Answering basic/common questions of non-muslims

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 First and foremost the opening answer we give to all these questions is that Allah (swt) had ordained us to do so. The are verses in the Quran and Hadiths which inform us of these obligatory actions and prohibitions and these are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why certain things are compulsory for us or forbidden for us. However for non-muslims this alone may not suffice, they would rather you give them logical reasons, facts, figures and science.

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Why do you wear a headscarf?

Muslim women observe hijab because God ordered them to do so in two places in the Quran, and because Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also advised so. Remember Hijab is more than just a head cover, it consists of your physical appearance as well as your behaviour, manners, speech, actions and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative.

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The Quran says in Surah 24, verses 30 31 : {Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them! Allah is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and and their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands fathers, or their sons or their husbands sons, or their brothers or their brothers sons or sisters sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigor, or children who know naught of womens nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.} These verses tell us that our Islamic dress is not just a matter of covering the head alone, but also of covering the bosom, which is attractive to men, and of lowering the gaze and walking in a way that does not attract attention. Note that the order to lower the gaze was addressed first to men. Also the other verse about the same point, which is verse number 59 in Surah 33: {O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them. That will be better, that so they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.}

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Facts
In the UK: 45% of women have experienced some form of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.1 Around 21% of girls, experience some form of child sexual abuse.2 At least 80,000 women suffer rape every year.3 In a survey for Amnesty International, over 1 in 4 respondents thought a women was partially or totally responsible for being raped if she was wearing sexy or revealing clothing, and more than 1 in 5 held the same view if a woman has had many sexual partners.4
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References
1. Walby, S. & Allen, J. (2004) Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office. London. 2. HM Government (2007) Cross-government Action Plan on Sexual Violence and Abuse. Home Office. London. 3. Walby, S. & Allen, J. (2004) Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office. London. 4. Amnesty UK (2005) Sexual Assault Research. Amnesty. London.
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Why do pray 5 times a day? Thats a lot!

According to the Qur'n a Muslim should pray minimum five times a day:
"And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: for those things that are good remove those that are evil: be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord)". [Al-Quran 11:114] "Establish regular prayers at the suns decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning prayer and reading: for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony". [Al-Quran 17:78] "Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; Yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy". [Al-Quran 20:130] "So (give) glory to Allah, when ye reach eventide and when ye rise In the morning; Yea, to Him be praise, in the heavens and on earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline".
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Isnt praying once a day sufficient?

1. Salaah is not merely Prayer Salaah does not merely mean to pray. According to the Oxford dictionary, pray means to beseech or to ask earnestly e.g. "He prayed to be released in the court of law." It also means supplication. In other religions to pray means to beseech or to supplicate e.g. Our Lord! Give us this day our daily bread. The Dua we Muslims make after Salaah is actually our supplication. Salaah is much more than merely praying. In Salaah we not only ask from Allah but we also thank Him, praise Him, and at the same time receive guidance from Him. Salaah in the true sense is "programming" or conditioning. 2. Humans have free will Humans have their own free will and with the various kinds of evil that are present in society there is every possibility of the human being getting deprogrammed. Thus it is compulsory that we should regularly be programmed to remain on the Siraatal Mustaqim that is, the Straight Path. 3. Healthy body requires 3 meals a day, spiritual soul requires 5 times Salaah a day For a healthy body three meals a day are required. Similarly for a spiritual soul , a minimum five times Salaah is required in a day. You cannot remain healthy by having only one meal a day. 4. And according to the Quran Muslims should pray minimum five times a day.
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Why is alcohol forbidden?

Intoxicants were forbidden in the Qur'an through several separate verses revealed at different times over a period of years. At first, it was forbidden for Muslims to attend to prayers while intoxicated (4:43). Then a later verse was revealed which said that alcohol contains some good and some evil, but the evil is greater than the good (2:219). "They ask Thee concerning Wine and Gambling, Say: In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." This was the next step in turning people away from consumption of it. Finally, "intoxicants and games of chance" were called "abominations of Satan's handiwork," intended to turn people away from God and forget about prayer, and Muslims were ordered to abstain (5:90-91). "O Ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, Sacrificing to Stones, and (divination by) Arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork; Keep away from such, that Ye may prosper." (Note - the Qur'an is not arranged chronologically, so later verses of the book were not necessarily revealed after earlier verses.) Alcohol misuse is a major public health problem, placing a heavy burden on society, and affecting a large number of individuals of all ages.
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Facts and Figures

Alcohol is estimated to be responsible for at least 33,000 deaths in the UK each year.(1) More than one in 25 adults are dependent on alcohol, and the UK has one of the highest rates of binge drinking in Europe (2)(3) Around 6% of road casualties and 17% of all deaths on the road occur when someone has been drinking over the legal limit. (4) Around 40% of patients admitted to A&E are diagnosed with alcohol-related injuries or illnesses.(5)
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Facts and Figures

In young adults, binge drinking is also associated with a range of risky behaviours, including a higher risk of contracting a sexually transmitted illness.(6) Drinking alcohol is linked to both anxiety and depression. A recent British survey found that people suffering from anxiety or depression were twice as likely to be heavy or problem drinkers. (7) It has been estimated that alcohol plays a part in up to 65% of suicides in the UK. (8)
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References
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Academy of Medical Sciences (2004) Calling Time: The Nation's Drinking as a Major Health Issue. London: AMS, Department of Health (2005) Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project (ANARP): The 2004 national alcohol needs assessment for England, TNS Opinion & Social. Attitudes towards alcohol. Special Eurobarometer. Brussel: European Commission, 2007 Transport Statistics (2008) Road Casualties Great Britain: 2007 - Annual Report, Stationery Office 5. NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries:www.cks.nhs.uk/alcohol_problem_drinking/leaflets_for_patients/alc ohol_misuse Harrison P, Kassler WJ. Alcohol Policy and Sexually Transmitted Disease Rates United States, 1981-1995 JAMA. 2000;283:3063-4. Singleton N, Bumpstead R, O'Brien M, Lee A, and Meltzer H. Psychiatric Morbidity among adults living in private households, 2000, London: TSO 2001) http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?vlnk=8258 Department of Health (1993) Health of the Nation Key Area Handbook: Mental Health. London HMSO

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Why is pork forbidden?

1. Pork-prohibited in Quran The Quran prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. Its prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115. Forbidden to you are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah (swt); that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars).... [Al-Quran 5:3]

2. Pork is prohibited in the Bible and is also prohibited in the book of Deuteronomy

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The Qur'an makes it quite clear as to what is halal and haram. All food is halal except for the following: Meat from swine Pork-based products and by-products Animals improperly slaughtered, or already dead before slaughtering is due to take place Animals killed or sacrificed in the name of others than Allah (swt) Intoxicants/alcohol Most carnivorous animals, birds of prey and land animals without external ears (i.e., snakes, reptiles, worms, insects etc.) Blood and blood by-products
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Facts
1. Consumption of pork causes several diseases Eating of pork can cause several different types of diseases. A person can have various Helminthes, like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack and if it enters the eye it can cause blindness. If it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from Taenia tichurasis (another dangerous Helminthes), twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ovas present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature. 2. Pork has fat building material Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and a heart attack.

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Facts
3. Pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces and dirt. In villages they dont have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta is cleared by pigs. Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbours excreta. 4. Pig is the most shameless animal The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate.
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Do you go clubbing?
What goes on in a club? There is music, consumption of alcohol, drugs, freely mixing and sexual activities. All of which are forbidden. Reason for abstinence from alcohol and has already been discussed.

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Music:
The Prophet (SallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) said "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful..." [Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494v].

This Hadeeth states that musical instruments are Haram, and there is little/no disagreement among the scholars on this.
Abu Hurayrah (RadiyAllahu`anhu) narrated that the Prophet (SallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, what translated means, group of this nation will be transformed into monkeys and swine." They said, "Do not they testify that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammed is His Messenger?" He said, "Yes. And also they fast pray and perform Hajj." They said, "Then, what is their problem?" He said, "They use musical instruments, drums and female singers. (One day) they will go to sleep after a night of drinking and having fun, In the morning, they will be transformed (by Allah) into monkeys and swine." [Iughathat Al-Lahfan].
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 The facts on sexual assaults has also been discussed. Reason for abstinence from drugs is obvious.

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Why is that men can have four wives?

There are actually some situations in which it is advantageous and /or necessary for society to have men marry multiple wives. Here we will see that the Qur'an permits only a restricted and limited form of that practice. Plus only 2% of Muslim marriages are of this nature. It is not as widespread as some are led to believe.
Notice that the Qur'an permits but does not command a man to have four wives. Furthermore, the Qur'an stipulates that a man is responsible for the maintenance of his wife or wives. If a man has more than one wife, he has to provide separate living accommodation for each of his wives. Multiple marriages are a heavy responsibility on the male. It is not a pleasure trip as some people may assume. Some even imagine all kinds of sexual exploits involving a man and his wives altogether. However, such activity is not permissible in Islam. A man must divide his time equally among his wives. If a man cannot maintain justice in the treatment of his wives, which is very difficult, the Qur'an stipulates that he is to have no more than one wife.

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 Polygyny provides a solution to some of life's problems. When there is a shortage of men, for example after a devastating war, many women will be unable to find husbands. Most women in that situation, given the option, would rather be a co-wife than no wife. If one maintains a strict monogamy in such a situation, moral depravity is bound to result, we have seen cases of rape/assault etc. for women in such circumstances. In many countries there are more males than females.
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It may be useful at this point to see what some non- Muslim writers are now saying on this much misunderstood subject. John Esposito says: Although it is found in many religious and cultural traditions, polygamy is most often identified with Islam in the minds of Westerners. In fact, the Qur'an and Islamic Law sought to control and regulate the number of spouses rather than give free license. (John Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, Oxford University, 1988, p.97). Esposito then goes on to explain that in a society which allowed men an unlimited number of wives, Islam limited the number of wives to four. Then he continued to say: The Qur'an permits a man to marry up to four wives, provided he can support and treat them all equally. Muslims regard this Qur'anic command as strengthening the status of women and the family for it sought to ensure the welfare of single women and widows in a society whose male population was diminished by warfare, and to curb unrestricted polygamy (John Esposito: Islam the Straight Path, p.97). Karen Armstrong explains much the same in her book entitled Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam. She says: We have to see the ruling about polygamy in context. In seventh-century Arabia, when a man could have as many wives as he chose, to prescribe only four was a limitation, not a license to new oppression (Karen Armstrong, Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam, Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1991, p.191). It is unfortunate that the Western media often gives the wrong impression of what Islam is all about. Karen Armstrong writes: Popular films like Harem give an absurd and inflated picture of the sexual life of the Muslim sheikh which reveals more about Western fantasy than it does about the reality (p.190). Some people incorrectly assume that because of this ruling most Muslim men would have four wives. However, as Huston Smith points out, "multiple wives are seldom found in Islam today" (The World's Religions, p. 252). Ira Zep p, Jr. says that "less than 2% of Muslim marriages are polygamous" (A Muslim Primer, p.180).

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z EAFQCXnL4

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Remember there is always a wisdom behind everything Allah commands us to do and not do.
May Allah grant us all the right understanding. Ameen-Ya-Rabbal-A'lameen.

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