Sunnism and Shiism is Misguidance

written by: Sheila Quinn
October 25, 2015

There is Sunnism, there is Shiism, and then there is Islam. Neither Sunnism nor Shiism is Islam. Islam is Islam. Both of these two sects are misguidance. Many years ago, before my sons' father divorced me I thought of myself as a "Sunni". Al humdu lillah...I identify myself now as a Muslim-I am no longer a "Sunni".

There are many things wrong with Shiism, including: making innovations in the religion-such as "celebrating" Ashura by whipping themselves, and other things which has nothing to do with The Islamic Faith.

There is also many things wrong with Sunnism, including: taqleed and fatwa.

Both groups have misguidance. We need to stick to The Qur'an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad.

The guidance of Allah was completed at the time when Prophet Muhammad made Hajj. At this time Allah clearly stated in The Qur'an that the Islamic Faith was completed. Prophet Muhammad had completed his mission as the messenger of Allah. When Prophet Muhammad was dying he wanted to have something written down. Umar ibn Al Khattab-one of Prophet Muhammad's closest companions- gently objected to this by saying that The Qur'an and The Sunneh are enough for us. Apparently Prophet Muhammad understood what was meant by this and changed his mind. Allah knows best. Anything after this is not part of Islam.

There are some things that Prophet Muhammad did that was only for him to do because he was the messenger of Allah-and therefore such things should not be followed. Such things include: fasting continuously day and night -for several days- without breaking the fast; marrying more than four women; and instructing a companion of his-when he sent him as an envoy to another country.

Homosexuality and Islam

written by: Sheila Quinn

Qur’an:

   “Therefore stand firm (in the straight path) as thou art commanded,-thou and those who with thee turn (unto Allah); and transgress not (from the path); for He seeth well all that ye do. And incline not to those who do wrong, or the fire will touch you, and ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.” (Sura: “Huud” #11; aya’an #112-113)

  “O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth; for them there cometh a chastisement that cannot be turned back! When our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: ‘This is a distressful day.’ And his people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of practicing abominations. He said; ‘O my people! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if you marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with disgrace about my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?’ They said: ‘well dost thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!’…” (The messengers) said; “O Lut! We are messengers from thy lord! By no means shall they reach thee! Now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): to her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: is not the morning nigh?”(Sura: “Huud” #11; ayat #76-81)

These ayat are just some of the ayat which deal with the issue of homosexuality.

Some might say that the issue of homosexuality is a sensitive issue. At first I agreed with this, but as I read more and more about the aggressive behavior of some who are pro “gay” I became incensed about the campaign to make everyone accept homosexuality as “okay”. This campaign is not only in The U.S. and Europe-it is also in Muslim countries as well. There have been “gay pride parades” in both Turkey and Jordan.  (Turkey’s LGBT community draws hope from Harvey Milk: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/12/turkey-lgbt-discrimination-legal-protection-public-awareness.html#ixzz3hGxWgT57)

 Homosexuality is not okay. If a female relative of mine came to me and told me that she was “married” to another woman, how would I respond? I do not know how I would respond. Perhaps I would just stare at her for a few minutes and then walk away, or I might verbally blast her, than again I just might sit with her and give her a quiet but stern lecture about how homosexual behavior is unacceptable.

 Allah has made it clear, in The Qur’an, that homosexual activity is an abomination to Him. No Muslim has the right to be okay with homosexual activity. “ … Now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): to her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: is not the morning nigh?”( Sura: “Huud” #11; ayat #76-81)

“…And incline not to those who do wrong, or the fire will touch you, and ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.” (Sura: “Huud” #11; aya’an #112-113)

  From what is written in The Qur’an it is clear that The Creator and The Sustainer of The Heavens and The Earth considers such behavior to be absolutely unacceptable. It is unthinkable that any Muslim would accept homosexual activity to be okay. It is not only sinful to be involved in homosexual activity, but it is also sinful to be sympathetic towards those who are involved in homosexual behavior. It is clear- from the ayat that I quoted above- that anyone who is sympathetic towards homosexuals are sinful and will be dealt with to the same degree as those who are active homosexuals.

 Should Muslims please Allah-or should we prostrate to His creatures? Of course, we should please Allah. The Dunya, this life, is a life of tests. It seems that some Muslims are failing in the tests that are being given in regard to homosexuality.

There is absolutely no God, but The God. Muhammad is the messenger of the God. Everything and everyone belongs to God. We do not belong to ourselves. Everything that we have is a trust from God-including: our bodies, our minds and our hearts. All of us do have choices, but each and every one of us will face the consequences of our choices-good or bad. Although our bodies will decay in our graves, we-ourselves- will continue to exist throughout eternity. But, what kind of existence will it be?

Some References:

 Reza Aslan And Hasan Minhaj Explain Why Muslims Can't Afford To Be Intolerant Of Gay Marriage: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/09/reza-aslan-hasan-minhaj-gay-marriage_n_7757400.html?ir=Religion&ncid=newsltushpmg00000003 

For Churches That Won’t Perform Same-Sex Weddings, Insurance Begins to Look Iffy Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/420928/churches-gay-marriage-insurance?tsrvqUZ2WLkiLuwx.01

Turkey’s LGBT community draws hope from Harvey Milk
: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/12/turkey-lgbt-discrimination-legal-protection-public-awareness.html#ixzz3hGxWgT57

A Masjid is a Community Center for Muslims

June 12,2015
written by:Sheila Quinn

Hadeeth: “Narrated Samura bin Jundab: Whenever the Prophet finished the (morning) prayer, he would face us and ask, ‘Who amongst you had a dream last night?’ So if anyone had seen a dream he would narrate it. The Prophet would say: ‘Ma sha’a-l-lah’ (An Arabic maxim meaning literally ‘What Allah wished,’ and it indicates a good omen.)…” (From the collection of hadeeth: “Sahih Al-Bukhari”; Volume#2; Book “Funerals”#23; chapter #91; hadeeth #468)

There are other hadeeth.

 One is a hadeeth which is narrated by Ayesha (mother of believers/ a wife of Prophet Muhammad). In that hadeeth she talks about an incident in which she watched a sports event in the masjid. She was sitting behind Prophet Muhammad.

Another hadeeth is narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (a companion of Prophet Muhammad and a son of another companion of Prophet Muhammad). In this hadeeth Abdullah ibn Umar mentioned that one time Prophet Muhammad pointed to one of the doors of the masjid. And he (Prophet Muhammad) said if only we would leave that door for the women. He said that he wish that door would be just for the women and that door (pointing to the other door) would be for the men. Prophet Muhammad wanted there to be separate entrances-one for the women and one for the men. Apparently there were two doors to the masjid in which both men and women used.

Qur’an:

      “Allah alone can show the right path but there are ways that turn aside; if Allah had so willed, He could have guided all of you.”  (Sura: “An-Nahl” (The Bee) #16; ayah #9)

 “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the Taurat and the Gospel:-for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure);: he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him, - it is they who will prosper.”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah #157)

“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura: “Maida” (The Table Spread) #5; ayah #3)

Hadeeth

“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.” (Sahih Muslim) 
(Source: “Ar- Raheeq Al – Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar; chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)

The masjid is a community center for Muslims-not just a place of prayer. The masjid is a place of many different community activities for Muslims. It is a place of: prayer, classes, sports, social activities, community meetings, etc. It is a place that all Muslims, both men and women can go.

The Islamic Faith consists of: The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Anything that came after the death of Prophet Muhammad is misguidance. An English translation of what Allah says in The Qur’an is: “…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…”  (Sura: “Maida” (The Table Spread) #5; ayah #3)

One of the things that is misguidance is Fatwa, itself. Fatwa has displaced The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims are following fatwa instead of The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. It is time to return to The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad; it is time to start building-and using- masjids as community centers for all Muslims.