A few questions about Islam
By addysmum
@addysmum (1225)
Canada
August 11, 2008 4:43pm CST
Hi,
I have not studied Islam yet but I have become a inter-faith minister. Part of my duties as a minister as I see it is to dispel misconceptions of all faiths. At the end of my seminary studies I will be able to council in many areas of many faiths. I as of yet do not have a copy of the Quran but I am going to have to get one. This morning I had a Christian friend attack the Islamic faith saying that Muhammad married a child and is a sick man. I tried explaining to her that it was different times and that while we think of it as being sick it wouldn't have been seen that when in those times. After doing the best I could to bring understanding to her about time periods and such I felt that maybe I needed to understand a bit more about Islam. I don't even know were to begin without having read the Quran I am unsure of the differences outside of the most obvious. Could someone of Islamic faith help guide me through some basic knowledge that could help me in the future. I am looking for a basic time line of events (I have heard that the Quran is not in chronological order), I am looking for information on Muhammad's wives, I guess just any information that can help me as I start to learn about Islam.
So for the sake of making a discussion how do you deal with the differences and dispelling misconceptions? I will tell everyone right now I will not acknowledge out right abuse of any faith in this discussion, I am looking for honest information about the life and teachings of a very real person and his followers. Thank you.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Aswan1980 (19)
• Netherlands
12 Aug 08
Ok I typed up this whole thing and found out I my session had expired and I'm not able to copy/paste untill I reach the score of 500. so I posted my reply on this blog so i don't have to type it all up again you can check it out here:
http://islamicrevival.wordpress.com/
2 people like this
@Gordano (795)
• United States
12 Aug 08
" Could someone of Islamic faith help guide me through some basic knowledge that could help me in the future."
First Of all, I must appreciate Your brilliant and Respectful way of Requesting Information about a religion From its Followers.
I 'm a Muslim and I will do My best to Help you in your studies about Islam.
For The Basics of Islam You can visit:
http://www.isb.org.uk/pages/islam_explained/pages/ie1.htm
There are 21 Pages Explains - in brief - The Basis Beliefs of Islam.
as For The Holy Quran there are some Facts to bear in mind.
*- There are Many Translations of The Holy Quran and all of it are only Translations of the Meanings of The Holy Quran Taken From The Original Text in Arabic , Some Translations are better Than Others and You will get The General meaning by reading one translation but It is Highly recommended to take a look other translations too, and bear in mind that no translation Can Help to get The essence of the Arabic text when The Holy Quran was a Challenge to the Arabs who were Considered "The Kings of Speech".
The Following link May Help you to read 10 Translations plus The Original text in Arabic and Transliteration.
http://www.answering-christianity.com/quran_search.htm
You can use The Noble Verses' Numeric Search to get The Verses you want.
as for me I recommend The Translation by "Yusuf Ali"
*- When you study The Holy Quran you will also need to read the Tafasir "interpretation" of The Verses, That Link will Help
http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=0&tSoraNo=1&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=no&LanguageID=2
There is also some websites Provide The Historic Background refers to The Events related to some Verses. That Link will Help in The Historic Background:
http://www.muhajabah.com/quran.htm
Please refer to "Chapter Introductions to the Quran - Background information and commentary on each surah" and It true that the Quran is not in chronological order as You Mentioned in Your post.
as For the Prophet Muhammad's wives I will provide you very soon with the appropriate link about The issue from Trusted Islamic Websites.
Thank You Once again for your Respectful way of Requesting Information about a religion From its Followers, I will observe The post and I will try to answer Your questions about Islam.
Best Regards
2 people like this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
12 Aug 08
Gordano, I just cannot stand by and allow others to disrespect a great prophet. I don't care what faith he founded his teachings where inspired by God and he deserves the respect of us, ALL OF US, just as much as Jesus or the Buddha or any other great masters. Thank you for the links and information. I am going to have a lot of reading ahead of me.
