Original Islam teachings

[paul77uk]

Hello.

I'm not Muslim, have a great interest in religions.
Know a bit about Christianity.

Very little about Islam.

I know Christian women were orginally taught to cover their heads, it is still sometimes followed in traditional Churches, but usually just in Churches.

There are very few Christian women who cover their heads as Muslim women do.

I just find it such a humble and obedience to their faith.
I think Muslim women may have had it easier though, as it is common in Muslim countries.
In the western countries now, you see some who call themselves Muslim who don't wear the Hijab.
I see many who do though and wear make up and sometimes jewellery.

I find it takes away the humility and makes the hijab kind of void for me.

It's like if they were to wear it and swear and be fouled mouthed, it's like it is then a custom for outer appearence and by their lips profess to be Muslim, but in actions they don't follow the humility and peity which the Hijab seems to demonstarte to me.
Do you know what I mean?

I suppose my question is what are the original and teachings of Islam and how do we know?

I find many pure teachings in ancient Christianity, but find many modern Christians fail to follow them.
I myself even fail to follow the teachings which I beleive to be true, it is very hard in this world today.

But it's one thing to struggle, it would help if there is a religion which teaches and practices and encourages what it's religion orginally teaches.
I think Orthodox Christianity may do this.

I know we see non traditional Christians falling to all sorts of modern ideas, as you do see with some modern Muslims also.

I suppose charity is one think that troubles me about Islam.
I've heard you are suppose to pay small percentage every year?

What does Islam orginally teach on wealth, on sharing, on riches.
Is a Muslim encouraged to live basically, and maybe to fight against needless riches and purchases?

I'd be glad of some teaching which can be proven to be of Orthodox Islam.

Thanks.
Paul

[Raziel]

Hello.

I'm not Muslim, have a great interest in religions.
Know a bit about Christianity.

Very little about Islam.

I know Christian women were orginally taught to cover their heads, it is still sometimes followed in traditional Churches, but usually just in Churches.

There are very few Christian women who cover their heads as Muslim women do.

I just find it such a humble and obedience to their faith.
I think Muslim women may have had it easier though, as it is common in Muslim countries.
In the western countries now, you see some who call themselves Muslim who don't wear the Hijab.
I see many who do though and wear make up and sometimes jewellery.

I find it takes away the humility and makes the hijab kind of void for me.

It's like if they were to wear it and swear and be fouled mouthed, it's like it is then a custom for outer appearence and by their lips profess to be Muslim, but in actions they don't follow the humility and peity which the Hijab seems to demonstarte to me.
Do you know what I mean?

I suppose my question is what are the original and teachings of Islam and how do we know?

I find many pure teachings in ancient Christianity, but find many modern Christians fail to follow them.
I myself even fail to follow the teachings which I beleive to be true, it is very hard in this world today.

But it's one thing to struggle, it would help if there is a religion which teaches and practices and encourages what it's religion orginally teaches.
I think Orthodox Christianity may do this.

I know we see non traditional Christians falling to all sorts of modern ideas, as you do see with some modern Muslims also.

I suppose charity is one think that troubles me about Islam.
I've heard you are suppose to pay small percentage every year?

What does Islam orginally teach on wealth, on sharing, on riches.
Is a Muslim encouraged to live basically, and maybe to fight against needless riches and purchases?

I'd be glad of some teaching which can be proven to be of Orthodox Islam.

Thanks.
Paul

Paul I would first Advise you to read the Quran, I hope your english is good...

heres a link to the Translations ... http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/

if you scroll down all the 114 chapters of the Quran are listed with multiple translations, by different translators...

if you want the Arabic can also be posted...

feel free to ask questions after you have read the Quran ...

regards.

Raziel.

[sapphire_blue]

Hello,

To find out the teachings of Islam, Muslims look to the Quran and the authentic Hadiths.

Women are advised to keep the make-up and adoring of one selves for the pleasure of her husband and not for any other man who is not her mahram (man she cannot marry)

Muslims are required to pay zakah (charity) every year. Zakah is required for the one who has reached the age of puberty and who has 'nisaab' (the amount that determines whether zakat is obligatory; anyone who has more than this is obliged to pay zakat) for one full lunar year . . There are many other rules and details concerning zakah and whom should pay it.

Zakah is a means of purifying your wealth and also purifies your soul from stinginess and miserliness.

The Quran says -

“Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allaah for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them”[al-Tawbah 9:103]

“O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allaah (i.e. Allaah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism). And those who hoard up gold and silver (Al‑Kanz: the money, the Zakaah of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the way of Allaah, announce unto them a painful torment.

On the Day when that (Al-Kanz: money, gold and silver, etc., the Zakat of which has not been paid) will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them):-"This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard."
[al-Tawbah 9:34-35]

I hope you find this useful and if you have anymore questions please ask.


. . and Allah SWT knows best.

[paul77uk]

Thank you for your replies.

I do have a translation of the Koran, I haven't read it all though.

It's much like the Bible to me, that it can become hard and tiresome and hard to understand it in it's orginal context.

I have writings of Saints though that do help me understand the Bible, I also look at life experiences and my own, and focus on love and things the Bible teach on goodness.

I think to some extent I may know what the Bible teaches on charity.
And it's not even of just giving of ones money.

But in that it does show the charity, and the word chairty is usually translated from the Greek word agape, and means love and is sometimes translated such and often as the love of God.

I see it encouraging sharing out of love.

I saw a programme on Islam the other night, and like much it said about Rammadan.
And is the same I've learnt from Christianity.

About feeling the hunger of the hungry, about praying and taking time to reflect over ones own life and duty.
About self restraint.

Just giving a fixed percentage (and maybe only once a year) of ones money, to me can seem to lack maybe the love we should give in, and live in in our hearts.

I know we have to provide for our own families, and there can be much more accomplished than just with money.
Money of itself is nothing only coins and paper, and of itself can accomplish nothing.
It's the love that is the power, that makes the real difference, that is the real thing, not even being able to be held and touched as money.
But money has nothing to it, it is only material, it's the love that I beleive is our whole purpose of life.

I saw this documentary last night, about these mentally ill children in Bulgaria.
They were fed and clothed and they cleaned them.
But they seemed to lack love, to be hugged, to be taught and related to and communicated with and loved person to person.

I know we have many problems in this world, and each of us has to look a ourselves and our own lives, and of which we will find much sin and weakness.

I suppose I look for is there a deeper teaching in Islam.
For we can read the Bible, maybe Koran, and it may become boring, we may not understand it, misinterperate it, and can come to very judgemental even dangerous opinions.

Maybe the Hadiths help do they?

What about Saints of Islam, who have truly submitted to it's deep teachings maybe to our own hearts.

I don't thing Islam has Saints does it as to the word, it may be a Christian word, although does mean holy.

But who are the the ones of Islam who have regonized their own sin, who have submited their own selves to compassion and love?

Does Islam teach this, that God is love?

[the_middle_road]

Just giving a fixed percentage (and maybe only once a year) of ones money, to me can seem to lack maybe the love we should give in, and live in in our hearts.



The fixed percentage (2.5%) which a Muslim has to give in charity, Zakah, is a compulsory charity. Islam recognises that there may be some who are attached to their wealth and who will refuse to give to the poor, so we take from their wealth. This is because Zakah is not really a charity, it is the right of the poor to the wealth of the rich. But if a person does give his Zakah, then nothing else of his wealth can be touched. It all belongs to him.

Besides Zakah there is Sadaqah, voluntary charity, which is also highly recommended. This is left to the conscience of the individual as to how much he wishes to spend. Allah (swt) Most Gracious has in many places in the Qur'an encouraged the giving of charity. One example:
"The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear Hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth: And Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things." (2:261)

So there is a balance between the rights of the individual to the wealth that he has earned and the rights of the poor to his wealth. The share of the poor from the wealth of the rich is 2.5%, and everything beyond that is for himself. But that is just the bare minimum and he is encouraged to give over and above that as well.
Another point is that charity is not restricted to the spending of money, but any good deed is regarded as a charity. The Prophet (saw) is recorded as saying: "Every act of goodness is sadaqa".




What about Saints of Islam, who have truly submitted to it's deep teachings maybe to our own hearts.

I don't thing Islam has Saints does it as to the word, it may be a Christian word, although does mean holy.

But who are the the ones of Islam who have regonized their own sin, who have submited their own selves to compassion and love?

Does Islam teach this, that God is love?

In Islam there are those who are called the awliyaa' Allah - the friends of Allah. I'm not sure how correct it may be but sometimes this term is translated as "saints". Those who are regarded as friends of Allah (swt) are generally from amongst the Sufis. And the Sufis do emphasise the aspect of the love of Allah (swt). See this thread for sayings from Sufi masters:
http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108357&highlight=sufi

Peace.

[paul77uk]

Thanks again for your reply.

I like that: "Every act of goodness is sadaqa".

So is Zakah like the tithe (10%) which was commanded of the Jews?

I think it was commanded wasn't it?

Is it like to help us learn to share and give out of love?

For without these Laws many may neglect to give at all, but at least with them, it encourages the act of giving and sharing doesn't it, and even compassion on those who lack and our duty to them?

I myself don't think charity (love) is something that anyone can be forced to do, for then it is not out of genuine love.
But is something that must be willing, and a genuine act of willing compassion.

Do all sufi's do that twirling dance?

Thanks again
Paul

[giordano]

Muslims are required to pay zakah (charity) every year. Zakah is required for the one who has reached the age of puberty and who has 'nisaab' (the amount that determines whether zakat is obligatory; anyone who has more than this is obliged to pay zakat) for one full lunar year . . There are many other rules and details concerning zakah and whom should pay it.For example,

This is Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 86, Number 89:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “On the Day of Resurrection the Kanz (Treasure or wealth of which, Zakat has not been paid) of anyone of you will appear in the shape of a huge bald headed poisonous male snake and its owner will run away from it, but it will follow him and say, ‘I am your Kanz.’” The Prophet added, “By Allah, that snake will keep on following him until he stretches out his hand and let the snake swallow it.” Allah’s Apostle added, “If the owner of camels does not pay their Zakat, then, on the Day of Resurrection those camels will come to him and will strike his face with their hooves.”

G

[Saeed Al-Muslim]

Dear Paul,

With regards to ‘Twirling Dervishes’, not all Sufi’s do this. In fact true devout Sufi’s will be quick to distance themselves from such un-Islamic practises. For the record, I am not a Sufi, I’m just a plain old Muslim.

Sadaaqah is charity, Zakaat is not charity. Zakaat it is one of the five pillars of Islam, much like Prayer, Fasting, Hajj (pilgrimage) and Sahaadah (declaration of faith). We are encouraged to give sadaaqah/zakaat it is a means of purifying our wealth, and a expiation of our sins. At the end of the day our wealth is only an amaana/trust from Allaah (swT), and we will be asked about how we spent it. For instance if our neighbour goes hungry, whilst we eat till we are full, and yet we have the means to help and feed them but we do not, then we will be questioned on our inaction.

It is the Islamic belief that Risq (i.e. provisions, wealth, food) is from Allaah (swT), no matter how hard we try we cannot increase or decrease in our share. That does not mean we do nothing, and wait for everything to come from the heavens. Rather we work, and strive to do all that is Halal (permissible), but it is only Allaah (swT) know provides.

There is a fundamental concept in Islam called Taqwa, loosely translated to ‘God consciousness/fearing’. For those who have a stronger Imaan (belief), and increased Taqwa, they engage in the extra rewarding deeds, above that which is obligatory (i.e. the bear minimum). That is what distinguishes the Muslim who does the bear minimum required of him, and those Muslims who go out their way and do so many good deeds as they can so that they may gain the pleasure of Allaah (swT), and they are the ones who truly have a Love for Allaah (swT).

Allaah (swT) does not burden a soul with a burden more than it can bear.

Kind regards

[the_middle_road]

So is Zakah like the tithe (10%) which was commanded of the Jews?



I wouldn't know about that since I don't know much about Jewish law. In fact I know practically nothing really.



Is it like to help us learn to share and give out of love?

For without these Laws many may neglect to give at all, but at least with them, it encourages the act of giving and sharing doesn't it, and even compassion on those who lack and our duty to them?



Exactly, if it wasn't made an obligation then some wouldn't even give anything in charity. Sad... but true.


I myself don't think charity (love) is something that anyone can be forced to do, for then it is not out of genuine love.
But is something that must be willing, and a genuine act of willing compassion.


This much is true, but what about the poor? If Zakah were not taken from the rich, then those less fortunate would be made to suffer. There is also the hadith: "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended." So when giving charity, one should do so with a pure heart and with the right intention.


Do all sufi's do that twirling dance?


Simple answer: no.

Peace.

[paul77uk]

Thanks for your replies.

I'm glad to hear not all Sufi's do that twirling dance.


I saw a documentary last night, about killing people who leave the religion of Islam.

Could anyone explain this more to the original teaching, and how does it apply today, and in another country.
As in Britian for example.

I suppose the answer was given by a Muslim, think he was from the Muslim council of Britian, he was a British resident, and said it doesn't apply and was unIslamic to do such things in Britian.
But he didn't really address the whole issue.

I know Islamic run countries are very much different to the British country I have been brought up in.

I'm very much ignorant on the whole subject, and the documentary didn't fully address the issue.
And I'd rather hear about Islam, from Muslims themselves who are true to their faith, and understand it's teachings.

I don't think this is a bad place to come for some answers is it?
What other trustworthy Islamic forums are there?
Or is this about the best?

Thanks again for your replies.
Paul

[Abu 'Abdullaah]

Hello Paul,

The following is a hadeeth (narration) of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing Of Allaah Be Upon Him). It gives a brief overview of what Islaam is about.
In a narration reported by Imaam Muslim:

The companion of the Prophet Muhammad (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiyallaahu ‘annu) said: Whilst we were sitting with Allah’s Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) one day, a man came having very white clothes and very black hair. No trace of having travelled could be seen upon him, and none of us knew him. So he sat down before the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and joined his knees with his knees, and placed his palms upons his thighs and said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islaam.”

So Allah’s Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,”Islaam is that you testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; that you establish the Prayer; pay the Zakaat; fast Ramadhaan and make the pilgrimage (Hajj) to the House if you are able to do so.''

He (the man) said,”You have spoken correctly.”

I (i.e. ‘Umar) said,”We were amazed at how he asked, and then told him that he had spoken correctly.”

The man then said, “Tell me about eemaan.”

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,”It is that you have true faith in Allaah, His Angels, Hs Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and that you have true faith in pre-decree (al-qadr), it’s good and it’s evil”

The man said,”You have spoken correctly.” He then said,”Then tell me about ihsaan.”

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,”It is that you worship Allaah as if you were seeing Him, and even though you do not see him, yet He certainly sees you.”

The man then said,”Then tell me about the Hour.”

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied,”The one who is questioned about it knows no better than the one who is asking.”

So the man asked,”Then tell me about the signs.”

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,”That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see the bare-footed, naked and destitute, shepherds competing in erecting tall buildings.”

Then the man went off.

The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) remained for a while and then he said,”O ‘Umar, do you know who the questioner was?”

I (i.e. ‘Umar) said,”Allaah and His Messenger know best.”

The Prophet said,” That was Jibreel. He came to you to teach you your Religion (Deen).”

The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) declared all of these things (i.e. Islaam, Eemaan and Ihsaan) to be the Religion, and that is because they comprehend all of the Religion.

No doubt you have a lot of questions but I advise you to give each question it's own thread as multiple follow up questions together with ten people trying to answer them will only make it more confusing.

[the_middle_road]

Thanks for your replies.



Thanks for asking.


I saw a documentary last night, about killing people who leave the religion of Islam.

Could anyone explain this more to the original teaching, and how does it apply today, and in another country.
As in Britian for example.

I suppose the answer was given by a Muslim, think he was from the Muslim council of Britian, he was a British resident, and said it doesn't apply and was unIslamic to do such things in Britian.
But he didn't really address the whole issue.

I know Islamic run countries are very much different to the British country I have been brought up in.

I'm very much ignorant on the whole subject, and the documentary didn't fully address the issue.
And I'd rather hear about Islam, from Muslims themselves who are true to their faith, and understand it's teachings.



I'm afraid I'm ignorant on this subject as well so I won't be able to answer you. But I did bring this issue up with one of my teachers and the impression I got was that to kill apostates is not a blanket ruling that applies unconditionally to all of them. I suppose each scenario would have to be examined separately. Insha Allah I will be studying this topic in detail some time next year so maybe I could give you a proper reply then. :up:

But what is certain is that Muslims living in a non-Muslim country have to abide by the laws of that country. So in such a situation, if a Muslim tries to kill someone else who has become an apostate then that is not allowed and he in fact could be incurring sin for doing so.

Peace.