Question What are the limits of sexual behavior between a man and his wife? When I say limits, I mean are there any restrictions with respect to conduct in an intercourse, e.g. is only the missionary position considered acceptable? Is oral sex acceptable? How about the restrictions on other kinds of sex, e.g. anal sex? […]
Archives for May 1999
What is Taqdeer (Fate)
Question What is Taqdeer and is it constant or changeable? Answer The question of Taqdeer has remained an enigma for philosophers and scholastics. Among Muslims, it was endlessly debated among rival schools of theology. In the Holy Qur’an it is presented as a much less complex belief, made tremendously complicated by the two thousand year […]
Punishment for Rape
Question What is the punishment for a rapist? Answer The Shari`ah has actually prescribed the punishment for four major crimes. It has prescribed the punishment for murder and other bodily harm, theft, fornication and qazaf (to accuse someone of zinaa – fornication – without adequate evidence). Besides these crimes, if a crime is committed against […]
Punishment for Males and Females in the Case of Adultery
Question What is punishment for adultery? Is there any difference in the punishment of males and females in the case of adultery? Answer Adultery, by definition, means “voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and somebody who is not that person’s husband or wife”. In relation to adultery, the term used by the Qur’an , […]
Al-Kahf 18:9 – 26 – Who Were the As’hab-e-Kahaf (People of the Cave)
Question Who were the As’hab-e-Kahaf? Some sources (missionary sources) on the WWW said that it is a Christian tale transformed and used by the Qur’an without serious validation? Is that true? Answer Out of the three incidents related in Surah Kahaf, the story of As’hab-e-Kahaf (people of the cave) is the first one. Apparently Quraish […]
How Merciful is Allah (swt)?
Mr. Jochen Katz has summarized one of his articles1 thus: He has prescribed mercy for himself [6:12], yet he does not guide some, even though he could [6:35, 14:4]. The basic theme of Mr. Katz’s brief article is that at one place, the Qur’an says: He [Allah] has inscribed [prescribed] for himself (the rule of) […]
The Concept of Satan
Question The concept or person of satan is an interesting one. Recently in a conversation I was having with a non-Muslim friend of mine, I began to think about the concept of satan a little bit more. I was wondering if you could elaborate on the concept of satan in the Qur’an. First, I was […]
A Clarification Regarding Luqman 31:18 – 19
Question I was hoping that you could provide me with the contextual background to the following verses taken from verses 18 and 19 in Surah Luqman: Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness the land. Lo! God loveth not each braggart boaster. Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy […]
Regarding the Prohibition in Drinks
Question A brother was recently reading a book by a famous author in the Western world known as Michael Creighton. This author wrote a book dealing with a Muslim character and apparently has done extensive research on Islam before pursuing the endeavor. However, in the book he speaks of “the draught of mead” and “fermented […]
When is it Necessary to Take a Bath?
Question Is it necessary to take Ghusl [bath] if there has been slight passing of sexual fluid, without sexual intercourse or orgasm? Such a situation is nocturnal emission or arousal but only when there has been ‘very slight’ emission. I hope I’m clear and you can answer. Answer The Qur’an says, “If you are in […]