tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.comments2010-11-03T03:06:49.187-07:00Help The Truthelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-55531764231249803402010-11-03T03:06:49.187-07:002010-11-03T03:06:49.187-07:00If you read this comment you will surely ask yours...If you read this comment you will surely ask yourself, what will you say When you meet your lord? would you sincerely like to meet him with your blindfolded belief on a deviant sect that uses all sorts of inhumane and improper means to claim its justification for incidents that are not even proven to be true nor authentic?, how dare you claim to be a person who knows how to love anything or anyone, even while you find distress in your own belief. I am here to warn you, for you have come near to your end, of a day that all matters will be bright as the day that you used to see with your very eyes, surrender in your heart before surrendering in your actions, because distress in your belief gives you nothing but distraction. search for the truth that you dare not to touch, because for indeed Satan blind folds his companions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-86473589411471963902009-07-09T12:08:15.316-07:002009-07-09T12:08:15.316-07:00Wow! Thank you Ms. Modest Fashion Cents!
I really...Wow! Thank you Ms. Modest Fashion Cents!<br /><br />I really appreciate your taking so much time and effort to explain things! <br />It really means a lot to me and I truely hope that the Dear Lord rewards you in the best possible way.<br />You obviously have a great amount of knowlwdge of the scriptures and I am thankful to my Dear Lord for letting you come across my blog.<br /><br />Your comments are very comprehensive and at the same time very long, so it'll probably take me a while to read it all as carefully as I would want to.<br /><br />I hope I'll be able to count on your help if I had more questions in my future readings.<br /><br />God Bless<br />Elielihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-8951190189617709202009-07-08T10:35:38.015-07:002009-07-08T10:35:38.015-07:00Lastly - I'm getting really long winded here -...Lastly - I'm getting really long winded here - I know - but - if you'll bear with me!<br /><br />Last verse of Timothy there - "not withstanding she shall be saved in the bearing of a son..." This ties back to Genesis - the seed of the woman will crush the serpant's head!<br /><br />In enters Redeemer!<br /><br />Here's the whole mess; Adam and Eve trangressed, plunged the entire human race into a tainted creation, subjected all of us to a will in bondage to sin which ultimatly manifests in sin for every individual. Now God states that the seed of the woman will crush the serpant's head! (and she shall be save through the birth of a son...)<br /><br />Now a partial answer to this question comes in another verse of New Testament Scripture. It says "through one man's disobediance sin entered the world..." That man was Adam. "..even so by righteousness of one the free gift came upon men unto justification of life.." (Romans 5) The one who brought the free gift unto justification of life was Christ. <br /><br />Notice the potential to sin was not passed from Eve to her offspring it was passed from Adam to his offspring. He who was the offspring of (soley) Eve - (since his father was not Adam it was God) is the one who would crush the serpant's head. This is how Jesus could be born of Mary who was a sinner and Jesus not be a sinner himself. He was not the seed of Adam. He was called "the last Adam". He succeded in obediance where the first Adam failed. This is how Eve - and her daughters are saved through the bearing of a son! <br /><br />Jesus reconsiled both male and female to God the Father through His atonement. In now breaking the hold of a sin nature and atoning for the trangression of individuals both male and female stand before God as equals again - just as they had before the fall. <br /><br />Now as for the things in the Tulmud and the Catholic Bible - the sayings of church fathers or rabbis about women. I don't see any of that as Divinely inspired so I won't answer for any of that. To me that's just the babblings of sinful men exhibiting their emity for God through their hatred of women. They aren't God's opinions so I pay them no mind.<br /><br />I know these comments are long - but I hope maybe they've answered some of your questions!Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919698426545561638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-22698330373249319442009-07-08T09:57:06.907-07:002009-07-08T09:57:06.907-07:00The other Old Testament Bible verse you quoted was...The other Old Testament Bible verse you quoted was Eccl 7:26-28. Read the verse very carefully though: <br />It says:<br />"I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare..." This is not a blanket condemnation of all women; it's a condemnation of women who are snares. In the rest of the verse it goes on to describe what a snaring women looks like. <br />Keep in mind too there are verses in Proverbs that praise good women! Women who live right according to God. Not every woman is a snare!<br /><br />The next Bible verse you quoted is a New Testament verse. <br />(1 Tim 2:11-14) Verse 14 is not saying Eve was the only sinner. It's saying that because she was decieved is why she trasngressed. Compare that to Adam who transgressed knowingly!<br /><br />Now what does this verse mean about women learning in silence with all subjection and that she isn't to ursup authority over the man but to be in silence.<br /><br />This verse has given translaters trouble for a long time on account of there are other passages in the New Testament that women weren't silent (as in never spoke) and held leadership positions in churches. (Although not as pastors) There were deaconesses, there were female judges in the Old Testament and the Scriptures themselves state that God gave Moses Aaron and Marium (Aaron's sister) as leaders to Israel.<br /><br />So, what does this mean? - as it seems the Scriptures are contradicting themeselves! We can easily answer this by taking a close look at a couple of the Greek words!<br /><br />"silence" - (vs 11) - comes from a root that literally means "to stand in one place" - another offshoot of that root is the word "steadfast". Steadfast means to be unwavering - to be steadfast in your doctrine or your belief of God! This particular word is also used in the context of men not being brawlers. They are to be "silent". Now does that mean that they literaly don't talk? - no - it means that they don't start arguements!<br /><br />Subjection - now we sort of covered this concept with Adam and Eve. It litteraly means "appointed position". There is an order of things. Eveyone is under the authority of someone else. Children are to be in subjection to their mothers and fathers, wives are to be in subjection to their husbands, (and husbands to their wives - it states in another place) and men are to be in subjetion to God. <br /><br />Now the next verse "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to ursup authority over the man but to be in silence." This verse takes a little understanding of Greek couplets to unravel. It also takes a little understanding of what was going on historically to unravel. <br /><br />There were a lot of "mother creation" cults in that area when this was written. One of the teachings that "snuck into" their presence was that Eve was created before Adam. This wreaked all sorts of havoc and disorder in the church. So, thus this discourse over what the proper order of people's behavior should be.<br /><br />In actualality the verse is saying "I do not permit a women to teach, nor to proclaim that she is the author of man." - This makes the next sentance make more sense - "Because Adam was first formed than Eve"<br /><br />Than the next verse (which I covered already) And Adam was not decieved, but the woman being decieved acted in disobediance. Again, what I'd covered before was that Adam's act was that much more diobolical because he didn't sin on account of being decieved. His disobediance was deliberate and willful. Yet, as was covered before - the reason for his disobediance was understandable also.Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919698426545561638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-65713261029350720122009-07-08T09:14:05.141-07:002009-07-08T09:14:05.141-07:00Now, lets take a look at what happened to Adam and...Now, lets take a look at what happened to Adam and Eve after they ate the fruit. They were in the garden of Edan, they were confronted by God and expelled from the garden. Adam and Eve weren't in heaven and than put on earth, they were already on earth and expelled from the garden of Edan.<br /><br />Now if you notice - who's the first person God comes looking for? "Adam - you-who Adam - where are you Adam!" God doesn't come looking for Eve. And who answers God - Adam answers God. He says - "we heard you and hid because we were naked." Than God says - "Who told you you were naked? Did you eat that fruit I told you not to?" Obviously it's a retorical question - God knows they ate the fruit or they wouldn't be hiding from Him! <br /><br />Notice though God is still talking to Adam. Adam replies (truthfully - yet notice in this statement he blames God for this) the woman WHO YOU GAVE TO BE WITH ME... she gave me of the tree and I ate." Notice Adam isn't blaming Eve. He's not saying, she tricked me to eat it, she forced me to eat it, she shoved it down my throat, she tempted me into sin... no he acknowledges that it was an act of his own free will that he ate - and blames God for giving him Eve.<br /><br />Next God askes Eve "Why have you done this thing" It's generally translated "What have you done" and is usually looked upon as being a statement of condemnation; when actually it isn't. The idea conveyed is "Why did you take this course of action?" - indicating that there were other choices Eve had. <br /><br />Eve was suppose to go to Adam with her inquiries about obtaining wisdom. Adam was suppose to point her to God. (Which he failed to handle this situation appropiately too!) If Eve had come to Adam and said "Adam - uh - I ate this fruit God told us not to eat." Adam should have gone strait to God and said "...ah Houston - We got a problem..." But Adam didn't do that either!<br /><br />Notice Eve's response is a simple answer to God's question. She took this course of action because the serpant tricked her. <br /><br />So now comes the dishing out of the consequences. Notice who "gets it first" - the serpant! Next God addresses Eve because she's the next one in the "chain of command" that's "out of line". Finally God addresses Adam. Adam who knew better!<br /><br />Notice the only entity God curses is the serpant! He doesn't curse Eve and He doesn't curse Adam. God tells the serpant that ultimatly the seed of Eve (the one who the serpent betrayed with deceipt) will be the serpant's undoing. The seed of Eve will crush the serpant's head!<br /><br />Now to Eve - God says that He will greatly multiply her sorrow and her conception. This is interesting as far as the conception end of it goes because it leaves me wondering that if there was no fall - was Eve ever meant to only bear one child? And if that were true - what would the implication of that be - I don't know? <br /><br />Any ways; the other aspect is God will multiply her sorrows and in sorrow she will bring forth children. Now there are two different words sorrow here. The first word is "worries", and the second is "labor" she will toil to birth children. (As opposed to Adam who will toil to feed himself and his wife and kids.)- and worry about those children all the days of her life! Any woman who has kids understands this! LOL<br /> <br />Next God tells her that her desire (that which she runs after or pursues) will be toward her husband and he will rule over her. Prior to this she was persuing the wisdom of God. Apparently Eve had more leeway in approaching God prior to the fall than she did after. This could be what accounts for the texts in the Old Testament that appear to be endorsing the subjagation of women. Ultimatly Eve would be freed from that in the offspring that would crush the serpant's head. I'll get to that later though.Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919698426545561638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-39582595060540672672009-07-08T08:02:42.037-07:002009-07-08T08:02:42.037-07:00I read this post and I found it really sad. I migh...I read this post and I found it really sad. I might be able to help clear some of this stuff up for you. <br /><br />The only verses I can answer for you though are the ones written in the Bible. The old and the new testament; which in this post - you only have a couple of those in there. <br /><br />If you go back to Genesis and read what happened in the garden of Edan; you'll notice that God didn't do anything to Adam and Eve until after Adam ate the friut! The reason this is was because God had created Adam first, and he was copable to both himself and Eve for his disobediance! And I'll explain why I think Adam ate the fruit in a minute.<br /><br />Starting with Eve; the Scripture says once she saw the fruit was good to eat, was pleasant and "desireable to make one wise"! this is very important because people assume Eve ate the fruit with the intent of dragging Adam into disobediance. That wasn't the reason at all! She wanted to be wise in her knowledge of God! She didn't want to be like God in the totality of all that He was; she wanted to be like God in His wisdom of the knowledge of good and evil. Her motive was not the problem, her circumventing of the stated order of things is what got her in trouble. <br /><br />Now, I'm sure Eve could see that Adam and God were more similar to each other in the way the thought (ie their wisdom) than she was to either of them. Not that she was stupid or anything like that - I'm sure she was astute enough to observe the difference in the way men and women think. That's inherent in the diffences in our biology. <br /><br />What she may or may not have realized is that though she desired to be wise like God; and found limitations in her position in the order of creation (on account of the difference in her biology) - God had the capacity to fully understand her even though she didn't have the capacity to fully understand Him. God created both Adam and Eve in His image - Adam just came first that's all. The aspect of Eve that made her female, is also inherent in the nature of God. On the flip side of this, that (female personage) is the dimention of God that Adam didn't understand either - (because Adam was created male).<br /><br />Now Adam ate the fruit, not because he'd been tricked by Eve; but because she was so intwined in his existance that he didn't want to loose her. He'd rather disobey God than live without Eve. Adam's love, being made manifest because that is the nature of God; he probably realized that God was indeed merciful. Adam may have been thinking before he ever ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that - "oh there's the tree of life - we can just eat that and make everything OK again!". It's logical to me to think that was probalby going through his mind.Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919698426545561638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-60631702686951885882009-07-08T07:20:22.884-07:002009-07-08T07:20:22.884-07:00Interesting post! I liked it!
I want to share a l...Interesting post! I liked it!<br /><br />I want to share a little something I found once in regards to why human beings love the idea of love (so to speak) and why we write love songs and so on and so forth!<br /><br />I was studying the Creation story in the Hebrew Scripture (Genesis) and I found an interesting thing. There's a periodic phrase that's tacked on to the end of (at least some) of the days of creation. <br /><br />"And God saw that it was good."<br /><br />This word "good" means "pleasant" or "pleasing" - it's used in other places - for example Abraham's wife Sarah was "pleasing to look at". She was attractive, probably in personality as well as physically. <br /><br />So, what we see here is the act of creating the universe along with beholding what He's created brings God pleasure. It delights His "Soul" in much the same venue as beholding beauty delights the souls of men. <br /><br />So, as a manifestation of the care and delight God fashioned this universe with; He instilled every living aspect of it with a drive to reproduce that produces pleasure in any organizim that has a nervous/endocrine system. (And maybe even plants? I don't know if plants feel "pleasure" although it's been scientifically proven they thrive in caring inviroments and like to be around other plants.) <br /><br />Any how, the drive to seek out love (and reproduce) is inherent in the fabric of our make up, as much as the need for food and drink, as much as the drive for self-preservation, and the need to satisfy our emotions. All these are "satisfiable" needs when we relinquish them in submission to the God who created them! <br /><br />Speaking of "creation"; ironically, human beings are the only creatures on this planet that (like God) bear the capacity to create things outside of the biological reproductive process. We create structures, music, art, societies, political systems, religions, codes of ethics and morality, and things of inventive/ technological nature that make our lives easier; as well as give us pleasure! <br /><br />All this is part of the "hard wiring" of being created in the image of God. God is love and we manifest different aspects of His nature in a variety of ways.<br /><br />This post is about modesty in dress mostly as it applies to women - though as it should apply to all humanity (except maybe infants and small children - their "modesty" is their innocence). Due to the fallen state of this world that we live in and our own sin. I think it behoves everyone to be modest. It promotes respect for the natural beauty God has given all of us and when we show respect for that beauty, we show respect for the Lord who made it!Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919698426545561638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-60049118998980444572009-07-04T05:16:44.572-07:002009-07-04T05:16:44.572-07:00Hi Eli!
Sorry it has been so long between chats. ...Hi Eli!<br /><br />Sorry it has been so long between chats. I have just updated my blog...it will let you know what I have been doing with myself over the past few months.<br /><br />I hope you and your family are going well. =)<br /><br />Emily~Emily~https://www.blogger.com/profile/13885513545434612807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-54919538577165854882009-06-30T22:05:31.333-07:002009-06-30T22:05:31.333-07:00Thank you Tony for your kind comment.
You are rig...Thank you Tony for your kind comment.<br /><br />You are right. Even though this book is written by a Muslim based on the teachings of the Quran, it is very much a confirmation of the Biblical teachings and I'm always delighted to find these similarities.<br /><br />May our Dear L-rd lead everyone to the ultimate Truth.<br /><br />Elielihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-47201032860722041752009-06-30T08:29:45.914-07:002009-06-30T08:29:45.914-07:00Lots of good insight here, and scripturally sound ...Lots of good insight here, and scripturally sound at that from a Judeo-Christian perspective.<br /><br />According to numerous verses in the book of Proverbs, an immodest woman is described in terms of a predator, and verses in 1 Corinthians, 1 Titus and other doctrinal epistles of the messianic period exhort men to flee from lust and fornication, as do numerous verses in Proverbs and other books from the pre-messianic period.<br /><br />Thank you for your kind invitation. Peace be with you.Tony Ghttp://www.xanga.com/aok4waynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-25662522952918001542009-06-27T23:03:00.822-07:002009-06-27T23:03:00.822-07:00Exactly!
The book is really among the best I'v...Exactly!<br />The book is really among the best I've ever read on the reasons for modesty and the priority of modesty in clothing for women.<br /><br />I recommend it to everyone who would want to gain a complete understanding of the subject.<br /><br />Elielihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-27623813074343934082009-06-25T10:01:19.465-07:002009-06-25T10:01:19.465-07:00This is very inspiring. I had never thought of it ...This is very inspiring. I had never thought of it in the context of insatiability. But I think you are right, the fact that even happily married individuals sometimes stray is a sign of this.Hajar Zamzam Ismailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11381501847576246000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-79656928010516412542009-06-20T00:49:05.551-07:002009-06-20T00:49:05.551-07:00thanx for commenting Hajar,
this was sent to me by...thanx for commenting Hajar,<br />this was sent to me by email and I really enjoyed reading it and decided to share it on my blog.<br /><br />blessings<br />Elielihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-88351474278409563132009-06-19T11:34:10.366-07:002009-06-19T11:34:10.366-07:00Masha Allah! how beautiful! I love it.Masha Allah! how beautiful! I love it.Hajar Zamzam Ismailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11381501847576246000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-8880215254645304622009-06-13T07:13:30.892-07:002009-06-13T07:13:30.892-07:00..and blessings to u dear Kristen
..thank you Haj.....and blessings to u dear Kristen<br /><br />..thank you Hajar for introducing her I'll check her out as soon as possible, its very important for me to know the reasons behind one's conversion to the Shia belief, as they are such a minority but then one that many converts to Islam actually choose after thorough investigations.<br /><br />Blessingselihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-5201533566930074272009-06-10T10:35:02.059-07:002009-06-10T10:35:02.059-07:00Salams, I thought you might like to know that Maso...Salams, I thought you might like to know that Masooma at <br /><br />http://masooma.blogspot.com/<br /><br />is also Shia. ;-)She's great, I've known her for years.Hajar Zamzam Ismailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11381501847576246000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-28200186542587990112009-06-03T09:04:08.652-07:002009-06-03T09:04:08.652-07:00wonderful post.
Blessings to you.wonderful post.<br /><br />Blessings to you.Kristenhttp://kristenmomof3.xanga.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-55883464976158450392009-01-11T21:22:00.000-08:002009-01-11T21:22:00.000-08:00Salam,Very interesting article, thanks. You can fi...Salam,<BR/><BR/>Very interesting article, thanks. You can find LOTS MORE articles about the mathematical MIRACLES of Al-Qur'an at http://www.megasutra.com.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-75641860720613442122009-01-09T03:58:00.000-08:002009-01-09T03:58:00.000-08:00khany,Thank you for the links. I have found them v...khany,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the links. I have found them very interesting and enlightening.<BR/><BR/>Elielihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-82123253327580628542009-01-09T00:50:00.000-08:002009-01-09T00:50:00.000-08:00islam is the religion of submitting one's will to ...islam is the religion of submitting one's will to god. all prophets from adam, noah, abraham, moses, jesus and mohammad (peace be upon them) were muslims (those who submit to god's will). as muslims we do not discriminate between the prophets, believing in some while rejecting others.<BR/>(002:136)<BR/>Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."<BR/><BR/>god sent messengers to every nation with a single mission.<BR/>(021:025)<BR/>Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.<BR/><BR/>all prophets were sent with the same message, i.e. there is none worthy of worship except god. the followers of the prophets later exaggerated in their respective religions and the message was corrupted over the centuries.<BR/><BR/>(002:079)<BR/>Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say:"This is from Allah," to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.<BR/><BR/>in fact, the bible itself testifies to the fact that it has been corrupted<BR/><BR/>(From the NIV Bible, Jeremiah 8:8)<BR/>"How can you say, "We [the Jews] are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?'"<BR/><BR/>(From the RSV Bible, Jeremiah 8:8)<BR/>"How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us'? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie."<BR/><BR/>the following series of videos documents some of the alterations in the bible: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7cK3Ry_icJo<BR/><BR/>the quran informs us of biblical distortions 1400 years ago.<BR/>(002:079)<BR/>Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say:"This is from Allah," to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.<BR/><BR/>there are several other verses in the qur'an while allude to jews and christians tampering with the revelation. i will list them at the end of the comment.<BR/><BR/>god says in the qur'an:<BR/>(005:044)<BR/>It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto:...<BR/><BR/>note that the preservation of earlier scriptures was entrusted to the rabbis and religious scholars of the respective religious communities. each time the revealed message was corrupted god sent messengers who would call the people back to the true religion. <BR/><BR/>however, god takes upon himself to preserve the quran because the qur'an is the final book of revelation from god as no prophets will follow prophet mohammad (peace be upon him)<BR/><BR/>(015:009)<BR/>We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).<BR/><BR/>god does not make mistakes nor does he leave man without any guidance. earlier messengers and their revelations were all sent to particular nations for a particular period of time. the followers of these messengers (in the time before prophet mohammad (peace be upon him)) were also muslims (submitting to god).<BR/>(002:062)<BR/>Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.<BR/><BR/>we, as muslims, believe that muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last and final messenger of god and that the qur'an is the final testament of god revealed to the prophet. the quran confirms the truth of the scriptures that came before it and it points out the corruptions that man have entered into to them. it is guidance for all of mankind till the day of judgment.<BR/><BR/>(003:003)<BR/>It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).<BR/><BR/>(002:185)<BR/>The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction...<BR/><BR/>we see islam as a perfection and completion of god's favor (his guidance) upon mankind.<BR/>(005:003)<BR/>This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.<BR/><BR/>wallahu alam<BR/>(and god knows best)<BR/><BR/>p.s. the following are additional verses from the qur'an alluding to corruption of earlier revelations.<BR/><BR/>(003:077)<BR/>As for those who sell the faith they owe to Allah and their own plighted word for a small price, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter: Nor will Allah (Deign to) speak to them or look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He cleanse them (of sin): They shall have a grievous penalty.<BR/>(003:078)<BR/>There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues: (As they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is no part of the Book; and they say, "That is from Allah," but it is not from Allah: It is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it!<BR/><BR/>(002:058)<BR/>And remember We said: "Enter this town, and eat of the plenty therein as ye wish; but enter the gate with humility, in posture and in words, and We shall forgive you your faults and increase (the portion of) those who do good."<BR/>(002:059)<BR/>But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed (Our command) repeatedly.<BR/><BR/>(005:013)<BR/>But because of their breach of their (Children of Israel) covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard; they change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the message that was sent them, nor wilt thou cease to find them- barring a few - ever bent on (new) deceits: but forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds): for Allah loveth those who are kind.<BR/>(005:014)<BR/>From those, too, who call themselves Christians, We did take a covenant, but they forgot a good part of the message that was sent them: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other, to the day of judgment. And soon will Allah show them what it is they have done.<BR/>(005:015)<BR/>O people of the Book! There hath come to you our Messenger, revealing to you much that ye used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary): There hath come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book, -<BR/><BR/>(007:161)<BR/>And remember it was said to them (Children of Israel): "Dwell in this town and eat therein as ye wish, but say the word of humility and enter the gate in a posture of humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase (the portion of) those who do good."<BR/>(007:162)<BR/>But the transgressors among them changed the word from that which had been given them so we sent on them a plague from heaven. For that they repeatedly transgressed.khanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091285146981588212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-24471729848564873172009-01-08T21:32:00.000-08:002009-01-08T21:32:00.000-08:00peace,the question of reconciling fate and man's f...peace,<BR/><BR/>the question of reconciling fate and man's freewill has been discussed by muslim theologians though out the ages. most often this discussion has been very polarized with one opinion stating that god creates everything and man is not the creator of his own actions. the opposing camp hold the extreme opposite opinion that man is the creator of his own actions. <BR/><BR/>in fact, you can cite influential muslim theologians on either side of the debate. both camps cite the qur'an (and sunnah) in support of their arguments. unfortunately, many "leaders" have used this difference of opinion to provoke one group of believers against the other by the use of simplistic labels. the first group accusing the second of denying god's omniscience and omnipotence while the second accusing the first of denying god's justice.<BR/><BR/>however, we do not have to fall into this sectarian trap. it is not an either/or issue. in fact, we can reconcile both these opinions by choosing the median course (which i believe is the only acceptable option if all the verses of the qur'an are to be simultaneously considered). this opinion has also been advocated by several muslim scholars though out history.<BR/><BR/>i link you to this website which does a good job of presenting the evidence for both sides and discusses briefly the position that manages to satisfy both. <A HREF="http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225697859268&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam%2FAskAboutIslamE%2FAskAboutIslamE" REL="nofollow"> here</A>.<BR/><BR/>may god guide us to the straight path.khanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091285146981588212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-83237493837213052712009-01-08T20:21:00.000-08:002009-01-08T20:21:00.000-08:00peace Eli,on the textual integrity of the bible th...peace Eli,<BR/><BR/>on the textual integrity of the bible there is probably unanimous agreement between textual analysts, both christian and otherwise. a great presentation of the subject by professor bart ehrman is available<BR/><A HREF="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=7cK3Ry_icJo" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>may god guide us to the straight path.khanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091285146981588212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-17249768764052474112009-01-08T17:11:00.000-08:002009-01-08T17:11:00.000-08:00peace be upon you Eli,it is difficult to describe ...peace be upon you Eli,<BR/><BR/>it is difficult to describe the hajj and perhaps the best way i can capture the experience and lessons of hajj is to direct you to the comments of those who have performed it:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj2_1Pvu64o" REL="nofollow">american experiences of hajj</A> (10 mins)<BR/><BR/>(the hajj - 3 x 7 mins)<BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n_f0etlghg" REL="nofollow">part 1</A>.<BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNK9Vk7tMUo" REL="nofollow">part 2</A>.<BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewtp9fiVJfg" REL="nofollow">part 3</A>.<BR/><BR/>hope this helpskhanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091285146981588212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-2996306722984895642008-12-01T05:52:00.000-08:002008-12-01T05:52:00.000-08:00Dear Anon;I'm so very sorry for all these great de...Dear Anon;<BR/>I'm so very sorry for all these great delays in my posts. As I go to work (teach English Lit at uni)and am sometimes very busy with teaching, exams, correcting papers and reading student papers, I sometimes don't even have a chance to check my blog everyday. I really enjoy reading your comments and find them very thoughtful and inspiring.<BR/><BR/>This post is just to say that I have read your comment, am thinking about it and will write as soon as possible.<BR/><BR/>May the Lord guide us all through his infinite love<BR/><BR/>Elielihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277810485227913727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785793678061593618.post-14623778640269230692008-11-26T09:49:00.000-08:002008-11-26T09:49:00.000-08:00Dear Sister,Thanks for your reply.I have given it ...Dear Sister,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your reply.<BR/><BR/>I have given it another long hard thought. Yes, I am aware that Shia Muslims do not believe in absolute fate decreed totally by God. My question is more from a philosophical angle than questioning the basic premise of pure faith.<BR/><BR/>This implies that the Lord is fully aware beforehand that someone is going to murder or rape or steal or commit any other atrocity.<BR/><BR/>He was fully aware of what Hitler was going to let happen in the concentration camps of Buchenwald and Auschwitz. Yet, he chooses to give humans "freedom of will" and "freedom of action" in making the choice to either commit atrocities or to be benevolent and kind towards humans and other life forms. (On a side note and its just a musing that we also say that the Prophets are sinless. Does that mean that the Lord limited a Prophet's freedom of making a choice so he was simply unable to sin? making him somewhat of a 'human angel' but then that hardly makes him a HUMAN role model OR Does that mean that the Prophets were just as free to make a choice like other humans but only CHOSE NOT to sin because they KNEW? ) Knowledge can help resist temptation.<BR/><BR/>The phrases, "Freedom of Will" and "Freedom of Action" sound like Godly traits. Probably that is what is meant when the Bible mentions man being created in His image. Perhaps that phrase should not be construed literally in the sense of appearance.<BR/><BR/>So, apart from giving some good advice, the Lord doesn't stop a potential murderer from committing the murder. The Lord does make sure, however, that this criminal goes through the repercussions of his actions on earth, in the thereafter. This also means that continuation of life in some form must exist after death. BTW, the literal translation of the word for "death" in Urdu means "transition".<BR/><BR/>The gist is that the if the Lord were to say something on the issue he would say something like, "I know what you are up to and I already know what you are going to do but I won't stop you from doing what you choose to do yet here is some advice ............... P.S. I love you anyway!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com