Insights To Islam

Posted on 05. Nov, 2009 by admin in Fall/Summer 2009

Mecca

1. Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?
the Quran says: God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight
you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing
kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just. (Quran, 60:8)
It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of
minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished
all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim
tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph omar entered Jerusalem in
the year 634 Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities
in the city.

2. What do Muslims think about Jesus?
Muslims respect and revere Jesus, and await his Second Coming. they
consider him one of the greatest of God’s messengers to mankind. A Muslim
never refers to him simply as ‘Jesus’, but always adds the phrase ‘upon him
be peace’. the Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is
entitled ‘Mary’), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation.
the Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:

‘Behold!’ the Angel said, ‘God has chosen you, and purified you, and
chosen you above the women of all nations. o Mary, God gives you good
news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of
Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near
to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and in maturity, and
shall be of the righteous.’

She said: ‘o my Lord, How shall I have a son when no man has touched
me?’ He said: ‘even so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing,
He says to it, “Be!” and it is.’ (Quran, 3:42-7)

Jesus was born miraculously through the same power which had brought
Adam into being without a father:
truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He
created him of dust, and then said to him, ‘Be!’ and he was. (Quran, 3:59)
During his prophetic mission Jesus performed many miracles.

The Quran tells us that he said:
I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of
clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird
by God’s leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers and I raise the dead by
God’s leave. (Quran, 3:49)

Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the
belief in one God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it.
In the Quran, Jesus is reported as saying that he came:
“to attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part
of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord,
so fear God and obey Me.” (Quran, 3:50)

The Prophet Muhammad said:
Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that
Muhammad is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of
God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that
Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. (Hadith
from Bukhari)

3. Why is the family so important to Muslims?
The family is the foundation of Islamic society. The peace and security
offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and seen as essential for the
spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious social order is created by the
existence of extended families; children are treasured, and rarely leave home
until the time they marry.

4. What about Muslim women?
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her
own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A
marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use,
and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband’s.
Both men and women are expected to dress in a way which is modest
and dignified; the traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries
are often the expression of local customs.
the Messenger of God said:
‘the most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner
and kindest to his wife.’

5. Can a Muslim have more than one wife?
The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so
accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances may
warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted, according to the
Quran, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair.

6. Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage?
A Muslim marriage is not a ‘sacrament’, but a simple, legal agreement
in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus
vary widely from country to country. As a result, divorce is not common,
although it is not forbidden as a last resort. According to Islam, no Muslim
girl can be forced to marry against her will: her parents will simply suggest
young men they think may be suitable.

7. How do Muslims treat the elderly?
In the Islamic world there are no old people’s homes. The strain of
caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered
an honor and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. God
asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless compassion,
remembering that when we were helpless children they preferred us to
themselves. Mothers are particularly honored: the Prophet taught that
“Paradise lies at the feet of mothers”. When they reach old age, Muslim
parents are treated mercifully, with the same kindness and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second only to prayer, and it is
their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation
when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult.
The Quran says: “Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but
Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you,
do not say ‘uff to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honor
and kindness. treat them with humility, and say, ‘My Lord! Have mercy on
them, for they did care for me when I was little.” (17:23-4)

CREDIT: The Islamic Affairs Department, The Embassy of Saudi
Arabia, Washington, D.C. Consultants The Islamic Texts Society,
Cambridge, UK. 1989.

Tags: Insights, Islam