do muslims know what legalism is? are they allowed to read books about it?
597403
first why are these lows added \n\nfor the good of it's citizens \n\nsecond who writes it \n\nppl summarizing the roles \n\nthird what Koran says regarding lows of a community \n\n(and obey god and his prophet and the ones in charge upon you ) note it did not mention what religion or faith the ones in charge are\n\ntherefor we as Muslims must know the rules to obey it \nso there isn't a problem in reading those books\n\nnote: in Islam there is no obeying to anything contradict Allah's orders
1142597
May Allah guide you all. and to the guy who said to read another book to see what the Quran really says. im sorry but that's stupid logic. you should read the QURAN to see what the QURAN says. \n\nMay You all see the truth one day.ameen.\n\nyou have nothing to lose by reading the Quran. whether you intend to read it to become Muslim, or just to read it to be more educated.
108409
www.prophetofdoom.net\nLook at the quotes, then download a copy of the Koran and look them up in context to be sure.  Look at Muhammed's own words on the subject.  If he's lying about his own religion, they are in real trouble.\nDon't even confuse Islam with a religion of peace.\nFew religions are religions of peace (Buddhism comes darn close).\nMost religions have gone through a reformation or two and don't take their Holy Books so seriously.  When was the last time you saw a Christian stone someone as it says in the Bible.\nIslam still hasn't been through a reformation of the sort I'm referring to and takes it's book quite literally.  Remember that the terrorism of the attack on the Twin Towers was cheered by more than 70% of Islam!  There was partying in the streets!\n\nRead Muhammud's own words on it.  Believe Muhammed.
612947
The Holy Quran on Freedom of Conscience\nPUNISHMENT OF APOSTACY IN ISLAM \nFrom one point of view the universe created by God Almighty is divided into two portions. A large portion does that which it is commanded by God Almighty to do, and thus carries out the will of God. The other portion has been given the choice to carry out God's behest or to ignore it. This second portion is man upon whom God Almighty has conferred freedom of action. \nEverything besides man carries out that which God Almighty desires it to do. For instance, the Holy Quran says concerning the angels: They do that which they are commanded ( 66: 7). From this point of view everything besides man is an angel, as it does that which it is commanded to do. The winds carry out whatever they are commanded. During a particular season the trees are commanded to shed their leaves and they do so. The fields are sometimes commanded to produce good harvests and they do so. Sometimes God commands them: I am wroth with a certain region of the earth, so let it bring about conditions of famine, and the same region which has previously produced the means of nourishment for the people, thereupon brings about conditions of famine. \n\nIslam is the religion of nature. So far as man is concerned the notion of compulsion in human life is inconsistent with the divine project of the universe, inasmuch as if God Almighty had imposed His will upon man there would have been no difference between man and an animal, or a tree or a stone. Islam being in accord with human nature sets forth a teaching, concerning the freedom of conscience and the freedom of belief, which establishes an ideal for the world. It is not only certain religions that have permitted compulsion in matters of faith, but several philosophic conceptions are also opposed to freedom of conscience and regard compulsion as permissible. Islam does not permit anything of the kind. Islam has established an ideal standard in respect of freedom of conscience. God Almighty has said in effect: This is the religion of nature which comprises perfect guidance. A perfect Book has been revealed. No other teaching fulfils human needs to a greater degree, nor provides greater beneficence for man, nor discloses to man more clearly the ways that bring man nearer to God. It is Islam alone which has thrown open to man all the gates of approach to God. It imposes no compulsion nor does it permit any. In Islam God says: I account compulsion as evil. I proclaim freedom of conscience and guarantee freedom of belief. \n\nReflection upon the Holy Quran reveals several aspects of this teaching. For instance, it is said: Proclaim, O Prophet, O mankind the Truth has indeed come to you from your Lord. Then whoso follows the guidance, follows it only for the good of his own self, and whoso errs does so only to his own detriment. I am not appointed a keeper over you (10: 109). \nHere the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, has been commanded to proclaim to mankind that perfect truth has been presented to them in the Holy Quran in the form of the teachings of Islam. He who accepts it does so only to his own good" and he who goes astray does so only to his own loss. The Holy Prophet is commanded to proclaim that he is not responsible for the people. They them- selves have to provide for their own good, or to earn the wrath of God Almighty. This is not his business. Every soul must bear this responsibility for itself. \n\nIt is pointed out that every path that guides to the gardens of the pleasure of God Almighty has been described in the Holy Quran. It is the business of man to tread along them of his own free will, or to turn away from them of his own will. The Holy Prophet, peace be on him, bears no responsibility in that behalf, nor would he exercise any compulsion in respect of it. \nAgain it is said: Proclaim O Prophet: This is the truth from your Lord; then let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve. We have prepared for the
309319
There were rumors, but I haven't heard anything definite.  Isn't it strange that when alot of people do something wrong in public opinion they convert to Islam.  Why is that?  Do they not have laws or morals at all?  Not being sarcastic, it's just odd.
1124570
A Big NO. This is where the misconception started. Opression in any sense is strictly prohibited. Even outlined War laws in Quran are;\n1- Donot damage ready crops during raids.\n2- Donot damage trees and plants during raids.\n3- Donot harm civilians, children, senior citizens and even the soilders unarmed. \n\nFor details you can consult a copy of authentic translation of Quran, only authentic copy of translation. I recommed the translation of Quran in English by Sir Marmuduke Pickthall. If you will need i will give you references and verses numbers so that you can yourself consult them. I request to all humanity that actions of individuals doesnot necessarliy represent Islam i.e. actions of any fraction i.e. Osama, Taliban or hamas doesnot necessairly labeled as Islamic. And even any opression or rape case by an individual in Pakistan, Iran or Saudi Arabia can be represented as Islamic. We simply cannot label islam as the reason of any action by any muslim arround the globe. \n\nPlease email me at zaffarrajput@gmail.com of any querries you want.
884691
If the person is a Muslim, would you want them to swear on the bible? A holy book that they didn't believe in? How valid would that promise be?\n\nYours is a rather silly question in the first place. One of the guarantees we have is freedom of religion. You would violate this person's constitutional rights?
762088
Actually, I'm trying very hard to read the koran (quran, qur'an, etc).  \n\nBut, it's really, really difficult to read unless you suspend belief in, and knowledge of, history, religion (Judaism and Christianity), morals, science, and common sense.
299208
Others have said that it is about control, and in a sense that is true, but not in the way they are thinking.\n\nThe thing about legalism, is that it is a very primitive ethical system – it is similar to the same system that children understand – the adults make rules and the children follow them without question or understanding the reason for the law.  That is a fine system for children who have not developed the ability to think in anything but concrete terms – it is lamentable when adults decide to live under a system – it is even more lamentable when other adults try to impose such a system onto other adults.\n\nFor the most part folks who find legalism attractive are adults who operate with that very primitive ethical and moral understanding.  They are folks who are trying to be in control of themselves and their own lives and without hard and fast rules find themselves to be unable to be comfortable.  Life is a chaotic place and not everyone is equipped, mentally and emotionally to cope with uncertainty – legalism helps to provide that certainty.  It is very comforting to know that if the bible says that homosexuality is a sin, then God hates fags, and I don’t have to think about it, or consider my own sexuality in light of that – it is wrong, period, end of thinking.  It is sad and wrong, but comforting to those who choose to, or need to define their world in such black and white terms.  This is also why people who hold a legalistic outlook on thing will not discuss scripture – they will tell you what the scripture says, but they will not discuss alternate interpretations, or even the deeper implications of their own pet interpretation.  If the rule book can be wrong then the entire moral system, may well crumble – and then how could one know they were right?\n\nSo legalism IS an attempt at control, but it is not an attempt to control those on the outside (though some are very excited about that too) but it is an attempt to have some control over one’s own life.  While legalism is crushing and painful to those it is imposed upon unwillingly – it is not imposed out of malice, but out of a deep – though misguided attempt at doing the right thing.
771271
I read half of it (should probably have finished it, which I might do in the future.)  She had some good point, mainly highlighting the institution of 'Ishdihad' where Muslims themselves can keep an eye on whats going on with their religion; free thought.  This is applicable to todays world where some people are wildly misinterpreting the religion, hence the result being nasty attacks on INNOCENT civilians, which it totally condemned in Islam.  \n\nOne thing I will hold against her, she goes to say that she is openly a lesbian with a girlfriend.  My understanding of Homosexuality in Islam is this:  The religion takes sexuality and sex as two different and independent things.  So, If your straight, this doesn't give you the right to have sex with many women before marriage, you can only have sex within the marriage.  The Quran acknowledges that people can have homosexual thoughts and tendencies but these should not be acted upon sexually.  Now, if she researched the religion to the extent of being able to write a book about it she should have known this, which she either does know and disregards or doesn't know.  This is quite hypocritical in my opinion.
741930
In a theocratic government, there is never the freedom of faith. In most of the Islamic countries, no other religion than Islam can be freely practised.
912662
Not all Muslims hold to the traditional views...many of the more educated, enlightened Muslim people live openly and free from that way of thinking
1033793
I read it.  I also read the koran and the bible.  That article is crap.  Lies.  The koran says over and over to kill non-believers.  It says to cut their heads off, cut off their fingers and toes.  And muslims read it and believe it.  Islam is the religion of Satan.
956096
5:51 & 9:29 "against"\n5:82 & 2:62  "respect"\n\nWhat makes muslims decide how to treat those of other faiths depends on whether they have read the entire Qur'an in context, and understand it's meaning, or whether they follow the lead of haters without understanding. This can happen in any faith.
917124
i am a muslim, and you are allowed to date, the major factor is that the religion of islam tends to be more on the vague side, allowing poeple to interpret and practice in whatever way they feel is right in their hearts.  the problem with the mulsims over seas is that they tend to read the koran (holy book similar to bible and christianity) and read every word literally and are unwilling to change with time.  overall it is the basic meaning of the koran that should be sought after, not the word for word exact definition.  i hope this was clear and gives you a little more insight.
195606
YOu have to look at what Islam teaches you.\nFor jut a moment, disregard what others tell you about the violence people are accusing islam of.\n\nIslam teaches to respect life. IT is forbidden to harm anything, human, plant, insect, animals for no reason\n\nIT is forbidden to lie, backbite.\nIts a duty of every muslim, to help the needy, the poor, orphans, visit the sick.\n-Be good to ones neighbour.\n-Vist others and have food with them, regardless of faith.\n-Respect others faith, muslim or not.\n-Have patience, and enjoin the good, forbid the evil\n-Believe in one and only one God.\n-It is forbidden to commit any sort of crime, robbery.\n-Do not hurt another person, physically or emotionally.\n-Respect ones parents to the utmost- do not talk back to them, do not talk loud infront of them, walk behind them as a sign of respect.\n-Acquire knowlege, \n-Use this life in the most beneficial way possible.\n-Society and house manners should be maintained.\n-Be humble and have humility, do not be arrogant.\n\nSo you see, Islam is a beutiful religion, and it teaches one to be good and humble.\n\nAs for the violence, its a shame that some muslims do not understand the rules of Islam and tend to interprete it themselves the wrong way.\nYou cannot really blame the religion for how its followers are not following it correctly.
703998
Welcome  !!!\n\nThe Holy Quran : Chapter: 6 (Al-An`am), Verse:126\n \n[6:126] So, whomsoever God intends to guide, He expands his bosom for the acceptance of Islam; and whomsoever He intends that he should go astray, He makes his bosom narrow and close, as though he was mounting up into the skies. Thus does God inflict punishment on those who do not believe. \n\nThe Holy Quran : Chapter: 3 (Al-`Imran), Verse:20\n \n[3:20] Surely, the true religion with God  is Islam. And those who were given the Book did not disagree but, after knowledge had come to them, out of mutual envy. And whoso denies the Signs of God , then surely, God  is quick at reckoning. \n\nThe Holy Quran : Chapter: 39 (Al-Zumar), Verse:23\n \n[39:23] Is he then whose bosom God  has opened for the acceptance of Islam, so that he possesses a light from his Lord, like him who is grouping in the darkness of disbelief? Woe, then, to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of God ! They are in manifest error. \n\nPeace