Most Muslims Are Wrong About Halal Food

Do you have to pronounce God’s name before eating anything?

Most Muslims believe that you must pronounce God’s name only before slaughtering animals to make the meat halal. However, according to verse 6:118, you must pronounce God’s name before eating any food.

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُم بِآيَاتِهِ مُؤْمِنِينَ
So eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses. (6:118)

This verse does not restrict the pronouncing of God’s name on animals so as to produce halal meat. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even say you’re supposed to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering any animal. This verse indicates that one should mention God’s name before eating.

Reason for pronouncing God’s name before eating

The spiritual reason for pronouncing God’s name on our food before eating it is to constantly remember and be appreciative of God’s blessings on us. This is explained in verse 16:114.

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ –
Then eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. (16:114)

This act of showing appreciation to God by reciting God’s name before we eat would not belong to us if only people who slaughtered animals had to recite God’s name.

Similar statement in the Torah / Bible

In the Torah / Bible, we find a similar commandment in Deuteronomy 8:10.

… “When you have eaten and are satisfied, bless (praise) the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.” … (Deuteronomy 8:10)

In this verse, however, it says to bless “after the meal” and not before the meal.

Conclusion

You must pronounce God’s name before eating anything, not just meat. In Christianity, this is called “saying grace” which is a statement of appreciation of the food one is about to eat.

What really is “halal” food?

Most Muslims believe that meat can only be eaten if it is “halal” meat and that “halal” meat is only meat from an animal that had God’s name pronounced on it just before slaughtering it. However, according to the Quran, the recitation of God’s name, e.g. bismillah, is required before eating all food and is not required before slaughtering an animal.

Popular definition of “halal” meat

Most Muslims believe that “halal” meat is meat that had God’s name pronounced on it just before slaughtering it. Some Muslims will add additional requirements such as a particular way the animal is slaughtered to minimize suffering and expedite death. These requirements are nowhere to be found in the Quran. Jews have a similar understanding with the concept of “kosher” meat.

Quranic definition of “halal” food

The Quran makes it clear that all food is halal except for specific ones, e.g. pig, alcohol, running blood, and except for ones in certain conditions, e.g. animals gored to death or rotting carcasses.

Do not prohibit the lawful and vice versa

By changing the meaning of verse 6:118 to prohibit eating meat that isn’t considered “halal” meat, one would find himself in violation of verse 16:116.

وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَالٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, “This is lawful and this is unlawful,” to invent falsehood about Allah . Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed. (16:116)

As you can imagine, prohibiting something that God never prohibited can have serious consequences. In verses 6:148-150, we see that some people prohibited something that God never prohibited. God told Muhammad not to agree with them.

قُلْ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَاءَكُمُ الَّذِينَ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ هَٰذَا ۖ فَإِن شَهِدُوا فَلَا تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ
Say, [O Muhammad], “Bring forward your witnesses who will testify that Allah has prohibited this.” And if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our verses and those who do not believe in the Hereafter, while they equate [others] with their Lord. (6:150)

Prohibited food and meat

Verses 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, and 16:115 make it clear what food is halal (lawful) and haram (prohibited).

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُوا بِالْأَزْلَامِ …
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. … (5:3)

The food of the People of the Book

According to verse 5:5, we see that God made it lawful for Muslims to eat the food fo the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).

الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ …
This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. … (5:5)

In general, we know that non-Muslims do not pronounce the name of God before killing an animal. Nevertheless, according to verse 5:5, God has made their food lawful for Muslims. This further proves that God does not require Muslims to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering an animal. However, if we eat food, e.g. steak, that originated from a Christian slaughterhouse, which God has allowed us to do, then we would still have to pronounce God’s name on it before eating it to comply with the requirement in verse 6:118.

Conclusion

Halal meat and halal food is any food that isn’t prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115

Do you have to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering an animal?

Some Muslim scholars argue that since verse 22:36 indicates that God’s name should be uttered before slaughtering animals, then not doing so would render the meat non-halal and forbidden for consumption. On first impression, their claim seems valid. However, upon closer inspection and considering the context of neighboring verses, we discover the correct meaning of the verse as explained below.

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful. (22:36)

There are a few important points to note:

  1. This verse speaks about the ritual of animal offering / sacrifice during the Hajj. The surah containing this verse is called “Hajj” and if we start reading from verse 27, we see the subject of these related verses has to do with the hajj and hajj rituals. This means that the rules given in these verses apply only during the hajj.
  2. While the animals are lined up during the Hajj, those observing the Hajj should commemorate the name of God on these animals. The people who are pronouncing God’s name are the people who are observing the Hajj, not the people who are slaughtering the animals. The utterance of God’s name is not associated with the actual slaughtering.
  3. To further prove that the uttering of God’s name on these animals during Hajj has nothing to do with make makes meat halal, we note that God’s command to utter His name while the animals are lined up is no different from God’s command to those observing Hajj to constantly utter and commemorate God’s name throughout the Hajj. This is indicated in the following verses
And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass – That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of God on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the despondent poor. (22:27-28)
And remember God during [specific] numbered days. (2:203)
But when you depart from ‘Arafat, remember God at al- Mash’ar al-Haram. (2:198)
And when you have completed your rites, remember God … (2:200)

The verses above indicate that God should be commemorated during every step of the Hajj. Commemorating and pronouncing God’s name on the animals while they are lined up for sacrifice is just a continuation of the rule to constantly commemorate God’s name throughout the entire Hajj from beginning to end.

Conclusion

You do not have to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering an animal.

Is slaughtering the only approved way of killing an animal for food?

Some Islamic scholars claim that slaughtering is the only Islamic way of killing animals for food. However, this is nowhere stated in the Quran. Some people justify their claim by saying that blood is prohibited for consumption and that slaughtering is the only way to remove all blood from a dead animal. Obviously, that argument is false and can easily be verified. If you buy a cut of meat from any “halal butcher”, then take it home and place it under running water, you will always see blood come out, which was presumably slaughtered according to the Islamic way.

Blood

When an animal is slaughtered, the main arteries in the neck are severed. This drains from the body all the blood that was in the main arteries. However, the body of all animals contains a vast number of tiny veins and millions of capillaries. Capillaries are the smallest of the body’s blood vessels. Some of them are only one cell thick. The blood in the very small blood veins and capillaries will not all be drained from the flesh of the slaughtered animal. Much of the blood will remain trapped in the flesh regardless of the method of killing.

Running Blood

Verse 5:3 states that eating “blood” is prohibited. If this means that even a speck of blood was prohibited for consumption, then all meat would be prohibited, which can’t be true since verse 22:36 indicates that, during the hajj, animals are to be sacrificed to be eaten. Fortunately, verse 6:145 clarifies that the type of blood that is prohibited is “running blood”.

قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ …
Say, “I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled (running blood) out or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure – or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. … (6:145)

God knows that there will always be blood trapped in all flesh and that we will never be able to flush it all out. For that reason, God made it clear in 6:145 that the prohibition is against “running blood”.

Any meat we buy from any “halal butcher” will not contain running blood but will always contain trapped blood. Similarly, the meat we buy from any supermarket will not contain running blood but will contain trapped flood.

Food of the People of the Book

If God decreed slaughtering to be the only lawful way to kill an animal, then why did God allow us in verse 5:5 to eat the food of the People of the Book as long as we pronounce God’s name on it before eating it when we have no idea how it was killed?

Animals killed by trained birds of prey and dogs

Similarly, if God decreed slaughtering to be the only lawful way to kill an animal, then why did God allow us in verse 5:5 to eat animals killed by trained birds of prey and dogs? These animals are already dead when we take them from the mouth of the birds and dogs.

Fish

Similarly, if animals had to be slaughtered, how can we eat fish since fish are not slaughtered? Like the meat of cattle, fish contain traces of blood when we buy them. We can remove some of the blood by running the fish under running water but not all.

Conclusion

  • God never decreed that slaughtering is the only lawful way to kill an animal.
  • Slaughtering does not remove all blood from a dead animal
  • The prohibition from God is against “running blood” and not trapped blood which is impossible to flush out completely.

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Circumcision Is Not Required Among Muslim Boys / Men

Many Muslims believe that their male boys must be circumcised. However, there is nothing in the Quran that requires circumcision. There really isn’t much else to say about this besides the fact that there just is simply no commandment in the Quran that boys / men must be circumcised. On the contrary, we do have proof in verses 95:4, 40:64 and 64:3 that God created humans in a perfect mold / form.

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ
We have certainly created man in the best of molds; (95:4)
اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
It is Allah who made for you the earth a place of settlement and the sky a ceiling and formed you and perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord; then blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds. (40:64)
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
He created the heavens and earth in truth and formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the [final] destination. (64:3)

Therefore, if God made humans in a perfect form and never commanded that we be circumcised, why do it?

As if that’s not enough, we have proof in verse 4:119 that people who change God’s creation are following Satan.

وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ آذَانَ الْأَنْعَامِ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّخِذِ الشَّيْطَانَ وَلِيًّا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَانًا مُّبِينًا
And I (Satan) will mislead them, and I will arouse in them [sinful] desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of God.” And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of God has certainly sustained a clear loss. (4:119)

It is likely that Muslims believe in male circumcision because it’s mentioned in the Torah in Genesis 17:13.

הִמּוֹל יִמּוֹל יְלִיד בֵּיתְךָ, וּמִקְנַת כַּסְפֶּךָ; וְהָיְתָה בְרִיתִי בִּבְשַׂרְכֶם, לִבְרִית עוֹלָם.
He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised; and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. (17:13)
http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0117.htm#13

Circumcision is also mentioned in the Christian Bible in Luke 2:21 which states that Jesus was circumcised 8 days after birth.

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (2:21)
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+2:21%E2%80%932:21&version=nrsv

As such, it would seem that many Muslims are mixing some Jewish and Christian practices with Islam, despite the fact that Muhammad was instructed to follow the Quran and warn by way of the Quran only (6:19, 50:45). In addition, we have evidence from verse 5:48 that God gave the People of the Book each their own laws (Sharia) and an open way.

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۚ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۖ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ ۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and an open way. Had God willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To God is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ. (5:48)

As such, Muslims are not expected to follow the laws and ways of the Jews and Christians.

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Muslim Women Are Not Exempt From Congregational Friday Prayers

Most Muslims believe that women are not required to pray Friday Dhuhr prayer in congregation. However, that understanding is based on the hadeeth which, as proven elsewhere in this book or in another one of my books, is an invalid source of Islamic law. The Quran in verse 62:9 makes it very clear that all believers must pray in congregation on Friday, not just men.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. (62:9)

Notice that the above verse does not single out men. Women, obviously, can be and are also believers.

In verse 3:43, God told Mary, mother of Jesus, to prostate and bow down with those who bow down. This confirms that congregational prayer was also directed to women.

يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].” (3:43)

In verse 3:193, we read that people were asking God for forgiveness and salvation. In verse 3:193, God responds by saying that men and like women and that He would not allow the deeds of anyone to be lost.

فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ
Their Lord has answered them: ‘I will not allow the deeds of any one of you to be lost, whether you are male or female, each is like the other.’ (3:195)

Additionally, God differentiated between men and women with regards to certain issues, e.g. men receive twice the inheritance as women and two women are required to be witnesses for each male witness. Therefore, if God wanted only men to pray the Friday prayer in congregation, He could have simply stated that it was only for men.

The above verse stresses the equality of male and female when it comes to worship, and signifies that the opportunities to worship should be equal for both men and women.

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Muslim Women Are Not Exempt From Fasting, Praying, etc During Menstruation

Many Muslims believe that women are forbidden from performing any rituals of worship while menstruating, e.g.

  • No praying
  • No fasting
  • No touching the Quran
  • No reciting the Quran
  • No entering a mosque
  • No Hajj

However, there is no such restriction in the Quran. When we consider verses 3:193-195, we see that, with respect to worship, men and women are equal.

رَّبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِرَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ …
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.” And their Lord responded to them, “Never will I allow to be lost the deeds of [any] doer among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. … (3:193-195 part)

In verse 51:56, we see that God created humans (men and women) and jinn for no other reason but to worship Him.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51:56)

The average menstruation period lasts between 2 to 7 days per month. Therefore, a woman’s menstruation period could account for 25% of their adult life, which is most of their life. As worship is not mandatory before puberty (baligh), which, for women, is when menstruation begins, then menstruation accounts for up to 25% of a woman’s life during which worship is actually mandatory. If worship during menstruation were truly forbidden, that would be at odds with verse 51:56. Logically, it would make no sense for God to create women with the sole purpose of having them worship Him while also prohibiting them from worshipping Him for up to 25% of their life.

The Quran is clear as to what restrictions exist for each act of worship.

Prayer restrictions

According to verse 5:6, the restriction is that you may not pray until you have performed ablution. Additionally, if you are ill or on a journey or have relieved yourself or have been in physical contact with the opposite gender, and if you can’t find water, then you can perform dry ablution (tayammum).

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ …
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. … (5:6 part)

In verse 4:43, we see additional prayer restrictions. Here, you are not allowed to pray while your mind is befogged (unable to focus, distracted, angry, etc) and that you must know what you are saying.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ …
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer with a mind befogged (Arabic: sukara) until you know what you are saying … (4:43)

Notice the many conditions God has specified surrounding praying in both of these verses. These would be suitable places for God to mention the restriction for menstruating women if God really didn’t want women to pray while menstruating. There is no mention anywhere in the Quran that prohibits women from praying while menstruating.

Fasting restrictions

According to verse 2:185, during the fasting month of Ramadan, if you are ill or on a journey, then you can not fast and make up for it after Ramadan by fasting for an equal number of days lost.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ …
The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. … (2:185 part)

Again, if God really wanted to restrict women from fasting during menstruation, He probably would have mentioned it in this verse. On the contrary, there is no mention anywhere in the Quran that specifically prohibits women from fasting while menstruating.

Hajj restrictions

Similarly, God has made it clear what the restrictions are regarding Hajj.

  • Verses 5:1-2, 5:95: No hunting, killing animals
  • Verse 2:217: No fighting / war
  • Verse 2:197: No sex
  • Verse 2:196: No cutting your hair

There is no restriction for menstruating women.

Similarly, there is no restriction for menstruating women from touching and reading the Quran and entering a mosque.

Menstruation vs illness

The Arabic word for menstruation (mahid) is known to the Quran and is used in two different verses (2:222, 65:4). However, this term is not mentioned in verse 2:185. The Arabic word for ‘illness’ is ‘marid’.

Some may argue that menstruation is an illness. Let’s examine this further. In verse 2:222, the Quran describes ‘menstruation’ as an ‘adha’.

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاءَ فِي الْمَحِيضِ
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is ‘adha’, so keep away from women (your wives) during menstruation. …(2:222)

According to the Edward Lanes Lexicon, ‘adha’ means annoyance, harm, hurt, suffering or something which is disagreeable or even filthy.

However, more importantly, the Quran appears to separate illness (marid) from ‘adha’ in at least two verses:

فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِّن رَّأْسِهِ
… And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head …(2:196)
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ
… But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled (adha) by rain or are ill (marda) … (4:102)

Therefore, ‘adha’ can be considered a condition that can cause annoyance, trouble, is disagreeable or hurt. Based on the verses above, ‘adha’ does not necessarily mean an illness, unless it causes hurt or harm.

Menstruation as an impurity

Some may argue that menstruation is an impurity and therefore you can’t fast. Whether it is impure or not is irrelevant when it comes to fasting. Fasting is not broken by defecation or urination (a natural occurrence as is menstruation) so why would menstruation as an impurity prohibit fasting?

Menstruation and sexual intercourse

Sexual intimacy does break the fast but such acts are based on clear volition and the Quran specifically prohibits sexual intimacy during fasting. The only thing prohibited for menstruating women is sexual intercourse (2:222) and nothing else.

Spiritual vs biological impurity

As explained above, menstruating women are only prohibited from sexual intercourse and nothing else. They are not prohibited from performing any type of worship ritual during menstruation. This makes sense since God never considers women to be spiritually impure during menstruation. On the contrary, sexual intercourse during menstruation is prohibited because it is a temporary, periodic biological impurity that could cause harm (adha).

The Bible (Torah) on menstruation

In Leviticus 15:19-30, we see that the Bible describes menstruating women as spiritually impure so much so that if a menstruating woman touches something, that thing becomes impure and if someone else subsequently touches that thing, they too shall become impure. According to the Bible, menstruating women would be forbidden from entering a mosque or touching the Quran. Could it be that Muslim scholars have mixed Quranic law with Biblical law in order to come up with Islamic law with regards to menstruating women?

Conclusion

Women must fast and pray even when menstruating unless menstruation causes pain or harm similar to that of being sick. The only prohibition in the Quran during menstruation is sexual intercourse.

Related articles

Summary of the Quran

This is a summary of the Quran sourced from Wikipedia. It may be inaccurate. Nevertheless, it can help give an idea of the topics in each chapter.

Chapter 1: Al Fatihah – The Opening

1 In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
2 [All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds –
3 The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
4 Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
5 It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
6 Guide us to the straight path –
7 The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

Chapter 2: Al Baqarah – The Cow

1-20 Unbelievers and hypocrites reproved
21-38 Exhortation to the worship of the true God
39-102 Jews and Christians urged to accept the claim of Muhammad to be a prophet of God
102-112 The opposition of Jews and Christians to Muhammad’s prophetic pretensions combated
113 The doctrine of abrogation enunciated
115 A Qibla declared to be unnecessary
116-141The Jews denounced and the religion of Abraham declared to be the true Islam
142-153 The Jews finally abandoned and the Arabs accepted by the adoption of Makkah as the Qibla of Islam
154-163 The bereaved friends of those slain at the Battle of Badr comforted
164-172 Makkans exhorted to faith in God, and directed to observe the law respecting forbidden meats
173-176 Law concerning lawful and unlawful food (delivered at Madina)
177 The sum of Muslim duty
178-179 The law of retaliation
180-182 The law concerning bequests
183-185 The law concerning fasting
186-187 The fast of Ramadan
188-202 The pilgrimage to Makkah and war for the faith
203-206 Hypocrites and true believers contrasted
207-208 Exhortation to a hearty acceptance of Islam
209 The doom of infidels pronounced
210-212 The Jews reproached
213 Suffering to be patiently endured
214-242 Sundry laws relating to almsgiving, war, wine, lots, orphans, marriage, women, oaths, and divorce
243-253 The duty of warring in defence of religion enjoined by precept, and illustrated by the history of former prophets
254-257 The Throne Verse
258-260 The doctrine of the resurrection illustrated
261-274 Exhortation and encouragement to almsgiving
275-277 Usury forbidden
278-284 The law concerning contracts and debts
285-286 The prophet’s confession and prayer

Chapter 3: Al Imran – The Family of Imran

1-2 God one and self-existent
3-4 The Quran to be believed
5-6 God omniscient
7 Plain and obscure verses of the Quran
8-9 The prayer of those versed in Quranic mystery
10-12 The punishment of Pharaoh a warning to infidels
13 The victory at the Battle of Badr alluded to
14-18 The faithful, their character and reward
19-20 Islam the true religion
21-25 The punishment of unbelievers eternal
26-27 God omnipotent and sovereign
28-34 Obedience to God enjoined
35-38 The Virgin Mary – her conception – nurtured by Zacharias
39-41 John the Baptist, his birth
42-57 Christ announced to the Virgin – his miracles, apostles etc
58-65 Muhammad’s dispute with the Christians of Najran
66-77 The hypocritical Jews reproached
78-83 Prophets not to be worshipped
84-91 God’s curse on infidels
92 Almsgiving enjoined
93-95 The Jews unlawfully forbid certain meats
96-97 The Kaabah founded
98-105 Muslims are warned against the friendship of Jews etc
106-109 The lot of infidels and believers contrasted
110-112 Muslims safe from the enmity of Jews and Christians
113-115 Certain believing Jews commended for their faith
116-120 Muslims not to make friends of Jews and Christians
121-122 The battle of Uhud alluded to
123-129 Disheartened Muslims encouraged
130-136 Usury forbidden
137-138 The doom of defamers of the apostles
139-144 Islam not dependent on Muhammad for success
145-148 The former prophets are examples of perseverance
149-151 Unbelievers to be avoided
152-154 Certain Muslims disobedient at Uhud
155-157 The hypocrites rebuked
158-159 Muslims slain at Uhud to enter paradise
160-161 Mild treatment of vacillating Muslims
162-165 The spoils of war to be honestly divided
166-169 The faithful sifted by defeat at Uhud
170-172 The joy of the Uhud martyrs in paradise
173-176 Certain Muslims commended for faithfulness
177-180 The fate of unbelievers
181 The miser’s doom
182-190 Scoffing Jews denounced—they charge Muhammad with imposture
191-195 Meditations and prayers of the pious
196-198 God’s answer to the prayers of the pious
199 Certain believing Jews and Christians commended
200 Exhortation to patience and perseverance

Chapter 4: An-Nisa’ – The Women

1 Man and his Creator
2-5 Orphans, the duty of guardians to such
6-13 The law of inheritance
14-15 The punishment of adulteresses
16-17 Repentance enjoined
18-19 Women’s rights
20-27 Forbidden and lawful degrees in marriage
28-30 Gaming, rapine, and suicide forbidden
31-33 Man’s superiority over woman recognised
34 Reconcilement of man and wife
35-36 Parents, orphans, the poor etc to be kindly treated
37-41 Hypocrisy in almsgiving condemned
42 Prayer forbidden to the drunken and polluted
43-45 Jewish mockers denounced
46-53 Idolatry the unpardonable sin
54-55 The rewards of faith and unbelief
56 Trusts to be faithfully paid back
57-68 Disputes to be settled by God and his Apostle
69-74 Precautions, &c., in warring for the faith
75-84 The disobedient and cowardly reproved
85 Salutations to be returned
86-90 Treatment of hypocrites and apostates
91-93 Believers not to be slain or plundered
94-99 Believers in heathen countries to fly to Muslim lands
100-102 Special order for prayer in time of war
103 Exhortation to zeal for Islam
104-114,
133 Fraud denounced
115-125 Idolatry and Islam compared
126 Equity in dealing with women and orphans enjoined
127-129 Wives to be subject to the will of husbands
130-132 God to be feared
134-138 Muslims exhorted to steadfastness
139-143 Hypocrites to be shunned
144-151 The reward of hypocrisy and belief compared
152-154 Presumptuous and disobedient Jews destroyed
155-158 The Jews defame Mary and Jesus
159-160 Certain kinds of food forbidden to Jews as punishment
161-168 Muhammad’s inspiration like that of other prophets
169-174 Christians reproved for their faith in Jesus as the Son of God and in the doctrine of the Trinity
175 The law of inheritance for distant relatives

Chapter 5: Al-Ma’idah – The Table

1 Covenants are to be fulfilled
2 Lawful meats
3 Heathen pilgrims not to be molested
4 Islam completed—last revelation of the Quran
4-5 Certain kinds of food, gaming, and lots forbidden
6 Muslims permitted to eat the food of Jews and Christians, and to marry their women
7 The law of purifications
8 Believers reminded of the covenant of Aqabah
9-11 Muslims should forget old quarrels with brethren
12 God’s favour to Muslims
13-15 Disobedience of Jews and Christians exposed
16-18 Jews and Christians are exhorted to accept Islam
19-20 The divinity of Christ denied
21 Jews and Christians not the children of God
22 Muhammad sent as a warner
23-29 Israel’s rebellion at Kadesh Barnea
30-34 The story of Cain and Abel
35-36 The sin of homicide
37-38 The punishment of theft accompanied by apostasy
39 The faithful exhorted to fight for religion
40-41 The punishment of infidels
42-44 The penalty of theft
45-55 Muhammad to judge the Jews and Christians by the law, gospel, and the Quran
56 Muslims forbidden to fraternise with Jews and Christians
57-58 Hypocrites threatened
59-61 Believers warned and instructed
62-63 Muslims not to associate with infidels
64-65 The Jews exhorted and warned
66-69 The hypocrisy and unbelief of the Jews rebuked
70 Promises to believing Jews and Christians
71 Muhammad required to preach
72 He attests Jewish and Christian Scriptures
73 Believing Jews, Sabeans, and Christians to be saved
74-75 The Jews rejected and killed the prophets of God
76-81 The doctrines of the Trinity and Christ’s Sonship rejected
82-84 Disobedient Jews cursed by their prophets
85-88 Jewish hatred and Christian friendship compared
89-90 Muslims to use lawful food etc
91 Expiation for perjury
92-94 Wine and lots forbidden
95-97 Law concerning hunting and gaming during pilgrimage
98-100 Pilgrimage and its rites enjoined
101-102 The Prophet not to be pestered with questions
102-104 Heathen Arab customs denounced
105-107 Wills to be attested by witnesses
108 The prophets ignorant of the characters of their followers
109-110 Jesus—his miracles—God’s favour to him
111 The apostles of Jesus were Muslims
112-114 A table provided by Jesus for the apostles
115-118 Jesus did not teach his followers to worship him and his mother
119 The reward of the true believer
120 God is sovereign

Chapter 6: Al-An’am – The Cattle

1-3 Praise to the Almighty and Omniscient Creator
4-5 The wilful unbelief of the Makkah infidels
6 They are threatened with the divine judgment
7 The people of Makkah hopelessly unbelieving
8-9 Why angels were not sent to the infidels
10-11 Those who rejected the former prophets were punished
12-18 Why the true God should be served
19 God the witness between Muhammad and the infidels
20 The Jews recognise Muhammad as a prophet
21-23 Idolaters on the judgment-day—their condition
24-29 Scoffing idolaters rebuked and threatened
30-31 The condition of believers and unbelievers after death
32-33 Unbelievers make God a liar
33 God’s word and purposes unchangeable
34 Miracles of no avail to convince infidels
35 God will raise the dead to life
36 Why God did not grant the signs asked by unbelievers
37 Animals and birds to be brought into judgment
38 Infidels are deaf and dumb
39-40 Idolaters will call upon God in their distress
41-44 Adversity and prosperity alike unmeaning to infidels
45 God is the only helper in trouble
46-48 Unbelievers, if impenitent, sure to perish
49 Muhammad unacquainted with the secrets of God
50 There shall be no intercessor on the judgment-day
51-54 The motives of professing Muslims not to be judged
55-57 Muhammad declines the proposals of idolaters
58-61 God the Omniscient and Sovereign Ruler
62-64 God the Almighty Deliverer
65 Muhammad charged with imposture
66 Unbelievers will certainly be punished
67-69 Mockers to be avoided by Muslims
70-71 The punishment of idolaters certain and dreadful
71-74 Muslims commanded to obey God only
75-84 Abraham’s testimony against idolatry
85-91 The prophets who succeeded Abraham
92 The unbelieving Jews (of Madína) rebuked
93 The Quran confirms the former Scriptures
94 The fate of those who forge Scriptures
95 Idolaters deserted by their gods on the judgment-day
96-100 The God of nature the true God
101-103 God has no offspring
104-105 God’s favour in sending the Quran
106-108 The command to retire from Makkah
109 Muhammad not permitted to work miracles
110-113 The people of Makkah given over to unbelief
114 Muhammad the prophet of God
114-117 The direction of Muslims and idolaters contrasted
118-121 Law of permitted and forbidden meats
122 The righteous and unbelievers compared
122-125 Wicked leaders of the people—conduct and punishment
126-127 The blessedness of the faithful
128-130 God’s threatenings against unbelieving men and genii
131 God always warns men before punishing idolatry
132-133 Rewards and punishments shall be according to works
134 The punishment of unbelievers certain
135-136 The idolaters of Makkah rebuked
137-139 Evil customs of the Quraish exposed
140 The idolaters of Makkah threatened
141 The fruit of trees to be eaten
142-144 Controversy between the Quraish and Muhammad concerning forbidden meats referred to
145 The law concerning forbidden meats rehearsed
146 The Jewish law of forbidden meats
147 God will punish those who accuse the prophets of imposture
148-149 The idolaters of Makkah are reprobate
150 Their testimony unworthy of credit
151-153 Forbidden things rehearsed
154-157 The Quran attests the teaching of Moses and Jesus
158 The fate of the wicked on the judgment-day
159 Sectaries reproved
160 The reward of the righteous and wicked compared
161-162 Islam the true religion
163 Muhammad’s self-consecration to God
164-165 The idolaters exhorted to believe in God

Chapter 7: Al-Araf – The Heights

1-2 Muhammad not to doubt the Quran
3 The people exhorted to believe in it
4-5 Many cities destroyed for their unbelief
6-9 Prophets and their hearers on the judgment-day
10 The ingratitude of infidels
11 The creation of Adam
11-12 Satan refuses to worship Adam
13 He is driven from Paradise
14-15 He is respited until the resurrection
16-17 He avows his purpose to beguile man
18-19 God threatens Satan and his victims
20-24 The fall of Adam and Eve
25-26 They are expelled from Paradise
27-29 Indecent customs condemned
30-31 God to be sought in prayer
32-34 True worshippers to be decently clad
35 Every nation has a fixed term of life
36-42 The doom of those who reject the apostles of God
43-45 The blessed reward of true believers
45-46 God’s curse on the infidels
47-50 The veil of Aráf and its inhabitants
51-52 The rejecters of God’s apostles to be forgotten
53-54 A warning against rejecting Muhammad
55-59 The Creator and Lord of the worlds to be served
60-65 Noah rejected by his people—their fate
66-73 Húd rejected by the Ádites—their fate
74-80 Sálih rejected by the Thamúdites—their destruction
81-85 Lot rejected and the Sodomites destroyed
86-94 Shuaib rejected by the Madianites, and their doom
95-96 Unbelievers at Makkah unaffected either by adversity or prosperity
97-101 The dreadful fate of those cities who rejected the apostles of God and charged them with imposture
102-103 They are reprobated
104-105 Moses is sent to Pharaoh and his princes
106-108 The miracles of the serpent and leprous hand
109-115 The magicians of Egypt called
116-120 Contest by miracles between Moses and the magicians
121-123 Several magicians converted to Moses
124-127 Pharaoh’s anger kindled against them
128 Pharaoh and his princes persecute Moses and his people
129-130 Moses exhorts his people to patient trust in God
131-132 Adversity and prosperity alike unavailing to bring Pharaoh to repentance
133-134 The Egyptian unbelievers plagued
135 The hypocrisy of the Egyptians
136 They are destroyed in the Red Sea
137 The people of Moses triumph, and possess the eastern and western land
138-141 The children of Israel become idolatrous
142 Moses makes Aaron his deputy, and fasts forty days
143 He desires to see the glory of God, but repents his rashness
144-145 God gives Moses the law on two tables
146-147 Infidels threatened for calling their prophets impostors
148 The people of Moses worship the golden calf
149 They repent their sin
150 Moses in indignation assaults Aaron
151 He prays for forgiveness for himself and Aaron
152 He calls for vengeance on the idolaters
153 God merciful to believers
154 Moses’s anger is appeased
155 He chooses seventy elders
155-156 Moses prays for deliverance from destruction by lightning
156-159 The Illiterate Prophet foretold by Moses
160 Some Jews rightly directed
161 The Israelites divided into twelve tribes
161 The rock smitten, and manna and quails given
162-163 The command to enter the city saying Hittatun, and the fate of the disobedient
164-167 The Sabbath-breakers changed into apes
168-169 Dispersion of the Jews among the nations
170-171 Some of their successors faithful to the law of Moses
172 God shakes Mount Sinai over the Israelites
173-175 God’s covenant with the children of Adam
176-179 The curse of Balaam a warning to infidels
180 Many genii and men created for hell
181-182 The names of God not to be travestied
183-184 God’s method of leading infidels to destruction
185 Muhammad not possessed of a devil
186 No hope for the reprobate
187 The coming of the “last hour” sudden
188 Muhammad no seer, only a preacher
189-190 Adam and Eve were guilty of idolatry
191-198 The folly of idolatry
199 Muhammad commanded to use moderation
200-201 He is to repel Satan by using the name of God
202 The people of Makkah incorrigible
203 They charge Muhammad with imposture
204-206 The Qurán to be listened to in silence and holy meditation

Chapter 8: Al-Anfal – The Spoils

1 Spoils belong to God and his Apostle
2-4 True believers and their future reward
5-6 Muslims reproved for distrusting their Prophet
7 God gives the Muslims either the Quraish or their caravan
8 The victory of Badr a seal to Islam
9 Angelic aid vouchsafed to Muhammad
10-11 The Muslims refreshed and comforted before the battle
12 The angels enjoined to comfort the faithful by destroying the infidel Quraish
13-14 Infidels are doomed to punishment here and hereafter
15-16 Muslims are never to turn their backs on the infidels on pain of hell-fire
17-18 The victory of Badr a miracle
19 The Quraish are warned against further warfare with the Muslims
20-21 Muslims exhorted to steadfastness in faith
22-23 Infidels compared to deaf and dumb brutes
24 Believers are to submit themselves to God and his Apostle
25-28 They are warned against civil strife, deception, and treachery
29 God’s favour to true believers
30 Plots against Muhammad frustrated by God
31 The infidels liken the Quran to fables
32-33 The Quraish were protected from deserved punishment by Muhammad’s presence among them
34-38 The idolaters of Mecca rebuked and threatened
39 An amnesty offered to the Quraish
40-41 Impenitent idolaters to be extirpated from the earth
42 How the spoils of war are to be divided
43-44 The Muslims were led by God to fight at Badr to attest the truth of Islam
45-46 The Muslims encouraged, and the infidels lured to destruction, by each seeing the other to be few in number
47-48 Believers exhorted to obedience
49 Believers warned against impious vainglory
50 The devil deserts the Quraish at Badr
51-53 The fate of hypocrites
54-56 Their doom like that of Pharaoh and his people
57 The worst of beasts are the infidels
58-60 Treachery to be met with its like
61 God is against the infidels
62 The Muslims excited to war against unbelievers
63 Condition of peace with unbelievers
64 The miracle of Arab union
65-66 God with the Prophet and the Muslims in warring for the faith
68-70 Muslims reproved for accepting ransom for the captives taken at Badr
71 Captive Quraish exhorted to accept Islam, and warned against deception
73-75 The brotherhood of the Ansárs and Muháj Jirín
76 The hereditary rights of blood-relations re-established

Chapter 9: At-Tawbah – The Repentance

1-2 Four months’ immunity proclaimed to idolaters
3-5 After four months, all idolaters to be slain, with exception of those with whom treaties have been made
5-6 Ignorant idolaters to be taught the religion of Islam, after which, if they repent, they are to be spared alive
7 No new league to be made with idolaters
8-10 Idolaters are not to be trusted
11 Penitent idolaters to be regarded as brethren
13-16 Muslims exhorted to fight against the truce-breakers of Makkah
17-18 All but Muslims to be excluded from the sacred temples
19 Abbás rebuked for his vainglory
20-22 The Muhájjirín assigned the first rank among Muslims—their reward
23-24 True believers to refuse friendship with nearest kin if they be infidels
25-27 The victory of Hunain due to God’s help
28 Idolaters excluded from the Kaabah
29 The Jews and Christians as well as idolaters to be attacked
30 Jews and Christians reproved for applying the epithet “Son of God” to Ezra and Jesus
31-32 They also worship their priests and monks
33 Islam superior to all other religions
34-35 Stingy Muslims likened to covetous monks—their punishment
36 Infidels may be attacked in sacred months
37 The sacred months not to be transferred
38-41 Muslims exhorted to go on expedition to Tabúq by reference to God’s help to Muhammad and Abu Baqr in the cave
42 The lukewarm Muslims rebuked for wishing to stay at home
43 Muhammad rebuked for excusing some of these from going
44-46 Willingness to fight for Muhammad, a test of faith
47-50 Seditious Muslims rebuked
51-52 The sure reward of the faithful
53-55 God refuses the offerings of infidels and hypocrites
55 The wealth and prosperity of infidels a sign of their reprobation
56-57 Half-hearted Muslims reproved
58-59 Those who had spread libellous reports regarding Muhammad’s use of alms rebuked
60 How alms should be expended
61-69 Grumblers and hypocrites threatened
70 They are warned by the example of the wicked in former ages
71-73 The faithful described—their rewards
74-75 Hypocrites denounced and threatened
76-79 Prosperity of infidels a prelude to their destruction
80 God shall scoff at the scoffers
81 The defamers of the faithful shall never be forgiven
82-84 Punishment of the “stayers at home”
85 Muhammad forbidden to pray at the grave of unbelievers and hypocrites
86-88 The Prophet not to wonder at the prosperity of the wicked
89-90 Reward of those who assist the Apostle in his wars
91 Hypocritical Arabs of the desert reproved
92-93 Who may lawfully remain at home in time of war
94-97 Other hypocrites reproved
98-99 The Baduín, the worst of hypocrites
100 Some of them true believers
101 The reward of the Ansars and Muhájjirín
102 The desert Arabs and some of the people of Madína reproved
103-106 The penitent confessors in Madína are pardoned
107 Others await God’s decision in their case
108-111 Denunciation against those who built a Masjid in opposition to Muhammad and his faithful ones
112-113 True believers are sold to God
114 Muslims not to pray for idolatrous relatives
115 Why Abraham prayed for his idolatrous parents
116-118 God merciful to the faithful
119 The three recreant Ansars pardoned
120-122 The people of Madína rebuked for want of loyalty to Muhammad
123 Some believers excused from going to war
124 True believers to war against neighbouring infidels and hypocrisy
125-128 Reproof of those who doubt the revelations of God and Muhammad
129-130 The Apostle trusts in the help of God

Chapter 10: Yunus – Jonah

1-2 The Makkans charge their Prophet with sorcery because he is a man from among them
3 The Creator and Ruler of the universe the only true God
4 Believers rewarded at death for good deeds
4 Unbelievers punished after death
5-6 God’s works are signs to all men
7-11 Rewards and punishments of the faithful and the unbelieving
12 God’s purpose in prospering the wicked
13 Men pray to God in affliction, but forget Him with the return of prosperity
14-15 The people of Makkah warned by the example of former generations
16-18 The Quraish desire a different Quran — Muhammad protests his inability to alter it
19 Idolaters trust intercessors who can neither profit nor harm them
20 All men originally professed one religion
21 The people demand of Muhammad a sign
22 When men despise the judgments of God he threatens greater suffering
23-24 Unbelievers remember God in distress by land and sea, but forget Him when delivered
25 Life likened to water which sustains vegetable life
26-28 Paradise for Muslims and hell for the infidels
29-31 Idolaters will be deserted by their gods in the judgment-day
32-37 Idolaters exhorted to worship him whom they recognise as their Creator, Preserver, and Governor
38 The Quran no forgery; it confirms the former Scriptures
39-40 Those who charge Muhammad with imposture challenged to produce a chapter like it
41 Some believe in the Quran, others reject it
42-47 The unbelieving Quraish declared to be reprobate
48 An apostle is sent to every nation
49 Unbelievers mock at the threatenings of their prophet
50 Every nation has its fixed period of existence
51-55 Infidels will believe when their punishment comes upon them
56-57 God is the Author of life and death
58-59 The Quran an admonition and direction to the unbelievers
60-61 Lawful food not to be prohibited
62 Muhammad ever under Divine guidance
63-65 The blessedness of those who believe and fear God
66-68 Unbelievers cannot harm the Prophet
69-71 Those rebuked who say that God hath begotten children
72-75 Muhammad likened to Noah and other prophets
76 Moses and Aaron sent to Pharaoh and his princes
77-82 They are rejected as sorcerers and perverters of the national religion
83 A few of the people only believe on them
84-86 Moses and Aaron with the believers put their trust in God
87 The Israelites commanded to be constant in prayer to God
88-89 Moses’s prayer, that God would destroy the Egyptians, is heard
90 Pharaoh and his people drowned in the sea
90-92 He repents and is raised out of the sea for a sign to the people
93 The Israelites are provided with a habitation and blessing
94-95 Jews and Christians appealed to in confirmation of the statements of the Quran
96-98 No kind of miracle will suffice to make the reprobate believe
99-103 Infidels do not believe on Muhammad because God does not permit them to do so
104-107 The people of Makkah exhorted to accept the true orthodox faith
108 Muhammad not responsible for the faith or unbelief of the people
109 The Prophet exhorted to be patient

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Sejarah Saudi Arabia (1774-2004)

Ini adalah terjemahan dari versi bahasa Inggris dari dokumen ini. Google Translate digunakan untuk sebagian besar terjemahan ini. Kalau terjemahhannya terdengar sedikit aneh, itu sebabnya.

Informasi di bawah ini adalah ringkasan dari dokumenter House of Saud oleh PBS Frontline. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) adalah penyiar publik televisi non-komersial yang didanai oleh rakyat Amerika.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA1pftY5M4I

Informasi yang disajikan di bawah ini adalah untuk tujuan pendidikan dan perbandingan. Tak satu pun dari informasi dibawah merupakan pendapat pribadi.

Pendiri Wahabisme dan Keluarga Suku Al Saud

Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, pendiri “Wahhabisme,” bentuk Islam yang keras, tiba di negara bagian tengah Najd di Arab pada tahun 1744 untuk mengumumkan pengembalian ke Islam yang “murni”. Dia mencari perlindungan dari amir setempat, Muhammad ibn Saud, kepala keluarga suku Al Saud, dan mereka membuat kesepakatan. Al Saud akan mendukung bentuk keras Islam al-Wahhab dan sebagai imbalannya, Al Saud akan mendapatkan legitimasi politik dan uang pajak dari pengikut al-Wahhab.

Saudi Arabia adalah tempat suku-suku yang berperang satu sama lain. Tidak ada persatuan di antara kelompok-kelompok itu.

Saudi pada tahun 1900

Di antara para pengembara, syekh dan amir adalah keluarga Al Saud.

Abdul Aziz ibn Al Saud ingin menyatukan suku-suku.

Abdul Aziz ibn Al Saud
Continue reading Sejarah Saudi Arabia (1774-2004)

History of Saudi Arabia (1774-2004)

The information below is a summary of the PBS Frontline documentary House of Saud. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) is a non-commercial free-to-air television public broadcaster funded by the American people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA1pftY5M4I

The information presented below is for educational and comparative purposes. None of it is personal opinion.

The Founder of Wahhabism and the Al Saud Tribal Family

Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, founder of “Wahhabism,” an austere form of Islam, arrives in the central Arabian state of Najd in 1744 preaching a return to “pure” Islam. He seeks protection from the local emir, Muhammad ibn Saud, head of the Al Saud tribal family, and they cut a deal. The Al Saud will endorse al-Wahhab’s austere form of Islam and in return, the Al Saud will get political legitimacy and regular tithes from al-Wahhab’s followers. 

Arabia was a place of warring tribes. There was no unity among the groups.

Arabia in 1900

Among the nomads, sheikhs and emirs was the family of Al Saud.

Abdul Aziz ibn Al Saud wanted to unite the tribes.

Abdul Aziz ibn Al Saud
Continue reading History of Saudi Arabia (1774-2004)

Show playlists a Google Play song is in

If you’ve got many songs in Google Play Music, it can be difficult to manage which songs are in which playlists. Google Play Music doesn’t show you a list of playlists a particular song is in, if any. To create such a list, here’s a solution that works.

https://jsbin.com/wekumiseya/edit?html,output

The result will be a JSON file containing a list of songs where for each song there will be an array of playlists the song is in, e.g. 

"Madonna - Santa Baby": [
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],
"Madonna - True Blue": [],

In the excerpt above, we see that the song “Santa Baby” is in the Christmas playlist but the song “True Blue” is not in any playlist. You can then find a playlist to the the latter song in so you don’t forget that you have that song.

WordPress Website Tips

Posting content on WordPress can be time consuming without the right technique. By default, copying and pasting images isn’t possible. Images need to manually be uploaded, resized, and optimized for performance. And even if you do that, they’re still not optimized for global performance because they aren’t on a CDN (content delivery network). To simplify posting content on WordPress, I’ve found the following setup and workflow to be best.

Managed WordPress Hosting

You can be cheap and try to manage hosting a WordPress site yourself. But, you’ll likely get frustrated as you can’t keep up with vulnerabilities that can slow down or break your site. You can get affordable managed WordPress hosting on GoDaddy. They’ll take care of upgrades and remove insecure plugins for you.

Install the Free JetPack Plugin

This plugin is critical, especially for performance. Among other things, you can enable performance optimization to automatically resize, optimize and host all images and static files (CSS, JS) on WordPress’ content delivery network. A 3.5 MB image instantly gets optimized to a fraction of that size, e.g. 120 KB. This plugin is an absolute must.”

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How to Build a Strong, Attractive Good-Neighbor Fence

Goals:

  • No gaps between boards
  • Strong, sturdy
  • Inexpensive
  • Looks good on both sides
  • Simple to build
  • Long-lasting

Materials

Wood Post or Steel Post:

Many people use pressure-treated wood posts but though they are cheaper, they do have downsides includng:

  • they can rot and decay
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  • attaching 2x4s to them require toenailing or toescewing nails and screws at an angle or using metal brackets for 2x4s
  • if you attach 2x4s to the post and later decide you want to move them up or down, it’s a hassle

Steel posts have holes all along the length on both sides so screwing 2x4s into them are very easy. This saves a lot of time and money from not having to buy a bunch of brackets. Furthermore, there’s no worry about it warping due to the elements.

Continue reading How to Build a Strong, Attractive Good-Neighbor Fence
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