Question: Is magic allowed in Islam?
Answer: As far as magic is concerned, though Islam does acknowledge its existence, it is forbidden knowledge, and we are advised to refrain from it. As one pagan once put it, magic to them is a form of prayer…. If in magic the magician is calling onto a great power to do something, how can we practice magic when we are explicitly forbidden to call upon and pray to anybody except Allah?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Everything created from Nothing?
Question: What is everything created from........ nothing?
Answer: I think it is possible that God created everything out of nothing. After all, where there is matter, scientists have also discovered anti-matter, so that essentially the sum of all is nothing. Furthermore, I think Mr S is making quite a point when he compares our universe to a virtual reality, and how beings within it perceive themselves, and acknowledge the Creator or not.
And then, the very word Creator and Creation implies that something was made, and if everything was created, then what was it created from???? Nothing, or so I assume.
As I believe the Quran to be the word of Allah, the creator of everything, I would like to share what Allah says:
About Himself:
112 Pure FaithAl-Ikhlas: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
1. SAY: "HE IS God the one the most unique,
2. God the immanently indispensable.
3. He has begotten no one, and is begotten of none.
4. There is no one comparable to Him."
About Creation:
6 The Cattle Al-An'am: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
1. ALL PRAISE BE to God who created the heavens and the earth, and ordained darkness and light. Yet the unbelievers make the others equal of their Lord.
2. It is He who created you from clay then determined a term (of life) for you, and a term (is fixed) with Him. Even then you doubt.
Purpose of Creation:
21 The Prophets Al-Anbiya': Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
16. We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them, out of fun.
24 The Light An-Nur: Madani________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
45. God created every moving thing from water: One crawls on its belly, one walks on two legs, another moves on four. God creates whatsoever He will. Indeed God has power over everything.
28 The History Al-Qasas: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
68. Your Lord creates what He wills and chooses. The good is not for them to choose. Too holy and high is God for what they associate with Him.
39 The Small Groups Az-Zumar: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
5. He has created the heavens and the earth with precision. He folds the day up over the night, and folds the night up over the day. He has subjugated the sun and moon, (so that) each runs its appointed course. Is He not all-mighty and forgiving?
44 Smoke Ad-Dukhan: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
38. We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, out of play. 39. We created them with definite purpose; but most of them do not understand.
40. The Day of Judgement is your promised day of meeting,
46 Al-Ahqaf Al-Ahqaf: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
33. Do they not realise that God who created the heavens and the earth, and did not tire creating them, is able to bring the dead to life? And why not? He has the power over everything.
All translations by Ahmed Ali
Answer: I think it is possible that God created everything out of nothing. After all, where there is matter, scientists have also discovered anti-matter, so that essentially the sum of all is nothing. Furthermore, I think Mr S is making quite a point when he compares our universe to a virtual reality, and how beings within it perceive themselves, and acknowledge the Creator or not.
And then, the very word Creator and Creation implies that something was made, and if everything was created, then what was it created from???? Nothing, or so I assume.
As I believe the Quran to be the word of Allah, the creator of everything, I would like to share what Allah says:
About Himself:
112 Pure FaithAl-Ikhlas: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
1. SAY: "HE IS God the one the most unique,
2. God the immanently indispensable.
3. He has begotten no one, and is begotten of none.
4. There is no one comparable to Him."
About Creation:
6 The Cattle Al-An'am: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
1. ALL PRAISE BE to God who created the heavens and the earth, and ordained darkness and light. Yet the unbelievers make the others equal of their Lord.
2. It is He who created you from clay then determined a term (of life) for you, and a term (is fixed) with Him. Even then you doubt.
Purpose of Creation:
21 The Prophets Al-Anbiya': Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
16. We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them, out of fun.
24 The Light An-Nur: Madani________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
45. God created every moving thing from water: One crawls on its belly, one walks on two legs, another moves on four. God creates whatsoever He will. Indeed God has power over everything.
28 The History Al-Qasas: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
68. Your Lord creates what He wills and chooses. The good is not for them to choose. Too holy and high is God for what they associate with Him.
39 The Small Groups Az-Zumar: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
5. He has created the heavens and the earth with precision. He folds the day up over the night, and folds the night up over the day. He has subjugated the sun and moon, (so that) each runs its appointed course. Is He not all-mighty and forgiving?
44 Smoke Ad-Dukhan: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
38. We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, out of play. 39. We created them with definite purpose; but most of them do not understand.
40. The Day of Judgement is your promised day of meeting,
46 Al-Ahqaf Al-Ahqaf: Makki________________________________________
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.
33. Do they not realise that God who created the heavens and the earth, and did not tire creating them, is able to bring the dead to life? And why not? He has the power over everything.
All translations by Ahmed Ali
To be or not to be equal: Comments on gender equity in Islam
Question: Are women equal to or inferior to men in Islam?
Answer: Women are NOT INFERIOR to men, women are NOT EQUAL to men, women are SUPERIOR to men in Islam.
Men have been appointed our guardians and protectors, and as such have been accorded certain rights over us (that is obedience and fidelity, guarding what one must guard in any relationship). They have to go out and earn the bread, they have to provide food, clothing and comfort for the wife, the children, his parents and the rest of the family including unmarried or widowed sisters, and the community at large, according to their means, and discharge these financial duties with love, kindness and willing happiness!
Women have been given the burden of pregnancy and childbirth, and as such, have been exempted of everything else. They have the freedom to do business/ jobs, but are not required to spend a single penny from it on anybody, except of their own free will.
The institution of marriage is to get ‘sukoon’….. that is peace and contentment/ happiness/ a state of felicity! Furthermore, men are required to give a gift (mehr) to the wife at the time of the nikah, before consumption of marriage, according to the financial means of the groom, which is hers to keep and do whatever she wishes with it, and she is not required to return it even if they eventually divorce.
Men may have been allowed to marry more than once BUT under certain conditions………… they are to take care of the orphans in the society…. And if they are not able to foster-parent the orphans, they may marry( I think the ayat implies the widowed mother), and yet the ayat continues to say that you may alternatively use the services of your servants/slaves for the purpose of taking care of the orphans, and that ONE(wife) is better for you if you know!
Men may have been given the right to divorce, but under so many conditions that it is extremely difficult, if they want to follow letter and spirit. Women have also been given the right to khula.
Furthermore, in the event of death or divorce, Allah tells the women to wait for a period prescribed till it is established if the woman is pregnant or not, so that the father of the child may be accurately identified, but after the prescribed time-period, the woman is free to marry. Don’t find any advice for re-marriage for men anywhere except for the care of orphans!
In financial transactions, it is prescribed to take as witness one man or two women; in cases of adultery, the witness of four pious men is required, and if they are found lying, then forever their word is not to be accepted in any matter!
What is essential is the spirit within, in that case, all humans are equal, the male or female body is simply the mortal shell without, and thus the different rules for the time we spend here on this temporary abode.
May Allah grant us all the guidance to study the Quran, understand it, and follow it and may Allah grant us all success in both this world and the hereafter. Amen.
Answer: Women are NOT INFERIOR to men, women are NOT EQUAL to men, women are SUPERIOR to men in Islam.
Men have been appointed our guardians and protectors, and as such have been accorded certain rights over us (that is obedience and fidelity, guarding what one must guard in any relationship). They have to go out and earn the bread, they have to provide food, clothing and comfort for the wife, the children, his parents and the rest of the family including unmarried or widowed sisters, and the community at large, according to their means, and discharge these financial duties with love, kindness and willing happiness!
Women have been given the burden of pregnancy and childbirth, and as such, have been exempted of everything else. They have the freedom to do business/ jobs, but are not required to spend a single penny from it on anybody, except of their own free will.
The institution of marriage is to get ‘sukoon’….. that is peace and contentment/ happiness/ a state of felicity! Furthermore, men are required to give a gift (mehr) to the wife at the time of the nikah, before consumption of marriage, according to the financial means of the groom, which is hers to keep and do whatever she wishes with it, and she is not required to return it even if they eventually divorce.
Men may have been allowed to marry more than once BUT under certain conditions………… they are to take care of the orphans in the society…. And if they are not able to foster-parent the orphans, they may marry( I think the ayat implies the widowed mother), and yet the ayat continues to say that you may alternatively use the services of your servants/slaves for the purpose of taking care of the orphans, and that ONE(wife) is better for you if you know!
Men may have been given the right to divorce, but under so many conditions that it is extremely difficult, if they want to follow letter and spirit. Women have also been given the right to khula.
Furthermore, in the event of death or divorce, Allah tells the women to wait for a period prescribed till it is established if the woman is pregnant or not, so that the father of the child may be accurately identified, but after the prescribed time-period, the woman is free to marry. Don’t find any advice for re-marriage for men anywhere except for the care of orphans!
In financial transactions, it is prescribed to take as witness one man or two women; in cases of adultery, the witness of four pious men is required, and if they are found lying, then forever their word is not to be accepted in any matter!
What is essential is the spirit within, in that case, all humans are equal, the male or female body is simply the mortal shell without, and thus the different rules for the time we spend here on this temporary abode.
May Allah grant us all the guidance to study the Quran, understand it, and follow it and may Allah grant us all success in both this world and the hereafter. Amen.
Holy Quran.... the Word of God
Question: The very obvious stupidity contained in every belief system is the result of accepting as true the statements of others without checking against personal experience. This is made even worse by the mental laziness that people use in order to take short cuts. All the different classes of belief do the same thing and consequently the world is in a mess caused by lazy, expediency focused thinking.
Answer: Very true about most denizens of planet Earth. The very first, most important thing to do is to observe with all our senses, and use our intellect to determine whether or not this Universe / Multiverse came about itself, or if there is an/are multiple intelligent designs behind it. If there is/are, then what is more plausible: one intelligent creator or multiple creators?? If authority can reside with only One person,then who is this person and how do we find this Creator/ how do we revere and worship/ and is that the purpose of our creation/ what is life, and is there or not a life beyond this Earth/ and if so, will there be a reckoning??? Is there a message that this God has sent, how do we know which is the true message when there are so many multiple faith systems, so many religions, so many claims????? My personal method is to evaluate all Holy Books for accuracy/ truth/ consistency/ evaluation of scientific data/mathematical data/ moral code/ fairness and justice, and only one Book has met all of these parameters.. The Holy Quran... so, I believe that it is theWord of God. Since God himself says in the Holy Quran that He is Allah, that Muhammad is His messenger, and that the Quran is a Book without doubt; a Guidance for the Muttaqeen (those who are aware of Allah all the time; love him for his Love for us, and fear him as He is the only one to be feared; and as the Day of Reckoning will definitely come). May the true God guide us. Amen.
Answer: Very true about most denizens of planet Earth. The very first, most important thing to do is to observe with all our senses, and use our intellect to determine whether or not this Universe / Multiverse came about itself, or if there is an/are multiple intelligent designs behind it. If there is/are, then what is more plausible: one intelligent creator or multiple creators?? If authority can reside with only One person,then who is this person and how do we find this Creator/ how do we revere and worship/ and is that the purpose of our creation/ what is life, and is there or not a life beyond this Earth/ and if so, will there be a reckoning??? Is there a message that this God has sent, how do we know which is the true message when there are so many multiple faith systems, so many religions, so many claims????? My personal method is to evaluate all Holy Books for accuracy/ truth/ consistency/ evaluation of scientific data/mathematical data/ moral code/ fairness and justice, and only one Book has met all of these parameters.. The Holy Quran... so, I believe that it is theWord of God. Since God himself says in the Holy Quran that He is Allah, that Muhammad is His messenger, and that the Quran is a Book without doubt; a Guidance for the Muttaqeen (those who are aware of Allah all the time; love him for his Love for us, and fear him as He is the only one to be feared; and as the Day of Reckoning will definitely come). May the true God guide us. Amen.
To spank/beat wives is not a crime?
Question: To spank/beat wives is not a crime?
Answer: I have been listening to a scholar who has had the privilege of growing up and studying in Medina in an extremely religious environment.
During tafseer, when we came across the ayat you have mentioned, he explained that ‘daraba’ has many shades of meanings, one of which is to separate. From this, he logically concludes that in the event the husband and wife have severe disagreements, they should be separated for a while so that they can assess their emotions in each other’s absence, and focus on what’s really important and valuable in their relationship.
Also, if we take the Sunnah of our dear Prophet (saw), he never hit any of his wives; when the rumour-mongers were spreading bad thoughts about Bibi Ayesha, he did not confront or hit her, he simply separated himself for a while, giving everybody time to think things over, and the truth to be revealed.
Islam means Peace, and Allah loves all his creations. Islam is a religion based on ‘nature and what’s natural’, in urdu we call it ‘fitrat pay’, thus, it cannot condone something which is so completely wrong.
Beating the wife, or anybody else for that matter, may be able to get submission, but will never be able to get love, respect and willing obedience, which is so crucial to a happy marriage. After all, Allah says in the Quran that he has made the institution of marriage so that we find peace and solace/tranquility(Surah Room Ayat 21, Arabic word:lay-ta-skunoo [root: sa ka na ] ). Love and mercy has been ordained.
Can’t happen if one half is wielding a baton!
Answer: I have been listening to a scholar who has had the privilege of growing up and studying in Medina in an extremely religious environment.
During tafseer, when we came across the ayat you have mentioned, he explained that ‘daraba’ has many shades of meanings, one of which is to separate. From this, he logically concludes that in the event the husband and wife have severe disagreements, they should be separated for a while so that they can assess their emotions in each other’s absence, and focus on what’s really important and valuable in their relationship.
Also, if we take the Sunnah of our dear Prophet (saw), he never hit any of his wives; when the rumour-mongers were spreading bad thoughts about Bibi Ayesha, he did not confront or hit her, he simply separated himself for a while, giving everybody time to think things over, and the truth to be revealed.
Islam means Peace, and Allah loves all his creations. Islam is a religion based on ‘nature and what’s natural’, in urdu we call it ‘fitrat pay’, thus, it cannot condone something which is so completely wrong.
Beating the wife, or anybody else for that matter, may be able to get submission, but will never be able to get love, respect and willing obedience, which is so crucial to a happy marriage. After all, Allah says in the Quran that he has made the institution of marriage so that we find peace and solace/tranquility(Surah Room Ayat 21, Arabic word:lay-ta-skunoo [root: sa ka na ] ). Love and mercy has been ordained.
Can’t happen if one half is wielding a baton!
Conditional polygamy permitted in Islam
Question: Why is polygamy allowed in Islam?
Answer: My understanding of the Quranic injunction is:
In Surah Nisaa, ayaat 2 & 3 read as follows(Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation)
"To orphans restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin.
If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice. "
The point to be noted here is that the permission for marriage is for the purpose of taking care of orphans, not pleasure or …. !
As I understand it is:
1. We are ordered to take care of orphans.
2. If we are unable to take care of orphans, marriage is permitted (as one aalim explained, to the widowed mother* of those orphans), or may be extended broadly to include, to any woman with the purpose of help in taking care of those orphans.
3. And if marriage is not possible, use the help of your servants/staff/slaves to take care of the orphans.
May Allah guide us all.
* Also see Holy Quran 4:127 They ask thy instruction concerning the women say: Allah doth instruct you about them: And (remember) what hath been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans of women to whom ye give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom ye desire to marry, as also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: that ye stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed which ye do, but Allah is well-acquainted therewith.
Answer: My understanding of the Quranic injunction is:
In Surah Nisaa, ayaat 2 & 3 read as follows(Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation)
"To orphans restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin.
If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice. "
The point to be noted here is that the permission for marriage is for the purpose of taking care of orphans, not pleasure or …. !
As I understand it is:
1. We are ordered to take care of orphans.
2. If we are unable to take care of orphans, marriage is permitted (as one aalim explained, to the widowed mother* of those orphans), or may be extended broadly to include, to any woman with the purpose of help in taking care of those orphans.
3. And if marriage is not possible, use the help of your servants/staff/slaves to take care of the orphans.
May Allah guide us all.
* Also see Holy Quran 4:127 They ask thy instruction concerning the women say: Allah doth instruct you about them: And (remember) what hath been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans of women to whom ye give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom ye desire to marry, as also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: that ye stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed which ye do, but Allah is well-acquainted therewith.
Can Hadrat Mohammad(saw) have sent blessings on himself during prayer?
Question: Can Hadrat Mohammad(saw) have invoked blessings (darood-e-ibrahim) on himself during prayer, or is it a later addition?
Answer: Rasool-Allah Hadrat Mohammad(saw) taught us how to perform prayers exactly the way that he was inspired to teach us. And, not only we, but also Allah and the angels send blessings on him. As you will note in the following verses of the Quran, the Arabic words used are yusalee and yusaloona. In darood, we are using the same word sallay to invoke Allah’s blessings on our dear Prophet.
Surah Ahzab (Chapter 73)
43 هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا
Transliteration 43: Huwa allathee yusallee AAalaykum wamalaikatuhu liyukhrijakum mina alththulumati ila alnnoori wakana bialmumineena raheeman
Yusuf Ali 43: He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers.
Shakir 43: He it is Who sends His blessings on you, and (so do) His angels, that He may bring you forth out of utter darkness into the light; and He is Merciful to the believers.
Pickthal 43: He it is Who blesseth you, and His angels (bless you), that He may bring you forth from darkness unto light; and He is ever Merciful to the believers.
M. Khan 43: He it is Who sends Salat (His blessings) on you, and His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive you), that He may bring you out from darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of Belief and Islamic Monotheism). And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.
56 إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Transliteration 56: Inna Allaha wamalaikatahu yusalloona AAala alnnabiyyi ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo salloo AAalayhi wasallimoo tasleeman
Yusuf Ali 56: Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
Shakir 56: Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation.
Pickthal 56: Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.
M. Khan 56: Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and also His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad SAW), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. AsSalamu Alaikum).
Answer: Rasool-Allah Hadrat Mohammad(saw) taught us how to perform prayers exactly the way that he was inspired to teach us. And, not only we, but also Allah and the angels send blessings on him. As you will note in the following verses of the Quran, the Arabic words used are yusalee and yusaloona. In darood, we are using the same word sallay to invoke Allah’s blessings on our dear Prophet.
Surah Ahzab (Chapter 73)
43 هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا
Transliteration 43: Huwa allathee yusallee AAalaykum wamalaikatuhu liyukhrijakum mina alththulumati ila alnnoori wakana bialmumineena raheeman
Yusuf Ali 43: He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers.
Shakir 43: He it is Who sends His blessings on you, and (so do) His angels, that He may bring you forth out of utter darkness into the light; and He is Merciful to the believers.
Pickthal 43: He it is Who blesseth you, and His angels (bless you), that He may bring you forth from darkness unto light; and He is ever Merciful to the believers.
M. Khan 43: He it is Who sends Salat (His blessings) on you, and His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive you), that He may bring you out from darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of Belief and Islamic Monotheism). And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.
56 إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Transliteration 56: Inna Allaha wamalaikatahu yusalloona AAala alnnabiyyi ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo salloo AAalayhi wasallimoo tasleeman
Yusuf Ali 56: Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
Shakir 56: Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation.
Pickthal 56: Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.
M. Khan 56: Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and also His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad SAW), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. AsSalamu Alaikum).
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