Q and A

A recording of The Revival's "Let's Talk Show" from 14 September 2008 where Shaykh Ibrahim Ossi Effa is bombarded with questions about Islam mainly on topics where there are misconceptions held either within the Muslim community or by Non Muslims.

Questions were asked and answered on many topics mainly focussing on:

1. The Qur'an
2. The Prophet
3. Violence and terrorism
4. Women's rights

A few other questions were sprinkled in for good measure.

From Muslimness:

Former Guantanamo guard Terry Holdrooks, now named Mustafa Abdullah answered questions put forward by Muslimness on Facebook and YouTube. Brother Mustafa gives his personal views on the media, the chosen title of his book 'Traitor?' living as a Muslim in America, the need for public Muslims taking a stance, his conversion and contemplating finding a 'partner in crime' - that is, marriage. Girls, get your headscarves on.

Does America need Islam? Why was the book title 'Traitor' chosen?

Why make a book about your conversion and experience?

why does it seem islam is on a course to take over the whole world through birth rates?

Once again, this should not threaten you or anyone - its not like you are prevented from having kids.

As for birth rates, they are more linked to how affluent a community is - poor, less affluent communities have higher birthrates than the richer ones.

If you look at muslim immigrant community birth rates in europe, you will notice a trend of normalisation over time where they become closer and closer to the "native" birthrates, so this is not a threat and the best way to counter such things is to help poorer people become more affluent.

Further discourse with members of Casuals United:

"Its a fact that whilst not all muslims are terrorists, All terrorists these days are muslims so why does the so called peace loving religion stamp it out?"

erm.. you need to get yourself some figures. Muslim terorism accounts for probably less than one % of all terrorism related activity in Europe - "Know your enemy"

From my friendly discourse with Casuals United:

why cant you intergrate into society like other races? why moan and set up ghettos and no go zones for whites etc?

Have you personally been exposed to any of these "no go zones" for whites? Are you sure they are not simply a figment of the media's imagination (actually no, I do suspect there to be morons around where there are such cases and yes, if they do exist, they are wrong)

I have a friend hounded out of a property he bought and paid for because it was in a predominantly white area. He repeatedly was threatened, had his windows smashed, people threaten and break in.

There should be no "no go zones" anywhere IMO as they are all bad and counter productive.

By Shaykh Salim Ghisa

The rule for contraception is different depending on the type of contraception used.

The basic ruling for contraception identifies two types:
1) Permanent Contraception
2) Temporary Contraception

1) Permanent Contraception

Any permanent form of contraception such as permanent sterilisation, the removal of ovaries, vasectomy etc is not permissible unless there is a risk of serious illness or death if it is not performed. The reasons for this are as follows:

1. A person is taking an unnecessary risk to their health by having such an operation or procedure.
2. A person is permanently changing the nature of the body from what Allah has created.

Salaams all

This is from a discussion on Tribune...

The question is... Since Islam did NOT prohibit slavery... does Islam not consider freedom a basic human right?

Islam did give all humans rights, and it does highly encourage freeing slaves. However, it does/did not prohibit slavery.

So... does that mean that freedom is not a basic right?

Taking this further, what about supporting fight for freedom in places such as Kashmir, Chechnya/Ossettia and Palestine? If Islam does not say that all humans are free, where do those struggles stand?

Is freedom really that big of a thing?

Q. So much is said these days about the rights parents have over their children, but what rights do children have over their parents and what protections and duties do their parents owe them?

A. In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent and Merciful.

As with all humans, each person has some sort of rights, and children are no exception. Children are an Amana (trust) which are given to parents to look after and bring up with the best of their abilities. If brought up correctly, children are a joy and their blessings bring sustenance, mercy and an abundance of reward.

Allah says: ‘Wealth and Sons are allurements (joys) of the life of this world…’[Quran 18:46]

Q. Is your Wudhu or Ghusl accepted when you have human hair extension weaved in your hair?

Answer by Shaykh Salim Giza

A. In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent and Merciful.

Wudhu or Ghusl is accepted when a person has human hair extensions as long all the obligations are fulfilled.

The four obligations for Wudhu, according to the Hanafi Madhab, are:

1. Washing the whole face once
2. Washing both of the hands/arms up to and including the elbows once
3. Wiping one quarter of the head with wet fingers
4. Washing both feet up to and including the ankles once

The three obligations for Ghusl, according to the Hanafi Madhab, are:

1. Washing the whole of the body, head to toe, once so no part is left dry

Q. Are Muslim students allowed to sit in Sex Education lessons? What does Islam say about Sex Education in general?

Answer by Shaykh Salim Ghiza

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent and Merciful.

Sex education is a very important part of life and all Muslims who are of marriageable age must learn what is permissible with their partners and what isn’t. However, the purpose of sex education in schools in the UK is not about teaching children how to refrain from sex until they are married but they teach them how to practice safe sex. As sex before marriage is not permissible in Islam this sort of education to the children is also not permissible and therefore Haram.