Some questions (tradition, translation, hell, religion, muslims)

[Jaiket]

I've just finished reading a book I picked up in a charity shop. It was written by a Muslim who emigrated to England (from Pakistan) with his family, as a child.

In the book he speaks of his disdain for puritanical cultural values infecting the religion he loves. Since I know very little about Islam I am wondering whether it's true. Stoning to death for adulterers, forcing women to cover completely, prohibitions on televisions and literature are examples that spring to mind or were used by the author.

Owing to the fact that I enjoyed the book and I thought the author conveyed a very positive image of Islam, I am very curious. The Koran is the only obvious source that I know of and I find it difficult to read. Any pointers?

The book is called Unimagined and the author is Imran Ahmad. I'll dig out direct quote later.

[Cordoba]

Hello Scott and thank you for your post

If you would like to read an easy translation of meanings of The Qur'an in English, please look at this link:

IslamBasics

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like

Peace and all the best

[not4me]

Absolutely, some cultural traditions indeed infected Muslims' understanding of the religion and there's confusion in Muslims minds between what's Islam and what's mere traditions and customs that in most of the cases contradict the religion itself. Moreover, sometimes the cloak of religion is used to justify some of these practices and traditions.

[AbuQuteiba]

Originally Posted by Jaiket

I've just finished reading a book I picked up in a charity shop. It was written by a Muslim who emigrated to England (from Pakistan) with his family, as a child.

In the book he speaks of his disdain for puritanical cultural values infecting the religion he loves. Since I know very little about Islam I am wondering whether it's true. Stoning to death for adulterers, forcing women to cover completely, prohibitions on televisions and literature are examples that spring to mind or were used by the author.

Owing to the fact that I enjoyed the book and I thought the author conveyed a very positive image of Islam, I am very curious. The Koran is the only obvious source that I know of and I find it difficult to read. Any pointers?

The book is called Unimagined and the author is Imran Ahmad. I'll dig out direct quote later.

Hi, Jaiket. How are you? I'm glad you enjoyed the book. I probably wouldn't have, heheh.

Before answering, Jaiket, i would like to apologize on behalf of my brother and sister, whom posted before myself. You see, we Muslims have this inability to answer direct questions. We "think" that showing the non-Muslim the "peaceful" side of Islam, will perhaps cause them to forget that which they think is "harsh", or perhaps understand it later on, after they've seen the "peaceful" side. Again, i apologize for this. And if my brother and sister, did not mean what i mentioned above, then i apologize to them as well.

A1.Yes. Those who have committed adultery, while married, are stoned to death according to Islamic Law. I'll gladly explain why, if you choose to later on continue.

A2. The hijaab, or cover as you chose to call it, is a necessity for the Muslim woman, according to Islamic Law. The correct hijaab in Islam, although a dispute between scholars, is for a woman to cover her whole body except the face, and hands up to the wrists (unless she chooses otherwise, and covers them as well). Yes the Imaam, leader, has the authority to force women to cover themselves, inside the Islamic state.

A3. Prohibitions on televisions and such are also issues that concern the Imaam. If the Imaam sees, perhaps after discussion with the scholars, that prohibiting something will benefit the Muslims, then he has the authority to do so.

A4. Pointers concerning other sources that can help you understand Islam, generally, better? Or where you can find out if some of what you read is true?

Take care.

[not4me]

Originally Posted by AbuQuteiba

then i apologize to them as well.

Yes, you should. Next time, speak on behalf of yourself only.

Originally Posted by AbuQuteiba

Yes the Imaam, leader, has the authority to force women to cover themselves, inside the Islamic state.

A3. Prohibitions on televisions and such are also issues that concern the Imaam. If the Imaam sees, perhaps after discussion with the scholars, that prohibiting something will benefit the Muslims, then he has the authority to do so.

I don't understand this from Islam.

[+Xausted]

Originally Posted by Jaiket

I've just finished reading a book I picked up in a charity shop. It was written by a Muslim who emigrated to England (from Pakistan) with his family, as a child.

In the book he speaks of his disdain for puritanical cultural values infecting the religion he loves. Since I know very little about Islam I am wondering whether it's true. Stoning to death for adulterers, forcing women to cover completely, prohibitions on televisions and literature are examples that spring to mind or were used by the author.

Owing to the fact that I enjoyed the book and I thought the author conveyed a very positive image of Islam, I am very curious. The Koran is the only obvious source that I know of and I find it difficult to read. Any pointers?

The book is called Unimagined and the author is Imran Ahmad. I'll dig out direct quote later.

hi, like you i know nothing about Islam, which is stupid (I am a theology student). so just a couple of days ago i bought a book
Islam, a Short History. by Karen Armstrong.phoenix press, 2002
only first chapter into it but it is easy and imformative reading. if your understanding is very basic try the more pocket for dummies kind of book. may not always be dead on but give a general overview

[yirme]

Originally Posted by Jaiket

I've just finished reading a book I picked up in a charity shop. It was written by a Muslim who emigrated to England (from Pakistan) with his family, as a child.

In the book he speaks of his disdain for puritanical cultural values infecting the religion he loves. Since I know very little about Islam I am wondering whether it's true. Stoning to death for adulterers, forcing women to cover completely, prohibitions on televisions and literature are examples that spring to mind or were used by the author.

Owing to the fact that I enjoyed the book and I thought the author conveyed a very positive image of Islam, I am very curious. The Koran is the only obvious source that I know of and I find it difficult to read. Any pointers?

The book is called Unimagined and the author is Imran Ahmad. I'll dig out direct quote later.

peace,
stoning is not normally a proper punishment for adulterers in islam, but as in the teachings of the prophets of abrahamic lineage(biblical and quranic), it is an option. what is best is for the spouse to forgive. jesus, the messiah of islam according to the quran, also teaches against it in the gospels.
forcing women to cover themselves, or forcing them to do anything they do not wish to do, is against the teachings of islam. forcing anyone to do something they do not want to do is considered oppression (of course it is different when dealing with children, like making them eat their vegetables or clean up the dog poop in the yard), and oppression is against islam.it is the woman's decision if she wants to cover herself and how much she wishes to cover. as the quran tells us, there is no compulsion in religion. to say a woman has to cover herself to be muslim is to reject the quran. the quran says it is best for women to dress modestly. this keeps her more humble, which is good, and is does not arouse as much lust from others, which helps those around her stay focused on important things and in turn helps the society as a whole focus on things more important than lust and sex.
there should not be prohibitions on tv or literature because of islam. of course it is not recommended to watch tv shows that lead to evil deeds/thoughts, for example: baywatch or porn which would obviously lead to lust. there should be no prohibitions on literature either. muhammad specifically said to seek knowledge(ilm) even to china. good knowledge can be found in many placees and many types of books. of course books like fictional romance novels would most likely be a waste of time, but still not forbidden by islam.

i prefer the yusuf ali translation of the quran, he does a good job of having a lot of footnotes to explain some things in greater detail than many other translations.

islam is the religion of logic.

wa salaam

[AbuQuteiba]

Originally Posted by yirme

peace,
stoning is not normally a proper punishment for adulterers in islam, but as in the teachings of the prophets of abrahamic lineage(biblical and quranic), it is an option.

When a married man or woman commit adultery in Islaam, it is not an option, whether they are stoned or not. This is the punishment Allaah 'azza wa jal has set.

Originally Posted by yirme

What is best is for the spouse to forgive.

Forgiveness is in the hands of Allaah. Not the spouse.

Originally Posted by yirme

jesus, the messiah of islam according to the quran, also teaches against it in the gospels.

Perhaps. One, we do not follow the teachings of 'Eisa (Jesus) any longer. Two, the gospels are not a source for Islamic law. Three, the laws taught by 'Eisa are not accurate, since the sources of this law, today, are not accurate.

Originally Posted by yirme

forcing women to cover themselves, or forcing them to do anything they do not wish to do, is against the teachings of islam.

From the above mentioned statements, i can hardly believe you know what is and what is not taught in Islam.

Originally Posted by yirme

forcing anyone to do something they do not want to do is considered oppression (of course it is different when dealing with children, like making them eat their vegetables or clean up the dog poop in the yard), and oppression is against islam.

This is also false. Islamic law forces all kinds of things, i.e salaat (prayer), hijaab, using one's money within the boundaries of what is halaal (justified), etc.

Originally Posted by yirme

it is the woman's decision if she wants to cover herself and how much she wishes to cover.

You mean, how much more she wishes to cover.

Originally Posted by yirme

as the quran tells us, there is no compulsion in religion.

Indeed, Walhamdulillaah.

Originally Posted by yirme

to say a woman has to cover herself to be muslim is to reject the quran.

Who'd go and say something as ignorant as that?

the quran says it is best for women to dress modestly. this keeps her more humble, which is good, and is does not arouse as much lust from others, which helps those around her stay focused on important things and in turn helps the society as a whole focus on things more important than lust and sex.

there should not be prohibitions on tv or literature because of islam. of course it is not recommended to watch tv shows that lead to evil deeds/thoughts, for example: baywatch or porn which would obviously lead to lust. there should be no prohibitions on literature either. muhammad specifically said to seek knowledge(ilm) even to china. good knowledge can be found in many placees and many types of books. of course books like fictional romance novels would most likely be a waste of time, but still not forbidden by islam.

Originally Posted by yirme

i prefer the yusuf ali translation of the quran, he does a good job of having a lot of footnotes to explain some things in greater detail than many other translations.

Actually his translation is full of errors. Even in 'Aqeeda (Creed).

islam is the religion of logic.

Originally Posted by yirme

wa salaam

Are you Muslim?
Wa'alaykum as-Salaam.

[yirme]

salaam,

[quote]

Originally Posted by AbuQuteiba

When a married man or woman commit adultery in Islaam, it is not an option, whether they are stoned or not. This is the punishment Allaah 'azza wa jal has set.

i disagree, see below for details.

Forgiveness is in the hands of Allaah. Not the spouse.

surah 3:135-136 says: "And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allah - And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allahs Orders)."
i would agree that only God can forgive in the heavenly sense of the word forgive.
but if the spouse does not forgive and "forgo" the potential earthly punishment due to this earthly forgiveness, someone who is promised forgiveness and paradise by the quran could be killed. this would be killing a believer. 4:93 tells us: "And whoever kills a believer intent