Realistically idealistic daydreamer, seasoned procrastinator, atheist and monarchist with a secret agenda and a slight inclination towards voodoo practices.
According to the fatwa published on the Islam Online website of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Muslim boys and girls can now chat with each other on the Net without fear of committing a sin. The conditions? They have to be of marriageable age. The catch? They will have to get married at the end, with the approval of their guardians of course. Still, the youth are advised not to resort to internet to select their life partners. It is advised that they turn to the "age-old practice of match-making through the word of mouth by the elders in the family". (I found this out thanks to our daily, Gulf Times). So chat away, kids!
Other recent valuable information offered on the site:
I sat for a few minutes thinking... what if I, too, had a reliable source of information to guide me in my day to day life? Wouldn't it be absolutely grand if I never ever needed to think for myself anymore and if all my questions were answered in the best way possible by someone else out there?
So I penned down a few questions I would love to have an answer to, based on today alone:
1. Breakfast or makeup? If this isn't a recurrent psychological problem, I don't know what is.
2. How to continue my wicked habit of procrastinating and still become successful? Can the two go together?
3. How to deal with unreasonable urges (i.e. chocolate bars)?
4. What are reliable sources of information or age-old practices for dealing with these and similar issues for a little infidel like moi?
5. Is it ok if I figure out for myself what to do in such or any other cases, without referring to any reliable sources or age-old practices?
6. How to react to the following example of how the authorised wise men (and yes, I stress MEN as in gender, too) implement reliable sources and age-old practices in dealing with problems of day to day life in Qatar (information from the same newspaper on April 16th):
An Indonesian woman and Egyptian man were arrested for "illicit relationship". At roughly the same time, the British man was caught driving under influence of alcohol (after consuming 4 bottles of wine!!!). Here we have three people, and only one of them has put other people's lives at a serious risk of injury or death. Now try to guess: out of the three, who is sentenced to 50 lashes and deportation, and who is "being investigated" by the police and will most probably walk away with a heavy (but by no means unaffordable) fine and a smirk?
I tried 12 Step program and no help so I'm moving to Step 13!
1- Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah (belief in the Oneness of Divine Lordship)
2- Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah (belief in the Oneness of the Divine nature)
3- Tawheed of knowledge and belief (i.e., Tawheed al-Asma’ wa’l_Sifaat, belief in the Oneness of the Divine names and attributes)
4- Thinking of Allaah as being above doing any injustice to His slaves, and above punishing anyone for no cause on the part of the slave that would require such punishment.
5- The person’s acknowledging that he is the one who has done wrong.
6- Beseeching Allaah by means of the things that are most beloved to Him, which are His names and attributes. Two of His names that encompass the meanings of all other names and attributes are al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) and al-Qayyoom (the Eternal).
7- Seeking the help of Allaah Alone.
8- Affirming one's hope in Him.
9- Truly putting one’s trust in Him and leaving matters to Him, acknowledging that one's forelock is in His hand and that He does as He wills, that His will is forever executed and that He is just in all that He decrees.
10-Letting one's heart wander in the garden of the Qur’aan, seeking consolation in it from every calamity, seeking healing in it from all diseases of the heart, so that it will bring comfort to his grief and healing for his worries and distress.
You finally converted? LOL About time. I'd say you are more knowledgeable in dogmas of Islam than a fair few Muslims I know.
Evil Eye is not my specialty - that's too shallow. I leave it to the amateurs and wannabes. What I practice is highly professional and very accurate, with no known foolproof remedies... So lets try your Jihad against my voodoo :p
How stupid >:) Of cozzzz we chat all the time! LOLZZ These people live in there own world. This oral sex story is helarious! We have sex wearing hejab of coz and not naked like you western people hee hee
Wouldn't it be absolutely grand if I never ever needed to think for myself anymore and if all my questions were answered in the best way possible by someone else out there?>>
In this is the suggestion that Muslims don't think for themselves. Is that what you mean to suggest?
Now try to guess: out of the three, who is sentenced to 50 lashes and deportation, and who is "being investigated" by the police and will most probably walk away with a heavy (but by no means unaffordable) fine and a smirk>>
How about we guess whose government will twist any hand possible, bribe and bargain anyone they can to get one of their nationals out of the country with just an 'investigation'. It has happened here in Saudi for Brits who killed others.
I won't even debate if unrestrained sex harms anyone I don't think we will agree.
"In conclusion, it has become clear now that oral sex is not prohibited, but it is not the normal choice for committed Muslims and Muslimahs. That's, despite that oral sex is not Haram, it is completely disgusting and does not conform to the pure taste and decency of a Muslim personality. "
I'm going to strongly disagree, kind Sheikh of the Fatwa database. ;)
Shit, where do these people get their info from.. How many muslims have they asked? Sex isn't like food and water.. hmm.. THATS why they need four wives..
Dear Catty, A couple of women moved in across the hall from me. One is a middle-aged gym teacher, and the other is a social worker in her mid twenties. These two women go everywhere together, and I've never seen a man go into their apartment or come out. Do you think they could be Lebanese?
1. I thought you knew me better than that! How could you even think that this is what I meant?? That Muslim people don't think for themselves?? No, I don't think so. I do, however, think that many issues discussed on Islam Online website are hilarious.
2. The problem with the guy caught drunk - yup the government has a lot to do with it, it's just sad that not every government would do the same for its people. They should, really. Then again, what does British government have that Qatari doesn't? If a Qatari man is convicted in the UK, British government would surely deal with him on its own terms. What stops Qatari government to do the same? I believe they should punish the guy according to the law (which no doubt would be implemented if an Asian national is caught drunk driving), and not just let him go.
3. The issue of unrestrained sex between two consented adults - yup, you are right, I will never agree with you on that one, but then again, we already agreed to disagree at times! :^)
Thanks, girl. At least you didn't think that it was me attacking Islam as a whole... and saw the funny side of it. Oral sex... yeah that was my fav link as well. Apparently we, Western people, only do it because a mere sight of a naked body is not enough to arouse us - we are too accustomed to it, walking around naked right left and centre, you know. So of course that forces us to resort to this disgusting practice, otherwise we wouldn't be able to copulate. What fun!
Jack,
Those ladies are most probably American, lol. What they are up to - their own business, not mine. I wouldn't issue fatwas and judgements on anything like that, if I were you. On the other hand, you should probably investigate. According to US State laws, many things are prohibited (including, for instance, sex in any position other than missionary, in about half of the States, speaking of idiotic laws and practices). So you could probably sue if something fishy is going on and is affecting your morals :p
I love how Cat keeps coming up with these interesting controversial posts
I think Cat personally made it clear that she doesn't mean only Muslims are the ones who don't like to think, as she said she wished she could do that herself, and she is not Muslim, she practices voodoo...and I absolutely agree with her. Most humans don't like to think, that's why there are so many stupid people in the world today, without mentioning any names. Though I also agree with the other notion saying that Muslims or arabs Especially don't like to think. Speaking for all Arabs/Muslims being a middle eastern Muslim myself I beleive we are quite stupid, otherwise we wouldn't be mostly third world countries. I beleive that all those so-called Muslims these days who say that jews and christians go to hell...are so eager to go there with the trapped belt and C4 around the waist. Since the very beginning, as soon as prophet Muhammed passed away, Muslims argued over who should succeed him, and shortly after...they split into Sunnis and Shias. But still, it's not Islam in it's existance that caused it, the same thing happened in the christian church and in the Jewish empire. So why are we Arabs/Muslims especially stupid?? Is it because we are arabs??ok...What if I wasn't Arab? If I was a German Muslim, would I be smart? this is all just too confusing... I don't blame them though because Muhammed (PBUH) came and showed them how to do everything; literaly...He also left them with an authentic book that has all kinds of instructions and information in it, so they don't know any better. After he passed away, they got lost, didn't know what to do cuz ever since Islam came about, they had someone show them how to do everything, and that's how the tradition carried on. But you know, we humans proved in more than 2 1/2 occasions that we just don't want to think. It has nothing to do with Islam, I think God has ran out of ways to try and get to our stupid heads. He gave us Moses who had divine powers and magic to show us divinity, he could heal and move mountains and turn sticks into snakes, what did we do? We casted him out...He gave us Jesus with the devine spirit and unconditional love, what did we do? We crusified him and no I don't beleive the jews crusified him. I can go forever about Suleiman and Joseph etc. So At the end he said look man...Don't ask too many questions and just do what I do and he gave us Muhammed (PBUH) What do we do now, we follow him blindly and make a mokery of him, and we're sitting in anticipation for the final battle, which probably was made up and has nothing to do with Muhammed (PBUH) nor God, we humans are just rotten u know we're just sitting there waiting for the best chance to start killing each other. What many don't know, is that the Quran contains much more than just instructions and ways to do things...It contains magic, scientists today are discovering many things in astronomy especially, which were written in the Quran fourteen hundred years ago, besides the point, it distinctivly encourages Muslims to use their minds and "THINK" "La'allakum tatafakkaroon" in 22 locations (I beleive?) spread out throughout the Quran, as the Quran has the best chance of being most authentic out of them all, if that doesn't say something, I dunno what would. I mean if I was God I would freakin let this earth burn, with everything in it, in fact I'd blow it up!! Sorry I changed my mind, I beleive we humans are extremly smart but we choose not to think because we are busy trying to figure out ways to kill each other basically. Though I must say I really appreciate this open forum which "blogger" provided us, but I'm still sure others will figure out ways to use it to try and kill me heheheheeee. One more thing I would like to add for my fellow American Jack here, allow me to call you my fellow American as I love America and consider myself one although I don't hold the citizenship because you guys won't give me the green card cuz I hold a saudi passport :) I see you have done some great research, and I hope it does you good, I just want to clarify one little thing. The literal meaning of the word Jihad is "Struggle", now back in the day when Islam was still struggling Jihad meant going out there and fighting in wars and stuff, but considering the current circumstances I don't beleive that's the smartest thing to do heheeee cuz we'll get freakin nuked looooool In today's day and time I beleive the struggle is to keep a balance and stop killing each other. It's the struggle with oneself and keeping it balanced, kinda like what they teach in Taoism. About the Oral Sex thing, I think it's hilarious, especially the cunnilingus and felatio part it cracked me up. The next thing I know you gonna tell me that condoms are against Islam, or it's against Islam not to wear a condom I dunno what the heck, oh actually it has been declared haram before, I just remembered, there has been a fatwa that condoms are against Islam, I dunno weather it's funny or not. Peace out.
1. I thought you knew me better than that! How could you even think that this is what I meant?? That Muslim people don't think for themselves?? No, I don't think so. I do, however, think that many issues discussed on Islam Online website are hilarious.>>
QC I've found that online I never really know a person. I've had dialogues with many different people of many different faiths of many different nationalities. And I've found that once I think I know them they up and surprise me, usually not in a good way.
Your sentence could be taken as Muslims don't think hence have such people, or sites to think for them. Which is why I asked.
However obviously these people asking are thinking, or they simply wouldn't ask.
And some of the things people have found so funny here I don't see it as such. Take for instance the oral sex question.
The opinion presented is describing a difference between two cultures. And also his view on why these two cultures could ask such completely different questions. While I would argue there are other ways to interpret the differnce (i.e why Muslims in America would ask if oral sex is permitted vs that of his home country) I don't think his answer is so funny, or far fetched.
The people asking really want to live right by their own religion. I know for many it seems petty and 'sheep like' to just follow things. But its not an easy thing to do by a long shot.
personally I think its a bit more productive to understand than make jokes about other peoples beliefs. And yes I hold this to all religions and those who adhere to them. I'm just odd that way.
..yup the government has a lot to do with it, it's just sad that not every government would do the same for its people. >>
I don't think strong arming, bribing, or playing politics with other countries over individual citizens who broke the law in their host country is something we should encourage. And best believe if a Qatari is arressted in the UK the government will be all over it. Saudi does the same thing in the US, if a saudi national is arrested the Saudi government has lawyers on the payroll to aid them. They will bargain their way out of it, bribe, and play poltics as well. But Indonesia is a poor country and not in the position to aid every single citizen in another country.
keep in mind that if this british guy was in the US he wouldn't be aided at all by the government. He would have been stayed to face the punishment of driving intoxicated.
Wow I had to read that twice! Thanks for sharing your interesting approach to thinking and decision making in today's world. No, I don't think Muslims are stupid or they don't think. I do however think that much of a Muslim's life is laid out A to Z, and some people get lost if they don't get accurate instructions as to what to do. And some do even worse trying to apply age-old instructions word for word today, making life unnecessarily complicated for themselves and those around them.
Well, where do I begin? "I've found that online I never really know a person". Well happens to all, offline and online. Only online it's way easier to deal with it. Of course you don't know me, but I hope you know me well enough online to exclude the possibility of me mocking a religion... any religion.
As for me thinking that Muslims don't think... well, there are plenty people who don't think, and they come from all possible denominations of all conceivable religions. Kudos to Islamic scholars for providing answers to the most trivial of questions! Nothing wrong with that.
I haven't made jokes about anyone's beliefs. Forgive me for not holding some Sheikh's opinions as "beliefs". Yes, what I read on the site was beyond hilarious, and not only to me. Besides, the Sheikh who wrote up all this stuff felt free to diss us, "perverted Westerners", and our ways as much as he liked, and since he believes it is perfectly OK to do so then I guess I can apply the same to him and his opinions, too. He mocks me, and I cannot mock him back - now this is interesting!
Oral sex (and sex in general) - I wonder at people who actually need living third party's guidance on what to do with their own partner in bed, whatever the religion. Then of course, we never agreed on anything sex related, so I don't expect we will now.
Now this drunk guy's case - I guess you misunderstood me, and now that I read my comment I can see why: I didn't make it clear, I guess my thoughts were running faster than I could type. I was talking about government protecting its people from drunk drivers such as this guy, and NOT protecting drunk drivers! Qatari government should take steps to make sure that these incidents don't happen, and take the strictest approach where it really matters. To me personally it matters more when I put my life into drunk driver's shaky hands when crossing the road than some people out there somewhere who are being intimate without a licence. Then again, you can disagree with that.
As a matter of fact, I have, here. Why do I write about Islam? Well, first of all I live in a Muslim country, and I deal with Muslim people on a daily basis, so I guess that explains why I choose to write about Islam. Had I lived in, say, Utah, I would be writing about protestants and polygamist sects there. But I don't know much about them to write anything post-worthy, and I have absolutely nobody I could talk to about it. Second, of all other religions available, only Islam nowadays gives me (and not only me) plenty food for thought and discussion. Hope that answers your question :^)
I've got to agree with Nzingha here. I have been lurking and reading your blog for a while but several of your recent posts influenced me to post a comment.
You do come across as hyper-critical of Islam and while I don't find that unusual for a Westerner these days, I do find myself always wondering why one who feels that way would CHOOSE to live in a Muslim country. Usually the answer has to do with money and opportunities lacking elsewhere, but maybe that's not the case with you....
"You do come across as hyper-critical of Islam and while I don't find that unusual for a Westerner these days, I do find myself always wondering why one who feels that way would CHOOSE to live in a Muslim country. Usually the answer has to do with money and opportunities lacking elsewhere, but maybe that's not the case with you...."
I don't care much for the opinion of people who issue statements like that for no apparent reason. I am nice and everything, but sometimes it just gets on my nerves when people decide that I am all that hyper-critical of Islam en large (I wonder how you came up to this conclusion, but I won't dwell on it). I am, however, critical of certain practices that I see around me, read in the news, and hear from friends, and who said I can't write about them? If something grosses me out, fascinates me, interests me, pleases me, disgusts me - I write about it. Be it religion related or not.
Very nicely put: why I choose to live here? Other than this being of no general business of yours, and being of no relevance to this discussion whatsoever, I would say that I live here because I love this country, I love the people and the way of life. Every country has good and bad, and trust me, no matter where I live, I would write about the country I live in and its ways. And as to me being critical of life here - apparently you haven't "lurked" in my blog enough, otherwise you wouldn't be so fast with your conclusions. So I won't hold that against you, either.
If you agreed with Nzingha's comment, then you are hyper-critical of the Western ways (as is she). And guess what? It's all fine with me, I can even let it pass that your SCHOLARS (i.e. people of high standard of authority in religious and other matters) have the nerve of calling Western world and western ways "perverted", etc., OUT LOUD, in a respectable institution, available for the whole world to see. And they get away with it! In fact, people read them, and then get back to me and say "actually it wasn't funny". I agree, it isn't funny at all, it's quite sad. I hear Nzingha, I know why she says what she says, and I admire her for her views and a great way in which she expresses them. We disagree on many things, and it's fine by me. It's NOT fine with me that you come here and accuse me of being hyper-critical of Islam or life in Qatar with nothing to show for it.
Wow Qcat! Didn't mean to touch such a nerve. You see I, too, am a Westerner and perhaps it is as such that I speak my mind, although I try to be respectful in doing so.
Now that said, I would like to point out that these are not "my" scholars and you have no way of knowing this but I am almost always dismissive of anything being said by people who call themselves Islamic scholars. I do not agree with a lot of what Nzhingha has sad in this regard and am more likely to think that I can read and understand Quran well enough to know how to live a life that would insha'Allh be pleasing to God.
As for anyone saying the Western world is perverted -- you don't know me well enough to make that accusation iinclusive of me. But then, yoiu are certainly entitled to do the same thing regarding me that I did to you; ie., pass judgment based on what was written. As an American, who has been living in Qatar for 7 years and whose entire family lives in the West, I would never say that Westerners or life in the West is perverted. Perhaps you have me confused with someone else....
And btw, my comments were made after reading your posts and comments in this thread and another one regarding whether Islam is a peaceful religion. But please note that although I didn't agree with some of what you wrote, I also see that you try not to step over a line that would place you firmly in the anti-Islam crowd that some of your posters are in. Regardless, you certainly have the right to express whatever dislike you have -- regarding Islam, Qatar or anything else. After all, it's your blog. Personally, I try not to be so thin-skinned about what is written on the internet.
Sorry to have offended. I'll be more cafeful of your feelings if I post again.
I'm a Muslim, I've been a Muslim for 28 years and I'm thankful to be Muslim.
Now, this shekih who called Westerns "perverted" is SO wrong and he has no right to say that at all. We Muslims do respect others whatever the religion the belong too.
We can't have sex naked? who said so? Allah? Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)? not because one sheikh have said that, it would make it right!
Wow, thanks for the link. Well, we all know what happened to the sculptures of ancient gods in Afghanistan. I do hope this won't happen in Egypt. Actually, I am pretty sure it won't happen there. Why? Because of people like Ashraf Ibrahim (mentioned in the article). A great example of a Muslim who does think and is not afraid to say that certain practices are no longer necessary. And while I was browsing the site you gave me I came across a modernised (shall I say Westernised?) version of hijab. How nice! I hope that will help Muslim girls not only in Holland but in many other countries to exercise in a way that does not contradict with their beliefs.
Thank you for commenting again and clarifying your points. It makes much more sense now, and I apologise for being rather touchy, it is not my usual way of answering comments.
"I am almost always dismissive of anything being said by people who call themselves Islamic scholars... I can read and understand Quran well enough to know how to live a life that would insha'Allah be pleasing to God."
- That was exactly my point, the point of the entire post. They are not your scholars? I am sorry, I meant "yours" as in belonging to Islam and speaking on behalf of Muslims. If there was any sarcasm and/or criticism in my post, it wasn't aimed at Islam at all, but at those so-called "scholars". I would suggest you look at the "fatwa" link that Jack has posted in the comments here. Would it be critical of Islam if I said that this is insane? It has nothing whatsoever to do with Islam, and I know it. It has to do with an illustrous Muslim scholar who once again made the world shrug in disbelief at just how far the ignorance can reach.
"As for anyone saying the Western world is perverted -- you don't know me well enough to make that accusation inclusive of me."
- I didn't. You must have confused me with someone else :^)
Regarding the other of my posts you mentioned - that, also, wasn't a critique of Islam. It was about a person sentenced to death for leaving Islam. Yes, if Islam really supports such practices - then my post can be considered as a critique of Islam. If not - then it can't.
I don't criticise Islam. I lack the knowledge to do that, and I don't have the reason to do that. There is nothing in my Muslim friends that I can't peacefully live with. I can only criticise people who pervert the religion and use it to justify their horrible deeds.
Dude I just got out of work, and your link has way too much detail for me to get into right now, thought I must say I'm quite impressed of how much you know about Islam. Something else ... I like what peacefulMuslimah said and I am in her footsteps of disregrading Muslim scholars these days, or any religious scholars for that matter. But that doesn't mean I'm a bad Muslim, It's more like 'you never you know' this guy is not perfect and he could make a mistake, and he would be responsible not only for his own sin but also for the sins of all the people who will apply the fatwa he gave, besides the fact that I do have my own mind, and my own natural ability of knowing the difference between good and evil, through keeping the child inside alive and nurturing him, which also helps my intuition and boost my confidence and faith. So really, there is no reason whatsoever to make things so complicated for ourselves...As God has created us with all the tools and skills we need in order to fullfill our own destinies. May Allah bless us all.
Thank you for clarifying a few things QCat. I probably responded so prickly because I spend a fair amount of time dealing with serious "Islam haters" who ironically -- or not so ironically -- tend to be Warmongers, too. In fact, their abuse was why I was using the comment moderation feature on my blog (which I have turned off now).
Btw, I was impressed with your score on the Bush test. Now I am trying to figure out where I went wrong ;-)))
Thanks! I am proud to be your friend too. And I am sure you keep the child inside of you alive and well nurtured, lol.
PM,
Glad we sorted it out :^)
I hate all kinds of haters (yes I know how it sounds!) and warmongers of any kind. I am against violence in all its forms and I am sure people who THINK can always come to an understanding sans violence - just look at us!
As for the Dubya test - I will run it again and tell you the "correct" asnwers :^)
Thanks for the cheat sheet on W. I found my error:
For the last question: Complete the following statement. History will regard George W. Bush as ___
I picked: An Orwellian leader who tried to transform America into a Big Brother-style fascist dictatorship
It should have been: A drunken frat boy-turned-AWOL cokehead-turned-failed oilman-turned disastrous president who literally destroyed everything he touched
I was really torn between the two but thought the drunken frat boy option kind of let him off the hook for being really evil.
I do my best to speak the truth...Regardless of how it may sound, what I don't like is people leaving mysterious comments with a little "lol" at the end. So you better explain yourself before I kick your butt :) peace
I knew you would wonder about that, I just couldn't resist my bad habit of always clearing the desk before starting work. But I promise they gonna be replaced with many others.
QC "Kudos to Islamic scholars for providing answers to the most trivial of questions!"
Trivial to who would be the question. Which would reveal why for some it is humorous. To those asking obviously it isn't trivial, nor is it for those answering
"Forgive me for not holding some Sheikh's opinions as "beliefs"."
What are beleifs than?? They are the opinions of individuals are they not? And these Q&A sites for Muslims are seen as answers to questions regarding their beliefs (although I do say I don't like those sites to begin with for other reasons) These sheikhs are explaining a particular beleif system as they see it.
"Besides, the Sheikh who wrote up all this stuff felt free to diss us, "perverted Westerners", and our ways as much as he liked, and since he believes it is perfectly OK to do so then I guess I can apply the same to him and his opinions, too. He mocks me, and I cannot mock him back - now this is interesting!"
I don't know if he was actually mocking as to make a joke out of a particular society. These are questions coming from western Muslims. So if if he was mocking wouldn't he be mocking those muslims as well?
I didnt get a 'mocking' tone out of his answer. An observation to a society much different than his own yes. And a possible deduction of why one society would ask about 'oral sex' vs another and one which is more conservative in sex, dress, ect. Since I know the scholar a tad bit.. maybe its easier for me to put in that perspective than to put it one that is automatically negative.
" I wonder at people who actually need living third party's guidance on what to do with their own partner in bed, whatever the religion."
why wonder just ask.. and I'll speak in general for Muslims I can't say specifics for all but generally speaking for Muslims every act is to be done in a form of worship. Even if it is the smallest thing of 'intention' when we eat. We are to thank God for it, earn it in a legal way, not abuse it (LOL yea I know ironic considering hwo they eat here in the gulf) and intake what is good for us in our body and spirtually.
Same with any othe raspect of our lives.. even sex. We don't take the view that everything in life is good to do, or pleasing to God. which is our goal, much different than yours I'm sure.
as for the 'perverted' west is it the word that bothers people? If it is was said in a different manner would you as a westener be offended? honestly, just curious.
"To me personally it matters more when I put my life into drunk driver's shaky hands when crossing the road than some people out there somewhere who are being intimate without a licence. Then again, you can disagree with that. "
No I wouldn't disagree with that. As individuals what would have more direct impact on us is a drunk driver on the road in our neighborhood. That doesn't mean that 'unrestrained sex' (Since Jack liked my phrase I'll continue using it) doesn't have harms.
Thanx for clarifying that you don't think governments should intervene in such cases.
"If you agreed with Nzingha's comment, then you are hyper-critical of the Western ways (as is she)."
actually Nzingha is hyper critical of everything. I make no distinctions in that area. :)
PM " I do not agree with a lot of what Nzhingha has sad in this regard and am more likely to think that I can read and understand Quran well enough to know how to live a life that would insha'Allh be pleasing to God."
I'm not sure entirely what I've said that would leave you with such an impression that you have to make these comments in reference to anything I've written. What exactly is it that I've said that you disagree with? To such an extent that you would couple it with sentence that followed?
QC: I am in no way a religious scholar but I can answer some of the questions you asked for me:
1. Breakfast or makeup?
Breakfast for me, with lots of coffee and tea and anything else with high doses of caffeine.
2. How to continue my wicked habit of procrastinating and still become successful?
A lot of people procrastinate and make a lot of money doing that, but you need to work in a bureaucraxy where delays are applauded and rewarded.
3. How to deal with unreasonable urges (i.e. chocolate bars)?
Go for it, take a bite and kill that urge, then throw the rest of the bar away. So urges in moderation.
4. What are reliable sources of information or age-old practices for dealing with these and similar issues for a little infidel like moi?
Do what you feel is right, and don't hurt anyone, those scholars are probably as clueless as you, so whatever they say has as much value or less than what you think is right.
5. Is it ok if I figure out for myself what to do in such or any other cases, without referring to any reliable sources or age-old practices?
Sure, go for it.
6. How to react to the following example of how the authorised wise men (and yes, I stress MEN as in gender, too) implement reliable sources and age-old practices in dealing with problems of day to day life in Qatar (information from the same newspaper on April 16th):
Wow, wise bearded men in Greek Orthodox church? Let me not start on that... I will never forget the git who smacked me on the lips with the Bible! Arghhhhhhhh
Φιλάκια :^)
Nzingha,
"Nzingha is hyper critical of everything. I make no distinctions in that area :)"
- and that's why I like you :^)
With regards to beliefs vs. opinions - I could go on and on, so I guess I will say only that I think Quran is one thing, and this Sheikh's opinion is quite another...
As for PM's comment to you, I think she meant you supporting turning to the scholars for explanation, that's all.
Don Veto,
As usual, I bow to your wisdom, my friend. However, your stance on the question #1 is still not entirely clear to me :p It is quite possible that your judgement on this issue was gender influenced!
QC "so I guess I will say only that I think Quran is one thing, and this Sheikh's opinion is quite another..."
And I haven't learned of a Muslim who would say any different. a sheikhs opinion is no where near the Qur'an. And it is 'his opinion' dervied from the same sources that another can derive that oral sex is haram (forbidden) for example. I'm no where even close to suggestion that mans opinion is equal to or greater than Qur'an.
"As for PM's comment to you, I think she meant you supporting turning to the scholars for explanation, that's all. "
I think it goes a bit beyond that from what she stated. I dunno she'll have to explain it herself. And of course I support a persons choice to go to a scholar and seek an opinion. I have no problems with that, imposing an opinion is what is at issue with me. And to what degree are things imposed. As well as other issues especially that which is related to gender and a Muslims responsiblity to question a sheikh. I by no means, and I've posted on this very issue on my own blog, suggest that a Muslim should just follow after a scholar and hold to their view as non negotiable.
But I'm not about to rant on about that. At least not today.. maybe next week :)
That's what I meant exactly, and this is how, in my view, "beliefs" are different from "opinions". We think alike, we just express it differently (and not for the first time).
"I by no means ... suggest that a Muslim should just follow after a scholar and hold to their view as non negotiable".
- How true. I would extend this to include people of all faiths, not only Muslims. But then again, it's a personal choice - whether to follow blindly or not.
"Imposing an opinion is what is at issue with me. And to what degree are things imposed."
- I have the same issue. I don't want anyone imposing anything on me. I believe I am smart enough to figure out what to do on my own, and if I fail - I can always ask for help or for someone else's opinion as long as I can either accept or reject it ;-)
But I reserve my right to treat with a healthy dose of sarcasm and irony the opinions (not beliefs!) of the person who issues statements such as this about the West and Westerners (whether Muslims or non Muslims):
"These are communities of nakedness, and from the licentiousness of the woman that she wears nothing to screen her body in her daily life."
A little political correctness wouldn't harm!
And speaking of your rants - I can't get enough of them! :^)
Καλή Ανάσταση γατί μου . Να περάσετε όμορφα με τον Σιωπηλό σου . Σίγουρα θα σας λείπει η πατρίδα και οι δικοί σου αυτές τις μέρες . Να μην το σκέφτεσαι . Γιατί είναι μέσα σας την αγάπη μου
Thanks a million, and we will. Sigh, we can't always do what we want, and be where we want to be... but that was our choice, and we enjoy it. Wishing you a great holiday season! Now break that egg!
Welcome to Life in Qatar and thanks for the lovely comment. I agree with you! And oh how I would love to get my hands on the book that your mom got you as a wedding gift :p I remember sex ed back at school, and how much "fun" we had learning about basics of human sexuality from a 110 year old granny! She used a book which could have been written for nuns. All we learned was that sex is surely the straight way to hell! So I have to give it to Islamic sex ed - at least it gives some guidelines and sensible explanations of "what" and "why", whether I agree with them or not.
LOL! Well at least you have stuff like those Islamic sites.. :^) Now please tel me - that book that your hubby threw away, he did it because it contained too much sex ed? Or not enough? :p
Cat! Thank you for making me laugh so hard! hilarious...hahaha...I´m still giggling.
The one of the oral sex is just too funny, almost fell off my chair reading that... I wish someone could scientifically prove a link between oral sex and mouth cancer.
Oh by the way, I forgot to write my answer to your questins...my mind playing with all these ideas about oral sex.
So:
1- Make up AND breakfast. Come on Cat, you are in Doha, everyone is always late for work (and for everything else for that matter). Blame it on the traffic.
2- Procrawhat? Sorry I don´t know whats the meaning of Procathingy, so I´ll skip this one.
3- when you indulge, the urge stops, doesn´t it?
4- Common sense. Or just ring your mother, she will know.
LOL thanks for answering my questions. I think I have enough opinions here to start trying them all out. Procrathingy means leaving everything till the last possible moment - something I am very good at. My motto is "never do anything now that you can leave for later". :^)
And oh, are you still in Qatar or finally out spreading your wings?
Help ... help ...
Catty has put the "Evil Eye" on me!
I tried 12 Step program and no help so I'm moving to Step 13!
1- Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah (belief in the Oneness of Divine Lordship)
2- Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah (belief in the Oneness of the Divine nature)
3- Tawheed of knowledge and belief (i.e., Tawheed al-Asma’ wa’l_Sifaat, belief in the Oneness of the Divine names and attributes)
4- Thinking of Allaah as being above doing any injustice to His slaves, and above punishing anyone for no cause on the part of the slave that would require such punishment.
5- The person’s acknowledging that he is the one who has done wrong.
6- Beseeching Allaah by means of the things that are most beloved to Him, which are His names and attributes. Two of His names that encompass the meanings of all other names and attributes are al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) and al-Qayyoom (the Eternal).
7- Seeking the help of Allaah Alone.
8- Affirming one's hope in Him.
9- Truly putting one’s trust in Him and leaving matters to Him, acknowledging that one's forelock is in His hand and that He does as He wills, that His will is forever executed and that He is just in all that He decrees.
10-Letting one's heart wander in the garden of the Qur’aan, seeking consolation in it from every calamity, seeking healing in it from all diseases of the heart, so that it will bring comfort to his grief and healing for his worries and distress.
11-Seeking forgiveness.
12-Repentance.
13-Jihad.
"Evil Eye" back at you Catty!