Fertility Treatment: An Islamic Perspective
Fertility Treatment: An Islamic Viewpoint As we are all aware, three thousand embryos are about to be destroyed. What significance does this have and what is the legal ruling, according to the Sacred Law, is this act? This is what we will be investigating in this article. It can be devastating when a couple, who desperately want children find out they are infertile and thanks to modern science, humanity has developed ways to combat this. One of these methods, namely In-Vitro fertilisation (IVF), entails that several embryos are to be used. This is due to the fact that several attempts are required before en embryo actually implants in the mother's womb. This is the reason behind the freezing of the embryos - in order to store them for future use. However, according to a law passed in 1991, it is prohibited for embryos to be stored for more than five years without the donors consent. Five years have passed from that time and the frozen embryos of donors who have since lost contact with their doctors are about to be destroyed. At present, this decision is causing much controversy due to the input of the Catholic Church who asserted that every embryo had a God-given right to life. With this in mind, they are encouraging faithful couples to have an embryo placed in the woman's womb. According to the church, 130 couples have volunteered. The churches actions reflect their
Explain how the Muslim teachings affect Muslim attituds to equality
EXPLAIN HOW MUSLIM TEACHINGS AFFECT MUSLIM ATTITUDES TO EQUALITY In my second part of coursework, I intend to write about Muslim attitudes to equality with specific reference to prejudice and discrimination. I will explain the Islamic viewpoints of this intriguing subject. Islam teaches that all of the problems and restlessness which infest the contemporary age, prejudice and discrimination holds one of the greatest danger to world peace. The Holy Quran reminds not only Muslims but also all mankind: "O ye people! Fear your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and created there from its mate, and from the two spread many men and women; and fear Allah in Whose name you appeal to one another, and fear Him particularly respecting ties of relationship. Verily, Allah watches over you". Apparently, contemporary society seems to be moving on from prejudice and discrimination and is becoming more conscious of the horrors related to them. But if you examine the issue more carefully and in depth, you will realise that there is still signs of discrimination in our world. One major difficulty is the definition of 'racism'. It can appear different from various perspectives. It is difficult to draw hard and fast limits between racism consciousness of class or religious superiority, tribalism, fascism, imperialism and nationalism. The Islamic concept of equality is one
Explain how Muslim teachings affect the Muslim attitudes towards the role of women
Explain how Muslim teachings affect Muslim attitudes to the role and status of women The Qur'an teaches that women and men have the same right to life and are equal in God's eyes. Qur'an 16:97 stated this very clearly: 'whoever performs good deeds, whether male or female, and is a believer, we shall surely make them lead a good life, and we will certainly reward them for the best of what they did.' Muhammad, in particular, has put great emphasis upon the importance of women, especially mothers, as shown in the following quotation from Qur'an' A typical example is when Muhammad was asked about whom to care for, Muhammad answered 'your mother' three times before saying 'your father'. The way the Qur'an is expressed and interpreted in a culture that affects the status of women in society more greatly than the Qur'an itself. Muslim teachings certainly encourage that women should be treated equally to men, but the historical, social and cultural influences could sometimes override the original message from the Qur'an. For example, Qur'an 4:12 states that: 'You shall inherit the half of your wives' estate if they die childless. Your wives shall inherit one quarter of your estate if you die childless.' Some Muslims in the Western world might believe that men have no more right to inheritance than women, and therefore might secretly disagree with it. If a Muslim was brought up
The Islamic concept of God makes no sense
The Islamic concept of God makes no sense A Muslim would strongly disagree with the statement. This is because they are monotheists. They central monotheistic belief in Islam is Tawhid which suggests that that Allah is strictly one being that is indivisible, simple and non-composite. Allah is an entirely transcendent being that is completely beyond and separate from the universe. Allah is like nothing in the universe and so should not be described using images and descriptions from this world. To do this would commit the greatest sin in Islam, it is called shirk. That is associating Allah with human terms and materials from this world. Allah can be described using the 99 names, however some of the names are like human words. By this Muslims do not believe that humans were no made in Allah's image. Some Muslims believe that Allah is more mystical. Allah cannot be described anthropomorphically like other deities. A metaphysical term that would describe how Allah is radically different to the universe is substance dualism. As a Christian I also probably agree because from a Christian point of view God consists of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, all together as one. Also that that human beings are made in God's image something Muslims would disagree with. Jesus is the son of God and that God is love. God is our father but Muslims would disagree to saying Allah is their
Yasir Qadhi - the aim of life for Muslims(notes on Islamic beliefs and practices)
Notes from lectures Yasir Qadhi The aim of life – 1.01.34 First why do we worship Allah? “We worship Allah because of who Allah is because of how perfect how beautiful how majestic how glorious Allah AWJ is. even if Allah didn’t create me he would be still be worthy of my worship. And because he created me there is more reasons of Allah being worshiped Allah AWJ is worthy of being worshipped independent of anything else” 2nd how do we worship allah We worship allah by believing in the 6 pillars and we perform the 5 pillars Islam is based on 5 pillars “testify la illaha illalah mohammedurasulluah” 2 establish 5 prayers 3 pray zakat 4 fast Ramadan 5 you go for hajj What is Iman You believe in Allah 2 You believe in the Prophets 3 You believe in the Angels 4 you believe in the books 5 you believe in the resurrection of the day of judgement 6 you believe in Qadr What is ihsan Is that you worship allah as you thou can see him even is you cannot see him he sees you We believe in the 6 pillars and we perform the 5 pillars 3 How do we perfect these aspects of worship We perfect our worship primarily through 2 matters knowledge 2 spirituality (to get to a level of inner taqwa) e.g. the 5 prayers . the knowledge of how to pray and how the prophet (SAW) used to pray The knowledge of how the prophet SAW used to do wudu And the fact that if
Can you be a muslim without going to the mosque? Discuss
"You can be a Muslim without going to the Mosque" Many Muslims believe that, to be a Muslim, you have to go to the mosque. In this essay I shall be looking at reasons which support this statement, and reasons which disagree with it. I shall then conclude with my own opinion. On the one hand, some Muslims believe that you can be a Muslim and not go to the mosque. A reason could be that, in western countries especially, Muslims may not get time off work to pray at the mosque. Furthermore, some Muslims believe that as long as the floor is clean, and that they face Mecca, they can worship anywhere. "Wherever the hour of prayer overtakes you, you shall perform it. That place is a mosque." (Hadith) Another reason is that, many Muslims believe that God is omniscient (all-knowing). So if God is all-knowing, do Muslims really need to worship in the mosque? Wouldn't God know that they are worshipping somewhere else? "Do you not see that God knows everything in the heavens and on earth? Three men cannot talk together in secret, but He is the fourth...Neither fewer than that or more, but He is with them, wherever they may be." (Surah 58.7) Some Muslims believe that as long as you have the correct intention (Niyyah) you can worship anywhere. Also, many women don't go to the mosque (this is because, traditionally, women used to stay at home and look after the kids etc. while
Describe what happens at the fast of Ramadan
Describes what happens at the fast of Ramadan Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam and an obligatory Muslim principle. It occurs every ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and is the process where Muslims do not eat in daybreak for 29 or 30 days (depending on the lunar calendar). This means they are only permitted to eat before dawn or after sunset. Ramadan aims to teach Muslims many important things. It teaches them to be grateful for the food they receive and not to waste it. Ramadan is also a declaration of a Muslims love for Allah, as they are willing to give up something essential for a period of time, for their god. Fasting also teaches Muslims self control as they are able to resist the temptation of food from their friends and peers. Ramadan is a mainly spiritual time, as a Muslim must focus on Allah at all times. They must also refrain from talking ill of others, and are encouraged to read the Qu'ran. Ramadan is perceived as a time to repent sins and become closer to god. Only a few Muslims are exempt from Ramadan. These include people not of a sane mind, the sick, travelers, those too old and those too young to fast and pregnant women. Girls are also not allowed to fast on their period, because they are deemed as "unclean". Old people usually pay charity to a poor person for every day they do not fast, meaning god will bless them in a different
Zakat in Arabia
It is well known that Muslim's practice zakat. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. zakat means purification and growth. It is compulsory for every Muslim to give 2.5% of all his belongings and accumulated wealth to charity. This is to purify a Muslim's wealth so that he does not become greedy. The payment of zakat is regarded primarily as an act of worship of God. Zakat is essential to a Muslim's way of life as it eliminates greed and selfishness and give back to the community. It encourages honesty as Muslims are not checked if they pay the right amount or even if they pay at all. Giving zakat reminds a person that his wealth is not his own, but its real owner is Allah. Giving zakat is obeying Allah's commands and acknowledging that whether we are rich or poor is God's choice. So we should help those he has chosen to make poor. The prophet Muhammad stated "He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbour remains hungry by his side" This is expressing the need for Muslims to do their duty for the welfare of the poor. Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab country in the middle-east with a 23 million population. It is also the homeland of Islam and hosts two of the holiest places in Islam; Medina and Mecca as a result it is well known for its practice of zakat. Saudi Arabia has one of the world's largest oil reserves, but the oil-price crash of the 1980's and the
Saudi Arabia : Zakat, Poverty, Hypocrisy - Saudi Arabia only needs to pay 2.5% of their income to the poor. It doesnt matter how rich you are, you still have to pay unless you are very very poor.
Saudi Arabia : Zakat, Poverty, Hypocrisy Saudi Arabia only needs to pay 2.5% of their income to the poor. It doesn't matter how rich you are, you still have to pay unless you are very very poor. They also don't pay tax but who actually follows this rule and is a good Muslim? A few friends start talking about zakat and how small it is compared to other countries, that also pay tax. A few of them say that they follow the rule and sometimes give more, but some of them don't pay and just take advantage and lie, they say they pay zakat and give more all the time. Is hypocrisy the problem in Saudi a Arabia, that there are still so many people that are poor or is it just the money goes to the wrong place? Muslims must pay zakat. Zakat means purification. The payment of zakat is meant to be an act of worship. Giving 2.5% of one's wealth each year, to benefit the poor. The main reason for paying zakat is the worship of God Saudi Arabia is lucky as other countries have to pay tax which would be about 40% or more of their income. While Saudi Arabia have no tax and only pay 2.5% which is very small and that counts for any amount of wealth In source 4 it shows another problem " in Saudi Arabia, poverty is reflected in high population growth, in poor housing and inadequate social services " Maybe it is time for Saudi Arabia to make the zakat money higher or have tax. It is not
The Life of Muhammad
The Life of Muhammad Muhammad was born in the year 570 in the town of Mecca; it is a mountain town in the high desert part of Western Arabia. His name comes from the Arabic verb hamada meaning, " To praise, To Glorify". He was the son of Abd Allah bin Al- Muttalib and Amina bint Wahb. Abd Allah died before he was born and his mother looked after him in the hills while he learnt pure Arabic When Muhammad was six his mother took him to Yathrib to visit his father's grave but on the way back she too took ill and died. His nurse took him back to Mecca to be under the care of his grandfather. There Muhammad learned that Mecca was one of Arabia's most important pilgrimage cities. In 578 his grandfather died and then he went under the wing of his uncle who looked after him for many years when he was eight. It is believed that he thought God had given him shelter when it was needed. When he was a teenager he helped his uncle as a shepherd boy to earn his keep. He sometimes went on journeys to trade centres with caravans. He was known as the one everybody could trust. Muhammad then started to be a wealthy Meccan merchant; he carried Khadija's goods north and south of the country and returned with the profit. Khadija was impressed by Muhammad's honesty and proposed marriage to him in 595. He was then 25 but she was nearly 40. He carried on working with her business and over the