Islam, Muslims and Halloween
Islam, Muslims and Halloween
By Ebrahim Saifuddin
When one traces the history of Halloween, we find its origins in the ancient Celtic (Ireland) festival which marked the end of summer as well as the last day of their calendar. It was referred to by the name of Samhain. “Samhain” is to be pronounced as “sow-ane” where the word “sow” rhymes with the word “cow”. The Celts believed that the night before the end of summer i.e. the night between the last day of October and 1st November, the worlds of the living and the dead kind of merged together. These were purely superstitious beliefs that the Celts believed in.
According to the “Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry” the Celts believed that during this night the ghosts or spirits wandered around the land seeking bodies to possess or inhabit. Now as the people i.e. living people did not want to be hosts for these spirits and ghosts, they dressed up in costumes and would scream loudly in the streets in an attempt to create confusion or scare the spirits away.
Original Sin or Original Forgiveness – What is the Lesson?
Original Sin or Original Forgiveness – What is the Lesson?
By Ebrahim Saifuddin
The story of Adam and Eve is quite similar in the Bible and the Quran with minor differences yet the lessons derived from these stories differ greatly. Sometimes minor changes to any document can completely alter the actual meaning of the story. Both the scriptures talk about the creation of Adam and then Eve which are somewhat similar. However the events after their creation are of great significance.
Soon after God commands them not to eat of this particular tree as eating of it would cause harm to them and the act would be transgression.
We said: “O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression.” – [Quran 2:35]
According to the Bible, God said that if they would eat from this tree, they would die.
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. – [Genesis 2:17]
Animal Rights in Islam
Animal Rights in Islam
By Ebrahim Saifuddin
Islam not only has laid down the rights for humans regardless of race, color, language and riches, but has also laid down the rights for animals. Animals, like humans are one of the creations of Allah(swt). Prophet Muhammad(saw) was not only sent as a mercy to Mankind but as a blessing to all creatures as the Quran testifies:
We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures. – [Quran 21:107]
It is encouraged for Muslim to let Animals eat of the plants that they have planted. Prophet Muhammad(saw) is reported to have said:
Narated By Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, “If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity.” – [Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, #41]
Even if an animal eats from a plant which has been planted by man, the person will receive rewards for it. Moreover, another hadith is as follows:
Narated By Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “While a man was walking on a road. he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself “This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did.” So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He said, “(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).” – [Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, #38] & [Muslim Book 26, Chapter 39, # 5577]
Did Jesus(as) Die? Will Jesus(as) Return? – Refuting Rashad Khalifa and Qadianis
Did Jesus(as) Die? Will Jesus(as) Return? – Refuting Rashad Khalifa and Qadianis
By Ebrahim Saifuddin
The main verses under question regarding the ascension or death of Jesus(as) as alleged by some imposters are 5:117 and 3:55. Muslim as well as imposter translations are as below:
Rashad Khalifa
Thus, GOD said, “O Jesus, I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then I will judge among you regarding your disputes. – [3:55]
“I told them only what You commanded me to say, that: `You shall worship GOD, my Lord and your Lord.’ I was a witness among them for as long as I lived with them. When You terminated my life on earth, You became the Watcher over them. You witness all things. – [5:117]
Qadiani (Ahmadi)
Remember the time when Allah said, ‘O Jesus, I will cause thee to die a natural death and will raise thee to Myself, and will clear thee of the charges of those who disbelieve, and will exalt those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, and I will judge between you concerning that wherein you differ.’ – [3:55]
‘I said nothing to them except that which Thou didst command me – Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them, but since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou, hast been the Watcher over them, and Thou art Witness over all things. – [5:117]
Authentic Translation approved by Muslims (Yusuf Ali)
Behold! Allah said: “O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. – [3:55]
“Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, ‘worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord’; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things. – [5:117]
Refuting Rashad Khalifa’s difference between Prophet and Messenger
Refuting Rashad Khalifa’s
difference between Prophet and Messenger
By Ebrahim Saifuddin
Rashad Kahlifa, claimed to be a messenger of Allah(swt) and to justify that messengers can come even after Prophet Muhammad(saw), he inversed the definitions of the words ‘prophet’ and ‘messenger’. His followers known as ‘Submitters’ or ‘Submitters International’, back this claim of his and choose to accept the misinterpretations given by him. Muslims believe that the difference between a prophet and a messenger is that messengers are sent to a particular nation. A prophet also always follows the law given to the messenger before him and does not introduce new laws. Messengers on the other hand either bring in completely new laws or alter the laws of the past. These are the fundamentals differences between a messenger and a prophet. In short, all messengers are prophets but all prophets are not messengers.
Rashad’s Misinterpretation and its Refutation
Rashad Khalifa however wishes to intertwine and twist one verse of the Quran to show that the definitions are the other way round. He quotes the Quran:
When Allah made (His) covenant with the prophets, (He said): Behold that which I have given you of the Scripture and knowledge. And afterward there will come unto you a messenger, confirming that which ye possess. Ye shall believe in him and ye shall help him. He said: Do ye agree, and will ye take up My burden (which I lay upon you) in this (matter)? They answered: We agree. He said: Then bear ye witness. I will be a witness with you. – [Quran 3:81]
Then he distorts the meaning of the verse saying that prophets are the ones to receive a Scripture and knowledge while the messengers are the ones who come to confirm what was revealed to the prophets. A proper analysis of the verse would prove that Rashad Khalifa only misinterpreted and twisted the meaning of the above verse.
