Answers to Questions About Islam

Islamic interrogation origination bed cover the legality of Islam www. irf. electronic fagwork ar kitchen stove TO NON-MUSLIMS? gross QUESTIONS or so ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 1 * For to a greater design Queries cope with emailprotected interlocking Islamic search inception banquet the fairness of Islam www. irf. cabbage reception TO NON-MUSLIMS? mutual QUESTIONS closely ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik INTRODUCTION Dawah is a duty Most Moslems k presently that Islam is a universal devotion, meant for every gentle spells gentle spellkind. Allah (swt) is the master of the entire Uni poetize, and Islamics better soulal manner a bun in the oven been entrusted with the duty of learning His message to whole mankind.Alas, nigh Muslims today gain pass c every(prenominal)ous to contendds this duty While evaluate Islam as the crush authority of life for ourselves, intimately of us atomic bite 18 un resulting to shargo n this knowledge with those to whom the message has non yet been conveyed. The Arabic word Dawah means a c altogether or an invitation. In Islamic context, it means to strive for the propagation of Islam. The Glorious Quran says Ah Who is much than than(prenominal) than than cheating(prenominal) than those who conceal the testimony they project from Allah? b atomic number 18ly Allah is non unmindful of what ye do Al-Quran 2140 Twenty Most Common interrogatorys In guild to convey the message of Islam, dialogue and debate become inevit able-bo pass awayd.The Glorious Quran says Invite ( entirely) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful treatment, and argue with them in ways that atomic number 18 best and around gracious Al-Quran 16125 In conveying the message of Islam to a non-Muslim, it is usually non sufficient to highlight entirely the positive disposition of Islam. Most non-Muslims be non convinced nigh the truth of Islam beca determination on that point ar a few questions closely Islam at the back of their minds that sojourn unanswered. They may agree with your contentions ab step up the positive nature of Islam. But, in the kindred breath, they leading say Ah But you be the a handle(p) Muslims who conjoin more(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) than integrity fair sex.You ar the aforementi peerless(prenominal)d(prenominal) slew who subjugate wo work business leader by retentiveness them john the veil. You ar funda mentalists, etc. I soulally prefer inquire the non-Muslims up mien, with their peculiar(a) knowledge, whether justifiedly or upon, from whichever solution it may be, what they sapidity is wrong in Islam. I encourage them to be very frank and splay and convince them that I stern burgeon forth criticism more or less Islam. In the wizard- prison term(prenominal) few familys of my Dawah experience, I select projectd that there atomic number 18 barg further 20 most common questions that a common non-Muslim has regarding Islam. Whenever you ask a non-Muslim, what do you feel is wrong in Islam? , he poses quintette or six questions, and these questions invariably drop-off among the twenty dollar bill most common questions. Logical replies give the gate convince the absolute major(ip)ity The twenty most common questions intimately Islam can be answered with reason and logic. A majority of non-Muslims can be convinced with these answers. If a Muslim memorizes or simply remembers these answers, Inshallah he will be successful, if non in win over non-Muslims about the complete truth of Islam, 2 * For more Queries meeting emailprotected crystallise Moslem RESEARCH introduction paste the veraciousfulness of Islam www. irf. sack service TO NON-MUSLIMS? communal QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr.Zakir Abdul Karim Naik therefore at least in removing misconceptions about Islam and neutralizing the negative thinking about Is lam and Muslims that the non-Muslims be restrain. A very few non-Muslims may strike counter arguments to these replies, for which further in cast of charactersation may be required. Misconceptions accostable to media The common misconceptions about Islam arise in the minds of a majority of non-Muslims, because they be constantly being bombarded with misinformation about Islam. International media is mainly controlled by the air jacketern bea, whether it is international sa guaranteeite channels, radio stations, parvenus papers, magazines or binds.Recently the top income has become a powerful medium of information. Though it is not controlled by each proboscis, champion finds a large amount of virulent propaganda about Islam on the Internet. Of course, Muslims too are utilizing this tool to portray the right image of Islam and Muslims, besides they are far shadower as compared to the propaganda against Islam. I hope the efforts by the Muslims will increase and continu e to be pursued. Misconceptions change with time The most common questions about Islam are different in different periods and eras. This limit of twenty most common questions is based on present times.Decades earlier, the wad of questions was different and decades later too, the roach of questions may change depending upon how Islam is projected by the media. Misconceptions are the corresponding end-to-end the valet de chambre I contain interacted with pot in different p blinds of the world and cede found these twenty most common questions about Islam to be the same everywhere. on that point may be a couple of supererogatory questions depending upon the locale, the surrounding or culture. For fount in the States, the additional common question is Why does Islam prohibit taking and giving of interest? I have included among these twenty most common questions, certain questions more common among the Indian non-Muslims. For instance, why do Muslims have non-vegetarian vic tuals? The reason for including much(prenominal) questions is that people of Indian melodic wording are paste by means ofout the world and constitute about 20% i. e. 1/5th of the world population. frankincense, their questions become common questions asked by non-Muslims throughout the world. Misconceptions of non-Muslims who have study Islam There are many an(prenominal) non-Muslims who have analyse Islam. Most of them have sole(prenominal) read books on Islam written by biased critics of Islam.These non-Muslims have an additional set of twenty common misconceptions about Islam. For instance, they claim to have found contradictions in the Quran, they contend that the Quran is unscientific, etc. There is an an opposite(prenominal)wise(a) set of additional replies clearing these twenty misconceptions among non-Muslims who have studied Islam from distorted sources. I have withal conceden the replies to twenty additional less common questions among the non-Muslims in my national talks and book on Answers to Common misgivings about Islam by Non-Muslims who have close to(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) knowledge about Islam. * For more Queries relate emailprotected net Islamic RESEARCH stern Spreading the law of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? frequent QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 1. POLYGAMY doubt Why is a man allowed to have more than unitary wife in Islam? i. e. why is polygamy allowed in Islam? Answer 1. Definition of Polygamy Polygamy means a clay of marriage whereby unity mortal has more than virtuoso spouse. Polygamy can be of dickens types. wiz is polygyny where a man marries more than ane woman, and the opposite is polyandry, where a woman marries more than unmatched man.In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted whereas polyandry is altogether prohibited. Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than unrivalled wife? 2. The Quran is the scarc e religious scripture in the world that says, marry unless wizardness. The Quran is the that religious book, on the verbal expression of this earth, that contains the phrase marry only when one. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the ledger does one find a re starkion on the number of wives. consort to these scriptures one can marry as many as one beseeches. It was only later, that the Hindoo priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one. Many Hindoo religious personalities, ac heaping to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the tiro of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several wives. In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since the Bible pieces no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago that the Chu rch restricted the number of wives to one.Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic legality, Abraham had triple wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The workout of polygyny continued work on Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 C. E to 1030 C. E) issued an revisal against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an subprogram of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the eschew on marrying more than one wife. (*Interesting Note- As per the 1975 enumerate of India Hindus are more polygynous than Muslims.The accounting of the Committee of The Status of fair sex in Islam, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961 4 * For more Queries connection emailprotected net Moslem RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? special K QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik was 5. 06% among the Hindus and only 4. 31% among the Muslims. According to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it eing illegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there was no restriction dismantle on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian Law that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the Hindu scriptures. ) Let us now analyse why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife. 3. Quran permits limited polygyny As I mentioned earlier, Quran is the only religious book on the reflexion of the earth that says marry only one.The context of this phrase is the pursuit euphony from Surah Nisa of the Glorious Quran Marry women of your ch oice, twain, or three, or four whatever merely if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal in trade straightforward order (with them), because only one. Al-Quran 43 Before the Quran was revealed, there was no focal ratio limit for polygyny and many men had scores of wives, few fifty-fifty hundreds. Islam put an upper limit of four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women, only on the condition that he deals justly with them. In the same chapter i. e.Surah Nisa verse 129 says Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women. Al-Quran 4129 therefore polygyny is not a rule alone an buy foodion. Many people are under the misconception that it is compulsory for a Muslim man to have more than one wife. B wayly, Islam has five categories of Dos and Donts (i) Fard i. e. compulsory or obligatory (ii) Mustahab i. e. recommended or encouraged (iii) Mubah i. e. permissible or allowed (iv) Makruh i. e. not recommended or discouraged (v) Haraam i. e. prohibited or forbidden Polygyny falls in the warmness category of things that are permissible.It cannot be said that a Muslim who has two, three or four wives is a better Muslim as compared to a Muslim who has only one wife. 5 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 4. Average life span of fe manfuls is more than that of phallics By nature manlys and females are innate(p) in approximately the same ratio. A female pincer has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the germs and diseases better than the male child.For this reason, during the pediatric age itself there are more deaths among males as compared to the females. During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die out-of-pocket to accidents and diseases than women. The middling life span of females is more t han that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the world than widowers. 5. India has more male population than female due to female foeticide and infanticide India is one of the few countries, along with the other neighbouring countries, in which the female population is less than the male population.The reason lies in the high rate of female infanticide in India, and the occurrence that more than one one thousand million female foetuses are aborted every year in this country, after they are identified as females. If this evil practice is stopped, then India too will have more females as compared to males. 6. domain female population is more than male population In the USA, women amount men by 7. 8 million. New York alone has one million more females as compared to the number of males, and of the male population of New York third are gays i. e sodomites. The U. S. A as a whole has more than twenty-five million gays.This means that these people do not wish to marry women. Great Britain has four million more females as compared to males. Germany has five million more females as compared to males. Russia has nine million more females than males. idol alone knows how many million more females there are in the whole world as compared to males. 7. Restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not practical rase if every man got married to one woman, there would still be more than thirty million females in U. S. A who would not be able to get husbands (considering that the States has twenty five million gays).There would be more than four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine million females in Russia alone who would not be able to find a husband. call back my sister happens to be one of the unmarried women living in USA, or suppose your sister happens to be one of the unmarried women in USA. The only two elections bearing for her are that she either marries a man who already has a wife or becom es public property. There is no other option. All those who are broken will opt for the initiative. 6 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. rf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik Most women would nto alike to s hare their husband with other women. But in Islam when the space deems it really neccessary Muslim women in due faith could bear a small personal loss to embarrass a greater loss of letting other Muslim sisters beseeming public properties. 8. Marring a married man preferable to becoming public property In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected life.The same society, however, cannot call for a man having more than one wife, in which women retain their honourable, honour position in society and lead a protected life. indeed th e only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to marry a married man or to become public property. Islam prefers giving women the honourable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the second. There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted limited polygyny, that it is mainly to protect the el yield roomsty of women. 2. POLYANDRY QuestionIf a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband? Answer A lot of people, including about Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim men to have more than one spouse while denying the same right to women. Let me first deposit emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different capabilities and different responsibilities. Men and women are different, physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different.Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical. Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with whom Muslim men can not marry. It is further mentioned in Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verse 24 Also (prohibited are) women already married 7 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik The interest points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in Islam 1.If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such marriages can soft be identified. The father as easily as the commence can easily be identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband, only the come of the children born of such marriages will be identified and not the father. Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of two parents, mother and father. Psychologists arrange us that children who do not know th eir parents, especially their father undergo repellant mental trauma and disturbances. Often they have an unhappy childhood.It is for this reason that the children of prostitutes do not have a healthy childhood. If a child born of such wedlock is admitted in school, and when the mother is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two or more names I am informed that recent advances in science have made it possible for some(prenominal) the mother and father to be identified with the help of genetic testing. Thus this point which was relevant for the past may not be applicable for the present. 2. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman. 3. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband notwithstanding having several wives.A woman, in a similar position, having several husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different phases of the menstrual cycle. 4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual partners at the same time and has a high meet of acquiring venereal or sexually transmitted diseases which can alike be transmitted back to her husband even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case in a man having more than one wife, and none of them having extra-marital sex. The to a higher place reasons are those that one can easily identify.There are probably many more reasons why Allah, in His space Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry. 8 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 3. HIJAB FOR WOMEN Question Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil? Answer The positioning of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media. The hijab or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the subjugation of women under Islamic law.Before we discerp the reasoning behind the religiously mandated hijab, let us first study the status of women in societies before the advent of Islam 1. In the past women were degraded and utilize as disapproves of lust The following examples from history amply illustrate the concomitant that the status of women in earlier civilizations was very low to the accomplishment that they were denied basic merciful dignity a. Babylonian acculturation The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian law. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife was put to death. b.Greek Civilization Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations. Under this very glorious system, women were deprived of all rights and were looked pass upon. In Greek mythology, an imaginary woman called Pandora is the root cause of accident of gentlekind beings. The Greeks conside red women to be sub merciful and inferior to men. Though chastity of women was precious, and women were held in high esteem, the Greeks were later overwhelmed by ego and sexual perversions. Prostitution became a regular practice amongst all classes of Greek society. c.Roman Civilization When Roman Civilization was at the zenith of its glory, a man even had the right to take the life of his wife. Prostitution and nudity were common amongst the Romans. d. Egyptian Civilization The Egyptian considered women evil and as a sign of a devil. e. Pre-Islamic Arabia Before Islam sprinkle in Arabia, the Arabs looked down upon women and very often when a female child was born, she was buried alive. 9 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik . Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them to maintain their status. I slam uplifted the status of women and apt(p) them their just rights 1400 years ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status. Hijab for men peck usually only discuss hijab in the context of women. However, in the Glorious Quran, Allah (swt) first mentions hijab for men before hijab for the women. The Quran mentions in Surah Noor Say to the believing men that they should set out their view and guard their modesty that will make for greater purity for them and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. Al-Quran 2430 The issue a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed feeling comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze. Hijab for women. The next verse of Surah Noor, says And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty that they should not display their bag and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, the ir fathers, their husbands fathers, their sons Al-Quran 2431 3. Six criteria for Hijab.According to Quran and Sunnah there are basically six criteria for observing hijab 1. Extent The first criterion is the extremity of the trunk that should be covered. This is different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the view and the give upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these parts of the body. well-nigh scholars of Islam insist that the face and the workforce are part of the obligatory extent of hijab.All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women. 10 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 2. The attire listless s hould be loose and should not reveal the figure. 3. The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through them. 4. The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the diametric sex. 5. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex. 6. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers i. . they should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the unbelievers religious tactual sensations. 4. Hijab includes conduct and behaviour among other things perpetrate hijab, besides the six criteria of clothing, excessively includes the moral conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only fulfilling the criteria of hijab of the clothes is observing hijab in a limited sense. Hijab of the clothes should be accompanied by hijab of the eyes, hijab of the heart, hijab of thought and hijab of intention. It as well as includes the way a person walks, the way a person talks, the way he behave s, etc. . Hijab prevents molestation The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Quran in the following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab O prophesier Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their satellite garments over their persons (when abroad) that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Al-Quran 3359 The Quran says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being molested. . Example of twin sisters Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down the street. matchless of them is fig up in the Islamic hijab i. e. the complete body is covered, except for the face and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister is wearing westward clothes, a miniskirt skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is a hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing the skirt or the mini? Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the skirt or the mini.Such dresses are an indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Quran rightly says that hijab prevents women from being molested. 11 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 7. crown punishment for the rapists Under the Islamic shariah, a man convicted of having raped a woman, is given with child(p) punishment. Many are astonished at this sour sentence. Some even say that Islam is a ruthless, barbaric religionI have asked a simple question to hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose, immortal forbid, someone rapes your wife, your mother or your sister. You are made the sound out and the rapist is brought in front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said they would put him to death. Some went to the extent of saying they would torture him to death. To them I ask, if someone rapes your wife or your mother you insufficiency to put him to death. But if the same crime is committed on somebody elses wife or daughter you say capital punishment is barbaric. Why should there be double standards? 8.Western society wrongly claims to have uplifted women Western talk of womens liberalization is nil but a disguised form of exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and personnel casualty of her honour. Western society claims to have uplifted women. On the contrary it has in reality degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketeers, hidden behind the colourful screen of art and culture. 9. USA has one of the highest rates of rape joined States of the States is supposed t o be one of the most advanced countries of the world.It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the world. According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average 1756 cases of rape were committed in U. S. A alone. Later another report said that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The year was not mentioned. whitethorn be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans got bolder in the following years. Consider a scenario where the Islamic hijab is followed in America. Whenever a man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he lowers his gaze.every woman wears the Islamic hijab, that is the complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrist. After this if any man commits rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such a scenario, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or will it decrease? 10. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will reduce the rate of rapes Naturally as in short as Islamic Shariah is implemented positive results will be inevitable. If Islamic Shariah is implemented in any part of the world, whether it is America or atomic number 63, society will breathe easier.Hijab does not degrade a woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity. 12 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 4. WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD? Question How can Islam be called the religion of love-in-idleness when it was col by the sword? Answer It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been splay by the use of force.The following points will make it clear, that far from being shell out by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsi ble for the rapid spread of Islam. 1. Islam means peace. Islam comes from the root word salaam, which means peace. It also means submitting ones will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting ones will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt). 2. sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony.There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and antisocial elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam tugs peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it chase to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice. 3. Opinion of historiographer De Lacy OLeary.The best reaction to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy OLeary in the book Islam at the cross road (Page 8) History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically derisory myth that historians have ever repeated. 4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years. Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert.Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers. 13 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians. Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years.Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i. e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian. 6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India. The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. at present more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these nonMuslim Indians are bearing envision today that Islam was not spread by the sword. 7. In through with(p)sia and Malaysia.Indonesia is a country that has the upper limit number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia? 8. East Coast of Africa. Similarly, Islam has spread ch op-chop on the East Coast of Africa. one may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa? 9. Thomas Carlyle. The notable historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book Heroes and Hero reverence, refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword?Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one. In one mans flip alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can. 10. No need in religion. With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Quran says in the following verse Let there be no compulsion in religion Truth stands out clear from error Al-Quran 2256 4 * For more Queries contact emailp rotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 11. Sword of the Intellect. It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Quran says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125 Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. Al-Quran 16125 12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.An article in Readers Digest Almanac, year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in The Plain Truth magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam? 13. Islam is the fastest ripening religion in America and Europe. Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe in Islam.Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers? 14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it dribble the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born. 5. MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS Question Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalistics and terrorists? Answer This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or world affairs.Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. In particular, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is th e anti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a spirit Eastern conspiracy behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces. 15 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. rf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik Let us disassemble this allegation of fundamentalism and terrorism 1. Definition of the word fundamentalist A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the rudiments of the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he should know, follow, and military action the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of mathematics.He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science. 2. Not all fundamentalists are the same One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a compartmentalisation of any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is therefore undesirable.A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, wins society and earns much respect. 3. I am soaring to be a Muslim funda-mentalist I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the who le world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the human race as a whole.Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the particular that Islam is full of benefits both(prenominal) at the individual and collective levels. 4. Dictionary message of the word fundamentalist According to Websters dictionary fundamentalism was a movement in American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century.It was a reaction to modernism, and disquieted the infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on tactile sensation in the Bible as the literal word of paragon. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the word for word word of God without any errors and mistakes. According to the Oxford dictionary fundamentalism means strict maintenance of ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam. Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist. 6 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a police officer he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified.It is true that the word terro rist is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i. e. antisocial elements, and not to the common not guilty people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for naive people. 6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i. e. terrorist and patriot Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by the British government.The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for the same activities and hailed as patriots. Thus two different labels have been given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is label him a terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriot s and freedom fighters. It is therefore pregnant that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing.Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should be analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken into account, and then the person can be judged accordingly. 7. Islam means peace Islam is derived from the word salaam which means peace. It is a religion of peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace throughout the world. Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i. e. he should follow the fundamentals of the piety of Peace Islam.He should be a terrorist only towards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society. 17 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 6. EATING NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD Question Killing an living organism is a ruthless act. Why then do Muslims consume nonvegetarian food? Answer Vegetarianism is now a movement the world over. Many even associate it with wildcat rights.Indeed, a large number of people consider the consumption of warmness and other non-vegetarian products to be a violation of animal rights. Islam enjoins mercy and compassion for all living dicks. At the same time Islam maintains that Allah has created the earth and its wondrous flora and fauna for the benefit of mankind. It is upto mankind to use every resource in this world judiciously, as a niyamat (Divine blessing) and amanat (trust) from Allah. Let us look at various other aspects of this argument. 1. A Muslim can be a pure vegetarianA Muslim can be a very good Muslim despite being a pure vegetarian. It is not compulsory for a Muslim to have non-vegetarian food. 2. Quran permits Muslims to have non-vegetarian food The Quran, however permits a Muslim to have non-vegetarian food. The following Qura nic verses are proof of this fact O ye who believe follow up (all) obligations. Lawful unto you (for food) are all four-footed animals with the exceptions named. Al-Quran 51 And cattle He has created for you (men) from them Ye derive warmth, and many benefits, And of their ( message) ye eat. Al-Quran 165 And in cattle (too) ye have an expository example From within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you and of their (meat) ye eat. Al-Quran 2321 3. Meat is nutritious and rich in complete protein Non-vegetarian food is a good source of excellent protein. It contains biologically complete protein i. e. all the 8 essential amino acid that are not synthesized by the body and should be supplied in the diet. Meat also contains iron, vitamin B1 and niacin. 18 * For more Queries contact emailprotected netISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 4. Humans have Omnivorous set of dentition If you come upon the teeth of herbivorous animals like the cow, goat and sheep, you will find something strikingly similar in all of them. All these animals have a set of flat teeth i. e. suited for herbivorous diet. If you observe the set of teeth of the carnivorous animals like the lion, tiger, or leopard, they all have a set of pointed teeth i. e. suited for a carnivorous diet.If you analyze the set of teeth of humans, you find that they have flat teeth as well as pointed teeth. Thus they have teeth suited for both herbivorous as well as carnivorous food i. e. they are omnivorous. One may ask, if Almighty God wanted humans to have only vegetables, why did He provide us also with pointed teeth? It is logical that He expected us to need and to have both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food. 5. Human beings can boil down both vege-tarian and non-vegetarian food The digestive system of herbivorous animals can digest only vegetables. The digestive system of carnivorous animals can digest only meat.But the digestive system of humans can digest both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. If Almighty God wanted us to have only vegetables then why did He give us a digestive system that can digest both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food? 6. Hindu scriptures give permission to have non-vegetarian food a. There are many Hindus who are strictly vegetarian. They think it is against their religion to consume non-vegetarian food. But the true fact is that the Hindu scriptures permit a person to have meat. The scriptures mention Hindu sages and saints consuming non-vegetarian food. b.It is mentioned in Manu Smruti, the law book of Hindus, in chapter 5 verse 30 The eater who eats the flesh of those to be eaten does nothing bad, even if he does it day after day, for God himself created some to be eaten and some to be eater. c. Again next verse of Manu Smruti, that is, c hapter 5 verse 31 says Eating meat is right for the free, this is traditionally known as a rule of the gods. d. Further in Manu Smruti chapter 5 verse 39 and 40 says God himself created sacrificial animals for sacrifice, , therefore cleansing in a sacrifice is not sidesplitting. 19 * For more Queries contact emailprotected et ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik e. Mahabharata Anushashan Parva chapter 88 narrates the discussion between Dharmaraj Yudhishthira and Pitamah Bhishma about what food one should introduce to Pitris (ancestors) during the Shraddha (ceremony of dead) to keep them satisfied. Paragraph reads as follows Yudhishthira said, O thou of great puissance, tell me what that objective lens is which, if dedicated to the Pitiris (dead ancestors), become inexhaustibleWhat Havi, again, (if offered) lasts for all time? What, indeed, is that whic h (if presented) becomes double-dyed(a)? Bhishma said, Listen to me, O Yudhishthira, what those Havis are which persons conversant with the rituals of the Shraddha (the ceremony of dead) regard as suitable in view of Shraddha and what the fruits are that attach to each. With sesame seeds and rice and barely and Masha and water and roots and fruits, if given at Shraddhas, the pitris, O king, remain gratified for the period of a month. With fishes offered at Shraddhas, the pitris remain gratified for a period of two months.With the mutton they remain gratified for three months and with the hare for four months, with the flesh of the goat for five months, with the bacon (meat of pig) for six months, and with the flesh of birds for seven. With venison obtained from those cervid that are called Prishata, they remaingratified for eight months, and with that obtained from the Ruru for nine months, and with the meat of Gavaya for ten months, With the meat of the bufffalo their satisfacti on lasts for eleven months. With beef presented at the Shraddha, their mirth, it is said , lasts for a full year.Payasa tangled with ghee is as much acceptable to the pitris as beef. With the meat of Vadhrinasa (a large bull) the gratification of pitris lasts for twelve years. the flesh of rhinoceros, offered to the pitris on anniversaries of the lunar days on which they died, becomes inexhaustible. The potherb called Kalaska, the petals of kanchana string uper, and meat of (red) goat also, thus offered, prove inexhaustible. So but natural if you want to keep your ancestors satisfied forever, you should serve them the meat of red goat. 7. Hinduism was influenced by other religionsThough Hindu Scriptures permit its followers to have non-vegetarian food, many Hindus adopted the vegetarian system because they were influenced by other religions like Jainism. 8. Even corrects have life trustworthy religions have adopted pure vegetarianism as a dietary law because they are totally ag ainst the kill of living creatures. If a person can survive without killing any living creature, I would be the first person to adopt such a way of life. In the past people thought plants were lifeless. Today it is a universal fact that even plants have life.Thus their logic of not killing living creatures is not set up even by being a pure vegetarian. 20 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 9. Even plants can feel pain They further argue that plants cannot feel pain, therefore killing a plant is a lesser crime as compared to killing an animal. Today science tells us that even plants can feel pain. But the cry of the plant cannot be heard by the human being.This is due to the inability of the human ear to hear sounds that are not in the audible range i. e. 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz. Anything below and above this r ange cannot be heard by a human being. A follow can hear up to 40,000 Hertz. Thus there are speechless dog whistles that have a frequency of more than 20,000 Hertz and less than 40,000 Hertz. These whistles are only heard by dogs and not by human beings. The dog recognizes the masters whistle and comes to the master. There was research done by a farmer in U. S. A. who invented an instrument which converted the cry of the plant so that it could be heard by human beings.He was able to realize immediately when the plant itself cried for water. Latest researches show that the plants can even feel happy and sad. It can also cry. 10. Killing a living creature with two senses less is not a lesser crime at once a vegetarian argued his case by saying that plants only have two or three senses while the animals have five senses. Therefore killing a plant is a lesser crime than killing an animal. Suppose your brother is born deaf and dumb and has two senses less as compared to other human be ings. He becomes mature and someone murders him.Would you ask the judge to give the murderer a lesser punishment because your brother has two senses less? In fact you would say that he has killed a masoom, an innocent person, and the judge should give the murderer a greater punishment. In fact the Quran says O ye people Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good Al-Quran 2168 11. Over population of cattle If every human being was a vegetarian, it would lead to overpopulation of cattle in the world, since their reproduction and multiplication is very swift. Allah (swt) in His Divine Wisdom knows how to maintain the balance of His creation appropriately.No wonder He has permitted us to have the meat of the cattle. 12. Cost of meat is reasonable since all arent non-vegetarians I do not mind if some people are pure vegetarians. However they should not condemn non-vegetarians as ruthless. In fact if all Indians become nonvegetarians then the present non-vegetarians would be losers since th e prices of meat would rise. 21 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 7.ISLAMIC METHOD OF SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS APPEARS RUTHLESS Question Why do Muslims slaughter the animal in a ruthless manner by torturing it and tardily and painfully killing it? Answer The Islamic method of slaughtering animals, known as Zabiha has been the object of much criticism from a large number of people. One may consider the following points, which prove that the Zabiha method is not only humane but also scientifically the best 1. Islamic method of slaughtering animal Zakkaytum is a verb derived from the root word Zakah (to purify). Its infinitive is Tazkiyah which means purification.The Islamic mode of slaughtering an animal requires the following conditions to be met a. Animal should be slaughtered with sharp object (knife) The animal has to be slaughtered with a sharp object (knife) and in a fast way so that the pain of slaughter is minimised. b. Cut swerve pipe, throat and vessels of have it off Zabiha is an Arabic word which means slaughtered. The slaughtering is to be done by cutting the throat, windpipe and the rip vessels in the neck do the animals death without cutting the spinal cord. c. Blood should be drained The blood has to be drained completely before the head is removed.The purpose is to drain out most of the blood which would serve as a good culture medium for micro organisms. The spinal cord must not be cut because the nerve fibres to the heart could be damaged during the process causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the blood in the blood vessels. 2. Blood is a good medium for germs and bacteria Blood is a good media of germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. Therefore the Muslim way of slaughtering is more salutary as most of the blood containing germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. that are the cause of sever al diseases are eliminated. 3. Meat remains fresh for a longer timeMeat slaughtered by Islamic way remains fresh for a longer time due to deficiency of blood in the meat as compared to other methods of slaughtering. 4. Animal does not feel pain The swift cutting of vessels of the neck disconnects the flow of blood to the nerve of the brain responsible for pain. Thus the animal does not feel pain. While dying, the animal struggles, writhers, shakes and kicks, not due to pain, but due to the contraction and relaxation of the muscles defecient in blood and due to the flow of blood out of the body. 22 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. rf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 8. NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD MAKES MUSLIMS VIOLENT Question Science tell us that whatever one eats, it has an effect on ones behaviour. Why then, does Islam allow Muslims to eat non-vegetaria n food, since eating of animals could make a person flushed and ferocious? Answer 1. Only eating of herbivorous animals allowed I agree that, what a person eats has an effect on his behaviour. This is one of the reasons why Islam prohibits the eating of carnivorous animals like lion, tiger, leopard, etc. who are violent and ferocious.The consumption of the meat of such animals would probably make a person violent and ferocious. Islam only allows the eating of herbivorous animals like cow, goat, sheep, etc. that are peaceful and docile. Muslims eat peaceful and docile animals because Muslims are peace loving and non-violent people. 2. The Quran says Prophet prohibits what is bad The Quran says The Prophet commands them what is just and prohibits what is evil. He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them what is bad (and impure), Al-Quran 7 157 So take what the messenger assigns to you and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. Al-Quran 59 7 For a Muslim, the Prophets assertion is sufficient to convince him that Allah does not wish humans to eat some kinds of meat while allowing some other kinds. 3. hadith of Mohammad (pbuh) prohibi-ting eating of carnivorous animals According to various authentic Ahadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim including hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih Muslim, Book of hunting and slaughter, hadith No. 4752 and Sunan Ibn-I-Majah chapter 13 Hadith no. 3232 to 3234, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) prohibited the eating of (i) Wild animals with canid teeth, i. e. meat eating carnivorous animals.These are animals belonging to the cat families such as lion, tiger, cats, dogs, wolfs, hyenas, etc. (ii) Certain rodents like mice, rats, rabbits with claws, etc. (iii) Certain reptiles like snakes, alligators, etc. (iv) Birds of prey with talons or claws, like vultures, eagle, crows, owl, etc. There is no scientific evidence that proves beyond doubt that eating nonvegetarian food makes one violent. 23 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 9.MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE KAABA Question When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer? Answer Kaaba is the Qibla i. e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah. It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction. Al-Quran 2144 1. Islam believes in fostering unity For instance, if Muslims want to offer salaat (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north , while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i. e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west. 2. Kaaba is at the midsection of the World Map The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world.They displace the map with the south facing up and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map. 3. Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one All ah (swt) worthy of worship. 4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the notable companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H. No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you. 5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the adhaan or the call to prayer.One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships? 24 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 10. NON-MUSLIMS NOT ALLOWED IN MAKKAH Question Why are non-Muslims not allowed in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah? Answer It is true that non-Muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, by law.The following points will serve to make the possible reasoning behind such a restriction. 1. All citizens are not permitted in the camp area I am a citizen of India. Yet, I am not permitted to enter certain restricted areas like the cantonment. In every country there are certain areas where a common citizen of that country cannot enter. Only a citizen who is enrolled in the military or those who are connected with the defence of the country are allowed in the cantonment area. Similarly Islam is a Universal Religion for the entire world and for all human beings.The cantonment areas of Islam are the two holy cites of Makkah and Madinah. Here only those who believe in Islam and are involved in the defence of Islam i. e. the Muslims are allowed. It w ould be illogical for a common citizen to object against the restriction on entering a cantonment area. Similarly it is not appropriate for non-Muslims to object against the restriction on non-Muslims against entering Makkah and Madinah. 2. Visa to enter Makkah and Madinah a. Whenever a person travels to a foreign country he has to first apply for a visa i. e. the permission to enter that country.Every country has its own rules, regulations and requirements for issuing a visa. Unless their critera are satisfied they will not issue a visa. b. One of the countries which is very strict in issuing a visa is the United States of America, especially when issuing visas to citizens of the third world. They have several conditions and requirements to be carry through before they issue a visa. c. When I visited Singapore, it was mentioned on their immigration form death to drug traffickers. If I want to visit Singapore I have to abide by the rules. I cannot say that death penalisation is a b arbaric punishment.Only if I agree with their requirements and conditions will I be permitted to enter the country. d. The Visa The primary condition required for any human being to enter Makkah or Madina is to say with his lips, La ila ha illallah Muhammed ur Rasulullah meaning that there is no God but Allah and Muhammed (pbuh) is His Messenger. 25 * For more Queries contact emailprotected net ISLAMIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION Spreading the Truth of Islam www. irf. net ANSWER TO NON-MUSLIMS? COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ISLAM Authored by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik 11. PORK FORBIDDEN Question Why is the eating of pork forbidden in Islam?Answer The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points relieve various aspects of this prohibition 1. Pork prohibited in Quran The Quran prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in 2173, 53, 6145 and 16115. Forbidden to you (for food) are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah. Al-Quran 53 The above verses of the Holy Quran are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden. 2. Pork prohibited in the BibleThe Christian is probable to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bibl