I'm a practising Muslim, ask me anything...

[tt9]

For context, I am late 30s female practising Muslim medical professional and have been practising for most of my adult life (to varying degrees).

Feel like a lot of people have questions that they don't ask as they fear causing offence. also there are some commonly held beliefs regarding muslims/Islam that are urban myths... so ask away. no question too offensive

@WhatWhereWho happy that i finally managed to answer a question you asked such a long time ago! just to clarify, I only explained the Qur'anic statements and Islamic law. not my place (and nor do I think there is a need) to 'justify' islamic positions. no one is compelled to accept or follow Islam, it only needs to feel acceptable to its followers. additionally it is not possible to absorb a lot of it without first accepting the premises that God exists, the Quran is the word of God etc. and also practising Islam. looking at it from the outside, doesn't give the full picture and I can understand why you would feel this way.

there is no such thing as sex slaves in Islam. men are permitted to have consensual sex with their slaves. that is all. also, if that woman then falls pregnant and gives birth, both her and the child becomes free!

also there is a difference between Islam providing guidance for an extreme situation which existed at the time (in order to phase it out) and condoning it. Islam absolutely does not condone or support slavery - any cursory reading of the Qur'an and hadith will demonstrate this. all of humanity is created as equal. the idea was as people continue to free slaves (and given capturing any human being is forbidden), slavery would die out. sadly Muslims do not always follow Islam, so it took longer to die out then desired.

incidentally the hardliners scholars you mention are not hardliners, they are idiots and not sure what they are preaching, but it's not Islam.

Hello OP. You sound very knowledgable about your faith and you clearly adhere to it strictly, so I wondered if I could ask your views about an issue thst really troubles me please. I know this would be really insignificant to many people but it's very important to me. I've asked about this before but have never really got a definitive answer.

My daughter converted to Islam about three years ago. I respect her faith completely and she respects my lack of faith. My husband, daughter and son in law are my only living close relatives and my concern is around my funeral arrangements if I outlive my husband (who is aware of my wishes and will follow them). I feel very very strongly that I want to be cremated and not buried, and realise that cremation is not permitted under Islam. If the unthinkable was to happen and my daughter was to die before me, I recognise how important her beliefs are and would follow whatever practices her husband told me were appropriate, including burial, which to me is completely abhorrent. But I would see respecting her wishes as the final thing I could do for her. However, she says that she is unable to do the same in respect of my funeral arrangements even though I am not, and never will be, a Muslim.

Can you please let me know your views on what my daughter can and can't do in respect of my funeral? I've suggested that I take out a funeral plan with all the details of my wishes so that she would only have to contact the undertaker to ask them to put my plan into action rather than making arrangements herself, but she says she can't even do this.

I've thought of asking a close friend to be responsible for my funeral arrangements if I outlive my husband, but all my friends are my age or older, and I want to be able to rely on my wishes being carried out. I understand that a Muslim should not attend a Christian funeral, but I assume there must be a degree of flexibility because both my daughter and son in law attended my mums funeral last year, which took place in a church followed by a cremation, although they obviously didn't participate in any of the religious content.

My daughter has said that she will speak to their Imam for advice when they are next in her husband's home country, but this is likely to be some time away. I would be really interested to hear your views and thank you for reading this!

Am asking you about your feelings on it and how you personally follow a belief system that allows it. Am interested in how and what people believe If I asked a question and it was wrong that would be different.

How can a slave give consent? She's a slave. You talked about the faith teaching that slaves should be treated well but Muhammad accepted and gave women as slaves and used them as concubines. That's sexual exploitation right? The story about Maria and her sister -do you believe it and think it's acceptable behaviour? During the early wars Muhammad and his followers took women as prisoners and kept some for sex. That's rape right? Even if a prisoner 'marries' her captor how is that a free decision.

ugh my last post just disappeared just as I finished typing it! I promise I will be back... have to head out now to run some errands but will insha'Allah be back this evening, keep asking the questions! xxxx

there is no such thing as sex slaves in Islam. men are permitted to have consensual sex with their slaves. that is all.

But how can a slave realistically consent to send with the person whose slave they are? I find it troubling you consider them to be consenting when they are a slave.

Consent to sex that was meant to say.

before I head off, I would like to leave some links to islamic music for you to enjoy.

hello all, sorry for the delay in responding, last night got away from me a little bit but I am back now and will be responding.. thank you so much for your patience.

Hi there, your situation sounds quite upsetting... I am sorry that you are going through it. everyone should be able to have their last wishes respected. to clarify-

1. there is nothing that forbids a Muslim from attending a non Muslim funeral. of course, they will not necessarily join any prayers, but definitely can be present. nothing in the scriptures prevent this.
2. there is also nothing in the scriptures that prevent her simply contacting the company you organised to sort out your funeral arrangement. In my first two years in medicine, I had to sign plenty of cremation forms (I did a long rotation in elderly care medicine). I checked with my spiritual guide at the time, and he said it was fine. ultimately under islamic law, non Muslims are free to live according to their beliefs.

but ultimately if your daughter has been led to believe that the above is not the way (could be following someone who doesn't hold mainstream views), then the problem remains unsolved. I am no lawyer, but could you appoint a legal firm as your executor and leave them with instructions to notify the funeral company?

I am sorry I couldn't be more helpful...

hiya, thanks so much for being patient as I get around to answering your question. the first part of your question:

With regards to the hadiths -there are different schools of thought though. If some agree on certain hadiths and another does not who should you follow?

There aren't different schools of thought on Hadith. Please see below for a brief overview of Islamic theological sciences:

Firstly there is the source material. This comes in two forms:

1. The Holy Qur'an - which is the revealed Word of God. it is preserved exactly as it was revealed.
2. The Hadith - compilation of sayings and actions of the Holy Prophet SAWS. these are preserved in the form of compiled narrations with the differences between varying accounts recorded and analysed. all narrations are validated, verified, classified (according to reliability) and analysed according to historical context.

Then there is the interpretation of the source material - these are known as Tafsir or expositions which go through all the source material with a fine tooth comb, analyse and provide commentary and contextualisation.

Finally, there is the application - this is divided into Fiqh (rulings on daily life including worship) and Shariah (Islamic Jurisprudence). This is where schools of thought come in. There are four main schools of thought which were founded by the most proficient scholars of that era (Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa RA, Hazrat Imam Shafi'i Ra, Hazrat Imam Ahmad in Hanbal RA and Hazrat Imam Malik ibn Abbas RA) who gathered together many scholars and debated and discussed for years before writing guidance and rulings that can be applied by lay Muslims.

The schools of thought agree on all core matters but there are differences in the detail eg. they may pray slightly differently etc. they are all seen to be accepted. diversity of practise is a part of Islam and is not an issue.
I have not covered differences between sunni and Shia ideologies or differences in Aqeeda (principles of faith) here, can cover that if you wish on a seperate post. I also have not covered the theological sciences of Tasawwuf which is internal purification but can again explain how that is organised if you wish.

As to the second part of your question:

Why is interpretation of the faith vague enough that multiple hadiths could exist and still be disputed?

I hope the first part of my answer clarifies to you that Islamic theology is complex rather than vague. it is a dynamic faith which has developed over centuries through scholarly debate and dialogue - hence there are differences of opinion. in fact differences of opinion are healthy and of course there will be discussions around validity and reliability when discussing historic sources (which is what Hadith are). I would rather there be disputes and differences because that demonstrates independent thought.

Islamic theology is extremely complex and it is not therefore possible for a lay Muslim to simply pick up scripture and apply it. Hence the Qur'an itself directs Muslims to seek guidance. the scholars and schools of thought are there to answer questions and provide 'how to' guides for daily life.

I think the short answer to what you are asking is that it's a complex theology - it is incredibly detailed and there is absolutely nothing vague about it. the differences of opinion stem from the fact that it is complex.

hope that answers your question. if you wish to experience how truly not vague Islamic theology is, I suggest you pick up any of the books on Fiqh or even start with Ihya ulum ud'Deen by Hazrat Imam al Ghazali RA.

@monsteramunch hi there please see my response to @WhatWhereWho below, I believe it also addresses your question:

if you read back to my first response on slavery - I make it clear that Islam does not condone or sanction slavery. it existed in 7th century Arabia - all the theological rulings are regarding either restricting it, providing rights to slaves or regarding freeing them. those rulings existed for that time. fundamentally slavery is of course completely against the ethos of Islam. if any Muslim asked permission from an Islamic scholar today if they could keep a slave, the answer would not only be a resounding no, they would be advised to work on their faith. there are almost 2 billion Muslims today, they don't have slaves for the simple reason that it is not condoned by Islam.

I am not a historian or an expert on 7th century Arabia and the socioeconomic factors which governed the way slavery was dealt with by Muslims at the time. all I can say is that there was widespread freeing of slaves. I am afraid if you wish to have a discussion about slavery in the middle east, then I am the wrong person as I am no expert and this thread is not the right place for it.

as to the question regarding consent - Muslims were not allowed to be cruel or abusive to their slaves. so if she declined, she declined. the Qur'an also advises against such interactions.

it is an insult to suggest that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) engaged in such practices. They had wives who we refer to as the mothers of the believers. That is all.

The Prophet was given a young Arab boy as a slave, he adopted him as his son.

in answer to your question about how I feel about slavery - it is despicable and abhorrent. I am in no way justifying or condoning slavery and neither does Islam.

**
I also feel I have answered this topic to the fullness of my knowledge and do not wish to engage with any further questions on slavery as I don't feel it is relevant to MY islamic practice or modern day Islam. and this thread after all are about my beliefs and practices. if you wish to learn more about slavery and Islam, I can definitely connect you to scholars who specialise in islamic history. :-)

It quite clearly does sanction it. It's in the Quran and hadith. It codified the laws around it and who could and could not be a slave. However it's still cited by extremists and some traditionalists who say because it's in the Quran it still applies. Whilst it was different to chattel slavery in the Americas, it's not all peace and love for the slaves.

It's also that you are posting trying to portray your religion in the best light and being dishonest about it. Islam is not the only religion that has horrible parts either. Like any it has some good aspects, but also some absolutely appalling ones.

I should point out one side of my family are practising Muslims, the other was raised Christian but no longer. Not sure if this is your version of Dawah but at least be honest in your answers.

It's an insult to the Prophet to say he did? You need to learn your religion then. Maria al-Qibtiyya and her sister Sirin bint Shamun were given to him with other gifts during diplomatic efforts. He kept Maria because he preferred her sexually and gave Shirin away to someone else. It is disputed as to whether he eventually married her or just used her as a concubine. How does a woman in that situation freely consent? Is that a moral way to treat women?

What should the penalty for apostasy be? How about blasphemy? The Quran and the Hadith seem to be in contradiction at points. Which do you think should be followed? Is it not a bit strange that god was not clearer? Do you think there should be any punishment for either?

@WhatWhereWho I can only answer your questions, I am not forcing you to agree with me or the learning I have received. I am simply responding to your queries regarding my beliefs. you can call me dishonest and be insulting all you like, that will not change my beliefs.

I repeat the Prophet SAWS was married. that is all. there were domestic slaves within their family who were either adopted or freed at some point. One of the Prophet SAWS wives was a freed slave.

you are welcome to believe what you like and accept whatever version of history you like, I have no issue with that.

since you have already concluded that I am dishonest, I see no point taking the time to answer your questions. I spent multiple hours carefully answering your previous questions, but you don't seem interested in answers which differ from your own viewpoint - I have no problem with that.

you also keep asking about discrepancies which are very technical and complex and require a firm grounding in islamic theology which you don't profess to possess (and if you do, no need to ask me any questions, right?). if you really wish to understand the intricacies of islamic theology I can refer you to courses and scholars.

please note I will not respond to any further posts from you, unless they are requests for referrals to courses and scholars. you can carry on posting calling me names and accusing me of all sorts, but I am not interested in getting into a fight. have a lovely evening.

It's not technical to ask whether owning people as slaves is immoral. Or about contradictions in the religion which are, to say the least problematic. I get it -you are trying to portray your religion in the best light possible and to get people to see it that way.

The thing is you are stating things that are quite clearly not true.