decent-lord

hello friends here is an short intro to islam.

The literal meaning of Islam is peace; surrender of one’s will i.e. losing oneself for the sake of God and surrendering one’s own pleasure for the pleasure of God. The message of Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) 1, 400 years ago. It was revealed through angel Gabriel (on whom be peace) and was thus preserved in the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran carries a Divine guarantee of safeguard from interpolation and it claims that it combines the best features of the earlier scriptures.

The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim’s other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed Books of God, all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the Day of Judgement and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger, observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Quran tells us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness. Islam’s main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age, orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights were safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal and have stood the test of time.

In Islam virtue does not connote forsaking the bounties of nature that are lawful. On the contrary one is encouraged to lead a healthy, active life with the qualities of kindness, chastity, honesty, mercy, courage patience and politeness. In short, Islam has a perfect and complete code for the guidance of individuals and communities alike. As the entire message of Islam is derived from the Holy Quran and indeed the Sunnah and Hadith (the traditions and practices of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings on him) it is immutable in the face of change in time and place. It may appear rigid to the casual eye, in actual fact it is most certainly an adaptable way of life regardless of human changes.

Islam teaches that the path to spiritual development is open to all. Any individual who searches the One Creator can seek nearness to God through sincere and earnest worship; it is central to establishing a relationship with the Almighty. This positive message for humanity fills hearts with hope and courage.

At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is reaching millions in the far corner of the earth.

DizzyDee

I'm not sure if you're still around the board. This is a great description of Islam, very similar to what I learned in a World Religions class. I'm curious though, could you go into more detail about this statement

I'm curious what rights those are and how they are specifically safeguarded? I'm also curious if you believe that under some Muslim political regimes these rights are being violated. I do not mean to offend, just want to learn more. On the surface if seems such a peaceful religion, but in practice I'm not sure.

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DizzyDee

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

decent-lord

Following are some rights, which Muslim women have!

1. The RIGHT and duty to acquire education.

2. The RIGHT to have her own independent property.

3. The RIGHT to work [job or business] to earn money, which she keeps it.

4. The RIGHT to equal reward for equal deed and/or work.

5. The RIGHT to express her opinion.

6. The RIGHT to argue and/or advocate her cause or opinion to be heard.

7. The RIGHT to vote since 1,421 years.

8. The RIGHT to provisions from her husband for all her needs and more.

9. The RIGHT to negotiate marriage terms of her choice.

10.The RIGHT to obtain divorce from her husband, even on the grounds that she simply don't like him. In Islaam divorce is suppose to be last resort.

11.The RIGHT to keep all her own money. [She is not responsible for maintenance of family].

12.The RIGHT to get sexual satisfaction from her husband.

13.The RIGHT to get custody of her children in case of divorce [unless she is unable to raise them for valid reasons]

14.The RIGHT to choose husband of her choice.

15.The RIGHT to refuse a proposed and/or arranged marriage.

16. The RIGHT to re-marry after divorce or after becoming widow.

EXEMPTIONS GIVEN TO WOMEN IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCE.

Women are exempt from:

a.. Fasting when they are pregnant or nursing or menstruating,
b.. Praying when menstruating or bleeding after childbirth,
c.. The obligation to attend congregational prayers in the mosque on Fridays.
d.. They are not obliged to take part as soldiers in the defense of Islam, although they are not forbidden to do so.
But under normal circumstances they are allowed to do all the things that men do.

- Even when they are menstruating, on special days, like the two Eid festivals, they are still allowed to come to the Eid prayers, and menstruating women can take part in most of the actions of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Islamic laws does not requires that women should confine themselves to household duties.

Muslim women have [and are as well] headed Islamic provinces [and states as well], like Arwa bint Ahmad, who served as governor of Yemen under the Fatimid Khalifahs in the late fifth and early sixth century.

Name any other religion, political theory, or philosophy which offers such a comprehensiveness to women by giving her total control of her life and affairs ??? NONE

Think on this!

DizzyDee

Thank you for answering so thoroughly. I wonder - in Islamic states, how are these rights protected. It sounds as though there are many who called themselves or are call Fundamental Muslims who deny women many of those rights - particularly the right to earn money and gain an education or at least an education equal to men. I've also heard of some place where women must walk behind men, or cannot go out in public without a man - what do you believe about those practices?

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DizzyDee

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Justin

I could think on it easier if you gave some references to back up these claims. Some of them I know are absolutely false, if you mean that all (or even most) Muslims allow these rights. For example, maybe a woman does have "the right to express her opinion," but her husband also has the right to knock her into next week if he doesn't like it. For another example, in what place have women had "The right to vote since 1,421 years," considering that it was a major step forward when Muslim Turkey started to allow women to vote in 1930? Anyway, I don't think I saw one right on your list that I am familiar with, so any references would be helpful.

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"A man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants." - Schopenhauer

decent-lord

Well i didnt got what exactly you meant can you please describe it more clearfully?

Thanks

Faydwyn

I’m not one to single out Islam for accusations of being violent or treating women as unequal, as there are other religions that are or have been guilty of this (Christianity for example). Nor have I studied the Quran and the differences in interpretation that can arise because of translation.

Additionally, I am always skeptical about what is written in or for the mainstream media in general.

All that being said, could you please comment on the article “Wife-beating in Islam, chapter and verse” that was written for the Washington Post?

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com

brig

There was a time when I would have defended Islam against accusations that it was an overtly violent and intolerant religion, even after I had lost my own faith. I think I may even have done so in a post on this very forum. However, after recently finding out that under Sharia law (the law for Islamic states), I am fair game to be killed unless I repent, I'm finding myself less accommodating.

This isn't just an extreme branch of Islam either, every major school of thought agrees that Apostasy (to denounce one's faith) is a crime of treason and is punishable by death. Lovely, eh?

hokeshel

I really liked your posts on Islam. I am hoping to learn more. I find religeous beliefs fascinating. I find that most have much more in common than differences.
But, disagree with this belief on women. I do not know where you get the idea that other religeons, political theories and philosophies do not "give" women total control of her life and affairs. I think most religeons do. In fact there are many matriarchial societies around the world. True, most are patriarchial, but your claim that Islam offers more self-control of a woman's life is little off. I have total control of my life and I am female. All of the females I know are except for ones who have entered into abusive relationships.

MickinEngland

One thing that puzzles me is why the Sunni muslims and Shi'ite muslims are killing each other?
I thought ALL muslims were sisters and brothers?
I know Protestants and Catholics kill each other in Northern Ireland, but that's because they're not real christians.
So are Sunnis and Shi'ites not real muslims?