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Questions are categorized under three broad headings: Beliefs, Rituals, Sharee'ah. The aim is to clarify issues relating to each of these areas of Islamic theology and practice.
Beliefs
Q. Who is Allah?
A. The word “Allah” is used by all Arabic-speaking peoples (Muslims and non-Muslims) to mean “God”. In Islam Allah is One (indivisible and without partners), the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all of creation needs. He “begets not, nor was He begotten” and nothing is comparable to Him. He is absolutely independent on anything else. For example, He does not eat, sleep, become tired, or die. When Prophet Moses was asked this question, he replied: “Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright; Who has made the earth for you like a bed (spread out); Who has opened roads for you therein; Who has sent down water (rain) from the sky.” (20:50-53)
Allah is perfect in every sense of the word and in ways beyond human comprehension. He accepts sincere repentance and lavishes His Mercy on whom He pleases.
Q. Why do Muslims view Adam as sinless?
A. Islam teaches that only Allah (The One God) could forgive sins and award degrees of piety. He is the Ultimate Judge in the matter of the state of sinfulness of any member of His creation. Muslims believe that Adam was sinless because Allah declares him forgiven in the Quran. A debt that is "forgiven" remains no more. Islam teaches that Allah's forgiveness is wider than any sin any human could commit. One passage of the Quran may be translated: "Say (O Muhammad) to My servants who have utterly transgressed against themselves (by committing sins)! Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah; verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (39:53) Adam repented sincerely and Allah forgave him. It is for every sinner to mend his/her ways and benefit from Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy.
Q. What do Muslims say to non-Muslims in the matter of “godhead”?
A. Muslims extend an invitation saying, “Come to a just word, just between you and us: that we worship none but Allah, that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. We believe in that which was revealed to us and revealed to you; our ‘God' and your ‘God' is One, and to Him we have submitted.”
Q. Why do Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, since they do not view him as divine?
A. Muslims believe whatever Allah and Prophet Muhammad taught of matters of belief. Muslims believe that Prophet Jesus was of a virgin birth because the Quran clearly states this. In fact, the Quran identifies the first miracle of Jesus as his defending the honor of his noble mother, Maryam (Mary), against understandable public accusations that could have devastated her reputation. He declared her chaste and his birth miraculous.
The question conveys the impression that one must believe that Jesus was divine because he had a miraculous birth - he had no material father. What does this reasoning make of Adam who had neither father nor mother? How much more 'divine' would be the biblical character Melchisedek who was "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life..."? (Hebrews 7:3)
Q. Who was Muhammad?
A. He was the last of the prophets sent by Allah for the benefit of all humanity. Prophets were personifications of human virtues and taught by words and actions lessons integral to success in this world and Hereafter. Muhammad was a descendant of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) through his son Ishmael (Ismael). His advent and caliber are extolled in previous scriptures.
Although he was the “king” of what was arguably the strongest empire in his day, Muhammad lived in the humblest of circumstances. He left no male descendant. Today, his name is revered and celebrated 24/7 all over the globe.
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Rituals
Q. Does Islam prescribe rituals to Muslims, or are they free to “worship” as they please?
A. Among the major rituals of Islam are: five daily prayers (salaat), payment of zakaat, pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj), and fasting during the days of the entire month of Ramadhan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar). Within each of these are other rituals, some mandatory while others are merely recommended. For instance, before one could perform each of the daily compulsory prayers, the ritualistic washing (ablution) is necessary.
All rituals in Islam are special words and/or special actions recited/performed at special times as taught by Prophet Muhammad. No “ritual” is recognized unless it was taught by the prophet – otherwise it is condemned as heresy (bid'ah). Rituals are practical expressions of faith in a “religious” context.
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Sharee'ah
Q. What is the “Sharee'ah”?
A. Sharee'ah refers to the Law of Allah as revealed by Him to humanity through His Prophet Muhammad, a law to be observed in every time and place as soon as any individual or group becomes Muslim. The divine sources of Sharee'ah are the Quran and the words and deeds of the Prophet (Sunnah). The objectives of the Sharee'ah are five: protecting life (in all its dimensions), safeguarding the family unit, defending and advancing the intellect (various forms of freedom), freedom of worship (matters of belief and rituals), and respect for ownership and proper consumption of property.
It should not be misunderstood that the Quran and Sunnah merely itemize legal commandments or prohibitions. In fact, most of the content of these divine sources is devoted to instilling faith (in Allah, His Prophets, angels, revealed Books, The Day of Judgment, and life Hereafter) as well as to teaching ethics and their implications in human conduct. Salient features of the lives of Prophets are made to represent ethical guidance.
Sharee'ah is implemented as a practical demonstration of faith, a virtue that resides in the heart. Morality is the basis and outcome of a genuine implementation of Sharee'ah. Although limited in number, legal rules presented in the Quran and Sunnah enunciate general principles that apply to the life of the individual, family affairs, social morality, and international harmony and advancement. It is for each society to rise to the challenge and introduce details within the general principles to make the Sharee'ah applicable to new situations.
Islamic scholars have, over the ages, developed a marvelous intellectual methodology to produce a suitable body of detailed rules to cope with changes and needs in different times and places. This represents the interaction between human intelligence and divine revelation. Muslims are instructed to use their intellect. The Sharee'ah is to be carried out within the range of human abilities. The Quran declares, “Allah does not burden any human being with more than one is well able to bear…” (2:286) “Allah does not want to impose any hardship on you, but wants to make you pure…” (5:6)
A rule that is not specifically propounded in the Quran and/or the Sunnah, but was derived as an application of the general principles is merely a guiding precedent and not a permanent compulsory part of the Sharee'ah. Any qualified Muslim individual or society may accept any rule thus derived as long as it is found to be relevant to prevailing circumstances.
It is grossly inaccurate to think that the Sharee'ah is restricted to the strictest implementation of a penal code, oblivious of other circumstances. The Quran and Sunnah specify only a few penalties, leaving details of punishment to the discretion of the civil authorities. It is not envisaged that penal rules be implemented while other parts of the Sharee'ah are not. The Sharee'ah inspires and guides the harmonious development of individual and collective human energies: spiritually, intellectually, and physically.
Q. Is democracy compatible with the Sharee'ah?
A. The essence of democracy is that the people identify their leaders and decide who govern their affairs. The essence of the Sharee'ah on this subject is that a leader cannot be imposed upon a people – not even in the matter of rituals. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: “The best of your leaders are those whom you love and who love you; whom you pray for and who pray for you. The worst of your leaders are those whom you hate and who hate you, and whom you curse and who curse you.”
However, the “ballot box” cannot be used to over-turn any clear decision provided by the Quran and/or the Sunnah. For example, it is not a matter of public opinion to legalize murder, prostitution, intoxicants (any form of it), or promiscuity.
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| Beliefs
Who is Allah?
Why Adam sinless?
Muslims & "Godhead"
Jesus' virgin birth
Who was Muhammad?
Rituals
Prescribed rituals
Sharee'ah
What is the Sharee'ah?
Sharee'ah & democracy
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