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Ask a Muslim anything

Jinn

Scholar
J
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
55
Peace all,

My name is Ryan and I am a Muslim. I have been a fan of James Randi and his philosophy on many aspects for many years, and in the spirit of learning, I'd like to invite any and all questions you may have about me and my beliefs.

I'll get a few things out of the way:

I'm 25, was born into a Christian family, became Atheist and accepted Islam over 5 years ago. I am not here in an attempt to convert - only educate and answer questions to the curious.

All questions fielded will be answered; hateful commentary will be disregarded ;)
 
Do you believe that the Quran is a source of scientific knowledge of the world and the universe? If so, why?

(I'm hoping it's a better answer than "because the Quran told me so")

Oh, opinions on the legitimacy of hadiths and do you think Islamic law has jurisprudence in your family? In other words, does Islamic law give social license for acceptable behavior which may not be acceptable behavior otherwise? If so, why? If not, why?
 
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What is the Islamic position on the ultimate fate of nonbelievers? If it's as Christianity is does that not mean you have an affirmative moral duty to attempt to convert nonbelievers?
 
Hi Jinn,

Thanks for dropping by. I appreciate the fact that you are happy to talk about your beliefs frankly here and I hope that your willingness to do so will earn you respect from other posters here.

I do have a question that enters my mind when someone says they are a converted Muslim which is what form of Islam did you find convincing and why not the other forms of Islam? Did you find Sunni or Shia Islam more convincing and are you also a Sufi or an Ishmaeli, an Ahmadi or, say a Ba'hai or Druze? And somewhat connected, on what basis do you select which of the hadiths are true and which are false or to be treated with suspicion?

Thanks.
 
What happens if a Muslim becomes disillusioned and rejects Islam?
 
Welcome my friend. It will be good to have a Muslim perspective here, for all we really have is bigoted-extremist interpretations of Islam.

My question for you is this: How is your relationship with the Jews of your community?
 
Lowpro said:
Do you believe that the Quran is a source of scientific knowledge of the world and the universe? If so, why?

(I'm hoping it's a better answer than "because the Quran told me so")
Click to expand...

Peace Lowpro,

There is a man named Dr. Zakir Naik who I believe said it best: "The Qur'an is not a book of SCIENCE, the Qur'an is a book of SIGNS"

The Qur'an is a reminder for humans, not a science book. Every mention of earth and space related entities and happenings is described as a sign and a testament to God. So the simple answer is "no."

I would daresay that if the Qur'an WAS a source of scientific knowledge, it would take a library to house a single copy.
 
Jinn- by the way, I urge you to be prepared for attacks from several members of the forum. There are a few people here who hate Islam & Muslims and will stop at nothing to lie and attack you and your faith. Be strong, be peaceful, be the better man and you shall have many allies here.

Salaam.
 
Alan said:
Hello. :)

Why did you convert?
Click to expand...

Peace Alan,

I came to Islam after 3 years of studying the Qur'an (which is still an ongoing process). I could write an essay on why, but I will save you the time and tell you that in summation of my studies, the Qur'an described things such as the pulsar that couldn't have been known to mankind 1400 years ago. The rest fell into place quite nicely after that.
 
Kthulhut Fhtagn said:
What is the Islamic position on the ultimate fate of nonbelievers? If it's as Christianity is does that not mean you have an affirmative moral duty to attempt to convert nonbelievers?
Click to expand...

Peace Kthulhut,

Nobody knows. Judgement day gives us all a chance to face God and answer to his or her deeds. The Qur'an mentions in several places that non-muslims who are honest and do good in the world will be spared punishment. Ultimately though, nobody knows the fate of anyone else. Not even Muhammad knew what God would do with him on Judgement day.

There is absolutely no moral duty to actively attempt or otherwise force conversion of non-muslims. The Qur'an states "Let there be no compulsion in religion" Simply put, I don't discuss my religion with others unless people ask questions. I can offer people to ask questions, but I am not allowed to press the issue.
 
Jinn said:
Peace gerdbonk,

Because what Jesus said about himself did not align with the claim that he was God.
Click to expand...

Muslims consider Jesus to have been a prophet, born of a virgin, and the Messiah, but not the son of God. Am I correct?
 
Jinn said:
Peace gerdbonk,

Because what Jesus said about himself did not align with the claim that he was God.
Click to expand...

So, it was a philosophical rejection, not a rejection of the Christian community, church policies nor your upbringing? I ask because it appears you rejected this religion in your adolescence.
 
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angrysoba said:
Hi Jinn,

Thanks for dropping by. I appreciate the fact that you are happy to talk about your beliefs frankly here and I hope that your willingness to do so will earn you respect from other posters here.

I do have a question that enters my mind when someone says they are a converted Muslim which is what form of Islam did you find convincing and why not the other forms of Islam? Did you find Sunni or Shia Islam more convincing and are you also a Sufi or an Ishmaeli, an Ahmadi or, say a Ba'hai or Druze? And somewhat connected, on what basis do you select which of the hadiths are true and which are false or to be treated with suspicion?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Peace angrysoba,

I'm glad to be here, I've always wanted to join the JREF forums, but just never got around to it until now unfortunately.

When I first came to Islam, I considered myself a Sunni... until I started reading the hadith. The hadith are a very interesting topic and for many Muslims, are a form of canon that are not to be questioned. I found this to be wildly different from what the Qur'an says (do not accept a document until you verify it to be true), so I started asking questions anyways.

As I currently stand, I am a Muslim. I do not align with any sect because such classification is discouraged by the Qur'an, and "Muslim" is the only title that God named us, however many others like to call me a "Quranist" or "Quran-Alone" which I find false, since the Qur'an isn't the only holy text in Islam (we are to uphold the Bible and Torah with the Qur'an as authority over them). As far as hadith, I do not accept any of them because the methodology that all major collections were compiled by, have flaws in their 'scientific' methods which basically boils down to a scholar determining whether each narrator of hadith was trustworthy. It's pretty laughable. Because of this, I am of the belief that any valid hadith will align perfectly with the Quran and therefore are not needed, since the Qur'an makes the statement that Muhammad only followed what he was revealed, that being the Qur'an itself.
 
Welcome to the Forum, Jinn (cool nickname, btw)

Suppose there is a conflict between the findings of science and a particular (let's say "literal" for lack of a better descriptor) interpretation of the Koran. How would you resolve this conflict? Further, how would you address your fellow, more fundamentalist Islamic brethren who insist that such a "literal" reading of the Koran trump all else?
 
Jinn- there are several passages in the Koran that suggest Muslims should not be friends with or even associate with non-Muslims. Now, I am aware that such passages also exist in the Bible, but as a Muslim in the 21st Century, how do you feel Muslims should relate to non-Muslims, especially in Western-nations?
 
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