From: zmbenhal@netcom.com (Zeyd M. Ben-Halim)
Subject: RE: Questions about Islam from an Innocent.
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Originator: Mughal@Romeo.Caltech.Edu (Asim Mughal -Moderator)
Organization: California Institute of Technology
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 20:07:00 GMT


[Postmarked: Thu, 23 Jul 92 09:52:00 GMT ]

In article <01GMHQ77KNBM9FNDIF@CC.USU.EDU> SLZM9@CC.USU.EDU writes:
>   I have a few questions concerning Islam. My motivation for these
>questions is to understand my fellow human beings and in so doing
>trying to take one small step toward peace on this planet. If you
>do not feel these questions are of general interest please feel
>free to email your responses to me. If they are of general interest
>email me and post to this newsgroup.
>
>  As background I am a white, male american raised as a baptist. Now
>I am an atheist. I realize that my view of muslems has been skewed
>by the american media. However, I got rid of my TV about a year
>ago and try to find alternative sources of news to that in the
>popular american vein. I am trying to find out firsthand what muslems
>are about and what they believe.
>
>1. The small amount of reading I have done in the Qu'ran (spelling?)
>   seems to indicate that people should not kill other people. Yet
>   I routinely hear of violence committed by muslems. Are these
>   acts of violence sins against Islamic beliefs? Are these people
>   sinners?
>

Quran is the preferred spelling. Killing people in Islam is a sin except
"ella bil haq" when in the name of God. Cases such as capital punishment and
in defending one's self, family, country, or Islam. This in no way gives
individual moslems licence to commit murder. Acts of violence are commited
by people of all religions (and none) This should not be taken as a reflection
of the religion itself.

>2. I consider Ghandi (a buddhist) and Martin Luther King, Jr. (a christian)
>   to be great people that changed our planet for the better principally
>   through non violence. How do muslems view these two men?
>

Mahatma Ghandi is a hindu mnot a budbhist. Both men have done good in their
efforts to fight injustice and bigotry. Their insistance on non-violance
is admirable but necessarily shared by muslims.

>3. I know the basic story of the discovery of the Qu'ran and of
>   the prophet Mohammed. However, the historical sequence of events
>   is uncertain to me. Also what regions of the world were the 
>   birthplace and nurturing centers of Islam?
>

I don't think the Quran was "discovered". It was reveled piecemeal over
22 years to the Prophet. The birth of Islam is rather a long story, so I will
not do it injustice by trying to summize it here.
Islam was born in Mecca in what is now Saudi Arabia. Mecca remains the focus
of Islam (the direction of prayer and the site of Hajj).    

>4. Why do you think so few white americans are muslems?
>

The majority of white americans are from european descent and thus Christian
be birth. The rivalry between Islam and Christianity in the middle-ages gave
the west a very distorted view of Islam and what it stood for.

>5. Will non-muslems go to a sort of "paradise" after death if they
>   live good lives? Do non-muslems have any afterlife at all?
>

Many "experts" have opinions one way or the other. Only God knows. If they
don't enter paradise then they go to hell (soory :-) Wa Allahu A'lam.

>6. Why are there so many factions of muslems?
>

The last time I looked there weren't that many (half a dozen maybe)
There are two "faction" among muslims, sunna and shi'a. The split is historical
over the right of succession to the Prophet and the role of Ali and his family.
Shi'a are supporters of Ali (whatever that means today).

>7. Who is Rev. Farrakhan (spelling?)? For what does he stand?
>   Why do so many people recommend listening to him yet when
>   you hear what he has to say it sounds racist?
>

The minister is a black muslim leader (The nation of Islam). I'm guessing
when I say he stands for Islam and the impowerment of blacks in America.
He's a great orator with a telent for inspiring people. He's a very
contraversial figure. He sees many of the ills of society to be the result
of actions by racist whites. This includes jews unfortunately. His statements
are considered anti-semitic be many people. But any critisism of jews and
Isreal is being considered racist, the label is losing its force.

>
>   I am sure many of these questions are naive. However, I am openly
>and honestly seeking answers. You needn't help but if you do you
>might find someone that will listen and learn and talk to others.
>

Ask and you shall be given! The same can be said of God :-)

>Peace, but not without justice,
>Mark

Wa 'alaikum assalam,
Zeyd