I wanted to know more about Islam
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Category: Religion - Islam
Forum Name: Islam for non-Muslims
Forum Description: Non-Muslims can ask questions about Islam, discussion for the purpose of learning.
URL: https://www.islamicity.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18189
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Topic: I wanted to know more about Islam
Posted By: dianegreen
Subject: I wanted to know more about Islam
Date Posted: 20 January 2011 at 2:22pm
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Hi! I want to know if, I am a Christian and I wanted to read the Quran, would that be okay? Should I learn how to read Islamic alphabet too? I have Islam friends and I wanted to learn more about it. I hope my question won't offend anyone. Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: semar
Date Posted: 20 January 2011 at 2:33pm
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Salam/Peace, Welcome dianegreen, hope you enjoy your stay. Yes you can read Quran, Quran for everybody not just for Muslims, so you have it, read it etc. Regarding Arabic alphabets, there are many on-line resources to learn about it. ------------- Salam/Peace, Semar "We are people who do not eat until we are hungry and do not eat to our fill." (Prophet Muhammad PBUH) "1/3 of your stomach for food, 1/3 for water, 1/3 for air" |
Posted By: Anees Rahman
Date Posted: 31 January 2011 at 3:08am
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Peace if u read the Quran u will have a good worldview. U can search for a translation by T.B. Irving, a converted American Muslim |
Posted By: Chrysalis
Date Posted: 03 February 2011 at 10:19am
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Hi Diane! Ofcourse you can read the Quran! It was meant for all of us, including you :). I think you will find it easier with English Translation first - before you start off with alphabets. Happy Reading! & feel free to discuss points of interest or confusion that you come across! ------------- "O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young." |
Posted By: Natalie St
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 10:56am
Is it easy to find Quran in English. I wanted to read it, but can't find it in English. |
Chrysalis wrote:Posted By: semar
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 10:49pm
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Salam/Peace,
I think you can get free English Quran here http://www.islamicity.com/freeliterature/ - http://www.islamicity.com/freeliterature/
Or you can buy it form Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=english+quran - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=english+quran
------------- Salam/Peace, Semar "We are people who do not eat until we are hungry and do not eat to our fill." (Prophet Muhammad PBUH) "1/3 of your stomach for food, 1/3 for water, 1/3 for air" |
Posted By: Search4Truth
Date Posted: 14 March 2011 at 9:33am
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As-Salamu Alaykum
Most of you on this forum will already be Muslims. Perhaps a lot have always been Muslims and were born and raised that way. Of course a great many people have also converted (or reverted) to Islam. My question to you all is, how do you know when you are ready to become a Muslim? Especially when you come from a different faith background and know you will be questioned on a whole range of things. One feels that it is almost necessary to be so well informed to a scholarly level before a person could be ready to defend and know themselves and the faith that deeply. This level of understanding would take a significant length of time. |
Posted By: KuwaitiMuslim
Date Posted: 10 April 2011 at 4:44am
Wa Alaikom Isalam 
Hope you're doing fine. To answer your first question,
"how do you know when you're ready to become a Muslim?"
The answer is simple, yet requires that you follow it with a lot of heart.
Meaning, when you know that Islam is the truth the right path, you are ready to become a Muslim.
"But I'm not ready, there's so much more I can learn!' One might think.
But the truth is you can learn while being a Muslim. Why waste one more day if in fact you know that this is the true path. One more day when our lives are over and we pass on to the hereafter could make a huge difference and propell us even higher into heaven.
You just reminded me of something Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazzali wrote, let me quote:
"Whoever supposes that faith is realized through speculative theology, abstract proofs, or academic divisions is an innovator. On the contrary, faith is a light that God, the Sublime and Exalted, casts into the hearts of His servants with bounty and grace from His presence. Sometimes faith is evidenced internally and is impossible to express; sometimes, through a vision while asleep; other times, by witnessing the state of a pious man and recieving the emanation of his light as a result of his companionship and presence; and then there are times when faith comes by the concurrence of circumstance. Indeed, a Bedouin came to the Prophet denying and disavowing him. But when his eyes fell upon his radiant aspect - he saw in it the light of prophethood and exclaimed,
"By God! This is not the face of a liar!" He then implored the Prophet to explain Islam to him and immediately embraced it."
After reading this you may have smiled, as I did when I first read it. But there probably is a part of you that is scared of making mistakes as a new Muslim! "But I may make mistakes! God won't get mad at me? There's still a lot more I have to learn!" Is what one would normally think. But I ask you, aren't those who make mistakes all for the sake of trying to come closer to God better than those who don't make any mistakes at all while turning away from God? So don't be afraid, and think positively. Think of how much benefits you will get the sooner you become a Muslim the sooner all your previous sins in life are erased completely. Every single one of them. It's like you're a newly born baby. Clean slate.
In a hadith the prophet that he who takes one step towards God, God will take 99 steps towards him. So take the step with love. And ask God to continue guiding you on your journey and enriching you with knowledge and guidance.
"But, what if people question me, and I don't know the answers!"
Something that is eternally beneficial is reading up on the Sahaba , the prophet's companions, and how they embrased Islam and what they did when they first did. Abu Bakr, the prophet's best friend and closest companion, a mere week or two since becoming a Muslim had already converted about ten people into Islam! And many of them were of those who achieved great deeds in Islam and went on to become great Islamic figures. Abu Bakr gets credit to that and hasanat (good deeds) counted , since in Islam he who shows someone how to do something good, gets credit for it as well. For example if you teach someone who to pray, everytime they pray you also get credit for it as if you prayed. So imagine this is Abu Bakr and he's just recently embrassed Islam and his knowledge was far more limited than yours since he didn't have an internet to use and google answers to questions. But what he had, was an unrellenting passion for right. He was in love with that which is right. And once he knew that Islam was the right path, he commited to it. And went around telling everyone who would listen about it. And if they posed a question he didn't know the answer to, he would go the prophet pbuh and enquire!
So, in conclusion, don't be afraid of making mistakes. Know that God is considerate, and understanding, and will pardon any mistakes you make as long as your intention is to come closer to Him. "Religion is leaniency, not hardness," said the Prophet pbuh.
Read up on biographies of the prophet's companions, and you will be motivated, as they were in similar situations you were in. I mean Muslims in Mecca were persecuted for their belief in Allah and beaten and even not allowed to purchase food so they would starve to death. But they still maintained their firm belief in that which is right. You and I, we live in luxury compared to them. We only hope we could be as inclined towards truth as them and hopefully God will guide and motivate us.
Allah be with you. I wish you the best!
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Posted By: KuwaitiMuslim
Date Posted: 10 April 2011 at 4:57am
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Here is a beautiful lecture by Sheik Hamza Yusuf (fantastic lecturer, American, highly recommend him to you) about Abu Bakr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvU2pypRFGk - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvU2pypRFGk
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Posted By: pure_columbian
Date Posted: 12 April 2011 at 7:31am
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Don't worry about mistakes or thinking you don't know enough, I've been a muslim for 41 years and i still make mistakes and i'm still learning.
The thing to do is take the first step and learn with each step as you go along.
If someone ask you a question you don't know the answer to, tell them i don't the answer but i'll find out for you. :-)
I'm sure the number of people who know everything about their chosen religion is far smaller then the number who don't.
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Posted By: IssaEl999
Date Posted: 12 April 2011 at 2:45pm
Five Witnesses Of Faith
1 . Tawhiyd = Oneness Of Allahu Subhaanahu Wa Ta 'ALA . H-Q 20 ; 1 - 21
2 . Salaat = Worship . H-Q 2 ; 40 ; 46
3 . Zakaat = Poor ~ Rate . H-Q 4 ; 156 - 170
4 . Ramadaan ~ Fasting . H -Q 2 ; 183 - 189
5 . Hajj ~ Pilgrimage . H -Q 2 ; 190 - 195 .
The Five Prayer .
1 . Fajr ~ Dawn . H -Q 17 ; 78 - 83
2 . Dhuhr ~ Early Afternoon H -Q 24 ; 44 - 58
3 . Asr ~ Late Afternoon H-Q 2 ; 238
4 . Maghrib ~ Sun -Set H -Q 30 ; 1 - 28
5 . Isha ~ Night H -Q 24 ; 44 - 58
Al Qur'aan 2 ; 132 , And I Quote ; And Abraham By Way Of It ( Al Islaam ) Bequeathed ( Awarded ) His Sons ( Ishmaelites ) And Jacob's Sons ( Israelites ) . Surely Allah Chose The Decision For You ( They Diyn ) . So Do Not Die Unless You Are Of The Ones Surrendering In Peace ( Muslims ) . ( 132 ) .
Believe Me , Allah Most Glorified And Exalted Is Aware Of Your Lies And Your Hypocrisy
Al Quraan 2 ; 8 - 10 , And I Quote ; And As For People Who Say ; '' We Are Faithful In Allah And The Last Day ' ; Yet They Are Not In ( Amongst ) The Faithful Ones , ( 9 ) . They Seek To Deceive Allah , And Those Who Are Faithful ( To Him ) , And They Deceive None Except Themselves ; Yet They Don't Perceive It . ( 10 ) . There Is A Disease In Their Hearts . So , Allah , Increases Their Disease And For Them There Is An Aching Pain , Because They Are Liars .
When you take your Shahaada , you Make an Oath Of Faith in Allah Most Glorified And Exalted , his Scriptures and his Prophets ( PBUT ) . At This Point You Are Remorn .
Meaning you are raised from a Soul in Darkness and Death , to Light and Living . So To prove you are Faithful to him . You Must show it through your Actions by keeping the Laws that are in His Scriptures and following the Tradition of His Peoplets .
As One Reborn , You ... Must learn how to worship , Eat , Speak , and Dress just like a Baby has entered this world ; And you ... Must also learn about the Background / History/ Culture of your New Way Of Life , so it will be quite clear to you just how to live Al Islaam ;
In Diynu'l Islaam there are Laws Governing every aspect of Life . Yes , there are Laws for Dressing , Eating , Marriage , Birth , Death , Hygiene , Inheritance , Social Habits ; how one Walks , Talks , Etc . -- Your Whole Life Is Governed By ( Diynu'l Islaam . Islaam Doesn't Call For You To Adhere To Its Laws ( For One Day , Like Christians Pretend To Do On Sunday . It Demands Your Entire Life Everyday For The Rest Of Your Life . One Cannot Claim Himself To Be Muslims And Not Abide By The Laws Governing It ( Al Islaam - Which Are Found In The Holy Scriptures Of Allah .
Al Quraan 2 ; 4 And I Quote ; These Are They Who Are Faithful To What Was Sent Down ( Al Qur'aan ) To You ( Muhammad ) And What We ( Allah And The Angels ) Sent Down Before You ; ( As Suhuf ( The Pure Pages , Adam 10 , Seth 50 , Enoch , 30 , Abraham 10 ) , At Tawraah ( The Torah ( 5 Books Of Moses ) , Al Hikma ( The Wisdom , 19 Books Of Leummim ( Luqman ) ; Az Zubuwr ( The Psalms , 150 Boods Of David ) , And Al Injiyl ( The Evangel , Revelation ) 22 Books Of Jesus The Messiah ) , And In The End They Will Certainly Be Successful . ( 4 ) .
Eat Of The Lawful Foods ~ Al Qur'aan 2 ; 168 - 176 ,
Laws Concerning Death ~ Al Qur'aan 2 ; 180 - 182 ,
Fast Fast As Those Did Before You ~ Al Qur'aan 2 ; 183 - 189 ,
Pilgrimage And Fighing In Self Defense ~ Al Qur'aan 2 ; 190 - 196 ,
Abstaining From Divorce ~ Al Qur'aan 2 ; 226 - 231 ,
Remarriage After Divorce , Provisions For Divorces ~ Al Qur'aan 2 ; 232 - 242 ,
Fighting In The Path Of Allah ~ Al Qur'aan 2 ; 243 - 248 ,
Responsibilities To The Orphans , Enosite Women , Polygymy . And Paying Of Dowries ~ Al Qur'aan 4 ; 1 - 10 ,
The Law To Share Inheritance ~ Al Qur'aan 4 ; 11 - 14 .
Dealing With Abominable Deeds , Both Males And Women ~ Al Qur'aan 4 ; 15 - 21 ,
The Faithful Don'r Take Enosite Women By Force ~ Al Qur'aan 4 ; 19 - 21 ,
Women You Can't And Can Marry ~ Al Qur'aan 4 ; 22 - 25 ,
The Source Wants You To Turn To Repentance To Him ~ Al Qur'aan 4 ; 26 - 31 , Do Not Go Near Salutation As Worship When Drunk Or In An Unclean State ~ Al Qur'aan 4 ; 43 ,
The Divoice ~ Al Qur'aan 65 ; 1 - 11 ,
Dress ~ The Prophet Mustafa Muhammad Al Amin ( PBUH ) Wore a specific type pf Dress . The Jallaabiyya , Bantaluwn , And Kufiyya was also Worn by The Prophets ( PBUT ) before him . This is what is referred to at times in The Scriptures as The Garb Of Righteousness . The Garment mentioned in the following quote is describing a Jallaabiyya , A Long White Robe .
Injiyl ( Evangel , Revealation Of Jesus The Messiah 1 ; 13 , And I Quote ; And In The Midst Of The Seven Candlesticks One Like Unto The Son Of Man , Clothed With A Garment Down To The Foot ...
Al Qur'aan 61 ; 14 , And I Quote ; '' O You Who Are Faithful ! Be Aiders In Allah's Way . As Jesus Son Of Mary Said To His Disciples , Those Dressed In White Robes , He Asked ; Who Among You Are My Aiders Towards Allah'a Way ? His Disciples Which Were Dressed In White Robes Said ; We Are Allah's Aiders . And Some Of The Party Of Israel Was Faithful And Another Party Of Israel Were Ones Who Concealed What They Knew To Be The Truth And We Assisted Those Who Had Faith And Gave Them Strength Against Their Enemies , And They Were Soon Victorious And Came To The Forefront . ( 14 )
Some Of Things I Have Learn From Other Muslims / Researching The History / Language / Way Of Lfe Of A Muslims / Also Researching Studying The Scriptures Muslims Should Be Reading / Studying Also
Just My Two Cents
------------- El's Holy Qur'aan , States In Chapter 17 ; 81 , '' And Say ; Truth Has ( Now ) Arrived , And Falsehood Perished ; For Falsehood Is ( By Its Nature ) Bound To Perish (81 ) . |
Posted By: KuwaitiMuslim
Date Posted: 14 April 2011 at 10:58am
| Brother Issa no offense, but I'm a Muslim and I was overwhelmed by your post. She's new to Islam so don't overwhelm her. There's a hadith where the propeht pbuh says by meaning that you shouldn't delve too fast into the religion. Take it step by step. Don't be offended pls, just my two cents. |
Posted By: IssaEl999
Date Posted: 15 April 2011 at 7:58am
As Salaamu Alaykum - KuwaitiMuslim - Shukran Jaziylan , You Make A Very Good Point . I'll Take It Slow Next Time .
 Araaka Fiy Maa Ba'd In Shaa - A Allah ------------- El's Holy Qur'aan , States In Chapter 17 ; 81 , '' And Say ; Truth Has ( Now ) Arrived , And Falsehood Perished ; For Falsehood Is ( By Its Nature ) Bound To Perish (81 ) . |
Posted By: tesab
Date Posted: 03 June 2011 at 8:33am
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I have some questions also and I am new to the board so Im not sure where to jump in. If my questions would be more appropriate someplace else, please tell me.
I am a Christian from the US and at this time, most of my questions are about Islam and Muslims in general. I am seeking knowledge in order to combat the ignorance and propaganda, prejudice and outright hatred currently being focused on at least a quarter of the worlds population, (Muslims.)
It would be helpful to me if those who answer would tell me which school of thought they follow but I understand thats a personal thing.
1) What is the Ka'ba and what is its importance?
2) What is the black stone and what is its importance?
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Posted By: Chrysalis
Date Posted: 04 June 2011 at 4:25am
The Kaaba is the big black square builing in Meccah, you may have seen pictures. It was originally built by Abraham (r.a), and his son. Its actually a brick structure, and the black thing is cloth that covers the building. The Kaaba is like a symbolic structure that acts as a centrepoint for our prayers. Muslims all over the world face the Kaabah during prayers as a sign of unity and solidarity. So its importance is symbolic and historic.
We believe the black stone (Hajar-e-aswad) was sent down from Heaven by Allah, it is set in the Kaaba wall, and also has a symbolic/historic importance. Contrary to popular non-muslim belief, we don't worship the Kaaba OR the stone. It has a symbolic importance for us. ------------- "O Lord, forgive me, my parents and Muslims in the Hereafter. O Lord, show mercy on them as they showed mercy to me when I was young." |
Posted By: tesab
Date Posted: 01 July 2011 at 7:47am
| Thank you Chrysalis. |
Posted By: tesab
Date Posted: 01 July 2011 at 7:55am
| Is there any estimates of what percentage of Muslims actually are able to make the Hajj in their lifetime? |
Posted By: semar
Date Posted: 02 July 2011 at 12:25am
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Salam,
As far as I know there is not census about it yet.
However in many muslim majority country, to go to hajj you have to be in waiting list. Becasue Saudi Arabia give a quota to every country, mostly about 10% of the muslim population. In Indonesia for example I read that to go to hajj you have to be in waing list at list for 3 years. ------------- Salam/Peace, Semar "We are people who do not eat until we are hungry and do not eat to our fill." (Prophet Muhammad PBUH) "1/3 of your stomach for food, 1/3 for water, 1/3 for air" |