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I Am Enjoying Being A Muslim

[big][Quran 15:24]
[quote]"And We have already known the preceding generations among you, and We already know the later ones that are yet to come."[/quote][/big]
[Quran 2:216]
[quote]"But it may be that you dislike something while it is good for you, and it may be that you like something while it is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know."[/quote]

[Quran 67:13]
[quote]"Whether you keep your words secret, or declare them—He is Aware of the inner thoughts."[/quote]

Allah knows what's best for me, so why should I complain. I always want the sunshine, but He knows there must be rain. Whatever befalls us in life could not have been avoided, and whatever does not befall us could not have been made to happen, as Allah knows best.

Allah knows what is best for me, and when it's best for me to have it.
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Madeleine · 41-45, F
@lacsar: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I must point out though that a lot of those are mistranslations of the Quran, and taken out of context. If you would allow me, I'd be glad to clarify them for readers.

[sep]

[b][u]Quran 2:191[/u][/b]
This verse came down regarding the [b]idol-worshipers of Mecca[/b] who expelled Muslims from their homes, then initiated battles against them. When you read the previous and next verses, you will have full view of its meaning.

[Quran 2:190-192]
[quote]"And fight in the cause of God [b]those who fight you[/b], but [b]do not commit aggression[/b]; God does not love the aggressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them, [b]and expel them from where they had expelled you[/b]. [b]Oppression is more serious than murder[/b]. But do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque, unless they fight you there. If they fight you, then kill them. Such is the retribution of the disbelievers. But [b]if they cease, then God is Forgiving and Merciful[/b]."[/quote]

[sep]

[b][u]Quran 3:21[/u][/b]
The website you have taken this verse from gave a wrong reference to the verse. Plus, its translation is not accurate. The verse you are referring to is [Quran 3:28] and it's translated as follows:

[quote]"Believers are not to take disbelievers for [b]alliance[/b] instead of believers. Whoever does that has nothing to do with God, unless it is to protect your own selves against them. God warns you to beware of Him. To God is the destiny."[/quote]

This verse has a [b]political context[/b], and it does not refer to you and me, but to leaders. The prohibition of Muslims not being allowed to be alliance with non-Muslims is only in war, making alliances with the enemy over the Muslims. That is what the passage is speaking about. There is no prohibition against Muslims having cordial friendly, everyday relations with non-Muslims. Moreover, ‘to protect’ themselves is only allowed is when the enemy is capable of hurting the Muslims.

[sep]

[b][u]Quran 5:33[/u][/b]
The context of this verse itself will clear any negative perceptions against Islam. One cannot quote verse 5:33 without quoting verse 5:32 (prohibition of murder) and verse 5:34 (command to forgive). Let us examine the verse in its proper context:

[quote]"Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel: that [b]whoever kills a person—unless it is for murder or corruption on earth—it is as if he killed the whole of mankind[/b]; and whoever saves it, it is as if he saved the whole of mankind. Our messengers came to them with clarifications, but even after that, many of them continue to commit excesses in the land. The punishment for those who fight God and His Messenger, and strive to spread corruption on earth, is that they be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides, or be banished from the land. That is to disgrace them in this life; and in the Hereafter they will have a terrible punishment. [b]Except for those who repent before you apprehend them[/b]. So know that God is Forgiving and Merciful."[/quote]

There are several points to note here. The first is the gravity of the offense. This is punishment for [b]waging war[/b] against the Prophet of God and [b]spreading evil and destruction[/b]. In modern terminology this would be considered “terrorism”. This is a punishment for such a severe offense, hence the severity of the punishment.

The verse comes directly after a verse prohibiting murder and likening the unjust murder of a single individual to the slaughter of humanity. The Quran purposefully describes the gravity of the sin before describing the punishment. The crime of murder and committing terrorist activities is regarded as such a severe violation in Islam, that a severe retribution has been prescribed. Waging war against God’s prophet is tantamount to waging war against Our Creator Himself.

[sep]

[b][u]Quran 8:12[/u][/b]
This verse and the verses before and after were revealed about [b]the Battle of Badr[/b], which occurred in Arabia in the early seventh century. A battle in which the pagans of Mecca traveled more than 200 miles to Madinah with an army of about 1000 to destroy Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and fellow Muslims had suffered severe persecutions and torture for 13 years in the city of Mecca. And now that they had fled Mecca and found a sanctuary in the city of Madinah, they were once again threatened. Muslim Army was only about 300 strong. God Almighty gave the order to Muslims to fight to defend their lives and faith. The enemy came to them with the intent to kill Muslims. It was a war to defend themselves and their Faith. It was a war imposed upon Muslims.

And when you fight, you strive to kill the enemy during the fight. However, even during the war, Islam has the highest moral law of war. You don't kill children, women or any one who is not fighting with you.

In this verse, God encourages the Muslims to fight and promised to put fear in the enemy's hearts, so Muslims wouldn't be intimidated by the number of their enemy.

[Quran 8:10-13]
[quote]"[b]God only made it a message of hope, and to set your hearts at rest[/b]. Victory comes only from God. God is Mighty and Wise. He made drowsiness overcome you, as a security from Him. And He sent down upon you water from the sky, to cleanse you with it, and to rid you of Satan’s pollution, and to fortify your hearts, and to strengthen your foothold. Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs.” That is because they opposed God and His Messenger. Whoever opposes God and His Messenger—God is severe in retribution."[/quote]

[sep]

And God knows best.

... to be continued.
Madeleine · 41-45, F
@lacsar:

[b][u]Quran 8:60[/u][/b]
I must point out first that [i]Surah[/i] (chapter) 8 of the Quran - which you have mentioned 3 verses from - is titled [The Spoils of War], which is an enough indication that verses of this [i]Surah[/i] are actually related to war affairs.

This verse is a historical one, which gave Muslims permission to fight the enemy, which was hostile to the Muslim community. All one needs to do is read the verse that proceeds. The next verse [Quran 8:61], God orders Muslims that if the enemy were to ‘incline to peace’, then Muslims have incline to peace as-well. But, if the enemy does not want peace, then God gives Muslims to engage the enemy until there is no more persecution against Muslims.

[Quran 8:60-61]
[quote]"And prepare against them all the power you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize, to terrify thereby God’s enemies and your enemies, and others besides them whom you do not know, but God knows them. Whatever you spend in God’s way will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged. But [b]if they incline towards peace, then incline towards it[/b], and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer, the Knower."[/quote]

The verse, besides embodying an important principle about making peace-treaties, throws interesting light on the character of the wars undertaken by Islam. Muslims did not resort to war to force men to embrace Islam but to establish and maintain peace. If any people after having made war upon Muslims sued for peace the latter were enjoined not to reject the offer, even if the enemy might be suing for peace only to deceive them and gain time. This shows to what lengths Islam goes to establish peace among nations.

[sep]

[b][u]Quran 8:65[/u][/b]
This verse is also taken from the same Surah above, which also speaks of war affair. There's mistransation as well. Let's read it in context and with more accurate translation:

[Quran 8:64-66]
[quote]"O prophet! Count on God, and on the believers who have followed you. O prophet! Rouse the believers [b]to battle[/b]. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred; and if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of those who disbelieve; because [b]they are a people who do not understand[/b]. God has now lightened your burden, knowing that there is weakness in you. If there are a hundred steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred; and if there are a thousand of you, they will defeat two thousand by God’s leave. God is with the steadfast."[/quote]

Obviously, this verse speaks of disbelievers who fight against Muslims in war. Plus, when I say someone "[i]does not understand[/i]", doesn't mean that this person is "[i]stupid[/i]".

[sep]

[b][u]Quran 9:5[/u][/b]
This verse was revealed regarding the pagans of Mecca who had peaceful treaty with Muslims, but they broke that treaty. If you read the passages before and after, and with more accurate translation, you will have complete understanding of the context of this verse.

[Quran 9:1-6]
[quote]"A declaration of immunity from God and His Messenger [b]to the polytheists with whom you had made a treaty[/b]. So travel the land for four months, and know that you cannot escape God, and that God will disgrace the disbelievers. And a proclamation from God and His Messenger to the people on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, that God has disowned the polytheists, and so did His Messenger. If you repent, it will be better for you. But if you turn away, know that you cannot escape God. And announce to those who disbelieve a painful punishment. [b]Except for those among the polytheists with whom you had made a treaty, and did not violate any of its terms, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfill the treaty with them to the end of its term. God loves the righteous[/b]. When the Sacred Months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them. And capture them, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every ambush. But if they repent, and perform the prayers, and pay the alms, then let them go their way. God is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. And [b]if anyone of the polytheists asks you for protection, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of God; then escort him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.[/b]"[/quote]

[sep]

[b][u]Quran 9:123[/u][/b]
The accurate translation of the verse is the following:

[quote]"O you who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers [b]who attack you[/b], and let them find severity in you, and know that God is with the righteous."[/quote]

[sep]

And God knows best.
Madeleine · 41-45, F
@jezebel: The Quran is available publicly for everyone to read. Here's a full and clear English translation of the Quran:
http://www.clearquran.com/

Please, I encourage you to read it.
GeniUs · 56-60, M
So by that argument whatever happens to you will happen whether you work hard or do nothing.
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Madeleine · 41-45, F
@NearMiss: I understand that you hate Islam for some reason. I'm not here to change your mind. Islam is beautiful, but only people with sincere heart would enjoy its beauty. I've been accused here by being an evil, just because I believe in the One God and I live by the principle of purifying our hearts, and try to improve our character for the benefit of ourselves and the world around us.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
[quote]"The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom the people's lives and wealth are safe."[/quote]
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