ — and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey.  (We seek)  Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)’”. (Quran 2:285)

“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Quran) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and trustworthy in highness and a witness over it (old Scriptures).” (Quran 5:48) 

The Quran is the greatest of all scriptures.  Through it, God speaks to humankind.  He shows us His mercy, His love, His justice, and His wisdom.  It is guidance, and a comfort to the heart.  It is a most important book indeed.  How then can we be sure that God’s words have not be changed or lost?  How can we be sure that the Quran we hold in our hands today is authentic? 

Muslims have no doubt that Quran is exactly the same today as it was more than 1400 years ago when it was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.  The authenticity of Quran is  established in several ways.  The most important way we can be sure that the Quran is authentic is the fact that when God revealed the Quran, He promised to preserve it. 

“It is We Who have sent down the remembrance (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it from corruption.” (Quran 15:9)

In the time of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, the Arabs, although predominantly illiterate, were masters of the spoken word.  Their poetry and prose were considered outstanding, and a model of literary excellence. When Prophet Muhammad recited the Quran – the words of God – the Arabs were moved tremendously by its sublime tone, eloquence, and extraordinary beauty.  The Quran was Prophet Muhammad’s miracle from God.

The Quran was also preserved by the people around Prophet Muhammad, they  memorised the words of the Quran as they were revealed and  paid careful attention to each word. Until today there are people who memorize the Quran with direct chains of memorization that span back to the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, himself. Besides this record of memorization there is the written record as well, whereby trustworthy scribes wrote down the revelation. They wrote on flat stones, bark, bones, and even animal skins.

Prophet Muhammad himself supervised the memorisation and writing of the Quran.  The preservation of Quran was also a major priority for the four men destined to follow Muhammad as leaders of the Muslim nation.  Through their extraordinary effort and by the permission of God the Quran came to be written in book form.  Generation after generation, one after the other, went to great lengths to preserve the word of Quran exactly as they were revealed.

This process is called Tawatur in the Arabic language.  It means that  historical continuity and perpetuation is achieved by transfer from one generation to the next.  What is implied is that so many people in each generation conveyed it that there can be no doubt about its authenticity.  Quran was not transmitted by a handful of people in one generation to a few persons in the next.  It was passed  by each entire generation to the next generation.  More about how the early Muslims preserved Quran can be found in The Story of Quran, Parts 1-4. 

One of Quran’s most remarkable qualities and another reason for believing its authenticity is the complete consistency between the Quran and many of the discoveries of modern science.  Quran even pre-empts facts only discovered in the last 50 years or less.  More information about the marvellous symbiotic relationship between the Quran and scientific discoveries can be found on this website in the section entitled The Scientific Miracles of the Holy Quran.  Dr Maurice Bucaille, a French medical doctor specialising in gastroenterology had the following words to say about the scientific information contained in Quran.

“The Quran follows on from the two Revelations that preceded it,  and it  is not only free from contradictions in its narrations, but provides a quality all of its own for those who examine it objectively and in the light of science, i.e. its complete agreement with modern scientific data.  What is more, statements are to be found in it (as has been shown) that are connected with science: and yet it is unthinkable that a man of Muhammad’s time could have been the author of them.  Modern scientific knowledge therefore allows us to understand certain verses of the Quran which, until now, it has been impossible to interpret.”

The Quran used by more then 1.5 billion Muslims throughout the world today is known as the Uthmani Quran.  It was compiled by the third leader of the Islamic nation, Uthman ibn Affan, and copies were distributed throughout the Caliphate.  Each book is a copy of the original and it is believed that two of these original copies exist to this day in Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The words of Quran have remained unchanged. Over the centuries Muslims and non Muslims alike have examined copies of Quran more than 1000 years old and found that they are all identical, apart from the introduction of vowel marks in the 7^th century CE. These marks were introduced to further guard the authenticity of Quran by demanding strict adherence to pronunciation rules.

The preservation of Quran is a tale of wonder and amazement. It is a testament of God's love for humankind, a book of guidance and a source of comfort. Muslims around the globe bear witness that it is the divinely revealed words of God.  Words from the Most Merciful to His slaves.  From the moment it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad it has been protected and preserved by God from the corruption of mankind and generations of men, women, and children have stood guard over Quran with their hearts, minds and lives.-islamreligion.com

WHY PICTURES OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh) IS ALWAYS BEEN FORBIDDEN BY MUSLIMS

Drawing image of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) would be deemed as "Ghulluw" in Islam (Ghulluw is like exaggerate, over-action, over attitude without guidance from Islam, and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) never thought about this action or attitude)

Qur'an says:

لَا تَغۡلُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ 

"Do not exaggerate in your religion..."

Although it is not a universal issue however if people did decide to draw the images of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) even if they are illustrating it with good intention, it can be dangerous as well. The hadiths that I am about to illustrate  are authentic hadiths, which Muslims follow highly as well the Quran, the following paragraphs generally explain that drawing of People and Animal is not allowed:

sahih Muslim vol.3 no.5268 (p.1160) says, "Ibn ‘Umar reported  Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: Those who paint pictures would  be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it would be said to them: Breathe soul into  what you have created.2519"

Notice that the prohibition was not just against idolators who made pictures,  or even Muslims who made pictures for other reasons, but for anyone who made pictures.

Sahih Muslim vol.3 no.5271 (p.1161) gives a little more detail: "This hadith  has been reported on the authority of Abu Mu’awiya though another chain of transmitters (and  the words are): ‘Verily the most grievously tormented people amongst the denizens [inhabitants]  of Hell on the Day of Resurrection would be the painters of pictures.2520..."

"Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The painter of these pictures will be punished  on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, Make alive what you have created.’"Bukhari vol.9 book 93 no.646 p.487. no.647 p.487 is the same except it is narrated by  Ibn ‘Umar.
No pictures of people or animals according to Bukhari vol.4 book 54 no.447-450 p.297-299.

The reasoning is pretty straightforward. On one hand it is to prevent any prophet or living thing from being deified. On the other, there is an idea of reverence and sacredness. 

Depictions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are shunned upon to prevent Muslims from revering the Prophet to an extreme where he would have been considered a God, by placing his pictures in home or mosques and praying to him. This is what Muslims believe happened in the case of Jesus, and other cases of god-incarnates in history. If you've ever been to a mosque (at least not the new ones built by oil-rich countries), its interiors are actually very minimalist. At most you would see Arabian calligraphy and geometrical patterns. God is not a person, but an entity that cannot be realized in human minds. -mohdkamalabdullah

"How to make your husband happy"

1 BEAUTIFUL RECEPTION

After returning from work, school, travel or whatever has seperated you:

• Begin with a good greeting
• Meet him with cheerful face
• Beautify and perfume yourself
• Start with good news and delay any bad news until he has rested
• Recieve him with loving and yearning sentences
• Make hard efforts for excellence of the food and having it ready on time

2 BEAUTIFY AND SOFTEN YOUR VOICE

For your husband only,it should not be used in front of non mahram men ( men who can marry you if you were unmarried)

3 SMELLING GOOD AND PHYSICAL BEAUTIFICATION

• Take good care of your body and fitness
• Put on nice and attractive clothes and perfumes
• Bathe regularly and after the monthly period,remove any blood, trace of bad smells
• Avoid that your husbandobserves you in dirty clothes or rough shape
• Avoid prohibited types of ornamentation eg tattoos
• Use the types of perfumes,colors and clothes that your husband likes
• Change hairstyle,perfumes etc from time to time, however these things you should avoid excessiveness and of course only act as such in front of mahrem men and women

4 INTERCOURSE

• Hasten for intercourse when your husband feels compulsion for it
• Keep your body clean and smelling good as possible including cleaning yourself of released fluids during intercourse
• Exchange loving phrases with your husband
• Leave your husband to fully satisfy his desire
• Choose good occasions and suitable times for exciting( thrilling) your husband and encouraging him to do intercourse eg after returning from travel, weekends etc

5 SATISFACTION WITH WHAT ALLAH ( Subhaanaha wa ta'aalaa) HAS ALLOTTED

• You shouldn't be depressed because your husband is poor or works in a simple job
• You should look at poor handicapped people and remember allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa) for all that was given to you
• You should remember that real wealth lies in faith and piety

6 INDIFFERENCE TO WORDLY THINGS

• You should not consider this world as your hope and interest
• You should not ask your husband for many unecessary things
• Ascerticism does not mean not to enjoy what is good and permissable (halal) but it means that one should look forward to the thereafter and utilize whatever allah SWT gave them to achieve paradise (Al-Jannah)
• Encourage your husband to reduce expenses and save some money in order to give to charity and feed poor and needy people

7 APPRECIATION

• By the saying of the prophet (sallallaaha alaihi wa sallam) the majority of people in hell were women because they were ungrateful and deny the good done to them
• The result being grateful is that your husband will love you more and will do his best to please you in more ways
• The result of being ungrateful is that your husband will be disappointed and will start asking himself " why should I do good to her if she never appreciates?"

8 DEVOTION AND LOYALTY

• In particular in times of calamities in your husbands body or buisness eg accident or a bankruptcy
• Support him through your own work,money and properties if needed

9 COMPLIANCE TO HIM

• In all what he commands you unless it is prohibited ( haram)
• In Islam the husband is the leader of the family and the wife is his support and consultant

10 PLEASING HIM IF HE IS ANGRY

• First off try to avoid what will guarantee his anger, but if it happens that you can't then try to appease him as follows
• If you are mistaken then apologise
• If he was mistaken then keep still instead of arguing or yeild your right or wait until he is no longer angry and discuss the matter peacefully with him
• If he was angry because of external reasons then:
• Keep silent until his anger goes
• Find excuses for him eg tired, problems at work, someone insulted him
• Do not ask many questions and insist on knowing what happened eg
• you should tell me what happened
• I must know what made you so angry
• You are hiding something and I have a right to know

11 GUARDIANSHIP WHILE HE IS ABSENT

• Protect yourself from any prohibited relations
• Keep the secrets of the family, particularly intercourse and things that the husband dosen't like other people to know
• Take care of the house and children
• Take care of his money and properties
• Do not go out of the house without his permission and put on full Hijaab
• Refuse people who he does not like to come over
• Do not allow any non mahram man to be alone with you in any place
• Be good with his parents and relatives in his absence
• Showing respect for his family and friends
• You should welcome his guests and try to please them, especially his parents
• You should avoid problems as much as you can with his relatives
• You should avoid pitting him in a position where he had to choose between his mother or his wife
• Show good hospitality for his guests by arranging a nice place for them to sit, perfection of food, welcoming their wives etc
• Encourage him to visit his relatives and invite them to your home
• Phone his parents and sisters, send letters to them,support them in calamities etc

13 ADMIRABLE JEALOUSY

• Jealousy is a sign of a wifes love for her husband but it should be kept within the limits of Islam eg not insulting or blackmailing others
• You should not follow or create unfounded doubts

14 PATIENCE AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

• Be patient when you face poverty and strained circumstances
• When you face calamities and disasters that may happen to you, your husband his and your children, relatives or properties eg disease accidents death etc
• When facing hardships in Da'wah ( imprisonment, getting fired, arrested etc
• Be patient and encourage him to keep on the path of Allah and remind him of paradise
• When he mistreats you, couteract his ill treatment with good treatment

15 SUPPORT AND OBEDIENCE TO ALLAH DA'WAH JIHAD

• Co operate with your husband and remind him of different obligatory and voluntary worships
• Encourage him to pray at night
• Listen and reciting the Qur' aan individually and with your husband
• Listen to islamic tapes and songs individually and with your husband
• Remember Allah Subhaanahu wa ta' aalaa, much particlarly after Fajr and before Maghrib
• Share in arranging Da ' wa activities for women and children
• Learn Islamic rules( Ahkaam) and good manners ( adab) for women
• Support your husbands activities by encouraging him, offering opinions, soothing his pains etc
• Yeilding some of your rights and a part of your time with your husband for Da' wah
• Encourage him to go for Jihad when needed and remind him that you and children will be in the preservation of Allah subhaanahu wa ta' aalaa

16 GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

• Keep it clean , decorated and well arranged
• Change house arrangements from time to time to avoid boredom
• Perfect food ( preparation) prepare healthy foods
• Learn all the necessary skills for maintaining the house eg sewing
• Learn how to raise children properly in the Islamic way

17 PRESERVATION OF FINANCES AND THE FAMILY

• Do not spend from his money, even for charity without his permission unless you are sure that he agree's on this
• Protect his house, car etc while he is absent
• Keep the children in good shape, clean clothes etc
• Take care of their nutrition, health, education, manners etc
• Teach them Islam and tell them stories of the prophets and companions

But Allah knows best.

-SUMMARY OF THE BOOK BY SHEIK MOHAMMED ABDELHALEEM HAMED

Chapter 6, Al-An’am (The Cattle) (part 3 of 3)

Verses 92 – 107 The signs are clear

God sent down the blessed Quran as a warning to the people of Mecca and to the rest of the children of Adam, Arabs and non-Arabs alike.   Those who already believe in the Hereafter know it is the truth and will be steadfast in performing their prayers.  Telling lies about God and pretending to have received a revelation is wicked.  Anyone doing this will face extreme punishment and humiliation, not the intercession they had hoped for.  Their intercessors whom they associated with God will be of no help. 

It is God who causes the seed to split and sprout, and brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living.  He is responsible for the dawn and the night time, He made the sun and the moon so that humankind could measure time.  He made the stars as a light and a way to navigate the land and the sea.  The signs are clear for those who think.

God produced all of humankind from one soul.   He sends down rain to make the planet green; dates, vines, olives and pomegranates.  All vegetation is a sign.  However, even surrounded by the wonders and signs of God some people have made the jinn partners with God, others have fabricated sons and daughters.  How is this possible when He has no consort and is the Creator of everything? There is clear proof so believe it and have the advantage over those who refuse to see.  Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, is not a guardian over those who refuse; he must merely turn away from them.

Verses 108 – 117 Islam is the truth but do not insult or mock other beliefs

The believers must not to insult the gods of other religions because it might cause the polytheists to insult God.  In the end they will understand the error of their ways.  Sometimes the unbelievers swear that they would believe if they saw a sign, but the signs are all around them yet they refuse to see them.  Even if angels appeared before them or the dead spoke to them they would not believe.  God will abandon them to wander blindly in their wrongdoing.  Every prophet had enemies, so turn away from the disbelievers and what they have invented.

God is the Judge! Not the others that are worshipped instead of or besides Him.  He sent this Book (the Quran), and those who received scriptures before know very well that the Quran is the truth.  It cannot be altered.  Be mindful that most of the people are trying to turn you away from God however God knows who goes astray and who remains faithful.

Verses 118 – 121 Rules about meat consumption

Eat of that meat over which God’s name has been pronounced at the time of slaughtering of the animal.  The rules have been made clear and you know what is forbidden (except in times of dire emergency).  Remember you will be held accountable.  Do not eat meat upon which God’s name has not been pronounced, and be wary because many people and devils will cause arguments and disputes over this.

Verses 122 – 140 Lies and inventions result in punishment

A person who is ignorant or obstinate and trapped in the darkness is not the same as one who is guided and walking in the light.  There are evil doers everywhere, they conspire and scheme but they are unaware that they conspire only against themselves.  They think they should be messengers but God knows best who to give His message to.  He guides whom he wills, he expands their chest so that they are filled with Islam but those who are abandoned (because they themselves did not wish for guidance) feel their chest constrict as if they were climbing into the sky.  The path to the home of peace is straight.

On the Day of Judgment the jinn and humankind who thought themselves allies in evil will be allies in punishment.  Their home is the Fire.  They will testify against themselves when asked whether they had received a warning.  God did not destroy civilisations without just cause and only did so after fair warning.  God can and will destroy people and replace them with others.   If people do not listen to God and instead do whatever they want God will respond.

Some of the polytheists give God’s share of their crops and livestock to those they wrongly associate with God.  This is an evil and bad decision.  Some people are so confused that they will murder their own children because of their strange beliefs.  They have many self-imposed restrictions that they wrongly attribute to God.  These lies and inventions will result in severe punishment.  The ones who kill their children or restrict food from them because of lies about God have gone completely astray.

Verses 141 – 150 God’s bounty

It is God who causes vegetation to grow, so eat from its yield and pay the obligatory charity on its harvest.  He has provided animals too, some for transportation and some for slaughter.  Use them and eat from them.  There are strange superstitions surrounding the animals, they are more lies against God.  The things forbidden to eat are dead animals, blood spilled out, the meat from pigs (swine) and animals that were slaughtered in the name of something other than God.  The only exception is if someone is forced to eat this meat out of necessity.

The Jews had certain dietary laws concerning meat imposed upon them due to their disobedience.  Prophet Muhammad was told that if he was accused of lying about this then he should say that God is merciful and His argument conclusive.

 Verses 151 – 165 God’s commands and His Mercy

This is what God commands.  Do not associate anything with Him.  Be good to your parents.  Do not kill your children because you fear poverty; God will provide for you and them.  Do not be immoral, openly or secretly.  Do not take a life except in certain justifiable situations.  Treat orphans fairly and give full measure and weight.  God never makes a person bear more than he is capable of bearing.  Speak justly and keep any promises you make in God’s name.

Moses was given a blessed Book and this Quran is also blessed.  If you follow it you will receive His mercy.  Those who turn away will face a dreadful punishment.  Leaving it until the Day of Judgment will be too late.   Those who fail to do any good deeds and those who divide the religion into sects will be called to account.  A person who does one good deed will be given credit for ten good deeds.  A person who does a bad deed will be recompensed for that one deed.

Prophet Muhammad declares that he is following the straight path of Abraham.  His life, his worship and his death are for God Alone.  God has no associates or equals.  And he (Prophet Muhammad) is the first among those who submit to God.  God is the Lord of all that exists and each soul will bear the burden of its own actions and never the burden of another.  In the end God will resolve all your disputes.  He has given you the earth and all its wonders.  Some have more than others; it is a test.  He is swift in punishment but is also forgiving and merciful. - islamreligion.com

Chapter 6, Al-An’am (The Cattle) (part 1 of 3)

Chapter 6, Al-An’am (The Cattle) (part 2 of 3)

Punishment of a Muslim Disobedient Wife

The first step in maintaining obedience is the warning. If this fails to correct the wife, the second step is for the husband to refuse to share his bed with her, that is to suspend conjugal relations. If this is insufficient the third step is to administer a light beating. “The purpose of this beating is not to inflict pain but to bring the wife back to her senses and re-establish authority.”⁷ But “do not beat your wife on the face or in such a way as to leave a mark on her body.” (Muhammad)

The Qur’an plainly and disgracefully commands men to beat their women as soon as they show any sign of disobedience to man’s authority and orders. It states in Chapter 4:34:

”As for these from women, fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart and scourge them.”

Without any exception, all the Qur’anic expositors agree upon the meaning of this verse because it is so obvious. In their famous commentary, page 69, the Jalalan said:

”Those of you who are afraid of their disobedience which symptoms become evident to you, threaten them with the fear of God and banish them to beds apart and scourge them.”

The Zamakhshari reiterates the same opinion (al-Kash-Shaf Vol.1, p.524). Both Imam Baydawi (p.111), and Al-Tobari (p.92) repeat the same explanation. If we also search Ahkamal Qur’an (the Ordinances of the Qur’an) by the Imam Shafi’i
(Vol. 1, p.211), we read:

”In case of a husband’s ill-treatment [of his spouse], the Qur’an permits reconciliation of the spouses and arbitration, but in the case of the wife it allows scourging her.”

At the inception of Islam, we come across a very famous incident which all the Muslim chroniclers record (refer to Imam al-Nawawi: Riyad al-Salihin, “The Orchards of Righteous Men”, p.107-108),

”Umar Ibn al-Khattab came to Muhammad saying, ‘Women have dared to disobey husbands.’ He allowed their husbands to scourge them. Many women approached Muhammad complaining against their husbands because Muhammad received a verse for the Qur’an which commands their husbands to scourge them.”

In the Kash-shaf (the revealer) of al-Zamkhshari (Vol. 1, p. 525), we read the following,

”On the authority of Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him), he said: ‘Hang up your scourge in a place where your wife (or wives) can see it.’”

Also, on the authority of Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr El Sedik:

”I was the fourth wife (among four) of al-Zabayr Ibn al-Awwam. Whenever he became angry at one of us he struck us with a hook rod until it was broken.”

The command to scourge women is repeated in Sahih al-Bukhari, “The Sound Tradition of al-Bukhari” (Vol.7, p.100). Ponder for a moment over Muhammad’s order to the husband: “Hang up your scourge where your wife can see it.” This is
intimidation and threat, as if a husband were telling his wife:

”Beware of disobedience, for this is the scourge which is ready to fall upon you!”

There is no security or love in Muhammad’s words or in the deeds of al-Zobayer Ibn al-Awwam, who was a relative of Muhammad, one of his companions, and one of those models whom every Muslim imitates and vies with all over the world. He was one of the ten whom Muhammad assured of paradise and one of the six whom Umar recommended for the Caliphate. This man used to scourge his wife until the wooden hook was broken, as Asmaa (the daughter of Abu Bakr El Sedik who was one of his four wives) tells us. Is there greater wife abuse than that?

Contemporary Scholars

All contemporary scholars attest to this fact which is obvious in the Qur’an. In the book, “You Ask and Islam Answers” (p.94 for example), Abdul-latif Mushtahiri says,

”If admonishing and sexual desertion fail to bring forth results and the woman is of a cold and stubborn type, the Qur’an bestows on man the right to straighten her out by way of punishment and beating provided he does not break her bones nor shed blood. Many a wife belongs to this querulous type and requires this sort of punishment to bring her to her senses!”

In his book, “The Individual Guarantee In the Islamic Law” (p.63), Ahmad Ahmad, a professor at the college of Law at the University of Qatar, denotes the following under the title of “Family Problems’ Solution”,

”If a woman is afraid that her husband may turn away from her or detest her, she will hasten to bring understanding and reconciliation. But if the husband is afraid that his wife may rebel against him, he hastens to bring mutual understanding by means of exhortation, then by abandonment of the bed, then by the scourging which deters.”

Did you read it?- “By the scourging which deters”. This is if the symptoms of disobedience became apparent exactly as the Jalalan, Baydawi, Zamakhshari have said and as the Saudi scholars indicated in AI-Muslimun magazine in its issue of
March 17, 1989 (page 12). I can also easily list dozens of references, both ancient and contemporary, which explain this verse (4:34). Actually, it does not need any exposition because it is self-explanatory—“...and scourge them.” It is evident that Western countries regard wife abuse as a crime punishable by law because nature itself (as well as the simplest human principle) teaches us that it is not permissible for a man to beat an animal-much less his wife!

Yet according to the Islamic faith and by distinct orders issued by the Qur’an and Muhammad, a man is allowed to scourge his wife with a peaceful conscience because he is carrying out God’s command as recorded in the Qur’an. Muhammad, the prophet of mercy and humanity who claimed that he honored women, said: “Hang up your scourge where your wife can see it.”

The Story of Job and his Wife in the Qur’an

In Chapter 38:44, the Qur’an declares that God has commanded righteous Job to beat his wife. We read:

”And (it was said unto him), ‘Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith and break not thine oath.’”

All Muslim scholars agree on the exposition of this verse. Both Jalalan (page 383), and Baydawi (page 604) say:

”When Job’s wife was slow (to do something for him) one day, he swore to scourge her one hundred times. God told him, ‘Do not break .... oath, but take a bundle of grass in your hand or rods to beat her up with.”’

The Jalalaan say that Job took one hundred sticks and scourged her once. The Baydawi says that Job’s wife’s name is Liyya, daughter of Jacob or Rahmeh, daughter of Aphraim, son of Joseph.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 132: Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Zam’a:
The Prophet said, “None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day.”

Immurement

(Qur’an 4:15)  YUSUFALI: If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way.

If a woman is suspected of being gay in Pakistan, her husband can have her committed to a lunatic asylum or hope that she does the right thing and commits suicide.

Eternal Punishment

Hadith Muslim (4:1982)  The Prophet said, “I saw Hell also. No such (abominable) sight have I ever seen as that which I saw today; and I observed that most of its inhabitants were women. They said: Messenger of Allah, on what account is it so? He said: For their ingratitude or disbelief (bi-kufraihinna). It was said: Do they disbelieve in Allah? He said: (Not for their disbelief in God) but for their ingratitude to their husbands.” -hraicjk.org

Is `umrah a religious obligation, like Hajj?

Question

Is it obligatory to perform `umrah once in a lifetime, like we have to perform Hajj? Someone told me that the reason why we are allowed to combine Hajj and `umrah together is that `umrah is equally obligatory, and we are allowed to combine them to prevent the hardship of having to travel to mecca twice in our lifetimes. Is this true?

Answer

The well-known official position of the Shāfi`ī school of law is that `umrah is obligatory upon a Muslim, just like Hajj, once in a lifetime. 

However, the majority of scholars hold the opinion that performing `umrah in one’s lifetime is not a religious obligation at all. This is the view of the Hanafī and Mālikī schools of thought. It is also one of the views expressed by Ahmad b. Hanbal. Al-Shāfi`ī also one time held this view, and it seems to have been his older opinion. 

The stronger of the two opinions – and Allah knows best – is that `umrah is not an obligation. The Qur’an clearly mentions the obligation of the Hajj without once indicating anything similar for `umrah. 

The Prophet further emphasized this by saying: “O people! Allah has enjoined the Hajj upon you, so go for Hajj.” [Sahīh Muslim (1337)] 

He also did so by saying: “Islam is built upon five things: the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the establishment of prayer, the payment of Zakāh, the pilgrimage to the House, and the fast during the month of Ramadān.” [Sahīh al-Bukhārī (8) and Sahīh Muslim (16)] 

As for specific hadīth on the topic of the ruling of `umrah, there are some which indicate that it is obligatory and others that indicate it is not obligatory. However, all of these hadīth have some weakness that can be levied against them. 

The strongest evidence in support of `umrah being an obligation is a certain narration of the hadīth where `Ā’ishah asks: “Messenger of Allah! Do women have the obligation of jihād?” 

The Prophet replied: “Yes, they do, but it involves no fighting: Hajj and `umrah.” [Sunan Ibn Mājah (2901)] 

However, this wording is at variance to the well-known narrations of the hadīth which make no mention of `umrah, like the one found in Sahīh al-Bukhārī where `Ā’ishah says: “We see jihādas the best of deeds.” To which the Prophet replies: “But the best jihād is an accepted Hajj.” [Sahīh al-Bukhārī (1520)] 

This puts into doubt the narration which mentions “`umrah”. It is most likely a mistaken narration. Indeed, all the hadīth discussing whether `umrah is or is not obligatory are weak hadīth. 

Therefore, the question is best referred back to the default ruling on religious duties in the absence of specific evidence, which is that there is no obligation. 

As for the argument given in your question that `umrah was combioned in the Hajj because it is also obligatory on its own, I would say that the rites of `umrah are all included within the rites of Hajj. This is the reason why the Prophet said: “`Umrah is incorporated in the Hajj.” [Sahīh Muslim (1218)] 

Therefore, we say on the strength of the general evidence that `umrah is a Sunnah. It is not an obligation. 

However, we should have no doubt that the rewards for performing `umrah are immense and that `umrah is a very important form of worship. 

Abū Hurayrah relates that Allah’s Messenger said: “Performing two `umrahs is an expiation for the sins that occur between them, and the reward for an accepted Hajj is no less than Paradise.” [Sahīh al-Bukhārī (1773) and Sahīh Muslim (1349)] 

And Allah knows best.

-islamtoday.net

How has Islam changed over time?

Islam is just another religion.

And like most religions, it has gone through many changes over the years and there have been many movements within the religion that have sought to reform it.

First major reformation - Quran

The earliest perhaps is the compilation of the Quran, that was done with the help of the first Caliphs - Abu Bakr and Umar. This involved transcribing the verses that Muhammad revealed orally. When Muhammad died, the Quran wasn't in the book form that we see today, it was a collection of various verses written on parchment, leaves, tablets and sometimes, even stone. In the reign of Abu Bakr and Umar, these were compiled together and put in a basic form.

However, this wasn't to the satisfaction of Caliph Usman (aka Uthman), who ordered the proper compilation of the Quran into the form that we see today. He ordered all older versions to be destroyed to ensure that all existing versions were alike [1]. This could be said to be the first real transformation of Islam.

It is claimed that the Quran we see today, is the exactly like the version that Usman commissioned. Although, it isn't impossible that there might be slight differences. A notable difference is that about a century after Hijra, diacritical marks were added to the text to aid non-Arab Muslims in the pronunciation of the words of the Quran. However, the text essentially is the same [2][3].

Second major reformation - Hadith

This is what the wikipedia page about Hadith says - 

Hadith (Arabic: حديث‎) in Muslim religious use is often translated as prophetic 'traditions', meaning the corpus of the reports of the teachings, deeds and sayings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The hadith literature was compiled from oral reports that were in circulation in society around the time of their compilation long after the death of Muhammad. Bukhari's collection is considered the most reliable by many traditional religious scholars who are Sunnis. The Shi'as believe in an entirely separate body of Hadith.

These directives are supposed to be followed by Muslims around the world and as such, any changes to the Hadith means a change in the way Islam is practiced. The interpretation and authenticity of hadith is one of the many questions on which the Sunni and Shi'a Islam differ. It is also one of the areas of Islam that leave a lot of room for interpretation, leading to differences. These differences are the basis of the formation of many different schools of thought in Islam.

Schools of thought in Islam

Similar to the Bhakti and Lingayat movements in Hinduism, we have Sufi, Quranist, Ibadist and Ahmadiyya movements in Islam [4].

Other than these social movements within Islam, there are also political movements like Salafism and Islamism which hold that Islam is not only a religion but a political systemthat should govern the legal, economic and social imperatives of the state [5].

In recent times, many movements for modernization of Islam have been started and there are also movements for Islamic feminism [6].

Reforms by rulers

Islam has been the state religion for a number of dynasties and depending on the ruler, Islam has also undergone major transformations. This in turn, has depended on how strictly, the tenets of Islam have been implemented and how literally, the verses of the Quran have been interpreted.

At times it has been tolerant and progressive, such as during the period of major scientific progress from the 8th to 14th century [7] or even during the period of extensive political reformation during Akbar's rule in India [8][9].

Then again, Islam has been made intolerant and hostile towards other religions (and indeed, towards different interpretations of Islam), such as during the reign of Aurangzeb, a descendant of Akbar himself [10]. Or when the Taliban were in Power in Afghanistan or even in the case of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Islam has changed many times since its inception. No question about it. -quora.com

Haj: A Celebration of Peace

Where am I?

More than 2 million people surround me.  We all have one common goal, one purpose for being here together.  I do not stand out from anyone else.  There are no signs of wealth or greatness upon me.  No Rolex watch or Nike shoes to mark me as a rich person.  I am one person alone, in a sea of humanity.  I am black or white, yellow or brown, the colour of my skin is not important.  I am from Europe or Asia or South America, my homeland is any corner of this wide earth.  The people around me are young and old, male and female, rich and poor.  We represent humankind in our diversity, yet we are united.  We are unity in diversity.

I am at Hajj

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam.  Muslims declare that there is no godworthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger; they pray, they fast, they pay obligatory charity, and they go to Hajj.  Hajj is a pilgrimage to the city of Makah in Saudi Arabia.  At the mosque and in the surrounding area, Muslims perform prayers and rituals.  Hajj is an obligatory act performed once in a lifetime by all mentally, physically, and financially able Muslims.

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makah) to the House (Kaba) is a duty that mankind owes to God, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence) ; and whoever disbelieves then God stands not in need of any of mankind, jinn and all that exists” (Quran 3:97)

This year, 2010, Hajj is in the middle of November.  Muslims from all over the world will gather to worship God.  They arrive in Saudi Arabia, by plane, bus, car, etc.  Some endure great hardship, others merely buy a first class ticket, but they come as equals.  People make this journey prepared to stand at the House of God (or Kaba) and affirm their love for God and His religion of Islam.

“And proclaim to humankind the Hajj (pilgrimage).  They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj)” (Quran 22:27)

The Hajj is several days of total devotion to the One God.  Muslims come together to celebrate His praises, ask for His forgiveness and demonstrate unity for His sake alone.

Throughout the Muslim world, Hajj has come to symbolise unity.  Although Muslims may be disunited due to many outside influences,  such as money, politics, border disputes  or other worldly concerns.  Hajj is the great leveller.  At Hajj, all Muslims are equal; nothing about the rituals they perform makes one person better than another.

More than 2 million Muslims stand in one place, wearing the same simple clothing, following the same rituals and saying the same words.  They are united in their devotion to God.  The black man stands next to the white man and they call on God with one voice.  The king stands beside the pauper and they declare their submission to the will of God using the same words.

Muslims from every corner of the globe are united in their submission to the will of God.  They cry out as if with one voice, “Here I am O God, here I am at your service, and You have no partner.  Here I am.  All praise, grace, and dominion belong to You.  You have no partner”.  This supplication is said repeatedly by the pilgrims.  It is their answer to God’s call for the Muslims to perform Hajj.

These words are repeated with joy and reverence by all, regardless of status or class.  Some people are so overcome with emotion that they weep, others feel elated and happier then they have ever felt before.  Every person there feels that he is one person, alone among millions answering God’s call and God hears his supplication and sees his arrival.  The pilgrims feel amazed that they are the guest of the most Merciful God.  He or she attends this gathering by the invitation of God, not at the invitation of a government or an organisation, nor at the request of a family member or friend.

Hajj is performed because God has invited the believers to congregate together.  Regardless of place of birth, nationality, ethnicity, gender, or status, all are welcome, and all are equal in the sight of God.  The Muslims gather to meet one another and demonstrate to each other, and the world that they are united.  Unity in diversity.  They are united by their worship of One God.

“O humankind!  We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.  Verily, the most honourable of you with God is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (piety, God consciousness).  Verily, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran 39:13)

Islam is the religion of unity.  Repeatedly throughout the Quran God reminds the believers that they must remain united and seek strength through unity.  Hajj epitomises   this unity.  People from every race and colour come together in submission to the will of God.  Muslims are one brotherhood and they come together with a sense of purpose and a desire for peace.

“The believers are nothing else but brothers (in Islam).  So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear God, that you may receive mercy.” (Quran 39:10)

“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of God (this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember God’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islam), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it.  Thus God makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided.” (Quran 3:103)

Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims; it is the largest gathering of people united by the peacefulness and serenity that is Islam.    Anything that disturbs the peacefulness of Hajj is prohibited.  No matter what is happening in the material world at Hajj, peace prevails.

Muslims gather together and their diversity is a wonder to behold.  The old stand with the young, the rich stand with the poor, people of all colours and nationalities stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer, and perform rituals side by side.  Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, “In their love, kindness, and compassion for each other, the believers are like a human body.[1]  Muslims at Hajj are one people, they are a soothing sea of humanity, gathered together to worship One God.  Muslims turn their faces in one direction  and submit to the will of God.  They are united by their love of God, and united in their diversity.

---

Footnotes:

[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhari

-islamreligion.com

Telling an illegitimate daughter truth about her birth

Question

I am a mother who has a child out of wedlock who vaguely remembers her "biological father" when he was around. I repented from it and married someone else a few years later; he explained the opinions of the scholars regarding the child's ascription  to me. My question is: do I have to tell my daughter that she was born out of wedlock? What if she asks what happened to him, and if so, when and how does one go about explaining it?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu; alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger 

You are not Islamically obliged to tell your daughter that she was born out of wedlock, and there is no benefit for her in doing so. Rather, it is totally against her interest.

If she happened to ask about her father, you are allowed to resort to tawriyah (saying something which has more than one meaning and intending a meaning different from what the listener is likely to understand). Verily, tawriyah is a legitimate way to avoid lying. You can tell her, for instance, that her father has passed away with the intention of meaning that a “legitimate” father does not exist. Allaah, The Exalted, referred to non-existence as death in the verse that reads (what means): {How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were dead and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you (back) to life, and then to Him you will be returned.} [Quran 2:28]Ibn Katheer  commented on the verse saying, “This means that He brought them from the state of non-existence to life...”

Please, note that some scholars held that the biological father has the right to give his name to his illegitimate child, and the child should be attributed to him in this case, which is contrary to the view held by the majority of scholars. We have also underlined in that fatwa that the illegitimate child may be given a general surname, like; Abdullah or; Abd Ar-Rahman and so forth, in order to avoid embarrassment if he is attributed to his mother (indicating that he was born out of wedlock).

Allah knows best.

-islamweb.net