Islam


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The Anime Lover

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Kouhai
How humans view their own nature is a question imposed in the foundation of any ethical system. Some common views deny the existence of any purpose for life, or of any divine plan that makes humans any different from other beings. These opinions basically view mankind as an evolving animal.

Another viewpoint overemphasizes the spiritual aspect of life, resulting in the renunciation of the world and belief that torturing one’s body is a virtue that serves the soul.

A third view of human nature tends to overemphasize the intellectual aspect of life, which overlooks the fact that humans need divine guidance as well as intellect.

One other view puts sin out of proportion, leading to a pessimistic view of life that causes people to feel constantly haunted by their sins.

Islamic View of the Human

Islam views humans as quite distinct from other beings, as humans are the trustees of God on earth. This viewpoint has main effects on a person’s outlook that could be summarized in four basic points. The first is self-acceptance by realizing one’s own nature, whether it is weaknesses or strengths. This results in a mental balance: people are neither haunted by their sins and weaknesses nor too arrogant about their strengths.

The second point is, by realizing that humans are the trustees of God, they should abide by the limitations He set for them on earth. These limitations do not contradict with individual ownership; they only prevent people from abusing the gifts placed in their hands by God.

The unwise use or destruction of the environment is regarded as a moral crime.


For example, Islam considers the environment as a personal trust and not personal property. This is why the destruction or unwise use of the environment is regarded as a moral crime. Suicide is also considered morally wrong because the body is one of God’s gifts entrusted to humans, which they should use to fulfill their mission as trustees. Even money is considered a trust; people cannot burn it and claim that they are free to use their property as they please.

People’s self-acceptance and limits on trusteeship lead to an integrated view of life, which refuses the distinction between spiritual and material aspects of life. This prevents the confusion caused when dividing life into two different spheres and setting certain rules that apply to one area, regardless of the other.

One verse in the Qur’an says what means

[Blessed is He in Whose hand is the sovereignty, and, He is able to do all things. Who hath created life and death that He may try you which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving.] (Al-Mulk 67:1-2)

This means that the Islamic perspective regards life as a test, which indicates that life is not just an experience that a person goes through without having a purpose. On the contrary, the distinction and dignity of the human race lies in making the most of their materialistic, intellectual and spiritual capabilities in order to overcome weaknesses and shortcomings and to fulfill their mission as trustees.

This Islamic viewpoint does not only strive for individual piety but it provides for a more dynamic view of life that demands active participation of humans in righting the wrong and striving to achieve peace and social justice.

Islamic View of the Universe

The ethical outlook of the individual and his behavior is not only affected by the person’s view of his own nature, but also by the person’s view of the world around him. Islam regards the universe as a tool helping mankind to perform his role as a trustee of God on earth.

Islam views the entire universe as subservient to mankind …


A verse in the Qur’an explains this viewpoint:

[And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty and that haply ye may give thanks.] (An-Nahl 16:14)

This proves that unlike some common views regarding natural phenomena as an adversary to humans, Islam views the entire universe as subservient to mankind in order to fulfill their duty.

Fourteen hundred years ago, the Qur’an clarified that God created the whole universe and made it subservient to mankind so he could explore and harness nature.

This is referred to in the Qur’an where Allah says what means:

[And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! herein verily are portents for a people who reflect.] (Al-Jathiyah 45:13)

Another verse refers to harnessing and pondering over phenomena in nature as a moral obligation and a part of the humans’ trusteeship on earth:

[Have they not considered the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and what things Allah hath created, and that it may be that their own term draweth nigh? In what fact after this will they believe?] (Al-A`raf 7:185)

Concept of Worship in Islam

Any lawful activity in Islam could be considered as an act of worship.


In Islam, worship does not only mean the performance of certain religious rituals because any activity in Islam could be considered as an act of worship, so long as two main conditions are met. One condition is the pure and wholesome intention behind this activity and that it is intended for obedience to God, regardless of the type of activity. The other condition is that this activity should be done within the limits prescribed by God. In that sense the entire life of the believer could basically be a continuous act of worship, whether a person is at work or school, or even shopping and times of recreation. One verse in the Qur’an refers to [the joys of life] that by saying what means

[Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He hath provided) for sustenance?] (Al-A`raf 7:32)

Another key verse in the Qur’an says what means

[I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.] (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

Of course one cannot interpret this verse as God ordering humans to continuously pray. It only means that by living according to God’s commands with a pure and wholesome intention behind each activity, life actually becomes a continuous act of worship.

Learning in Islam

In Islam, the act of learning itself is considered an act of worship, provided that it is within God’s limits and with a good motive behind it.

The very first word revealed in the Qur’an was “Read.”


Asserting the importance of learning in Islam, the Qur’an and the prophetic tradition encourage learning. The very first word reveled in the Qur’an was iqra’ (read) (Al-`Alaq 96:1). In the first few verses of this same surah (chapter), teaching is mentioned twice and the pen is mentioned as one of the tools of learning.

One verse says what means

[The erudite among His bondmen fear Allah alone. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.] (Fatir 35:28)

This means that people who have the right knowledge and sincerity to study carefully and objectively would be more cognizant of God’s power and mercy and would be more God-fearing than those who are ignorant.

Another verse says what means

[Allah will exalt those of you who believe, and those who are given knowledge, in high degrees; and Allah is Aware of what you do.] (Al-Mujadilah 58:11)

The verse does not specify the type of knowledge that a person is supposed to learn because, in Islam, any beneficial knowledge to mankind is considered a way of getting higher degrees.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informs us in one of his sayings that the angels extend their wings for people who seek knowledge, which shows the importance of sincerely seeking knowledge and how the angels are pleased and satisfied with that act.

In that sense, learning in order to build a balanced civilization that combines material and moral progress is actually a duty incumbent upon every Muslim, both male and female.

Basics of the Islamic Moral Code

Life is a test that a person has to emerge from honorably and successfully.


The ethical theory, whether secular or religious, faces four basic problems that are not clearly answered. The first is what is the ultimate good that a person strives for? Some philosophers answered this question by saying that the ultimate good is happiness; others thought it is the feeling of duty; and another group said it is perfection.

The ultimate good from the Islamic perspective is to pursue the pleasure of God and to fulfill the role of trusteeship. That is why life is considered a test that a person has to emerge from honorably and successfully. There are two criteria for judging whether an act is an ultimate good or not. The first is that this act has to help achieve God’s pleasure, and the second is that this act helps people pass through life successfully without displeasing God or hindering any other good activities.

The second question is, what is the ultimate source of knowledge of right and wrong? Various answers were given such as experimentation, intuition, and intellect. Surely, Islam does not reject the use of all these sources, but it simply puts these sources in perspective under the broad guidance of divine revelation. This means that the final measure for distinction between right and wrong is revelation, which is knowledge coming from God, Who does not have any deficiencies in His knowledge.

The third and fourth questions dealing with the sanctions on morality are, who has the right to enforce the moral law, and what are the motives behind people following the moral code?

For a Muslim, sanctions on morality and the motives behind it are a combination of both fear and love. Fearing God, not by just being scared of Him, but fearing Him in a sense of not wanting to displease Him to Whom humans owe everything, including their own existence. Also, pursuing God’s love by acknowledging His bounties and by keeping away from anything that displeases Him, which is a nobler motive. This is how the ethical theory is answered within the Islamic framework.
www.islamonline.net/english
 
Belief: Six Pillars
Muslims believe in only One God, the same God that Jews and Christians believe in, but some of the ideas about the nature of God are different.

First, let us clarify that “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for God, just as “Dios” or “Dieu” are the words for God in Spanish and French, respectively. “Allah” is His name, and it is also the word used by Arabic-speaking Christians. So it is wrong to say that Muslims believe in a different god than the Christians and Jews believe in.

God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the seen and unseen. God has no wife or consort, no son or daughter, no partner at all in His divinity. He is Eternal, having no beginning or end. He is Absolute, existing without food, drink, sleep, or any other needs. He does not indwell in any of His creatures and they do not indwell in Him.

God is unique and perfect in all of His attributes. He is Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting, the Sustainer. He is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Wise. He knows the state of things prior to and during their occurrence. He is All-Merciful, Ever-Merciful, and His mercy encompasses all things.

God has a face, a hand, a shank, a foot, but they are not like ours. None of the attributes of His essence resemble those of human beings. He cannot be imagined or imaged. Muslims do not — indeed, cannot — draw a picture or carve a statue of God because He is unlike any of His creatures.

No one has the right to be invoked, supplicated, prayed to, or shown any act of worship, but God alone.

God is far removed from injustice and tyranny. He is All-Wise in all of His actions and decrees. If someone wants something from God, he or she can ask God directly without asking anyone else to intercede with God for him or her.

Muslims also believe in the existence of the angels and that they are honored creatures. The angels worship God alone, obey Him, and act only by His command. Among the angels is Gabriel, who brought down the Qur’an to Muhammad. God created the angels with light.

Among their duties are to deliver Revelation to the Prophets and Messengers, give courage and firmness to the believers when they are fighting the enemies, guard and ward hazards from those whom Allah wishes to protect, collect souls at the time of death, breathe life into the fetus, direct clouds, and other duties.

Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers as proof for mankind and as guidance for them. Among these books is the Qur’an, which God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. God has guaranteed the Qur’an’s protection from any corruption or distortion.

Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God, starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them). But God’s final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last prophet sent by God. But only the Book revealed to Muhammad, the Qur’an, has remained as it was revealed. The others have been corrupted by people over the centuries, with some parts added, some deleted, and some changed.

Muslims believe that all the prophets and messengers were created human beings who had none of the divine qualities of God.

Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection) when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds. On the Day of Judgment the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) will be granted the General Intercession for mankind. God will also permit him to intercede for a number of believers that they might enter Paradise.

Paradise (Jannah) and Hell are two created places that already exist. The righteous will be rewarded with eternal life in Paradise , where they will live in joy and bliss that are sensual realities, not merely spiritual joy. The sinful will be punished in Hell, where they will be tortured and tormented. These, too, will be sensual realities, not merely spiritual torment. Ultimately, God will remove from Hell those believers whose sins were not forgiven nor atoned for by good deeds in their lifetimes, and they will then enter Paradise . The remaining inhabitants of Hell will stay there eternally.

The dead in their graves will be shown their place, either in Paradise or Hell. Those who will be of the people of Paradise will be at peace in their graves, while those who will be of the people of Hell will be tortured in their graves.

Muslims must also believe in the Divine Decree (Qadar). This means that God created everything in due proportion and determined the nature of things. Nothing occurs or takes shape within the heavens or earth but with His knowledge and by His order. He is All-Knowing of everything, past, present and future. Man has the power to act and choose only within the limits set by the will of Allah.

In His infinite wisdom and mercy, God gave humans limited power and great freedoms, including the freedom of choice. It is because of this autonomy that every human being will be held accountable for his/her individual deeds.
 
Small question, why did you post this? If people wanted to know more of the Islam they can google for it or asked you for a pm. (not that i have a problem with people's personal religions)
 
Well~ I really don't know what to say!!~
What you posted is really long~ No one would read such LONG thing~
I'm not talking about the topic it self~ I'm talking about the "Quantity"~
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You should have talked about one thing~
Posting something so general and so wide is not useful~

I know what you are trying to do here brother~
-If you are not an Arab. Don't bother yourself on reading this-
To The Anime Lover: <--- It's because i know he knows Arabic~
"Eli enta 3am ti3imlo mano sa7. Hay mana el tari2a la tinshor fikrit el Islam.
Lazem tiktob mowdoo3 m7adad. Ma lazem t7oto kteer "General" heek!!
Be hay el tara2i enta ma 3am betfeed el Islam. =_="
7awil tkoon sha5es "interesting" bel biday~ ba3din etba3 mawadee3 3an el Islam.
Ma t5alee heek faj2a~ 5aleek mashi bel tadreej."

That's all of what i have to say~
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I'm a Muslim too, and i do understand your feelings about telling people about Islam~
What you did is so nice, and i really admire your work!!~
However, be "Specific" when you try to talk about something~
 
QUOTE (Mune @ Nov 16 2005, 03:01 PM) However, be "Specific" when you try to talk about something~
I knew some one would say that
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So .. Let's talk about somthing simple >>> Like Ramadan
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Islam is based on five beliefs. These are called The Five Pillars of Islam. The first belief is that there is no god but Allah "God" and that "Muhammad" (peace be upon him) is His Messenger. The second is that a Muslim must pray five times a day at certain times, and the third is that a Muslim must give a percentage of his savings to the poor. The fourth is the fasting of Ramadan. The fifth is that all Muslims who are able should perform Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage) at least once in their life.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. All adult Muslims must fast during the daylight hours. They are not allowed to eat or drink between dawn, and sunset for a whole month. Fasting strengthens a person by increasing his self-control. Fasting also helps a Muslim to remember Allah, and his obedience to Him. During Ramadan, the pain of hunger is shared by everyone. In this way, everyone is equal in Allah's eyes.

Some people (children, for example) are excused from fasting. Some may be too old or too ill. Others are on journeys. Women who are expecting or nursing a baby cannot fast at that time, either. However, all those who are able must complete the fast later.

Ramadan customs are very special. Many Muslims prefer to change working hours so that they can focus on the Islamic duties of the Holy Month. At sunset, a cannon goes off, and people break their fast with dates and water. Then, they go o the mosque for the sunset prayer (Maghrib). The exact time of sunset is important of course.
There is a special night known as "Lailatul Qadr". No one knows exactly which knight is it, but it is definitely one of the last ten nights of the month. Around this time, Muslims try to stay awake all night, and perform special prayers.

Immediately after the last day of Ramadan, there is a celebration called "Eid Al-Fitr". Muslims all over the world celebrate this holiday. During Eid, Muslim Children wear new clothes and receive gifts. Families everywhere enjoy themselves with friends, and relatives. They thank Allah for his Blessing in revealing the Qur'an during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
 
You forgot the most important thing that you have to do on Eid Al-Fitr, eat as much delicious food as you can
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. I am not a moslim but i have been to a Eid Al-Fitr before of a classmate (well i lost a bet 2 years ago so i had to join in on one of his customs and he chooses the ramadan) , didn't know it was such fun to celebrate it. Only the you can't eat all day part is what i didn't liked.
 
QUOTE (Dragon-of-Rune @ Nov 16 2005, 03:22 PM)You forgot the most important thing that you have to do on Eid Al-Fitr, eat as much delicious food as you can
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. I am not a moslim but i have been to a Eid Al-Fitr before of a classmate (well i lost a bet 2 years ago so i had to join in on one of his customs and he chooses the ramadan) , didn't know it was such fun to celebrate it. Only the you can't eat all day part is what i didn't liked.
Hehehehehe~ Most people think about food!!~
However, when i think about "Eid Al-Fitr" Hummm ... I think about the morning prayer call~
They do a special prayer call for Eid!! It fills my heart with joy!!~
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Mostly in Eid~ The families visit each other for greetings and such~
I do like that part alot~ People just keep on coming~ Long-phone calls from relatives~
It is so nice~ You get to greet everyone in your whole family tree~
As well as any passing stranger in the street you can greet him for the "Happy Eid"~ -^^-

The next day, i go out with my newphes to the park & we play ALL DAY LONG!!~
WOAH!!!! I wish "Eid" was every single day"
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Life would be so nice!!!~

On the 3rd day~ Hummm ... well!!~ It depends!!~
For this Eid! I had to study because there was an exam the next day!! T.T
Usually we go have fun somewhere .. beach, malls etc~
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QUOTE (Dragon-of-Rune @ Nov 16 2005, 03:22 PM) Only the you can't eat all day part is what i didn't liked.
Loooooooool
It's for a reason you know.

QUOTE In this way, everyone is equal in Allah's eyes.
By fasting a Muslim leaves one of the most things precious to him to please God. What could be more obediant than that?!
 
Heyas,

That's why I could never become a Muslim - I like my food TOO much!

Especially pork pies & bacon sandwiches - YUM!

And the occasional pint of beer.
 
Looooooool
I don't want to get to the heaven and hell subject, but would some throw away heaven like for pork pies.
Looooooool
 
QUOTE (misha @ Nov 16 2005, 03:45 PM) Especially pork pies & bacon sandwiches - YUM!
Hummm ... I read in a science magazine the other day about pork~
They say it cause a disease .. Humm .. i can't remember its name!!~
It is only there in the pork meat~ =_=" Gosh! I hate my memory!!~
 
QUOTE (Mune @ Nov 16 2005, 05:02 PM)Hummm ... I read in a science magazine the other day about pork~
As far as I know, there is not more chances to catch a disease from pork than from beef or chicken. Its just a question of cooking (and not eating it raw)! Also pork need to be keep cold, otherwise, it will become bad. That is why the jewish originally banned pork. It was a mesure to prevent the population from falling ill. It evolved into a rule found in the old testament.

I cant remember, is there an islamic rule against pork, like for jews? I think so, but i'm not 100% sure.
If so, I would be curious to know why jews and muslims have that, but christians dont? Why did the christians decided not to follow that part of the old testament?
 
............got bored!!
and yes i see the obvious connection with R.E. lesson and a anime forum.

good stuff
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4 you 'french canadians r.e. = religious education - its compulsory classes we have here
 
QUOTE (ultima2096 @ Nov 16 2005, 09:18 PM)R.E. lesson
R.E. Lessons?? What is that supposed to be??
 
sorry no offence your posts are really long i think i wont read them but anyway couldnt people just search for it if they really wanted to know more about it
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.
 
I MISS Ramadan T-T i wanted it to be back SO SOON
thanks a lot the anime lover =) it is really an interested topic
even though am Muslim but its better to read more more about Islam
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even if we knew that info.
Well and Islam
is not a thing that u can summarize n' talk about in just 2600 words!!
Thanks =) alot
 
QUOTE (Bold @ Nov 16 2005, 07:13 PM) I cant remember, is there an islamic rule against pork, like for jews? I think so, but i'm not 100% sure.
If so, I would be curious to know why jews and muslims have that, but christians dont? Why did the christians decided not to follow that part of the old testament?
Yes! Eating "Pork's meat" is forbidden in Islam~
Why is that?! Well, what i know is that it cause "disease"~
It's that disease that i can't remember its name!! T.T

Humm ... there is another thing about it~
I don't know how to explain it properly in English~
But i'll give it a try~

Humm .. You see! It is more about "morals" thing~
When you eat pork's meat~ you lose that sense of feeling ashamed from doing bad things~
Bad things as "immoral" things~
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Does it make sense?! o.o"

WOAH!!!~ There is lots of other food to eat~
Do we really need to eat pork?!
blink.gif
Nops!~
Let the poor animal live~ XD
 
QUOTE (Mune @ Nov 17 2005, 04:31 AM) Yes! Eating "Pork's meat" is forbidden in Islam~
Why is that?! Well, what i know is that it cause "disease"~
It's that disease that i can't remember its name!! T.T

Humm ... there is another thing about it~
I don't know how to explain it properly in English~
But i'll give it a try~

Humm .. You see! It is more about "morals" thing~
When you eat pork's meat~ you lose that sense of feeling ashamed from doing bad things~
Bad things as "immoral" things~
dry.gif
Does it make sense?! o.o"

WOAH!!!~ There is lots of other food to eat~
Do we really need to eat pork?!
blink.gif
Nops!~
Let the poor animal live~ XD
Heyas,

That's one of the advantages of being an Atheist - no dietary restrictions.
 
QUOTE (misha @ Nov 17 2005, 04:43 AM) That's one of the advantages of being an Atheist - no dietary restrictions.
Being an "Atheist" doesn't make you free from "dietary"~
We need diet you know~ o_O" -as humans-
We can't just eat WHATEVER we like~
There are some food that really harm us~
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You can see people who eat alot without dietary~
They suffer from "Obesity"~
In fact, this whole "FOOD" thing is not about religion~
It is about what good for us as humans~

If you don't believe in GOD and whatever he says about "diet"~
Then science is proving that "Eating alot" with huge "Quantity" without thinking about the "Quality" will cause you diseases as well as "Obesity"~
 
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