MOST COMMON QUESTIONS
ASKED BY NON MUSLIMS
ABOUT ISLAM
1.
WHY DID PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh)
HAVE ELEVEN WIVES?
Question:
When a Muslim is allowed to marry a maximum of four wives, how is it that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had eleven wives?
Answer:
The Qur’an, in Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 3, states that a Muslim is allowed to marry a maximum of only four wives. Another verse in the Qur’an makes Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) an exception to this rule.
In Surah Ahzab chapter 33 verse 52:
“It is not lawful for thee (to marry more) women after this, nor to change them for (other) wives, even though their beauty attract thee, except any thy right hand should possess (as hand maidens) and Allah doth watch over all things ”.
[Al-Qur’an 33:52]
This verse clearly gives Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the permission to keep all his previous wives but prohibits him to marry any more women except those which his right hand possessed i.e. slave girls
The Prophet (pbuh) was allowed to keep all his previous wives because no one was allowed to marry the Prophet’s wives (ra) after they were divorced or widowed as they were ummul-momineen (mother of the believers)
People falsely accuse the Prophet (pbuh) of being hypersexual, because he had eleven wives. If you read the life history of the Prophet (pbuh), only two of his marriages, one with Khadija (ra), and the other, with Ayesha (ra) were marriages in the normal course. All his other marriages were contracted as a necessity and were based on various considerations.
The first marriage of the Prophet (pbuh) took place when he was 25 years of age and he married Khadija (ra) who was twice widowed, and was 40 years old. If the Prophet (pbuh) was hypersexual, why would he marry a woman who was 15 years older than him and already twice widowed?
Until his first wife, Khadija (ra) was alive, he never took a second wife. Khadija (ra) expired when the Prophet (pbuh) was 50 years age and only after this, did he marry the others. If he married eleven wives for sexual reasons, he should have had multiple wives during his youth. Contrary to this, history tells us that all his marriages with his remaining ten wives took place when he was between the age of 53 and 59 years.
All his wives (ra) were between the age of 36 to 50 years, except for two wives (ra). His reputation had spread far and wide, not only in Arabia, but also in the neighbouring countries. Could he not have easily got younger and lovelier girls to marry? Most of his marriages were for political gain and for the spread of Islam.
In Arabia, no one could carry on the work of reform and upliftment unless he belonged to, or was related to some specific and respectable tribe. Thus, in the interest of his mission, the Prophet (pbuh) needed inter-tribal relationships. He wanted to weld the quarreling tribal and clannish factions into one Muslim ummah, as brethren in faith (Ikhwan fi’d-din).
For instance, his wife Juwayriyya (ra) belonged to the Banu Mustaliq clan, which was very powerful. The entire clan was a bitter enemy of Islam from the start, and they were finally suppressed by military action. When the Prophet (pbuh) married Juwayriyya (ra), the Muslims released all their prisoners, saying that they could not keep the prophet’s relatives in bondage. It was due to this marriage that the whole clan of Banu Mustaliq accepted Islam and became peaceful and obedient to the laws of the new Islamic state.
Maymunah (ra) also came from a very powerful and recalcitrant clan from Najd and was the sister of the wife of the chief of the clan in those days. It was this clan which had brutally murdered seventy members of an Islamic missionary deputation. The Prophet’s (pbuh) marriage with Maymunah (ra) changed the whole atmosphere and Najd accepted Madinah’s authority under the leadership of the Prophet (pbuh).
Umm Habibah (ra) was the daughter of the Quraysh chief, Abu Sufyan. It was after the Prophet’s (pbuh) marriage to Umm Habibah, that Abu Sufyan never fought against the Prophet (pbuh). This marriage was largely responsible for the conquest of Makkah. Furthermore, Umm Habibah was first married to a certain Ubaydullah and emigrated with him to Abyssinia, where Ubaydullah became a Christian and a drunkard. Excessive consumption of wine killed him since it was a double shock to her that her husband had become a Christian and later died, she was badly in need of solace.
Safiyyah (ra) was the daughter of a very prominent Jewish chief, Huyyah ibn Aktab. In consideration of her family status, she could not be merged into an ordinary household. So the Prophet (pbuh) himself married her. After this marriage, the Jews did not dare to revive their opposition to the Prophet (pbuh) and his mission.
In the case of Hafsah (ra), it was the Prophet’s (pbuh) desire to bind in relationship with those of his great companions (sahabah) who were his advisers and who were trained for future leadership. He had married Abu Bakr’s (ra) daughter, married two of his own daughters to Uthman (ra) and one to ‘Ali (ra). ‘Umar (ra) could not be kept outside this wide circle of relationship. By marrying Umar’s daughter Hafsah (ra), the Prophet (pbuh) forged a strong bond of relationship within the Islamic movement thus strengthening the pillars of the ummah.
The Prophet (pbuh) had married his first cousin, Zaynab (ra), to his freed slave, Zayd ibn Haritha (ra), whom he had adopted as his son. This marriage of Zaynab (ra) with Zayd (ra) was intended to break the family and social barriers, but the marriage did not prove to be successful and ended in divorce. When the Prophet (pbuh) saw that Zaynab (ra) was left alone, he felt his responsibility in the matter. He also had to break another convention, according to which an adopted son became a real son. This difficult problem was solved by the Prophet’s (pbuh) marriage to Zaynab (ra) (as mentioned in the Qur’an, in Surah Ahzab, chapter no 33 verse 37) to annul that pre-Islamic conception and promulgate an Islamic law instead.
Another lady Zaynab (ra), Umm al Masakin (mother of the poor and helpless), daughter of Khuzayma ibn Al-Haith, belonged to the Hawazin clan. Her husband was killed in the battle of Uhud. To rescue her from widowhood, the Prophet (pbuh) took her as his wife.
After the revelation of the verse in Surah Ahzab, chapter 33 verse 52, the Prophet (pbuh) only married Mary the Copt who was a slave girl sent as a present by the Christian Muqauqas of Egypt. Since the Christian Chieftain of Egypt sent Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) a slave girl as a present, he could not refuse this gift as a refusal would have disturbed the political alliance. He could not keep her as a slave girl, since Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) preached that slaves should be freed. The only option left with him was to marry her, since the Qur’an gave him the permission to do so. Later on she became the mother of Ibrahim (ra) who died in his infancy.
Question:
Does Islam permit women to give divorce? What are the different types of divorce in Islam?
Answer:
‘Talaq’ is an arabic word used for ‘divorce’ when given by
a husband to his wife. A woman can very well divorce the husband in Islam, but
this is not called ‘talaq’.
According to Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 2172 and 2173 which is also mentioned in Sunan Ibn-i-Majah, Hadith No. 2018, the Prophet (pbuh) said that among the permissible things, the most hateful in the sight of Allah, is divorce. However the following conditions need to be fulfilled.
a.
The person should not be in a state of intoxication while giving
divorce.
b.
The person should be in a sound state of mind and not mentally unstable.
c.
Before deciding on giving a divorce there should be a mutual talk
regarding the situation between the husband and the wife.
d.
According to Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 35, if the talks fail, two
arbiters should be appointed, one from the husband’s family and the other from
the wife’s family. In short, have a family meeting to avoid divorce.
e. Only if all these measures fails, can a person go ahead to give divorce.
f. According to Surah Al-Talaq, chapter 65 verse 2, while pronouncing Talaq, two persons endued with justice should be taken as witnesses.
There are five different types of divorce in Islam:-
1.
With the mutual consent of both the husband and the wife. Here both may
agree that they are not compatible with each other.
2.
With the unilateral will of the husband. Here, the husband has to forego
the ‘meher’, that is, the dower he has given to the wife. In case any
amount of meher has remained unpaid, he should give it to the wife.
3. With the unilateral will of the wife. This is only permissible if she specifies it in her marital contract that she too will have the right of unilateral divorce. This is called as Ismah or talaq-e-taufid.
4.
If the husband ill-treats or neglects his wife or does not maintain her
properly, she has a right to go to a judge and nullify the marriage.
This is called as Nikah-e-fask.
Here, the judge decides whether the husband has to give the complete
amount of meher or part of it to the wife.
5.
The last type is called ‘Khula’.
Here the husband may be very good, but due to personal reasons, the wife
may wish to separate. Here, with the permission of the husband she can separate
but she has to forgo her marital gift, that is, her meher.
Some
jurists give different names for the above described divorces, while many club
the different types of divorce and broadly divide the different types into two
or three categories.
3. “ALLAH” IS MORE APROPRIATE THAN GOD
Question:
Why do Muslims call God, ‘Allah’?
Answer:
1.
A person can
play around with the English word ‘God’:
Muslims prefer calling Allah (swt) as Allah, instead of the English word ‘God’. The Arabic word ‘Allah’ is pure and unique, unlike the English word ‘God’ which can be played around with.
2.
God + s = Gods:
If you add the alphabet ‘S’ to ‘God’, it becomes ‘Gods’, that is plural of God. Allah is One and Singular. There is no plural of Allah.
3.
God + dess =
Goddess:
If you add ‘dess’ to ‘God’ it becomes ‘Goddess’, that is a female God. There is nothing like male ‘Allah’ or female ‘Allah’. Allah has no gender.
4.
God + Father =
Godfather:
If you add the word ‘father’ to ‘God’, it becomes ‘Godfather’. “He is my Godfather” i.e. he is my guardian. There is nothing like ‘Allah Abba’ or ‘Allah father’ in Islam.
5.
God + Mother =
Godmother:
If you add the word ‘mother’ to ‘God’ it becomes ‘Godmother’. There is nothing like ‘Allah Ammi‘ or ‘Allah mother’ in Islam.
6.
Tin + God =
Tingod:
If you put ‘tin’ before ‘God’ it becomes ‘Tin-God’ i.e. a fake God. There is nothing like ‘tin Allah’ or ‘fake Allah’ in Islam.
7.
Allah is an
Unique Word:
‘Allah’ is an unique word, with which can neither conjure up a mental picture, nor can it be played around with. ‘Allah’ is the name mentioned for the One Unique and True God, in the Qur’an. Therefore, Muslims prefer calling God, ‘Allah’. But sometimes while speaking to non-Muslims we may have to use the inappropriate word ‘God’, for Allah.
4.
WISHING SALAAM TO A NON-MUSLIM
Question:
Why can’t a Muslim wish Assalamu Alaykum (Peace be on you) to a Non-Muslim?
Answer:
1.
Greet back more courteously:
It is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verse 86
“When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more Courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.”
[Al-Qur’an 4:86]
If someone wishes you ‘Assalamu Alaykum’ (meaning Peace be on you) you have to wish back more courteously ‘Wa Alaykum Salam Wa Rahmatullah’ (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). If someone wishes you ‘Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah’ then you have to wish back ‘Wa Alaykum Assalam Wa Rahamatullahi Wa Barkatuhu’ (May peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be on you).
If someone says ‘Assalamu Alaykum’, you can say loudly, with expression of enthusiasm ‘Walaykum Assalam’. Though the words are the same they emerge from the depth of one’s heart with more feelings.This is also more courteous.
If someone wishes you (with expression) ‘Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahamatullahi Wa Barkatuhu’ and if you cannot greet back more courteously then atleast greet back with equal courtesy (with expression) ‘Wa Alaykum Assalam Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barkatuhu’.
2.
Many Muslims think that we cannot wish Salaams to a Non-Muslim:
There is a misconception among many Muslims who think that a Muslim cannot wish ‘Assalamu Alaykum’ to a Non-Muslim nor can he reply to the salutation. In Sahih Muslim in the “Kitab us Salaam” chapter 904 Hadith no. 5382 Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) is reported to have said, “when the Jews offer you salutations, some of them say ‘Assam-Alaykum’ (death be on you). You should say (in response to it) ‘let it be upon you’ i.e. ‘Alaykum’.
3.
Qur’an gives permission to wish ‘Assalamu Alaykum’ to Non-Muslims:
a. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Mariam chapter 19 verse 41 - 46 that the father of Prophet Ibrahim was a mushrik (polytheist) and associated partners with God. When Prophet Ibrahim (Pbuh) asked his father not to serve the satan, his father replied, ‘I will stone you’ and removed Ibrahim out of the house. Prophet Ibrahim (Pbuh) replies in Surah Mariam chapter 19 verse 47
“Abraham said: ‘peace be on thee (Assalaamu Alaikum): I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious.’”
[Al-Qur’an 19:47]
b. Allah instructs Moses and Aaron in Surah Taha chapter 20 verse 47
that when they go to Pharoah they should say:
“And Peace (Salaams) to all who follow guidance”.
[Al-Qur’an 20:47]
This was the same greeting also used by Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) to greet Non-Muslim rulers.
c. Surah Al Furqan chapter 25 verse 63
“And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace!’ (salaam).”
[Al-Qur’an 25:63]
d. Surah Al Qasas chapter 28 verse 55 (28:55)
“And when they hear vain talk, they turn away there from and say: ‘to us our deeds, and to you yours; peace (Salaams) be to you: we
Seek not the ignorant.’ ”
[Al-Qur’an 28:55]
5.
WOMEN IN THE MOSQUE
Question:
Why are women not allowed in the mosque?
Answer:
1. There is not a single verse in the Qur’an which prohibits women from entering the mosque and there is no single authentic Hadith which I know of which states that the Prophet (pbuh) prevented or forbade women from going to the mosque.
There is only one Hadith which could be misunderstood to mean that women should not go to the mosque. That Hadith is as follows: ‘The prayer of women is better in their house than in the mosque and the prayer of women is better in their rooms than in their house.’
If you base your conclusion only on this single Hadith, then you may wrongly conclude that it is not advisable or preferable for women to go to the mosque. As I mentioned earlier, your conclusion cannot be based only on one Hadith neglecting or ignoring all the other Ahadith. The context of the Hadith is also very important.
The Prophet (pbuh) said that if a person prays in the mosque he gets 27 times more blessings (Sawab). Some women argued that they had infants at home and other household work and therefore could not go to the mosque. Thus the men have a greater advantage than women for receiving such blessings. It is then that the Prophet said the above Hadith that ‘The prayer of women is better in their house than in the mosque and the prayer of women is better in their rooms than in their house’.
Hence, the conclusion is that in situations where women have infants and household work, which too is an important duty that cannot be neglected, women would not be deprived of the sawab (blessings) if they pray in their own house.
2. There are several Ahadith which prove that both men and women went to the mosque during the life of the prophet:
(i) The Prophet said, ‘Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from going to the mosque of Allah.’
(ii) And husbands were specifically told by him, “ When your women folk ask you for permission to attend the mosque, do not prevent them.”
(Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 80, Hadith No. 832)
(iii) From the time the Prophet (pbuh) entered Madinah, after Hijra, till his demise, he never prevented women from entering the mosque.
(iv) During the time of the Prophet (pbuh), women not only went to the mosque for prayer but also for religious education and literary discussions as the mosque was the centre of community. Several Ahadith tell us that the Prophet (pbuh) addressed people in the mosque, and the audience consisted of both Muslim men and women, and women many a times asked questions to the Prophet (pbuh) in the mosque.
(v) Even at the time of Hazrat Umar (R) women went to the mosque. The famous incident in which a lady from the back seat of the mosque objected to Hazrat Umar (R) considering an upper limit to meher, is very well known.
(vi) During the Prophet’s (pbuh) time, mosques had separate entrances for ladies. Women filled the mosques from behind while men had separate entrances and filled the mosques from the front. In between the two sections were children who acted as a buffer zone.
(vii) It is reported by Abu Husainah that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: “The best row for men is the first, and the worst for them is the last. The best row for women is the last, and the worst is the first.” (Muslim)
3. Islam permits women to pray in mosques. Ladies should have separate and equal facilities. Islam does not permit the intermingling of sexes. Otherwise there will be a similar scene in mosques like other places of worship where some people even come for ‘bird watching’ and eve teasing.
4. In recent times, women are not allowed in mosques in a very few countries especially in India and the neighbouring countries. Otherwise in most of the other countries, women are allowed in mosques. Women are allowed in mosques in Saudi Arabia, in U.A.E, in Egypt, in U.S.A, in England, etc. They are also allowed in the Haram Shareef in Makkah and in Masjid - e - Nabawi in Madinah.
Allahamdulillah, the trend is now changing in India . We have several mosques in India and a few in Mumbai which allow women to pray in mosques (masjid).
6.
WHO CREATED ALLAH?
Question:
Who created Allah?
Answer:
This is a very tricky Question asked usually by atheists and rationalists.
Once a close friend of mine, while beginning a da’wah discussion with a rationalist in an atheist organisation in Bombay asked, “This is a pencil. How did it come into existence? It has to have a creator. This is a book. How did it come into existence? It has to have a creator.” Thus by giving answers to his own questions, he proved that everything has a creator. He then posed the following questions: “If the pencil is created in a factory, who created the factory? The answer is an engineer or some similar person. Who created that engineer? There also has to be a Creator of this engineer. Similarly who created the sun, the moon, the stars, etc.? There has to be a creator for everything”. Then he posed the question, “Do you agree that everything has a creator?” The atheist replied, “We will agree only on the condition that you should not back out in future from your own statement that everything has a creator.” My friend was satisfied. He thought he had succeeded in convincing him about God and said, “Yes I will stick to my statement that everything has a creator, but you still have not replied my Question: that who created the human beings, the sun, the moon, the stars, etc.” He further helps him with the answer by saying, “It is God Almighty”. The atheist replied, “We will believe in God if you tell us who created God.” My friend got the biggest shock of his life. He knew he was trapped. He was so disturbed that he did not sleep for the whole night.
Next day, he narrated this incident to me. I realised that he was using the methodology of proving the existence of God advocated by some scholars. In this methodology, a very important rule of logic, i.e. self analysis, is overlooked.
During my talks, while proving the existence of Allah (SWT), I never make any statement saying everything has a creator. I start by asking the atheist, “Who will be the first to know the mechanism of an unknown object?” It is the atheist who replies the creator, the manufacturer, not I. Using his answer that the creator is the first person who knows the mechanism of any object, I further prove to him using scientific knowledge that the creator of the Universe, i.e. Almighty God is the first to know the mechanism of the universe and has mentioned it in his book ‘The Quran’. But if somebody was to pose me the same question that who will be the first to know the mechanism of an unknown object, I will not reply just by saying ‘the creator’ or ‘the Manufacturer’ but I will reply, that every object and all things which have a beginning, the mechanism of all these things will be first known by its creator, since they are all created things. Even after using this answer of mine, we can still scientifically prove that all the signs that we see i.e. the sun, the moon, the earth, etc. have a beginning.
Now if someone asks me the Question “Who created Allah?” I will reply that once my friend asked me a similar question that his brother Tom was admitted to the hospital and he conceived and gave birth to a baby: guess, is the baby a girl or a boy? It is an absurd statement. Only females can conceive and give birth to a baby. It is impossible for Tom, who is a male, to conceive and give a birth to a child. One of the qualities and characteristics of a male is that he cannot conceive and give birth to a child. Similarly one of the characteristics of Allah is that He is uncreated and does not have a beginning. Therefore asking a question, “Who created the uncreated?” is as absurd as asking, “My brother Tom conceived and gave birth to a child, is the child a girl or a boy?”
8.
WHY
IS BUILDING OF TEMPLES AND CHURCHES AND PROPAGATING OTHER RELIGIONS PROHIBITED
IN SAUDI ARABIA?
Question:
Why is building of temples and churches and the propagation of any religion other than Islam not allowed in Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia?
Answer:
1.
Example of selecting a Maths teacher:
Suppose you are
a principal of a school and you have to select a Mathematics teacher. It is
obvious that you will interview the candidates. If one teacher says that 2 + 2 =
3, the other says 2 + 2 = 4 and the third says 2 + 2 = 5 whom will you select?
Since you know mathematics is logical, you will never select or allow a person
to teach mathematics who doesn’t even know the basics of arithmetic that
2 + 2 = 4.
2.
Where religion is concerned Muslims are experts:
Similarly in the field of religion, Muslims are the best and Qur’an clearly mentions in Surah Ale Imran, Chapter 3, verse 19 (3:19):
“The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will)”.
[Al-Qur’an 3:19]
It is further mentioned In Surah Ale Imran Chapter 3, verse 85 (3:85)
“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good).”
[Al-Qur’an 3:85]
3.
No other religious scripture claims that its religion alone is true.
There is no other religious scripture on the face of the earth besides the Qur’an which says that only its religion is true, correct and acceptable to Almighty God, and that all the other religions are false and hence not acceptable to Almighty God.
If you are a principal who knows Maths, you will never allow a person to teach Maths in your school who does not know Maths. Similarly we Muslims who are experts in the field of religion and know that Islam is the only true religion, will not allow anyone to preach any other religion besides Islam. We Muslims also know that what the true concept of Almighty God i.e. Allah (SWT) is, and thus we will not permit anyone to build a place of worship where they worship anyone besides Allah (swt).
9. MUSLIMS PRAY FIVE TIMES A DAY
Question:
Why do Muslims have to pray five times every day. Isn’t praying once a day sufficient?
Answer:
1. Salaah is not merely Prayer
Salaah does not merely mean to pray. According to the Oxford dictionary, ‘pray’ means to beseech or to ask earnestly e.g. “He prayed to be released in the court of law.” It also means supplication. In other religions to pray means to beseech or to supplicate e.g. ‘Our Lord! Give us this day our daily bread.’ The Dua’ we Muslims make after Salaah is actually our supplication.
2. Salaah is Programming
Salaah is much more than merely praying. In Salaah we not only ask from Allah but we also thank Him, praise Him, and at the same time receive guidance from Him. Salaah in the true sense is “programming” or conditioning.
3. Unlike computers humans have free will
Computers require programming because they do not have a free will of their own. Humans have their own free will and with the various kinds of evil that are present in society such as eve-teasing, cheating, bribing, robbing, alcoholism, drug addiction, obscenity, etc., there is every possibility of the human being getting deprogrammed. Thus it is compulsory that we should regularly be programmed to remain on the Siraatal Mustaqim that is, the Straight Path.
4. Healthy body requires 3 meals a day, spiritual soul
requires 5 times Salaah a day
For a healthy body three meals a day are required. Similarly for a spiritual soul , a minimum five times Salaah is required in a day. You cannot remain healthy by having only one meal a day.
5. According to the Qur’an Muslims should pray
minimum five times a day:
It is mentioned in:
(i) Surah Hud Chapter 11 Verse 114:
“And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: for those things that are good remove those that are evil: be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord)”.
[Al-Qur’an 11:114]
(ii) Surah Al-Isra Chapter 17 Verse 78:
“Establish regular prayers – at the sun’s decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning prayer and reading: for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony”.
[Al-Qur’an 17:78]
(iii) Surah Ta-Ha Chapter 20 Verse 130
“Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; Yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy”.
[Al-Qur’an 20:130]
(iv) Surah Rum Chapter 30 Verses 17-18:
“So (give) glory to Allah, when ye reach eventide and when ye rise In the morning; Yea, to Him be praise, in the heavens and on earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline”.
(v) Timings of 5 times Salaah:
The 5 daily prescribed Salaah are:
Fajr Between the break of dawn and sunrise.
Zuhar After the sun reaches its highest point that is when the sun starts declining early in the afternoon till the shadow becomes twice the size of the object or till the point between noon and sunset.
Asr Late in the afternoon after Zuhur until sun begins to set.
Magrib After sunset until disappearance of twilight.
Isha Late in the evening or in the night after disappearance of twilight until the break of Fajr but preferably offered before midnight.
10. WHY DOES ALLAH REQUIRE PRAISES?
Question
Why does Allah require us to praise Him? What benefit does he get?
Answer
1. Allahu
Akbar doesn’t make Allah Great:
Allah (SWT) does not require our praises for His benefit. When we say ‘Allahu Akbar’ meaning Allah is the Greatest, He does not become greater. He is already the Greatest whether we say a million times Allahu Akbar or we don’t say. It will make no difference in his greatness. He will yet remain the Greatest.
2. We
Praise Allah for our benefit:
It is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Fatir chapter 35 verse 15
“O ye men! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants,
worthy of all praise.”
[Al-Qur’an 35:15]
Allah (SWT) is free of all wants. He does not require us to praise Him. It is we human beings who require Allah (SWT) and we praise Him for our own benefits.
3. We
praise Allah to convince ourselves that He is worthy to be obeyed
and served.
We normally follow the advice of a person who is great, famous and important. A person who is intelligent and wise. We will not follow the advice of a stranger who is unknown or a person who is not intelligent nor wise. That is the reason that we praise Allah (SWT) that He is the Greatest, The Most Wise, The All Knowing, etc., to first convince ourselves that He is worthy to be followed then we ask Him to guide us and help us.
4.
In Surah Fatihah we first recite praises of Allah then we seek His help:
That is the reason why Surah Fatiha or the opening Chapter of the Holy Qur’an is always recited in every rakaat of the Salaah. In the first 4 or 5 verses of Surah Fatihah we initially praise Allah (SWT).
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds: Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgement. Thee do we worship, And Thine aid we seek.”
[Al-Qur’an 1:1-5]
Then later we ask Him for help for our own benefit.
“Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.”
[Al-Qur’an 1:6-7]
Thus we first praise Allah (SWT) in Surah Fatihah and agree that He is Most Gracious, Most Merciful, The Chrisher, The Sustainer, The Master, etc, and then we ask Him for guidance and help.
5.
Prefer treatment and advice from the best doctor:
If you are sick and have a heart problem and the best available heart specialist gives you advice, you will follow His advice. But if a stranger who has no knowledge of medicine or a quack gives you advice, you will not follow it.
6. If all the
oceans were ink, it would not suffice to praise Allah:
Thus we praise Allah (SWT) for our own benefit. However much we may praise Him it is insufficient because the Holy Qur’an says in
Surah Kahf chapter 18 verse 109:
“Say: ‘If the ocean were ink (wherewith to write out) the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if We added another ocean like it, for its aid.’”
[Al-Qur’an 18:109]
7. If trees were pens and oceans were ink they would not suffice to
write words of Allah.
A similar message is repeated in Surah Luqman chapter 31 verse 27
“And if all the trees on earth were pens and the Ocean (were ink), with seven oceans behind it to add to its (supply), yet would not the words of Allah be exhausted (in the writing): for Allah is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.”
[Al-Qur’an 31:27]
8. We
praise Allah to follow His commandments:
Allah (SWT) does not require us to praise Him for His benefit but He requires us to praise Him for our benefit. In Salaah while reciting verses of the Qur’an, we agree that He is Supreme and Ultimate and commit that we will follow His advice and commandments so that we stay on the siratal mustaqeem (straight path).
11.
GOD IS UNJUST AS SOME ARE BORN HEALTHY WHILE OTHERS ARE BORN WITH DEFECTS
If God is just then why are some people born healthy while some are born with defects and are deaf and dumb, some people are born in rich families while others in poor families?
Answer:
1.
This life is a test for the hereafter
According to Surah Mulk
chapter 67 verse 2
“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in
deed;
And He is the Exalted in
Might, oft-Forgiving.”
[Al-Qur’an 67:2]
2.
Allah tests different human beings in different
ways
Every year the question
paper in an examination keeps on changing. It does not remain the same.
Similarly Allah tests different human beings in different ways. He gives health
to some people while others are born with defects or are handicapped. To some
people He gives wealth, while others are poor.
3.
Judgement will be based upon the difficulty of the test
Depending upon what
facilities and qualities Allah has provided to each human being, Allah (S.W.T.)
will judge him accordingly. If the test is difficult then Allah will be lenient
while judging. If the test is simple then Allah will not be lenient while
judging. A poor person does not have to give Zakaah. He gets full marks where
zakaat is concerned. On the other hand a rich person is supposed to give zakaat.
Many rich people give much less than what they actually are supposed to give,
thus getting less marks (or negative marks) where zakaat is concerned.
4.
Human beings with congenital defects are a test for their parents.
Many infants are born
with congenital defects. Some are deaf and dumb, while others are handicapped.
An infant is not responsible for his or her defect. In such cases perhaps
Allah is testing the parents, whether they yet have faith in Him after this
misfortune.
Allah
says in the Qur'an in Surah Anfal Chapter 8 verse 28
“And
know ye that your possession and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is
Allah with whom lies your highest reward”.
[Al-Qur’an
8:28]
13.
Religion or way of life should not be rigid but be flexible.
Questions:
Religion or a way of life, should not be rigid but should be flexible.
Answer:
The brother has asked a very good question. He asks, “Why is Islam such
a rigid religion with do’s and don’ts, although a religion as a way of life
should be flexible and not rigid. I agree with the brother, that religion as a
way of life should be flexible and not rigid, (every rule and regulation for
anything to function properly then should at least be a few sets of fixed
rules). Overall I agree with you that a way of life should be flexible, but a
few set of rules are necessary for any system to function properly. For example,
if the government of India has to function well there should be a few set of
rules e.g. no one should rape, no
one should rob, no one should cheat. If
you do not have these rules, so as to be flexible, then someone could come and
rape your sister or rape my sister. Would you like a life, where someone comes
and robs you. Do you not agree that if the country has to run properly at least
few rules have to be enacted / implemented, viz no one should rob, no one should
rape, no one should cheat. Other things are necessary e.g. you become a doctor,
you become an engineer, you stay in Bombay, you stay in Delhi are optional.
Similarly in Islam, there are a few do’s and don’ts, while every thing else
is optional. A few do’s and don’ts for example, you should believe in only
One God; you should offer Salaah; you should give charity if you are rich; you
should fast during the month of Ramzan; should be there. Remaining you can be a
Muslim living in India, whether you are a Muslim living in America or in Saudi
Arabia. Whether you are black or white, or yellow or brown or rich or poor, you
are a Muslim. Is not Islam flexible? Yes, most of the things are flexible.
For any system to be successful, there has to be basic set of rules which
are fixed. For example, if you want to learn English, you should know A,B,C,D.
The styles of teaching may differ. St. Peter’s School may have a different
style of teaching English language i.e. reading, writing and understanding. St.
Mary’s School may have a different style from Rosary School. If you go to
America, they have a different type of English from Britain, but the basic rule
is same i.e. A,B,C,D. Whether you are in America or India or St. Peter’s
School or St. Mary’s School, if you want to read and write and understand
English, first you should know A,B,C,D. There is no other option. That rule is
fixed. Other things like pronunciation etc. may differ. You may teach with
pictures or teach with pencils or with paper - the style will differ. The Basic
rules should be the same. If you want to know Maths, you should know 1,2,3, or
else you cannot do maths. Thus, the basic set of rules should be there.
The same is in Islam. There are a few do’s and don’ts, whereas the
remaining are optional. When it comes to wearing clothes, a few basic rules
exist. A man should cover himself from navel to knees whereas a woman’s
complete body except face, hands up to the wrists should be covered - clothes
should not be tight or transparent, clothes should not be glamorous, clothes
should not resemble that of the opposite sex, and should not resemble that of
the unbeliever. You can wear cotton or terricotton, or georjetor the latest or
old model shirt. You can imitate Amitabh Bachan or Raj Kapoor as long as it
fulfills the Islamic criteria, the rest is optional. Whether you wear a blue
shirt or green shirt, or a white shirt, or black shirt, so far as you fulfill the
Islamic criteria. For every system to be successful, a little rigidity must be
there. So I agree with you that life should not be fully rigid. Islam is not
fully rigid but it is the media which portrays Islam as very rigid. For the
complete life to be successful, the basic fundamentals should be fixed, along
with a few options. For example, few rules for eating of food – Pork is haram,
alcohol is haram. On the other hand, you can have chicken, or mutton biryani, or
veg. pulav or roti.
There are many options but the do’s and don’ts are few. Therefore ,
for any manner of life to be successful, a few of the rules should be rigid and
the remaining should be flexible, and Islam is the best example. Alhamdulillah
it shows a complete way of life which caters to the body as well as to the
soul. It is a complete way of life along with the Instruction Manual - The
Qur’an just as every machine requires a manual, human beings also require a
manual with do’s and don’ts are very essential.
Hope that answers the question and hope that summarizes everyone’s
answer also.
15. WOMEN AS A HEAD OF STATE
Question:
Is a woman allowed to be a head of state?
Answer:
There is no direct reference in the Quran, which says that a woman should not be a head of state. However since Islam considers man to be the leader of the house, therefore the head of the state should also be a man.
There is a Hadith in which the Prophet said that people will not succeed if they have a woman as the head of state. Some Scholars say this refers only to a particular state at the time of the prophet i.e. Persia where a Queen was made the leader.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari 9.219)
But all the Scholars unanimously agree that a woman cannot be a Khalifa.
Let us analyze the pros and cons of a woman being the head of state in the present context:
1. The head of State has to lead congregational prayers. A woman cannot be an Imam because during prayers (Salaah) there are several postures to be adopted such as Qayam, Ruku, Sujud, that is standing, bowing and prostration, and if a woman leads prayers, with men standing behind, it is bound to create disturbance and distraction.
2. The head of state very often has to meet other heads of state who are usually men. Many a times they have to have private closed-door meetings. Islam does not permit a woman to be alone in a closed room with any Non-mahram (i.e. a male except her father, brother, husband, son, father-in-law, son-in-law). Islam does not permit Inter-mingling of sexes.
3. There is usually a lot of media exposure of the head of state. Photographs and Video recordings are regularly taken. There is normally some physical contact between the head of State and other dignitaries, including hand shakes.
4. The head of state has to normally meet women and men regularly to attend to them and to try help solve their problems.
5. During the menstrual cycle, there are certain mental, psychological and behavioral changes, which take place in women due to the release of the sex hormone oestrogen.
6. According to Medical Science, women in general perform better than men in vocal and verbal skills irrespective of the level of oestrogen. Men perform better in Spatial relationships which is the ability to see or imagine objects in space for e.g. think in advance how a building or a project will turn out.
The decision of a leader is related mainly to this spatial relationship skill.
Verbal, vocal and other skills of a woman are very important for her as a mother to raise a child. Here Allah (SWT) has given women an edge over men.
This study was done by two psychologists of Canada both of whom were women.
7. If a woman gets pregnant, she requires rest for at least a few months during which she will not be able to attend to the duties as a head of state.
8. If she has children, her responsibility as a mother is important than that as a head of state.
Therefore I am more inclined to the view of those scholars who say that a woman should not be made the head of state. However this does not mean that women cannot take active part in politics. They have a right to vote as well as take part in law making.
When the treaty of Hudaibiya was signed most of the people were
disturbed. It was the wife of the Prophet, Umme - Salma, who gave him advice and
supported him. Though the Prime minister is the most important person in our
country, many a times the advisers and the personal assistants are the ones that
shape the decisions and have more influence.
16.
WHY MUSLIMS CANNOT MARRY NON-MUSLIMS ?
Question:
Why are Muslims not allowed to marry Non-Muslims?
Answer:
1.
Qur’an Prohibits Muslims to marry unbelievers.
Qur’an mentions in
Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 221
“Do not marry unbelieving women until they believe: a slave woman who
believes is better than an unbelieving woman even though she allure you. Nor
Marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: a man slave who believes
is better than an unbeliever even though he allure you. Unbelievers do (but)
beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of Bliss)
and forgiveness, and makes His signs clear to mankind: that they may receive
admonition”.
[Al-Qur’an 2:221]
2.
This life is a test for Here-after:
According to the
Qur’an in Surah Mulk chapter 67 verse 2
“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in
deed,
and He is the Exalted in
Might, Oft-Forgiving”.
[Al-Qur’an 67:2]
3.
Concept of Salvation cannot differ amongst Life-Partners:
The ultimate goal and salvation for every muslim is to attain paradise in
the Hereafter. A true husband or a wife will also want his/her spouse to attain
paradise in the here-after. How can two life-partners live together if their
ultimate goal i.e. Salvation differs? Or if the ways that they have chosen to
lead to this goal are different? Such a marriage would be like a vehicle whose
one tyre is that of a cycle while the other tyre is that of a truck. How will
the vehicle run smoothly? Similarly if the beliefs or concepts
of salvation of the spouses differ then how can they live in congruence
and achieve marital harmony?
Question :
Why do Muslims starve the complete day during all the days of the month of Ramadhan?
Answer:
1.
Fasting controls desire:
The Qur’an mentions in Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 183
“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to
those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint”.
[Al-Qur’an 2:183]
Psychologists say that if you can control your hunger, you can control
almost all your desires. The Qur’an rightly mentions that fasting helps you to
learn self-restraint i.e. in controlling your desires.
2.
Helps to inculcate good habits:
Along with fasting
during the holy month of Ramadhan many Muslims do good deeds like charity,
helping the poor, etc. which later on become a part of their routine activity in
their lives.
3.
Helps to Overcome many Evils:
In the holy month of Ramadhan, besides fasting, the person tends to be more pious which helps to overcome many evils. If a person can abstain from smoking cigarettes from dawn to dusk in Ramadhaan, he can also abstain from smoking cigarettes from the cradle to the grave. Smoking is haraam forbidden in Islam. If a person can abstain from drinking alcohol from dawn to dusk, he can also abstain from drinking alcohol from the cradle to the grave. All intoxicants are forbidden in Islam.
4.
Every Machine requires servicing:
Every Machine requires regular servicing. We service our car or motor-cycle once every 3 to 4 months. The more complicated a machine is, more is the requirement for servicing.
5.
Fasting is Servicing of Human-Beings:
If you allow me to call human-being a machine, I would say it is the most complicated machine on the face of the earth. Don’t you think it requires servicing? According to me, fasting during the month of Ramadhan is the annual servicing of the human body and spirit, i.e. once in a year during one complete month.
6.
Fasting gives rest to Body:
During fasting Muslims abstain from food, drink, etc. from dawn to dusk. While fasting many organs of the body get rest which is important for their good health.
7.
Medical Benefits of Fasting:
a. Increases the Intestinal absorption: Fasting increases intestinal absorption.
b. Lowers cholestrol: Fasting also lowers cholestrol level which prevents
several Cardio-Vascular diseases.
Question
Why are all prayers and supplications not answered or fulfilled by Allah
(SWT)?
Answer
1.
You may dislike a thing which is good for you (2:216)
The reply to this
question is given in the Holy Qur’an In Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 216
“But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and
that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know
not.”
[Al-Qur’an 2:216]
2.
Praying for a motor cycle
There may be a very
pious person who prays to Allah (SWT) for a motor cycle but the prayer is not
answered. Allah knows very well that if the person acquires a motor cycle he
will have an accident and get crippled. The Qur’an rightly says you may love a
thing which is bad for you but Allah knows and you know not.
3.
Businessman misses flight due to traffic jam:
Once a rich businessman
was supposed to catch a flight to London in order to click a deal which would
fetch him billions of rupees. While going to the airport to catch the flight,
there was an unusual traffic jam on the road which prevented him from reaching
the airport on time. The businessman misses the very flight and sorrowfully says
“This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my life.”
While returning back home he hears on the radio that the flight he was
supposed to catch to London has crashed and all the passengers have died. The
businessman happily says :this is the best thing that has ever happened to me in
my life.
The businessman who was cursing the traffic jam a few minutes ago due to
which he lost billions of rupees later is thankful that because of the same
traffic jam his life was saved. Allah knew best that the life of the businessman
was much more precious than the billions of rupees that he had lost. You may
dislike a thing which is good for you, but Allah knows and you know not.
4.
Surah Shuara chapter 42 verse 27
The Qur’an mentions in
Surah Shuara chapter 42 verse 27
“If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His Servants, they would
indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but He sends (it) down in
due measure as He pleases. For He is with His servants well-aquainted,
watchful.”
[Al-Qur’an 42:27]
5.
Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 186
It is mentioned in the
Qur’an in Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 186
“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them):
I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me:”
[Al-Qur’an 2:186]
6.
Surah Ghafir chapter 40 verse 60
It is mentioned in
Surah Ghafir chapter 40 verse 60
“And your Lord says: “Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who
are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves
in Hell – in humiliation!”
[Al-Qur’an 40:60]
7.
Allah answers your prayer by not answering
Allah (SWT) says in the
Qur’an that you call on Me and I will answer the prayer.
These verses of the Qur’an are not falsified when your
prayers are not answered. In fact Allah (SWT) in His
divine wisdom answers your prayers by not answering them.
8.
Unbelievers and unpious people have luxury
Some people wonder how
is it that several unbelievers and unpious people lead
a luxurious life. They worship false gods and pray to
them for wealth. Since these people worship falsegods
yet, Allah (SWT) answers their prayers and gives them
wealth which is actually a material that will lead
them away from Allah (SWT) and in the long run it is
nothing but loss.
9.
Believer remembers Allah whether rich or poor
A true believer is a person who, irrespective of whether he is rich or poor, remembers Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) has described such people in Surah Al Noor chapter 24 verse 37
“By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the remembrance of
Allah nor from regular prayer, nor from the practice of
regular Charity: their (only) fear is for the Day when
hearts and eyes will be transformed (in a world wholly
new)-“
[Al-Qur’an 24:37]
10.
A True believer always says Allahamdullillah:
A true believer is a person who irrespective of what ever
20.
WHY DO MUSLIMS FOLLOW THE LUNAR CALENDAR?
Question:
Why do Muslims follow the lunar calendar instead of the solar calendar?
Answer:
1. As per the Solar calendar, every year the months fall in the same respective seasons. For e.g. the months of March, April and May in India will always have summer, while July, August, September will always have monsoons i.e. rains. November, December and January will always have winter.
2.
In the lunar calendar in different years the months fall in a different
season.
The lunar calendar has about 11 days less than the solar calendar, thus, every year, the month of the lunar calendar occurs 11 days prior to what it had occurred in the previous solar year. Thus, in a span of about 33 lunar years a human being will have a taste of all the different seasons for one particular month of the lunar calendar. This is very important because the yearly activities of a Muslim are based on the lunar calendar and certain months like Ramzan and Hajj are very important to the Muslims. During Ramzan a Muslim has to fast which includes abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. If the Islamic months were based on the solar calendar where the seasons were fixed, then people living in certain parts of the world would have Ramzan in summer while in other parts of the world it would be winter. Some Muslims would have to fast for a longer period of time where the days are long while other Muslims would have to fast for shorter period of time where the days are short. If the seasons did not change, then Muslims living in some parts of the world would be at a disadvantage throughout their lives.
By following the lunar calendar, every Muslim has a taste of fasting in different seasons and for a different time period, in a span of about 33 years of his life.