sighhswolf

I have been doing some reading about the practice of Islam, and the interpretation of the Qur'an.
I ran across some interesting questions and answers and decided to try and get some feedback from this forum.

Ques: Is it permitted for the women to read/teach the Holy Qur'an in their menstrual or puerperal hemorrage period? Is there any concession for them in this regard?
Ans: The recitation, teaching, reading and education of the Holy Qur'an are prohibited for women during their menstrual or puerperal hemorrhage period, even if it is of one verse or even less. It is also prohibited and not permissible to touch the Holy Qur'an directly in those days for women both for students and teachers.
However, a woman teacher is permitted, in those days, to teach the Holy Qur'an by spellings and cutting the words into and it means that a verse must not be recited/read in one breath. The breath must be broken at every word. For instance "Al hamdu Lillahi Rabbil 'alameen" is one verse, it should be read/recited like this: "Alhamdu" first separately, "Lillahi" separately, "Rabbul" separately and "'alameen" in a separate and another breath.
Thus, because of this it is prohibited and impermissible for women (whoever they are; students or teachers) in their days in the same manners and ways as they are permitted to recite/read in normal days. It is obligatory to refrain from this sin and whatever sins have been committed so far, seeking forgiveness of Allah, Almighty, for those sins from the cone of heart, is an obligation, and for future, recitation/reading of the Holy Qur'an in menstrual course or puerperal hemorrhage must not be done.
However, in those days one can listen the recitation/reading of the Holy Qur'an in those days from her teacher, who is purified or/and from her class-fellow or/and from tape recorder/cassette player. It is permissible.
(ref: Fatawa Ash-Shamiah; vol.1 p-293)
Istifta No. 16753

So women cant even touch the book while you are menstrating?

I thought the Military had the most useless
patronizing explanations of regulations, but this beats it hands down.

Ques: According to the Mazhab Hanafi one has to grow the beard as long as a fist hold in order for it to be Sunnah. What is the Islamic ruling in the other Mazhabs, that is in Mazhab Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali, is it permissible to grow the beard less than a fist hold. I am saying is having a beard still Sunnah if it is less that a fist hold according to the other three Mazhabs mentioned above. For instance some people got a beard close cut to their face and say they are following the Sunnah.
Ans: According to consensus of Muslim opinion, to cut the beard is haraam. Similarly to cut the beard if it is less than one fist is also haraam. All the four Imams; Hanafiah, Malikiah, Shaf'iah and Hambaliah are agreed on it. The detail do exists in religious books. However, what regarding the limit of beard, the detail is as under:
From the head side below the "Kanpati" and in front of both the ears, the rear portion of cheeks where hair grows and downward both sides, the portion which is meeting mustaches. Similarly the chin and jaw bone where hairs grow, these are the places of beard, to keep the beard on these portions of face is necessary.
The hairs which are below the lower lip which are also called the child beard, the cutting of these hairs is also not lawful. Similarly to cut the hairs of both sides of this child beard is also prohibited. Moreover the hairs from chin to throat are also included in the limit of beard, to cut the hairs of this place is not allowed.
However the hairs which grow on the risen portion of cheek and below the eyes, or the hairs which grow out far throat to the vein of food and around the neck, the cutting of hairs of these portions is allowed.
Therefore, those people who after growing few hairs on their chin and term or consider them as beard, is not correct. They are under the threat of cutting the beard. They should refrain from such non-proper practice.
(ref: Hamish: page 16, vol.1, Shamiah: page 418, vol.2)

You know after sept. 11th we have been subjected to the view that Islam is not in any way an oppressive lifestyle, but this doesnt look like freedom to me.
Ques: Under which conditions are women allowed to leave the home?
Ans: The principle command for women is that they should remain in their home and should not go out without any extreme need because mischief is feared in their going out.
However if they have to go out in extreme necessity then they should go with a Mahram and duly covered in Burqa' or large overlay so that their body including their cloths should not be visible and after buying the required article they should come back at once. In this condition there is no Haraam.

I seen some strict dress codes, but this is the
toughest I have seen.

Ques: Why is it so necessary to keep the Azaar (trouser) above the ankles at all times?
Ans: Since very severe punishment is announced in Hadith to the person who wares Azaar (trouser) lower than ankles, such persons are not even blessed by Allah's mercy, therefore, it is necessary for Muslim men that they should keep Azaar (trouser) above their ankles at all time.

Talk about "high water".

Ques: During my office hours I have to wear pants, shirt and tie. Apart from the dress, it is a girls university and most of the staff are from USA and UK and most of them are women. Please guide me as what should I do. As I am sure that the dress I am wearing is not a dress a Muslim should wear.
Ans: Pure silk clothes or red or yellow coloured clothes are prohibited for Muslim gents as it is unlawful. It is necessary to refrain from it. For gents white colour is liked. If your clothes are not of prohibited kind and they only resemble with the Kuffaars, then, in compulsion, you may wear them in office time. But you should better not use tight and close to body type of clothes and should use loose and wide pants etc., so that your body may not be displayed.

I have never really liked wearing a tie, but I'll
be damned if I knew that a "tie" was a symbol of christianity.

Ques: It is said that neck-tei is a symbol of cross in Christianity, as its origin was to make it so. Now that its become very common, is there any leniency about it? What about the imam who wears tie.
Ans: To wear tie is a particular symbol and national custom of Christians. It is essential to refrain from wearing it as it is prohibited to resemble with the mode of life of non-Muslim nations. Hence the mentioned Imam Sahib should not wear such dress which resemble with jews or christians. If such person inspite of advise, refused to change the attitude, then to make such person the Imam is not correct. Any pious and follower of Shari'ah should be made Imam.

Of course the clothing issues pale in comparison to the personal hygiene issues.

Ques: What is the meaning of cutting infra-umbilical hairs, i.e. it includes hairs of which regions?
Ans: While sitting in squatting position up to the curve of belly to the private parts and around the private parts, and around the anus, hairs of all these areas are considered infra-umbilical hairs. It is essential and necessary/obligatory to cut these hairs.
(ref: 'Aun Al Ma'bood; page 81 vol.1)

I now understand what our Islamic JoJo buddy was espousing about butt wiping.

Ques: Often when we go for three days Jamaa'at we stay in mosques where they have these accursed European toilets! It appears as though they have been designed to pollute oneself. It doesn't matter how on tries to save oneself it seems as though some splashes must pollute. Before relieving oneself, one drops quite a bit of tissue to save oneself from splashes. But when water is used to clean the private parts. it doesn't matter how much tissue is used obviously gets soaked and PERHAPS splashes are felt. One cannot be sure.
Please tell us of a way we can save ourselves from this pollution and how far do we act upon the Shak (doubt) that inevitably occurs. Any other advice with regards to these Devilish European toilets would be great.
Ans: In such situation first put some tissue papers etc. to keep safe from the impurity. Then unless and until one is certain about the splashes he should not consider the impurity only on doubt.

The more I read, the more sickening it gets.

Ques: I wanted to know if listening to music (Arabic or English) is Halaal or Haraam? Please back your statement up with an ayah from the Qu'ran or ahadith.
Ans: To listen music in Arabic or in any other language is not permissible and lawful in Shari'ah. There are severe restrictions and scolding in the traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to such a person which is mostly or totally involved in listening the music, because of the involvement one's heart and mind deviate from the remembrance of Allah and becomes prone to sensuousness and prohibited activities. It is also not permissible and lawful.
Therefore, it is better for one to refrain from these sort of activities.
References:
1.There are some people who get interested in those things which take
them away from the Qur'an and get interested in those things which make them forgetful of Allah. They go astray from the right path and they also lead other into the same darkness of misbelief and deviated from the righteous path of the religion of Allah. They will get severe punishment on the Day of Judgement. (Al-Qur'an Surah Luqman: Aayah 6)
2.Soon some people of my Ummah will have liquor by changing its name or label. They will get involved into singing and dancing. Allah will submerge them into earth and some of them will change into swine and some into monkey. (Ibnu Majah; p-290)
3.To listen this (music) is a sin. (Fataawa Aalamgeeriah; vol.5 p-351)
Istifta No. 16836

One of the best ways to keep a society ignorant and submissive is to control ALL outlets to world
news and curtail by force if necessary contact with other cultures.

Ques: I would like to know if T.V is prohibited (Harram) in Islam? If it is so why?
Ans: As the T.V. comprises countless forbidden, unlawful programs and often it is used for sinful purposes, the whole Muslim society has been spoiled due to this, hence to buy, to sell, and to watch T.V. is unlawful according to Shari'ah (Islamic Jurisprudence). To avoid it, is a must.

Much of the information about ancient cultures
and life come from paintings drawings and architecture of the time period and without these gifts from the past our knowledge of our history as a species would be severely limited.
Based on that statement I cannot now or will I ever understand this:

Ques: What is the Islamic ruling regarding photographs? These days it is very difficult to avoid them. Books, magazines, food packages almost everything has a picture. Even some Islamic sites have photographs of people like Qardawi and Dr. Muzzamil Siddiqui.
Ans: Making pictures or getting pictures and keeping them with oneself is strictly prohibited and it is a sin. It must be avoided it is obligatory.
The books, magazines and food containers having pictures, their purpose is not of selling the pictures but to sell the items. One can avoid oneself from these pictures by erasing them with pen or affix some plain stickers on them so that they cannot be visible. And the medicine boxes having pictures can be torn into pieces. The bottle of medicine can be kept in house with the sticker affixed on the picture.
There are strict prohibitions on making or getting pictures in the traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Some of them are give below:
1. If there is a picture or dog in a house, the angels of blessings do not enter into that house.
(Bukhari; Baab-ut-Tasaaweer - vol.2 p880)
2. The picture makers will be having the harshest punishment on the Day of Judgment.
(Bukhari; Baab 'Azaab-al-Musawwireen Yaum al Qiyaamah - vol.2 p880)
3. Ayeshah (Radhi Allahu Anha) narrates that the Prophet came from Journey, I had a pictured curtain on the niche. When the prophet saw that he torn it and said that severe punishment will be given to them who try to equalize themselves by copying Allah in the attribute of creation.
(Bukhari; - vol.2 p880)
4. Ayeshah (Radhi Allahu Anha) narrates that I bought pictured pillow for the Prophet, he stopped at the door, he did not came in. I asked if I had done something wrong. I said that I would ask for the forgiveness of Allah for the sin I might have committed. The prophet asked about the pillow. I
said that with the purpose that you should sit on it and recline. The prophet said that on the Day of Judgment the people who make pictures will have punishment and they will be asked to get alive their pictures they made. And verily, angels do not enter into the house which have pictures.
(Bukhari; - vol.2 p880)
5. The Prophet cursed the ones who take interest, pay interest, get tattoos, make tattoos and make pictures. (Bukhari; Baab min La'n-al-Musawwir - vol.2 p881)
Istifta No. 17296

Now the prohibition against the use of intoxicants
for Muslims could be considered a somewhat beneficial admonition, but the punishment for the infraction indicates the length and level of
violence common in Islamic texts, and how it is used as a tool to command total and blind obedience through fear.

Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas: The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: Every intoxicant is khamr (wine) and every intoxicant is forbidden. If anyone drinks wine, Allah will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance. If he repeats it a fourth time, it is binding on Allah that He will give him tinat al-khabal to drink. He was asked: What is tinat al-khabal, Apostle of Allah? He replied: Discharge of wounds, flowing from the inhabitants of Hell. If anyone serves it to a minor who does not distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful, it is binding on Allah that He will give him to drink the discharge of wounds, flowing from the inhabitants of Hell. Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 26, Number 3672

Not a reprimand, not help for a problem, but the vileness of being forced to drink the discharge flowing from the wounds of those in hell.
To me this indicates the level of violence and
the oppressive nature inherent in Islam.

I am sure that our muslim friends will have some choice comments and rebuttals to the information above, but...all I did was take the questions and answers from an Islamic information source.

My reasoning for this post has to do with the overall oppressive nature of Islam and it's practices.
These are just a minor sample of the "rules" of Islam.
Our society is in process of a major change in the way we approach religious tolerance, and Islam is growing at a rapid pace.

I for one think we should learn everything we can
about the forces that may shape our world for future generations and be wary of acceptance without knowledge. Tolerance does not mean ignorance or apathy with regard to religious practice.
Through the Q and A process a clear picture emerges of a religious doctrine maintained through fear and intimidation.

Granted, the Judeo-Christian world is not much better but the length that Islam goes to to assure the obedience of it's followers is amazing to me.
Wolf
Edited for terrible spelling...

[ August 18, 2002: Message edited by: sighhswolf ]</p>

thebeave

The part of using toilets reminded me of an incident at my first job out of college. Apparantly, the janitors in my office building were complaining that someone was taking a crap on the floor adjacent to the toilet in one of the stalls, rather than using the toilet itself. Of course, they were the ones who had to clean it up. Thinking it was some twisted young punk doing this to get attention, they staked out the stall one day and found out it was some Middle Eastern guy who claimed he had to do it for religious/cultural reasons. I laughed it off and forgot about it, but now I'm thinking it was an Islamic thing. Has anyone else heard of this kind of behavior? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Kosh

Hmm. I've seen shit like that (punn intended) in the bathroom at the gym. Always thought it was some kid.

oneofshibumi

I have seen people take a crap in a squating position. Usually when a toliet is not available. I have done it myself (outdoors). I also someone who came from a very rural area in Spain, who did not grow up with a toliet, but grew up with a hole in the ground. He would squat on top of the toliet (feet on the seat). But this is the first time I have heard of someone crapping NEXT to a toliet.

lobstertrap

That was a long post. I'll read it later.