What does the Quran teach?

Question

What is the history of Muhammad, the Islam relegion, and it's influnce on the world? I am interested in learning anything that is important to the Islamic comunity. I am still a little fuzzy on what it the relegion is all about.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you, and thank you for asking a question about Islam in respectful manner. :D
(I hope I don't over-answer your question!!! Sorry in advance if I do.)
Well, to start with, the word "Islam" is an Arabic word that literally means "peace"; another of its meanings is "submission (to the Will of God)". (Ever heard of "slaam alaikum"? It means "peace be upon you".) "Muslim" is an Arabic word that literally means "one who submits to God's Will"; and that's exactly the purpose of a Muslim: to follow God in every way, to submit to His Will in every way, to worship Him the way He wants us to.
Hmm....Well, there's SO much I could say about Islam.... The important thing to remember here is that it's being misunderstood by MANY people, and then there are those other people (anti-Islamic ones) who judge it based on how some uneducated-in-Islam Muslims practice the religion. They look at Osama Bin Ladin or other terrorists and then claim that Islam supports them in being terrorists. But that's not true. The Quran abhors terroristic acts, but people take verses out of context from the Quran and apply it to every-day life when that's not supposed to be the case.
Ever heard of how men get 70 virgins in heaven for killing others in Islam??? Well, know that thats NOT true; the Quran says ONE man to ONE woman in heaven (a couple).
Ummm... what specifically would you be interested in knowing about Islam, though? ....
Well, the Quran teaches us, Muslims, that we are to respect others, whether younger or older, but mainly elders, neighbors, guests, and so on. It allows us to fight wars ONLY if we're being oppressed by another group of people and/or if another people attack us (as in, in self-defense); hence, there's no such thing as fighting wars in order to gain innocent people's lands and whatnot (Quran, 22:39-40).
We're taught to respect and love all prophets equally; one's not better than another. We believe in Jesus but only as a prophet sent by God; we don't believe he was crucified, either. Neither do we believe that God would let someone else (or himself???) die for your sins (even if he was resurrected after a while); the Quran strictly says that each individual will be rewarded/punished according to his deeds/intentions, and NO one else will bear someone else's punishment.
During wars, Muslims are NOT permitted by God to kill children, women, religious leaders (priests, imaams, rabbis, etc.), or the elderly; we're not permitted to destroy places of residence, animals (unless they're being used in the war--as has been the case in past history), or places of worship like Mosques, Churches, Temples, etc. If Muslims disobey this law, that's between them and God, and God is most Fair.

The Quran also talks beautifully about Muhammad, the last prophet whom God sent to mankind for guidance, but many anti-Islamic people have something against Muhammad, something that I just can't understand. They accuse him of having married a 9-year-old, but they don't realize the commonality of such a practice; neither do they realize that Mary (mother of Jesus) was between 6-10 yrs of age when she gave birth to Jesus.
NEITHER do they admit that the Quran strictly says, "Do NOT take women against their will....On the contrary, live with them on a footing of KINDNESS AND EQUITY..." (4:19).
But anyway, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born into a poor family; he was raised as an orphan and was never educated. (He's not the writer of the Quran.) He was a very kind, merciful, honest man; his first wife married him mainly because of his honesty. She was 15 years older than he was, and she proposed and he accepted. People always claim that Muhammad was a womanizer due to the amount of wives he had, but they reject the fact that Muhammad was married to his first wife till her death and that he was married to her alone.
He was the type who ignored people's faults, no matter how they treated him. I could go on FOREVER about his teachings, but here are some:
-- There was a woman during his time who hated his guts for absolutely no logical reason. Every time he'd be walking by on the street, she'd throw out her garbage over his head from the top of her house! But he'd simply ignore. This one day he was walking by, but the woman didn't throw anything over him, and he wondered why. When he asked others if the woman was okay and all, he found out that she was sick. You know what he did after finding out that she was sick? He went and visited her and prayed for her.
-- When he'd be sitting down somewhere or passing by the funeral of some non-Muslim, he'd stand up in respect for the dead and even join in the walk during the funeral. He taught his followers to do the same.
-- A man came to him once, telling him that he (the man) lies, cheats, drinks, and does many other such things; he asked Muhammad (pbuh) to suggest something that'll make him stop all this. Muhammad (pbuh) immediately told him to stop lying; once you stop lying, it's very easy to gradually stop the other sins as well.
-- He taught people to respect their neighbors and guests more than anything and to have good relations with them, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.
-- When it comes to women, he taught:
"Fear Allah (God) regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah, and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their food and clothing according to your means."
He also taught:
"Among my followers, the best of men are those who are best to their wives, and the best of women are those who are best to their husbands. To each of such women is set down a reward equivalent to the reward of a thousand martyrs. Among my followers, again, the best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work, and love them dearly for everything, save what is a transgression of Allah's laws."
The Quran also has extremely beautiful teachings. (Did you know that MANY of the scientific discoveries made in TODAY'S world are mentioned in the Quran, which was sent over 1400 years ago?.... Scientists back then didn't have enough knowledge for anyone to put this scientific info in the Quran, which means only God could've done it... and He did. http://msa.evansville.edu/PagesForNonMuslims/Lectures/KoranMiracles/KoranicMiraclesPresentation_files/frame.htm)
I'll try to put some of the Quranic verses here, but you can visit this link http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/ to search the verses online IF you want.
For instances, it says: "Never will I [God] suffer to be lost the work of any of you be it male or female: you are members of one another ..." (Qur'an 3:195).
And, "And serve Allah and do not associate any thing with Him and be good to (your) parents and to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the neighbor of (your) kin and the alien neighbor, and the companion in a journey and the wayfarer and those whom your right hands possess; surely Allah does not love him who is proud, boastful" (4:36).
And "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things" (Quran, 2:256).
And "O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do" (5:8). "To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward" (5:9).
Or "Those who rehearse the Book of Allah, establish regular Prayer, and spend (in Charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a commerce that will never fail; For He will pay them their meed, nay, He will give them (even) more out of His Bounty: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service)" (5:29-30).

The influence that Islam's having on the world is MAJOR. Are you aware that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, mainly with Western women? Women have more respect in Islam than they do in other religions, that's why. For instance, it is the Quran that obligates every Muslim parent to educate his/her children (males AND females) equally and to treat them equally in all other matters as well. It is the Quran that says that male and female children are an EQUAL blessing to their family.
Now, generally speaking, Islam teaches that God is One, as in, purely without son/father; He says in the Quran, "Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him" (chapter 112, verses 1-4). This is why we Muslims reject the concept of Trinity: becauseGod is not like anyone you've ever seen/met/imagined (hence, Jesus was/is not a part of God or God Himself).
Islam is a logical religion (God's Truth has neve been illogical), and God's Guidelines for His human Creation are perfect and reasonable.
Islam DOES promote peace, but some of its followers just don't follow Islam properly, and that's an unfortunate thing for the other Muslims because their entire Faith is being antogonized by non-Muslims simply due to those terrorists and all.

Anyway, I really hope I didn't bore you or anything; I was only trying to answer your question. Your question's too general, so I wasn't sure what you're looking for either. IM/email me if you wish; I'll be happy to answer other questions of yours if I know the answers.
Peace and blessings be upon you!

Answer 2

www.islamway.com



btw- I think if you really want accurate statements, go to accurate sources because all of the above are opinions

and many non-Muslims, as u see have went ahead and have spoke their minds. we all know what the media thinks of Muslims- but why not actually look at the religion and not some ******* in the news, trying ever-so-desperatly to get attention and shock the audience.

If they are not Muslim, many things they are saying are distorted. They easliy may take verses in the wrong context, and it will sound wrong. They neither put what came before, nor after.

We could do the same and try to frame other religions- but who is controlling the media- the media btw is what everyone listens to and if they want to get an idea across that is a complete fabrication- they will do it AND THE PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE it.

so, while you still havent been misguided, the thing you can do is meet a real Muslim. On a personal level. Then ask as much questions as u may please. But I'm telling you a Real Muslim- because there are many that will completely alter ur perseption because they have mixed culture with religion.

I URGE u not to listen to the media. Or websites devoted to destroying Islam.

May the One Lord up above be with us all

Answer 3

This question would take forever to answer!
I think it's really difficult to explain to someone who wasn't raised as a Muslim. As Christians, my friends "get" Christianity evne when I don't. I "get" Islam when they don't, even if I explain every little detail to them.
I think it's important to remember than Islam exists within many cultural contexts. Interpretations of Islamic tradition vary for this reason.
Don't listen to these jerks on here who bash Islam. There are crazy and bad people in all religions.

Answer 4

Muhammad, peace be upon him, was a prophet of Islam. Muslims believe that God sent many prophets to mankind, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Noah, Joseph, and David, as well as Mohammed,pbuh, the final prophet. He was kicked out of his home city of Mecca and emigrated to Medina, in Saudi Arabia. He returned many years later after being attacked many times by the Meccans. When he conquered Mecca he harmed no one, even those who had sworn to kill him, a lesson some extremists could learn. Islam spread quicly across Persia to China with traders, to Spain, to the Ottoman Empire. It is a peaceful religion by definition, but some extremist elements do exist. While they are only a small fraction of Muslims, you never hear about good muslims. Muslims believe in Jews and Christians as people of the book, and therefore their brothers in religion. Muslims follow the Quranic injunctions in their holy book and the Sunnah, or practices, of the prophet Muhammed. Many negative connotations of Islam are false. Muslims believe in male and female equality, but some cultural beliefs cloud the judgement of some. the word Jihad does not mean Holy War, but merely a struggle to change one's self. It can mean war if you have been attacked and did not provoke it, but their are extremely strict guidelines, you cannot kill yourself, you cannot hurt any civilians, and you cannot commit extreme acts, bombings, etc. If you would like to learn more about Islam, contact your local Islamic Community Center, or go to online resources, like isna.net.

Also, as per the verse above from At-Tauba, I am looking at the Yusuf Ali translation and I belive the verse referred speaks of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, in which the pagan Meccans promised to leave the Prophet alone, and then attacked him in the middle of the night. This is definitly not an explicit order to kill all unbelievers. Just to make that clear.

Answer 5

Mohammed was an illiterate shepard who lived in the desert. He said that one day an Angel came to him and beat him up because he could not read.
When he told the people in his village, they all thought that a demonic spirit had appeared to him. Even Mohammed thought that this angel was an agent of Satan. He even tried to commit suicide but apparently couldn't go through with it. Later he led a group of everincreasing desert people to believe that he had actually been visited by the angel Gabriel and from there his views of religion and God took hold and spread throughout Arabia.

Muslims share many of the same basic beliefs as Christians and Jews, while differing fundamentally from Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism:
•God created the world and all that is in it.
•God established in His revealed word the principles
by which to live, including concern for the poor.
•One shouldn't worship other gods, or money,
or power, or oneself.
•At the end of time, God will judge all people.
•If a person had fulfilled the divine command,
he or she will go to heaven.
God calls upon all people to submit to His will, as embodied in His revealed law. In fact, the word islam means submission; Islam comes from the same root as the word for peace. Islam is often thought of as the religion of submission to God.

Answer 6

Micheal M I cannot tell you the entire history of Islam and its teaching right here right now. But perhaps we can talk over the internet.

Email: [e-mail]
[e-mail]
AIM: ChemicalAhad


i would love to answer your questions and clear up any misconception you've picked up.

Answer 7

May the peace, blessings and mercy of God be upon you

My sincerest suggestion to answer your question is for you to read it yourself, I can suggest some sites where it available online. I have read 2 complete translation in English, I highly suggest

The Noble Qu'ran
Translated by: Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan
http://www.quran.net/

I also suggest this website

http://www.harunyahya.com/

If you private message me I can try to arrange for a free Qu'ran for you.

I also suggest you listen to the Arabic Recitation of it, just to see what kind of effect God's word has on your soul. This site has recitation and translation, but the translation it has is an older one done in Old English, so it isn't as accurate in my opinion.

http://www.quranexplorer.com/

Peace Be With You

Answer 8

The first thing you must do is not to listen to the idiots who are trying to smear the name of Muhammad (PBUH) and the religion of Islam. They are just jealous that their religion is not the same as ours...

Islam is one of the greatest and most logical religions around. Muhammad (PBUH) was given a huge task to spread the Divine word of God, the revelations that were sent to him through the Archangel Gabriel. He did this amongst enemies around him who wanted to destroy him and the message, but God (Allah), with his infinite wisdom and power, allowed his prophet to survive the harshness of the Meccan people and gave him the opportunity to fully deliver God's message to mankind.

Here are some good website to begin your investigations:
http://www.turntoislam.com
http://www.islamicity.com

Answer 9

Here is a good biography of Muhammad (sas)

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/SM_tsn/index.htm

And islam teaches:


Qur'an sura 112 (sincerity)

Say: He is God, the One and Only;
God, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him.

------------------------

Complete devotion to one God without making any partner to him, belief in all his messengers

Answer 10

I could go forever, Muhammad was a man who did some weird things like marry 9 year olds and had wives numbering in the 20's. He robbed caravans, killed infidels, and wrote a book justifying it.

In Islam he is credited for revealing the Qur'an (rececitation) or the Guidance of Mankind, which they believe the Angel Gabriel revealed to him through Allah (God) Bloodshed continued

Answer 11

If I make any TRUTHFUL statements I will get a Violation notice and possible kicked off Yahoo Q & A!

They are that much in DENIAL!

The Quaran States;



The Verse Of The Sword from Al-Tawbah
Fight and slay the pagans (infidels) wherever ye find them, and seize them,
beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war." - Sura 9:5

"Prophet, make war on unbelievers and hypocrites, and deal rigorously
with them." - Sura 9:73

"Let not the unbelievers think they will ever get away. They have not
the power to do so. Muster against them all the men and cavalry at
your command, so that you may strike terror into the enemy of Allah
and your enemy... Prophet, (Mohammed) rouse the faithful to arms!
If they (the non-Muslims) incline to peace (accept Islam) make
peace with them." - Sura 8:59

"If they reject your judgement, know that it is Allah's wish to scourge
them for their sins." - Sura 5:49


"Believers (Muslims), take neither Jews nor Christians to be your
friends: they are friends with one another.
Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number,
and Allah does not guide (those Jewish and Christian) wrong-doers." - Sura 5:51




"Not Jesus, but a look alike, was substituted and crucified at the Cross." -4:157
THIS IS BLASPHEMY - AND A LIE! No proof can be offered at all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~``

Same intersting teaching addresses are;

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/quran/index.htm
http://apostatesofislam.com/
http://www.islam-watch.org/
http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/index.htm
http://jihadwatch.org/
http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/moongod.