In the name of Allah
Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
Islamic Law ( Fiqh ) lesson (1st of January) taught by Umm Ahmad / Amirah
Join us on Tuesday 9:00 pm Egypt time.
May Allah accept it from our teachers, ameen.
Question 36: Why is it prohibited for non-Muslims to be buried in Muslim symmetries?
Answer 36: In Islamic understanding death is simply a transition from one life to another. Out of respect and honour, Muslims upon their departure from this life should be assigned a special place of burial. Being dead, man can no longer take care of himself. It is therefore incumbent upon the living to look after his comfort and needs. It is expected of Muslims to visit the departed in the symmetries and make supplications on their behalf and ask God for their forgiveness. When Muslims are buried with non-Muslims, the sanctity of the dead is compromised. Islam proscribes the making of supplications on behalf of those who have ascribed partners to God.
Question 37: God says “Let there be no compulsion in religion”. How can we reconcile this teaching and the principle of killing Islam’s apostates?Answer 37: No one should be compelled to become Muslim, as the statement above instructs. If one after knowing about the true religion of Islam, chooses any other path, one is accountable to God with regards to one’s choice in life. However, once any one freely makes a choice to become a Muslim, this choice becomes a perpetual commitment to Islam and the community of Muslims. Betrayal of that commitment is treasonable and calls for the death penalty. Islam is not only a religion in the conventional sense, it is also a community. One who seeks membership in a new community, such as a nation, is obligated to protect the interests of that community or nation. Failure to do so, is an act of treason.
Whoever freely enters Islam becomes obligated to abide by the legal statutes of Islam, one of which regards apostasy. This stern measure is designed to discourage opportunistic adventurism that places security of the Muslim community in peril. This measure, thus, protects the interests of Islam and the security of the Muslim community.
Question 38: Does God reward one who believes in Him without necessarily following any particular religion? If there is indeed such a reward what then would be the importance of following a particular prophet? If this is not the case, does it mean that it is mandatory to follow one religion such as a monotheistic creed?Answer 38: It is not possible for one to believe in God and worship Him as He would like to be worshipped without following a prophet. Consequently, there is no recompense for any one who does not follow the religion, which God has chosen for His people, and revealed to them, through a prophet. Faith in God is acceptable only if its object is God and God alone, and if it is based on authentic teachings of a prophet. All prophets preached Islam which is monotheism, observing of God’s laws, and assenting to the revelation which God sent through them.
Question 39: Some person says “He is Christian, but he believes in total submission to God”. Will this save him from God’s wrath?
Answer: 39: True and total submission to God implies obeying all the commandments of almighty God and observing all His prohibitions, and believing the prophet and the teachings that he brought. God sent His prophet Muhammad(pbuh) to all mankind and has shut all accesses to Him, leaving only one open: Islam as taught by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The submission of the person mentioned above is neither genuine nor complete. If it were genuine, he would have been one of the followers of prophet Muhammad (pbuh). And that would have sufficed for his salvation.
Question 40: We Christians have many denominations, and so do you Muslims. You have Shi’as, Druzes, Isma’iliyyas. Why all these sects, and what are the differences between them?
Answer 40: Sectarian divisions occurred in Islam as they occurred in previous religious communities. The prophet (pbuh) had predicted this phenomenon by stating that his community will split up, but only one sect will be on the right path, that is the people of the prophet’s way, the orthodox community (ahl al-sunnah wal jama’a). They will remain true to the path of the prophet and his companions. As for the other sects, which developed in the Islamic world, they have, generally speaking, deviated from the truth. The reasons for this
1. Ignorance about the religion, whims and ethnocentrism.
2. Conspiracy against its people.
Our stance towards these sects depends on how much they have deviated from the truth. Accordingly, we place some of these sects, such the Druze and Isma’ilis, beyond the pale of Islam.
Question 41: Why do you believe that you are the people of truth, while the rest are pagans and have strayed away from the truth?Answer 41: The case is not a matter of mere claims of superiority, as much as it is an issue of sound common sense, and conclusive proofs which confirm the absolute truth in Islam’s claims, which call for pure monotheism.
Jews for example believe in Yahweh, to whom they attribute qualities that are denigrate God’s majesty. They say for example that He has a son named Uzair, [“And the Jews say: ’Uzair (Ezra) is the son of God’.”] (Holy Qur’an: 9: 30). How can we attribute a son to Him when non of His creation resembles Him? They also ascribed miserliness to Him, God says: “The Jews say‘God’s hand is tied up’ (i.e. He does not give and spend of His bounty” (Holy Qur’an: 5: 64). They also attributed to Him qualities that are incmopatiable with His majesty, perfection, and power.
Then came the Christians and claimed likewise, that Jesus Christ (pbuh) is the son of God. They also attributed divinity to Jesus and his mother. God says in the Qur’an:
[And (remember) when God will say (on the day of reurrection): “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say unto men: ‘worship me and my mother as two gods besides God?’ He will say: ‘Glory is to You! It is not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely, have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and seen). Never did I say to them aught except what You (God) did command me to say: worship God my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when you took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things’.”] (Holy Qur’an: 5: 116-117).
Then Islam came with pure monotheism. God says:
“Say ‘He is God, (the) One. God is self-sufficnet. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal or comaprable unto Him’.” (Holy Qur’an: 112: 1-4).
He also says:
“There is nothing like Him; and He is the All-Hearer, the All-seer” (Holy Qur’an: 42: 11).
The religious wars erupted in Europe as a result of the unresolved doctrinal controversies surrounding the person of Jesus. In Islam there are no controversies as to who God is, His names, His essence, and His attributes. The Qur’an’s call remains ever relevent: “Surely, in disbelief are they who say that ‘God is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary)’.”(Holy Qur’an: 5: 17).
Our refutation of Christian teachings in this regard are not based on personal whim or malice. We are simply stating God’s judgement on the matter. Whoever ascribes partners to God has rejected faith. God says:
“And verily, this is my straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This he has ordained for you that you may become the pious” (Holy Qur’an:6: 153).
Question 42: What is Islam’s position with regards to nationalism?Answer 42: It is natural to love one’s country and people, as long as it does not lead to unjust dealings with other nations and peoples. A Muslim is also expected to show compassion and concern for people outside his country.
Nationalism, according to the contemporary proponents implies a kind of identity based on nationhood without reference to religious considerations. This understanding is clearly false. Nationalism, tribalism and regionalism had great influence on the lives of the people. When Islam came it refined these concepts and set rules and regulations to them, these include: no blind allegiance to nationality, race, country, and skin colour. Loyalty is first and foremost to God, and to His prophet and the community of believers wherever they may be. Love to one’s country must now be defined by the supreme allegiance to God’s religion.
Question 43: Is the one dies defending his country considered a martyr?
Answer 43: Intention is a vital issue here. Whoever is killed while defending his country with the intention of upholding the truth as revealed by God is a martyr. Whoever dies defending his country with the intention of safeguarding his honour and wealth is a martyr. However, if one dies while fighting to gain personal wealth and fame is not a martyr. One has to be a Muslim and be driven by Muslim ideals to be a candidate for martyrdom. The prophet says: “Whoever fights so that God’s word remain supreme is indeed striving on the path of God.”
[1] Cited in Tabarani’s Lexicon, vol. 22. hadith No. 135.
Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
Islamic Law ( Fiqh ) lesson (1st of January) taught by Umm Ahmad / Amirah
Join us on Tuesday 9:00 pm Egypt time.
May Allah accept it from our teachers, ameen.
Question 36: Why is it prohibited for non-Muslims to be buried in Muslim symmetries?
Answer 36: In Islamic understanding death is simply a transition from one life to another. Out of respect and honour, Muslims upon their departure from this life should be assigned a special place of burial. Being dead, man can no longer take care of himself. It is therefore incumbent upon the living to look after his comfort and needs. It is expected of Muslims to visit the departed in the symmetries and make supplications on their behalf and ask God for their forgiveness. When Muslims are buried with non-Muslims, the sanctity of the dead is compromised. Islam proscribes the making of supplications on behalf of those who have ascribed partners to God.
Question 37: God says “Let there be no compulsion in religion”. How can we reconcile this teaching and the principle of killing Islam’s apostates?Answer 37: No one should be compelled to become Muslim, as the statement above instructs. If one after knowing about the true religion of Islam, chooses any other path, one is accountable to God with regards to one’s choice in life. However, once any one freely makes a choice to become a Muslim, this choice becomes a perpetual commitment to Islam and the community of Muslims. Betrayal of that commitment is treasonable and calls for the death penalty. Islam is not only a religion in the conventional sense, it is also a community. One who seeks membership in a new community, such as a nation, is obligated to protect the interests of that community or nation. Failure to do so, is an act of treason.
Whoever freely enters Islam becomes obligated to abide by the legal statutes of Islam, one of which regards apostasy. This stern measure is designed to discourage opportunistic adventurism that places security of the Muslim community in peril. This measure, thus, protects the interests of Islam and the security of the Muslim community.
Question 38: Does God reward one who believes in Him without necessarily following any particular religion? If there is indeed such a reward what then would be the importance of following a particular prophet? If this is not the case, does it mean that it is mandatory to follow one religion such as a monotheistic creed?Answer 38: It is not possible for one to believe in God and worship Him as He would like to be worshipped without following a prophet. Consequently, there is no recompense for any one who does not follow the religion, which God has chosen for His people, and revealed to them, through a prophet. Faith in God is acceptable only if its object is God and God alone, and if it is based on authentic teachings of a prophet. All prophets preached Islam which is monotheism, observing of God’s laws, and assenting to the revelation which God sent through them.
Question 39: Some person says “He is Christian, but he believes in total submission to God”. Will this save him from God’s wrath?
Answer: 39: True and total submission to God implies obeying all the commandments of almighty God and observing all His prohibitions, and believing the prophet and the teachings that he brought. God sent His prophet Muhammad(pbuh) to all mankind and has shut all accesses to Him, leaving only one open: Islam as taught by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The submission of the person mentioned above is neither genuine nor complete. If it were genuine, he would have been one of the followers of prophet Muhammad (pbuh). And that would have sufficed for his salvation.
Question 40: We Christians have many denominations, and so do you Muslims. You have Shi’as, Druzes, Isma’iliyyas. Why all these sects, and what are the differences between them?
Answer 40: Sectarian divisions occurred in Islam as they occurred in previous religious communities. The prophet (pbuh) had predicted this phenomenon by stating that his community will split up, but only one sect will be on the right path, that is the people of the prophet’s way, the orthodox community (ahl al-sunnah wal jama’a). They will remain true to the path of the prophet and his companions. As for the other sects, which developed in the Islamic world, they have, generally speaking, deviated from the truth. The reasons for this
1. Ignorance about the religion, whims and ethnocentrism.
2. Conspiracy against its people.
Our stance towards these sects depends on how much they have deviated from the truth. Accordingly, we place some of these sects, such the Druze and Isma’ilis, beyond the pale of Islam.
Question 41: Why do you believe that you are the people of truth, while the rest are pagans and have strayed away from the truth?Answer 41: The case is not a matter of mere claims of superiority, as much as it is an issue of sound common sense, and conclusive proofs which confirm the absolute truth in Islam’s claims, which call for pure monotheism.
Jews for example believe in Yahweh, to whom they attribute qualities that are denigrate God’s majesty. They say for example that He has a son named Uzair, [“And the Jews say: ’Uzair (Ezra) is the son of God’.”] (Holy Qur’an: 9: 30). How can we attribute a son to Him when non of His creation resembles Him? They also ascribed miserliness to Him, God says: “The Jews say‘God’s hand is tied up’ (i.e. He does not give and spend of His bounty” (Holy Qur’an: 5: 64). They also attributed to Him qualities that are incmopatiable with His majesty, perfection, and power.
Then came the Christians and claimed likewise, that Jesus Christ (pbuh) is the son of God. They also attributed divinity to Jesus and his mother. God says in the Qur’an:
[And (remember) when God will say (on the day of reurrection): “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say unto men: ‘worship me and my mother as two gods besides God?’ He will say: ‘Glory is to You! It is not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely, have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and seen). Never did I say to them aught except what You (God) did command me to say: worship God my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when you took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things’.”] (Holy Qur’an: 5: 116-117).
Then Islam came with pure monotheism. God says:
“Say ‘He is God, (the) One. God is self-sufficnet. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal or comaprable unto Him’.” (Holy Qur’an: 112: 1-4).
He also says:
“There is nothing like Him; and He is the All-Hearer, the All-seer” (Holy Qur’an: 42: 11).
The religious wars erupted in Europe as a result of the unresolved doctrinal controversies surrounding the person of Jesus. In Islam there are no controversies as to who God is, His names, His essence, and His attributes. The Qur’an’s call remains ever relevent: “Surely, in disbelief are they who say that ‘God is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary)’.”(Holy Qur’an: 5: 17).
Our refutation of Christian teachings in this regard are not based on personal whim or malice. We are simply stating God’s judgement on the matter. Whoever ascribes partners to God has rejected faith. God says:
“And verily, this is my straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This he has ordained for you that you may become the pious” (Holy Qur’an:6: 153).
Question 42: What is Islam’s position with regards to nationalism?Answer 42: It is natural to love one’s country and people, as long as it does not lead to unjust dealings with other nations and peoples. A Muslim is also expected to show compassion and concern for people outside his country.
Nationalism, according to the contemporary proponents implies a kind of identity based on nationhood without reference to religious considerations. This understanding is clearly false. Nationalism, tribalism and regionalism had great influence on the lives of the people. When Islam came it refined these concepts and set rules and regulations to them, these include: no blind allegiance to nationality, race, country, and skin colour. Loyalty is first and foremost to God, and to His prophet and the community of believers wherever they may be. Love to one’s country must now be defined by the supreme allegiance to God’s religion.
Question 43: Is the one dies defending his country considered a martyr?
Answer 43: Intention is a vital issue here. Whoever is killed while defending his country with the intention of upholding the truth as revealed by God is a martyr. Whoever dies defending his country with the intention of safeguarding his honour and wealth is a martyr. However, if one dies while fighting to gain personal wealth and fame is not a martyr. One has to be a Muslim and be driven by Muslim ideals to be a candidate for martyrdom. The prophet says: “Whoever fights so that God’s word remain supreme is indeed striving on the path of God.”
[1] Cited in Tabarani’s Lexicon, vol. 22. hadith No. 135.
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