# Ask another muslim guy
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010
**Category:** Great Debates
**Created:** [August 16, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010 "2006-08-16T21:28:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@NSmasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NSmasta)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/1 "2006-08-16T21:28:30Z")
hey people, may peace be upon all of you
My name in Anas. I’m muslim. i’m new here, but please fell free to ask any questions about islam , and whatever is happening around the world that has a relation with islam, and i’ll try my best to answer… i’ve heard so many wrong things being said about my religion, and i think people need to understand and learn more, so they can judge better, and so, i’ll be more than happy to share my knowledge. thank you.
---
### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/2 "2006-08-16T21:38:46Z")
Christianity and Judaism have independently gone through “reforms”, after which much of the pointless ritual was abandoned. How do you react to the suggestion that Islam should do the same?
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### Author:  [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/3 "2006-08-16T21:47:06Z")
First, let’s get your stats down:
-Sunni or Shi’a, or something else?
-If you’re Shi’a, what branch?
-Where do you stand on Islamic revolution?
-What’s your stand on Sharia law, both in countries with majority-Muslim populations and in other countries?
Daniel
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### Author:  [@NSmasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NSmasta)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/4 "2006-08-16T21:48:10Z")
good evening Bryan,
first of all could you give me an example of these reforms? just so i can have a better image of what could or should be changed in Islam…
then, tell me more about islamic rituals you think should be abandoned, if you have any specific idea.
then i may be able to tell you if it could be acceptable, and to what point.
---
### Author:  [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/5 "2006-08-16T21:54:21Z")
I, too, am interested on your stance on Sharia law.
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/6 "2006-08-16T21:54:36Z")
> [@NSmasta](#):
>
> hey people, may peace be upon all of you
> My name in Anas. I’m muslim. i’m new here, but please fell free to ask any questions about islam , and whatever is happening around the world that has a relation with islam, and i’ll try my best to answer… i’ve heard so many wrong things being said about my religion, and i think people need to understand and learn more, so they can judge better, and so, i’ll be more than happy to share my knowledge. thank you.
“Muslim” is a generic term like “Christian”. What religion do you belong to and what country have you lived in for the last 15 years (that gives us a clearer picture of what to ask).
To save time and start things off, what have you heard that requires correcting?
---
### Author:  [@NSmasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NSmasta)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/7 "2006-08-16T22:01:18Z")
good evening, Left Hand of Dorkness
hahaha… well let see, sunni actually.
about islamic revolution, are we talking religion or politics? are we talking about Iran only?
and about sharia, what do you mean, my stand? islamic laws are for muslims, about public aspects and some private aspects of muslims life. weither islam is a state religion or not, those rules are only meant for muslims.
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### Author:  [@NSmasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NSmasta)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/8 "2006-08-16T22:06:10Z")
good evening, Magiver
a muslim is a muslim, i believe that is clear enough about what my religion is. if you’re talking about chira or sunnits; they still all are muslims.
i’ve lived for more than 15 years in Morocco.
and what i have heard is mostly about how violence was part of islam, and how lying was something muslims would use often to deceive people… but anyway, i am her to talk, learn from you, and teach you whatever little knowledge i have.
thank you
---
### Author:  [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/9 "2006-08-16T22:13:16Z")
Just wondering, but what school of fiqh do you follow?
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### Author:  [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/10 "2006-08-16T22:19:09Z")
Hi **NSmata**. What is your position on apostasy?
The literature is deeply conflicted on this issue and yet, as the case of [Abdul Rahman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Rahman_(convert)) proved, it is an issue of pivotal importance and great controversy.
There are several verses in the Koran which seem supportive of tolerance, pluralism, and religious freedom, to wit: [ul]
[li] _And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers? And it is not for a soul to believe except by Allah’s permission; and He casts uncleanness on those who will not understand._ - Surah 10: Jonah - 10:99-100.[/li][li] _There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing._ - Surah 2: The Cow - 2:256[/li][li]_Say: O unbelievers! I do not serve that which you serve, nor do you serve Him Whom I serve: Nor am I going to serve that which you serve, nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve: You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion._ - Surah 109: The Disbelievers - 109:1-6[/li]
[/ul]
Now, admittedly, the first of these examples isn’t particularly tolerant. It, like a great many other segments of the Koran, promises painful punishments for unbelief. However, it quite clearly prohibits forced conversion. The moral seems to be “Leave them to it and let Allah sort them out”. The others are less ambiguous (although example 3 doesn’t address agnosticism or atheism) and seem openy supportive of religious pluralism.
On the other hand, we have verses like these: [ul]
[li] _Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve, and then increase in their disbelief - Allah will never forgive them nor guide them to the path._ - Surah 4: The Women - 4:137[/li][li] _Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful._ - Surah 9: Repentance - 9:5 [/ul][/li]
Along with quite literally hundreds of indiscriminate condemnations of unbelievers of all stripes. Moreover the hadith, which is often used as a lens through which to interpret the Koran, says:[ul]
[li] Whoever changes his religion shall be killed.[/ul][/li]
Which is very clear and wholeheartedly supports the forced conversion and/or execution of apostates.
So what do you think of those Muslims who decide, like Abdul Rahman, to worship other Gods? Should a man who, even though he may have been a Muslim for only an hour, be compelled to reconvert if he loses his faith?
---
### Author:  [@NSmasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NSmasta)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/11 "2006-08-16T22:22:39Z")
Good evening Captain Amazing,
i’m following Maliki school or what is known as Maliki madhabs.
---
### Author:  [@NSmasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NSmasta)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/12 "2006-08-16T22:49:33Z")
> [@George Kaplin](#):
>
> Hi **NSmata**. What is your position on apostasy?
>
> The literature is deeply conflicted on this issue and yet, as the case of [Abdul Rahman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Rahman_(convert)) proved, it is an issue of pivotal importance and great controversy.
>
> There are several verses in the Koran which seem supportive of tolerance, pluralism, and religious freedom, to wit: [ul]
> [li] _And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers? And it is not for a soul to believe except by Allah’s permission; and He casts uncleanness on those who will not understand._ - Surah 10: Jonah - 10:99-100.[/li][li] _There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing._ - Surah 2: The Cow - 2:256[/li][li]_Say: O unbelievers! I do not serve that which you serve, nor do you serve Him Whom I serve: Nor am I going to serve that which you serve, nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve: You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion._ - Surah 109: The Disbelievers - 109:1-6[/li]
> [/ul]
>
> Now, admittedly, the first of these examples isn’t particularly tolerant. It, like a great many other segments of the Koran, promises painful punishments for unbelief. However, it quite clearly prohibits forced conversion. The moral seems to be “Leave them to it and let Allah sort them out”. The others are less ambiguous (although example 3 doesn’t address agnosticism or atheism) and seem openy supportive of religious pluralism.
>
> On the other hand, we have verses like these: [ul]
> [li] _Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve, and then increase in their disbelief - Allah will never forgive them nor guide them to the path._ - Surah 4: The Women - 4:137[/li][li] _Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful._ - Surah 9: Repentance - 9:5 [/ul][/li]
> Along with quite literally hundreds of indiscriminate condemnations of unbelievers of all stripes. Moreover the hadith, which is often used as a lens through which to interpret the Koran, says:[ul]
> [li] Whoever changes his religion shall be killed.[/ul][/li]
> Which is very clear and wholeheartedly supports the forced conversion and/or execution of apostates.
>
> So what do you think of those Muslims who decide, like Abdul Rahman, to worship other Gods? Should a man who, even though he may have been a Muslim for only an hour, be compelled to reconvert if he loses his faith?
If we speak of a personal decision to disbelieve after believing, made by a person who knows of the consequences, perfectly aware that Allah doesn’t give guidance to those who choose kofr over believing, well, the holy koran is i believe quite clear :
“Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve, and then increase in their disbelief - Allah will never forgive them nor guide them to the path.” Surah An-Nisa’, 4:137.
“Whoever changes his religion shall be killed”," Abu Dawud.
and Allah also says that he may forgive any sin no matter how grave, but will never forgive belief in many gods, or spread lies about him. Their can’t be any tolerance in this one and only case :
“Kill those who believe in many gods” Sura al-Tawba 9:5
“Those who blasphemed and back away from the ways of Allah and die as blasphemers, Allah shall not forgive them.” Suratan Nisa’, Ayah 48.
---
### Author:  [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/13 "2006-08-16T23:24:29Z")
Equal rights for women. Yes or no?
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### Author:  [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/14 "2006-08-16T23:26:11Z")
Oh, and welcome and thank you for starting this thread 🙂
---
### Author:  [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/15 "2006-08-16T23:27:59Z")
> [@](#):
>
> “Kill those who believe in many gods” Sura al-Tawba 9:5
So does that mean all Hindus have to be killed?
---
### Author:  [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/16 "2006-08-16T23:28:45Z")
Thanks for the quick reply **NSmata**. However, your reply seems a little ambiguous and I’m still not 100% sure of your position. When you say:
> [@NSmata](#):
>
> If we speak of a personal decision to disbelieve after believing, made by a person who knows of the consequences, perfectly aware that Allah doesn’t give guidance to those who choose kofr over believing, well, the holy koran is i believe quite clear :
> “Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve, and then increase in their disbelief - Allah will never forgive them nor guide them to the path.” Surah An-Nisa’, 4:137.
It seems you’re content to let apostates choose their own path and leave final judgement to Allah. That’s what that verse means to me, at any rate.
However, in the next line you quote that passage from the hadith which says _“Whoever changes his religion shall be killed”_, which clearly condones earthly punishment for apostasy.
Is it fair to say that you would support the execution of apostates like Abdul Rahman, who converted to Christianity? If so, why do you think this is the correct choice, given that it clearly conflicts with what is taught in 2:256?
On a related note, why does Allah punish converts to pantheistic religions like Hinduism more harshly than converts to monotheistic religions like Christianity?
---
### Author:  [@NSmasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NSmasta)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2006, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/17 "2006-08-16T23:55:40Z")
> [@George Kaplin](#):
>
> Hi **NSmata**. What is your position on apostasy?
>
> The literature is deeply conflicted on this issue and yet, as the case of [Abdul Rahman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Rahman_(convert)) proved, it is an issue of pivotal importance and great controversy.
>
> There are several verses in the Koran which seem supportive of tolerance, pluralism, and religious freedom, to wit: [ul]
> [li] _And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers? And it is not for a soul to believe except by Allah’s permission; and He casts uncleanness on those who will not understand._ - Surah 10: Jonah - 10:99-100.[/li][li] _There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing._ - Surah 2: The Cow - 2:256[/li][li]_Say: O unbelievers! I do not serve that which you serve, nor do you serve Him Whom I serve: Nor am I going to serve that which you serve, nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve: You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion._ - Surah 109: The Disbelievers - 109:1-6[/li]
> [/ul]
>
> Now, admittedly, the first of these examples isn’t particularly tolerant. It, like a great many other segments of the Koran, promises painful punishments for unbelief. However, it quite clearly prohibits forced conversion. The moral seems to be “Leave them to it and let Allah sort them out”. The others are less ambiguous (although example 3 doesn’t address agnosticism or atheism) and seem openy supportive of religious pluralism.
>
> On the other hand, we have verses like these: [ul]
> [li] _Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve, and then increase in their disbelief - Allah will never forgive them nor guide them to the path._ - Surah 4: The Women - 4:137[/li][li] _Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful._ - Surah 9: Repentance - 9:5 [/ul][/li]
> Along with quite literally hundreds of indiscriminate condemnations of unbelievers of all stripes. Moreover the hadith, which is often used as a lens through which to interpret the Koran, says:[ul]
> [li] Whoever changes his religion shall be killed.[/ul][/li]
> Which is very clear and wholeheartedly supports the forced conversion and/or execution of apostates.
>
> So what do you think of those Muslims who decide, like Abdul Rahman, to worship other Gods? Should a man who, even though he may have been a Muslim for only an hour, be compelled to reconvert if he loses his faith?
If we speak of a personal decision to disbelieve after believing, made by a person who knows of the consequences, perfectly aware that Allah doesn’t give guidance to those who choose kofr over believing, well, the holy koran is i believe quite clear :
“Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe again, then disbelieve, and then increase in their disbelief - Allah will never forgive them nor guide them to the path.” Surah An-Nisa’, 4:137.
“Whoever changes his religion shall be killed”," Abu Dawud.
and Allah also says that he may forgive any sin no matter how grave, but will never forgive belief in many gods, or spread lies about him. Their can’t be any tolerance in this one and only case :
“Kill those who believe in many gods” Sura al-Tawba 9:5
“Those who blasphemed and back away from the ways of Allah and die as blasphemers, Allah shall not forgive them.” Suratan Nisa’, Ayah 48.
---
### Author:  [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)
#### Post date: [August 17, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/18 "2006-08-17T00:04:25Z")
Just for reference sake, here’s the (AKAIK only) previous ‘ask the muslim’ thread: [Ask the Shi`a Nizari Ismaili Muslim Woman - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=299927)
---
### Author:  [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)
#### Post date: [August 17, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/19 "2006-08-17T00:20:48Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#):
>
> Just for reference sake, here’s the (AKAIK only) previous ‘ask the muslim’ thread: [Ask the Shi`a Nizari Ismaili Muslim Woman - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=299927)
Also ‘Ask the Muslim Guy’ parts one and two:
> **[Ask the Muslim Guy, Part Deux](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=92968)**
>
> Because the other thread was too long.
> **[Ask the Muslim Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=87474)**
>
> Got any questions about Islam or Muslims, I’ll field them the best I know how. 🙂
and ‘Ask the Arab Guy’ :
> **[Ask the Arab Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=255835)**
>
> A lot of the world’s attention is focused on the Middle East right now, and has been for a long time. With everything that’s happening in Iraq and Palestine, it sometimes seems like people aren’t talking about anything else. However, with the focus...
There yet another one or two I haven’t been able to turn up yet.
- Tamerlane
---
### Author:  [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)
#### Post date: [August 17, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-another-muslim-guy/369010/20 "2006-08-17T00:36:48Z")
So you would support the execution of atheists who were formerly muslims?
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