Thank you, Scholar. More questions ...

Submitted by John Bastile (Malaysia), Nov 24, 2005 at 21:35

Scholar,

Thank you for your replies. In the interest of time, I appreciate your brevity.

However, I would like to make further enquiries to your answers:

1. You mentioned that polygamy is not allowed for women because it is against their nature. Well, if you impose strict laws for them and punish them, then turn around and say that it is not their nature, it's unfair to the women. We can easily claim that men are mostly promiscous, therefore, polygamy is allowed. Even if it is not the general nature of women, as you argued, can a few do it, or will they be stoned?

Another note. Now that we can genetically determine the father of a woman, can Islam now allow polygamy?

We have to agree that as society progresses (as in all other culture and world religion safe Islam), we gravitate towards monogamy as we believe that it is crucial for the self-esteem of women and children of a happy family.

Women have better work opportunities NOW. I'm not interested in statements made thousands of years ago. The Bible (mostly in the Old Testatment) may have some incriminating about women, but the NOW is different as we move towards the equality of all humans. Can I say that about Islam? Can I say that women in Saudi Arabia (the cradle place of Islam) can have equal work opportunities? Perhaps, we can start by allowing them to drive cars. Both of us can quote statements made by religious leaders, politicians and historians. Howver, let us look at the fruits that the trees bear instead of what other people have to say about which tree is good. What is the point of saying that my tree is the best. It is the most productive. It's most holy. But the fruits it bears is rotten and cannot be consumed?

2. You also mentioned that "A muslim man is responsible for all the financial needs of his family and the wife is not (she can volunteer to contribute if she likes)."

Can I ask one question? Why the wife cannot be responsible for financial needs of the family if Islam believes it the equality of treatment? I know that men are physically stronger than women. I know that cavemen hunt for food while women either gather fruits or wait at home cooking and nursing. Thinsg have changed now. You prophet married a very wealthy businesswoman and found temporary wealth in her. She was the one responsible for the family. Yes, we know, she was a sucessfull businesswoman in ancient Arab. The days of [the Time of Ignorance—i.e. pre-Islam] in the Arab world where women has no rights until Islam came along.

One curious thing. When Mohammed escape Mecca, he was financially broke. What happened to all the money?


3. About the black stone.

I picked my knowledge from this verse from Sahih Tabari for the origin of the black stone.

Tabari I:293 "Allah founded the House together with Adam. Adam's head was in heaven while his feet were upon the earth. The angels were afraid so his size was reduced to sixty cubits (30 meters). Adam was sad because he missed the angelic songs. He complained, and Allah said, ‘Adam, I have cast down a house for you to circumambulate, as one circumambulates My Throne.' Adam came to the House, and he and the prophets after him circumambulated it."

The House is identified to be the black stone that muslims prostrate themselves 5 times a day. Before Mohammed, muslims used to prostrate it 50 times a year. However, there were no documented history anywhere of the existence of muslims and any group of people who prostrate a black stone 50 times a day. Can you please help me here. I can't find any evidence of muslims in existence before Mohammed. I mean, to be the LAST prophet means you lead an existing group instead of creating one.

Tabari I:298 "The Black Stone which was originally whiter than snow was brought down with Adam as well as the staff of Moses.

Tabari I:303 quotes "When we were sitting in the mosque, Mujhid said, ‘Do you see this?' I replied, you mean the Stone?' He (Mohammed) said, ‘You call it a stone?' I said, ‘Is it not a stone?' He said, ‘I was told by Abdallah bin Abbas that it was a white jewel that Adam took out of Paradise to wipe his tears—tears that did not stop for 2,000 years. I said, ‘Why and how did it turn black?' He (Mohammed)replied, ‘Menstruating women were touching it in the Jahiliyyah [the Time of Ignorance—i.e. pre-Islam]'"


I'm a bit confused with this statement. Does Islam considers menstruating women to be dirty until it can turn the white jewel from heaven to black? If I'm a woman, I will find this in contempt. I mean, Allah created woman, cause them to menstruate and call them dirty.


4. Why worship Adam?

I learnt from Tabari I:252 "Allah created some creatures and said, ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam!' They replied, ‘We shall not do that.' Allah sent a fire to consume them."

Can you please help us to learn why Allah wants some creatures to prostrate before Adam under the threat of external fire?

In Christianity, we learn that God is Love. We worship him because we love Him. Do muslims worship Allah because they love Him or because they fear Him under the threat of eternal fire? It's more like - worship me or I send you to hellfire. Can you please quote some quranic verse that says that Allah love His creation and that/or Paradise is where Allah will be in the presence with His people?

The Qur'an says: Surah Al-Wa;qiah 056.008 "Those of the right hand—how happy will be those of the right hand! Those of the left hand—how unhappy will be those of the left hand! …Who will be honored in the Garden of Bliss; a number of the earlier peoples, and a few of the later ages, on couches wrought of gold reclining face to face. Youth of never-ending bloom [perpetual virgins] will pass round. Cups and decanters full of sparkling wine, they shall not be affected with headache thereby, nor shall they get exhausted. And such fruits as they fancy, bird meats that they relish and companions pure and beautiful with big eyes like pearls within their shells as a reward."

The same Surah also mentioned that (35-38 ) Lo! We (Allah and partner? ) have created them a (new) creation and made them virgins. Lovers, friends, for those on the right hand.

There was no mention of the love of God and the commune between Man and God. I see only a reward of Paradise filled with lots of sex, wine and food.

Another note. If the new creatures are created for the people on the right hand (which I presume to be muslims who have earned enough points to qualify), how about women?

Will muslims women be rewarded with perpetual virgins as well?


Awaiting your arguments. I appreciate your scholary contributions.

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