Religion of Islam

Gender Rights in Islam

2010-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

The father of all the human being is Adam, who is created from dust, soil, or clay. Eve is the mother of the human kind, who is created from the rip of Adam: "The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He hath made for you pairs of yourselves, and of the cattle also pairs, whereby He multiplied you. Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer." (Koran 42:11.) Their off springs are the men and women. All the people around the world belong to the same family of Adam and Eve. No matter what color they are or what country and ethnicity they claim. The reason why the God have created them is to worship Him alone and they are equal to God: "I did not create the jinn (Demon) and humankind except to worship Me." (Koran 51:56.) This is the equality that God gave the men and women. And it is mentioned in every book of God: the Gospel, the Torah, the Psalms, and the Qur'an (Koran.) On the contrary, some people argue that women are not equal to men near God, and they are oppressed in the religions and/or cultures. This is true, in some way, women are oppressed. While some religions claim that the men and women are equal to God but not the same. Then, the question is where are they oppressed? Is in the religions or in the cultures? The men and women are equal but not similar, is sounds confusing, but the reality is something easy to comprehend. For example: if we put a pound of feather and a pound of stones on scale, they weigh the same but they are different components. Like this, man and woman are equal in rights but not similar in roles.

I am Muslim, and I will examine the equality and difference in the Islamic prospective. In Islam men and women are equal but not the same. They are equal in faith, laws apply on them in the same way, and they have the same consequences if they disobey God. For example: On one hand, they are equal in faith, they believe in the same God (Allah,) they pray in the same way, fast in the same month of Ramadan, pay the same amount of tax or (charity), and make the pilgrimage to the same place of Kaaba in Mecca. However, there are some exempts for both in the cases of sickness and disability. On the other hand, they are not the same when it comes to the social issues like reproduction (birth), leadership, care, protection, raising the children, and providing the necessities for the family.

Why they are different socially? We know scientifically, man's body has more protein than woman, and woman's body has more fat. This makes them different in structure and strength. So that the man is the physical protector of the family. On this strength, men are more resistant to the fatigue of the physical work, and this is why men are the bread winners of the families from work. At the leadership, men make harsh decisions than the women because of the women's closeness to the care and mercy side. Yet, this is what makes men the decision makers of the family in Islam. On the contrary, man cannot give birth, woman is, and this is why the woman takes care of the children. Also the woman's fat containing body is what gives the child the softness he/she needs. The mercy or less aggressiveness of the woman is a major role for the woman to make less harsh decision during the tough situations. However, these mentioned things, in some ways are not exclusive for men or women but they co-operate one another. In some situations man concentrates on an issue and other situations woman concentrates on specific things and fields.

When man and woman co-operate to fulfill each other's duties and not intervene the other's decisions; the society will become strong and going forward to the success. On the contrary, when each of the members did not fulfill his/her role or responsibility of the family and/or the society, then this is when the things get bad. Competition starts and the consequences are not welcomed. For example: if the man does not work to provide enough food for the family, the woman is forced to find a job. Then the child birth will decrease, while also the children are not getting enough care from the father or the outside taking care person. This causes damage to the foundation of the family and the society. Then, the next generation will become insufficient to stand up by its own to maintain the religion and the culture. Whereas, if the woman interferes the decision making of the man, then the man will become unable to provide the necessities for the family and this may lead to a domestic violence and/or a divorce. The consequences of violence and divorce may favor the husband or the wife, but on either way, the impact on the children and the society will be severe. To protect the woman, the family, and the society's interests, Islam have set rules to be a solution to the problem of today's injustice.

The solution is clear, which is the recognition of each person's rights and responsibilities. I am not supporting the status queue of oppression but demanding justice for all. God gave us equal justice and responsibility and we should follow these to the literally mean. Men should protect, provide enough for their families, and make wise decisions - because that is their job. While women have to be good care givers to their men and children. Other wise there is and will be a chaos, competition, and oppression, which are not benefiting or meeting the demands of either men or women.

In conclusion, according to the religion of Islam; the men and women are equal in the spiritual way and are different in many roles. This does not mean oppression. It is just the different roles and responsibilities they play in the society. But when one tries not to fulfill, over power, abuse, or compete with the other, then there will be consequences. The results will cause a devastating impact and effect specially to the household members and/or the society as a general. This situation is when the relationships end up in an abuse and oppression. The Islam gives solution not only for Muslims but for the non-Muslims too, which is to recognize the rights and responsibilities.

For more information contact the author of the blog caligeenyo@hotmail.com

The Covered Muslim Women: Oppressed?

2010-02-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

If you think the covered Muslim women are oppressed, think again. These covered women are not oppressed at all. The cloth they wear is called scarf or "Hijab in Arabic." The covered women are fulfilling the order of Allah (God) because God says: "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them. That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah (God) is ever Forgiving, Merciful." (Koran 33:59) On the other hand, the Christian and Jews women are also ordered to cover their bodies. The Bible says: "For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered." (1st Corinthians 11:6) This is may be irritating to you, but it is what most Christian women don't know about the Bible. In addition to this, the Christianity teaches that women are created to please the men not God. Don't believe this? The Bible says: "Neither was the man created for woman; but the woman for the man." ( 1st Corinthians 11:9) On the contrary, this is not what Islam teaches. Some people are bombarded by the media and think that the Muslim women are oppressed while they cover themselves because of they are forced by their parents or Muslim men. Not really, in Islam everyone (men and women) are created by God; only to worship Him alone and everyone has an equal rights: "I did not created the jinn (Demon) and humankind except to worship Me (Allah)." (Koran 51:56)

Then, what am I suggesting; take a Koran book and read it with an unbiased mind. Then, see for yourself the women's rights in the Islam. There is a whole chapter in the Koran that only talks about the women's rights. It is chapter 4 "The women," (Koran 4:1-176.) After you read the chapter or the Koran as a whole, then make a decision.

Take a look on these covered women's testimonies:

This is not to criticize the religions, but is to inform the non-Muslims especially the people of book (Jews and Christians) about the real Islam teachings.

If you need further information please contact me personally at bahdiid@hotmail.com. Thank you.

The Trinity Doctrine

2010-02-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

The word "Trinity" never appears in the Bible, yet some Christians believe in a triune God. Christians believe that there is one God in three forms: God, Son, and a Holy Spirit. However, the Trinity is not the teachings of Jesus, verily Jesus said “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This was repeated in the Bible word-for-word in the versions of the Bible by Jesus, when he said: "...The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord." (Mark 12:29). Then, where is the trinity ideology came from?

During the time of Jesus there was no trinity at all. But later, when authors of the Bible came up (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, etc..) they changed every thing. It is clear that none of these men has seen or met Jesus nor his companions or disciples. These men were the authors of the Bible and the fabricators of the teachings of Jesus. First, about four decades after Jesus, Paul - who was a prosecutor at the time of Jesus - is the first man who initiated to warship Jesus, so, did many other Bible authors and church leaders later in the history. Secondly, the Romans were the founding fathers of the Trinity ideology. Later in the history, when the Roman emperor Constantine became Christian, he himself initiated the Trinity, in order to match the Christianity with the believes of his Barbarian idol worshiping society. Constantine also became the political and spiritual leader of the Christians. However, he ordered the church leaders to accept the trinity. Some of the church leaders accepted, while those who refuse to accept were executed by Constantine (1). If the Trinity is man made, then who is God?

In the Islamic prospective, Muslims believe that there is no trinity, Allah (God) says in the Koran "They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity, for there is no god except One God." (Koran 5:73). God is only one, the Creator, not a creation nor in his creation. God says in the Koran "Say: He is Allah, the One! (1) Allah, the eternally Besought of all! (2) He begetteth not nor was begotten. (3)And there is none comparable unto Him. (4)." (Koran 112:1-4). The Allah (God) also says "O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah (God), and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah (God) and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah (God) is sufficient as Defender. (171) The Messiah will never scorn to be a slave unto Allah, nor will the favoured angels. Whoso scorneth His service and is proud, all such will He assemble unto Him; (172) (Koran 4:170-172).

Also in the Islamic prospective, Muslims believe that Jesus was a normal human being born miraculously to a Virgin Mary. He has no father. God created him like Adam (the first man.) Allah (God) says "Lo! The likeness of Jesus with Allah (God) is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.(59) (Koran 3:59).

So, as a Christian, what do you say about the Jesus; who never said worship me? What do you say about Jesus who used to feel hanger, then eat, sleep then wake up? What do you say about the man that you claim he is killed? How come the God can eat his creation (the food), or go to the bathroom, or sleep, or even be killed? Does three equal one or one equals three? Please think twice.

Again, I believe in Jesus, but not the way the Christians believe in him. This article is just to make you think, not to say bad things about the religions of others.

Note: Allah is an Arabic word for God, even in the Arabic Bible. Muslim is also an Arabic word for the person who believe in God. Islam is the Arabic word for the religion of Monotheism. While the Koran is the holy book of the Islam.

References: Deuteronomy 6:4, Koran 3:59, Koran 4:170-172, Koran 112:1-4, Where the Trinity come from, Trinity History(1).

Recommendations: Koran explorer, Islam web , Sheik Ahmed Deedat , Dr. Bart D Ehrman .

The Koran Predictions!

2010-02-09T00:35:00.000-08:00

Before the Koran's revelation there were three other books from God, the Psalm, Torah, and Engel. Every one of them was recognizing the others. In the same way, when the Koran revealed to Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) from God, the Koran proved the existence of all the other three books and some of their contents. On the other hand, the Koran predicted other things to come later in the future. Some of the Koranic predictions had happen and others have to come.

During the time of Prophet Mohamed Allah mentioned in the Koran that the Muslims will defeat the Roman, with in few years after the defeat the Romans will be Victorious. This happened exactly the way the Koran has predicted, it is in the Koran and in the history. Koran said; "The Romans have been defeated (2) In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious (3) In a few (less then ten) - Allah's is the command in the former case and in the latter - and in that day believers will rejoice. (4)" (Koran 30:2-4.) This is one of the greatest things that the Koran predicted 1430 years ago. Then, ask yourself how can a man (Prophet Mohamed PBUH) claim a victory and defeat after it? Unless, he has proof for it.

There are many other things that the Koran have predicted to happen. Whether it was in the history, like the body of Pharaoh who was found in 1970's, or the return of Jesus that we all waiting for..

The Jesus will come, the Gog and Magog will come, and Dajjal will come, the one that misleads a lot. The Dabah (A monster animal.) So, lets wait them. All will come and convince us the truth of the Koran and the teachings of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH.)

References: Koran 30:2-4. Koran Explorer

Is Mohamed (PBUH) in the Bible?

2010-02-07T16:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) was mentioned in the Bible by name, but the question is, where is he mentioned?

As we know the Bible is written in many languages, but the first original language was Hebrew. When we read the "Song of Solomon, chapter 5 verse 16" in Hebrew it says "חִכּוֹ, מַמְתַקִּים, וְכֻלּוֹ, מַחֲמַדִּים; זֶה דוֹדִי וְזֶה רֵעִי, בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָם." "Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem." In English its translation is "His mouth is most sweet: yea he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend. O daughters of Jerusalem." (1)Song of Solomon 5:16.

The Hebrew version mentioned Muhammadim, but is this Prophet Mohamed(PBUH)? In Hebrew the word God is "Elohim" which is the plural form. The "IM" at the end means plural for respect, and that is found in every language in the world today. For example in English "WE" can be used as a plural form or singular respectful form. So that "Muhammadim" means Mohamed with "IM" for singular respectful form. That was the Hebrew, but the recent English written Bibles translate the name Mohamed as only the phrase "altogether lovely", which exactly means in Arabic the name "Mohamed."

The other question that comes to mind is who changed and why the word is missing or misinterpreted. The problem in here is the writers of the Bibles did not only misinterpreted Mohamed's (PBUH) name but also have changed many other things. The first Bible the (Old testament) is written in Hebrew and mentioned Christ as "Messiah" which means ointment, and "Yeshua", then it was translated into Greek language. The Greek old testament mentioned "Christ," which means ointment in Greek. So does one have the right to translate the people's names?. It happened, the Greek and English Bible translators changed many names by translating or adding letters that have nothing to do with the names. Everyone hates when people mispronounce or translate one's name to their own languages. Anyway, Messiah never heard the words "Christ and Jesus", Simon also never heard the word "Peter." Here is another example; the cities of New York in USA, New Delhi in India, and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, have the same meaning but can we make them unite in the same language?.

The Hebrew Bible, Arabic written Bibles and the Islamic Koran has the exact pronunciation of the names but why the Greek and Latin Bibles don't? I think it is just the authors' desire to change. The fact that names have been changed, many words of God have been removed, and opinions have been added in the Bible to meet the daily life situations.

Today, there are more than 24,000 different Bibles in the world, and translated into more than 2000 languages but none of them agree one another, so which one is correct?

In another way, when the Greeks changed the names many Latin speakers understood it that way because they did not have or understand the Hebrew. The other bizarre thing is the Jews have also changed the original Hebrew Bible (The Old Testament,) and the old Bibles are kept in Museums and Archives.

Here is a video that shows some of the names of the Prophets that have been changed from Hebrew to Greek and then to English, and also the way it is used today. (3).

Hebrew "Messiah." Greek "Chtistos." Arabic "Massih." English "To anoint, to rub." Today "Christ."

Hebrew "Simon (kifas)." Greek "Petrous." English "Rock or Stone." Today "Peter."

Hebrew "Yohishwa, or Yeshua." Greek "Joshuwa or Joshua." English "Josh or Joshua."

Hebrew "Daoud." Arabic "Da'uud." English "David."

Hebrew "Ibrahiim." Arabic "Ibrahiim." English "Abraham."

Hebrew "Isso or Issa." Arabic "Issa."

Hebrew "Musa." Arabic "Musa." English "Moses."

Hebrew "Suleman." Arabic "Suleman." English "Solomon."

Hebrew "Yaakoub." Arabic "Yaakuub." English "Jacob."

Hebrew "Yohanya." English "John (The Baptist)."

Hebrew "Yousuf." Arabic "Yusuf." English "Joseph."

Hebrew "Zakariya." Arabic "Zakariya." English "Zachery."

Hebrew "Yerusalaem." English "Jerusalem." (2).

Note: There is no “J” letter in the Hebrew language. So every name with “J” letter is not from the Hebrew Bible (language). Also the languages of Hebrew and Arabic are called Semitic languages, and most of their words have the same root.

Peace be upon all God's prophets and Messengers.

References:

(1) Song of Solomon 5:16 http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt3005.htm Please translate the bold Hebrew word מַחֲמַדִּ using the online translation services like http://freetranslation.com or http:worldlingo.com

(2) All of the names are from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Koran.

(3) The video is from the Islamic scholar Sheik Ahmed Deedaat (1918–2005.) South Africa.

Recommendations

If you are seeking a knowledge about the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) please visit these links: Islamweb, Quran explorer, Ahmed Deedat (IPCI)

Koran and Islam: The History and Sociology.

2010-02-07T14:44:00.001-08:00

The Untouchables

There are societies in India which are called the Untouchables. They are oppressed and suffer from what is known as the Caste System in India. Where the Untouchables started is mentioned in Koran. There was a Jew man called Samiri. He disobeyed the God and then cursed by Prophet Moses. "He (Moses) said: O Aaron! What held thee back when thou didst see them gone astray, (92) That thou followedst me not? Hast thou then disobeyed my order? (93) He said: O son of my mother! Clutch not my beard nor my head! I feared lest thou shouldst say: Thou hast caused division among the Children of Israel, andhast not waited for my word. (94) (Moses) said: And what hast thou to say, O Samiri? (95) He said: I perceived what they perceive not, so I seized a handful from the footsteps of the messenger, and then threw it in. Thus my soul commended to me. (96)(Moses) said: Then go! and lo! in this life it is for thee to say: Touch me not! and lo! there is for thee a tryst thou canst not break for thee. Now look upon thy god of which thou hast remained a votary. Verily we will burn it and will scatter its dust over the sea. (97) Your God is only Allah, than Whom there is no other God. He embraceth all things in His knowledge." (98.) [Koran 20:91-98.]

The Egyptian Pharaoh

Pharaoh was a powerful king who called himself God in during the time of Prophet Moses. He used to enslave the Jews people but when God sent Moses to free the Jews people and to call them for the true guidance of God. Moses fought against the Pharaoh's kingdom. Pharaoh defeated the Moses and his followers and chased them toward the Red sea. God give Moses a path in the sea and Pharaoh and his army followed them. When Pharaoh was in the middle of the sea God drowned him in the sea. While Pharaoh was drowning he said; "I believe that there is no God save Him in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of those who surrender." (Koran 10:90.) Then God said on to him; "What! Now! When hitherto thou hast rebelled and been of the wrong-doers? (91) But this day We save thee in thy body that thou mayst be a portent for those after thee. Lo! Most of mankinds are heedless of Our portents." (92) [Koran 10:91-92.]

That was hundreds of years before Jesus and the Koran was recited from Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) 600 years after Jesus. In 1970's the Pharaoh's preserved body was found in the Red sea by a Christian doctor named Dr. Maurice Bucaille. The Dr. Bucaille studied the body and concluded that it dates back during the time of Moses -about 3500 years ago- and also the body is not mummified. He also found that the body is drowned because of the water traces in the lungs. When the Egyptian Muslims told the Dr. that this body's history is in the Koran, Dr. Bucaille studied the Islam religion and later converted from Christian to Islam. After that the doctor wrote books that he proved several scientific evidences being mentioned in the Koran earlier ; the first famous book is "The Bible, The Koran, and Science."

You have read the articles, now you decide how an illiterate man (Prophet Mohamed PBUH) can tell a story that happened thousands of years before him, and can be proved thousands of years after him; unless he got information from God. These are some of the miracles of the Koran.

References: Koran 20:91-98 and 10:90-92. Koran Explorer

Answers for Christians

2010-02-02T21:16:00.000-08:00

If you are looking the Islamic prospective of Christianity this is what you should do; grasp a Koran book and read the Christian related chapters or use the searching engines to find out what the Muslims believe about the Christ and Christians. Here is a video of former Christian tells you why he became Muslim.

How He Become A Muslim

2010-02-02T20:49:00.000-08:00

Everyday thousands revert to Islam from other religions the question is why? According to the Islam everyone born with the believe of God but the society makes him/her a disbeliever. This is what causes many people to feel emptiness and search for true guidance. Here is one of the luckiest people who found the right path.

What is Islam and Muslim?

2010-02-02T20:18:00.000-08:00

Islam is an Arabic word that has no exact English meaning but it has combinations of words that together make a close meaning which are surrender, submission, obedience, sincerity, and peace.

By accepting and following these words the person becomes Muslim.