10 captivating and thought-provoking Islamic questions and their answers with references from the Qur’an, Hadith, and scholarly opinions:
10 captivating and thought-provoking Islamic questions and their answers with references from the Qur’an, Hadith, and scholarly opinions:
1. Why Did Allah Create Mankind?
Allah created mankind to worship Him alone and to test who among them does righteous deeds.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Qur'an 51:56)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Ibn Kathir explains that this verse means true servitude to Allah through love, obedience, and devotion, not just acts of ritual worship.
- Ibn Taymiyyah adds that worship in Islam includes every good action done sincerely for Allah, whether prayer, charity, kindness, or seeking knowledge.
2. Does Islam Promote Peace or Violence?
Islam is fundamentally a religion of peace, but it also allows self-defense and justice.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing." (Qur'an 8:61)
"Whoever kills a soul unless for a legal punishment or corruption in the land, it is as if he has killed all of mankind." (Qur'an 5:32)
🔹 Hadith:
The Prophet (ï·º) said: "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands others are safe." (Sahih al-Bukhari 10, Sahih Muslim 40)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Imam Al-Qurtubi states that Islam promotes peace and justice, and war is only permitted as a last resort to protect the innocent.
- Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen says that jihad in Islam is defensive, not aggressive, and must follow strict ethical rules.
3. Will Non-Muslims Enter Paradise?
Islam teaches that those who knowingly reject the truth after it has been made clear to them will not enter Paradise. However, those who never received the message properly are judged by Allah’s infinite justice and mercy.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers – never would be accepted from them [even] the world full of gold if they offered it as ransom." (Qur'an 3:91)
🔹 Hadith:
The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Whoever hears about me and does not believe in what I have been sent with, he will be among the inhabitants of the Fire." (Sahih Muslim 153)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Imam Al-Ghazali states that those who never received Islam properly (like remote tribes) may be excused under divine justice.
- Ibn Taymiyyah says that judgment belongs to Allah alone, and He will deal with each soul fairly.
4. Can Women Lead Men in Prayer?
The consensus among classical scholars is that a woman cannot lead a mixed-gender congregation in the obligatory prayers, but she may lead other women.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"And the men have a degree over them (in responsibility)." (Qur'an 2:228)
🔹 Hadith:
The Prophet (ï·º) said: "The best rows for men are the front rows, and the best rows for women are the back rows." (Sahih Muslim 440)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Imam Abu Hanifa, Malik, and Ahmad all state that a woman cannot lead men in prayer due to the structure of Islamic worship.
- Some modern scholars, like Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, argue that women can lead non-obligatory prayers in special cases (e.g., family settings).
5. Can the Dead Hear the Living?
The issue of whether the dead can hear the living is debated among scholars. Some evidence suggests they can hear temporarily, while others argue they cannot.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"Indeed, you cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs retreating." (Qur'an 27:80)
🔹 Hadith:
After the Battle of Badr, the Prophet (ï·º) spoke to the dead Quraysh leaders in the grave, and when asked if they could hear, he said: "By Allah, you do not hear better than they do, but they cannot respond." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3976)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Ibn Taymiyyah says that the dead may hear in certain situations but are generally unaware of the living world.
- Imam Nawawi states that the hadith shows the dead may have temporary awareness but do not respond like the living.
6. Is Music Haram in Islam?
The ruling on music is debated among scholars, with some prohibiting it completely and others allowing it within certain limits.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"And of the people is he who buys idle talk to mislead others from the way of Allah." (Qur'an 31:6)
🔹 Hadith:
The Prophet (ï·º) said: "There will be people of my nation who will make lawful fornication, silk, alcohol, and musical instruments." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5590 – Some scholars classify this hadith as weak.)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Imam Malik and Ibn Taymiyyah prohibit all musical instruments.
- Imam Al-Ghazali and some modern scholars allow permissible music that does not contain haram content.
7. Why Does Allah Allow Suffering?
Suffering is a test and purification for believers and a means to draw closer to Allah.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tested?" (Qur'an 29:2)
🔹 Hadith:
The Prophet (ï·º) said: "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, but Allah expiates some of his sins because of it." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5641, Sahih Muslim 2573)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Imam Ibn Qayyim explains that suffering purifies the soul and elevates one’s status in Jannah.
- Shaykh Ibn Baz states that life’s trials remind us to turn to Allah and seek His mercy.
8. Does Islam Allow Forced Marriage?
Islam strictly forbids forced marriages.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by force." (Qur'an 4:19)
🔹 Hadith:
A woman came to the Prophet (ï·º) saying her father forced her to marry. The Prophet (ï·º) gave her the choice to accept or refuse. (Sunan Abu Dawood 2091 – Sahih)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Ibn Taymiyyah and Imam Malik confirm that a woman’s consent is essential in marriage.
9. Will Animals Be in Paradise?
Certain animals will be resurrected and enter Paradise.
🔹 Qur'an Reference:
"And when the wild beasts are gathered together." (Qur'an 81:5)
🔹 Hadith:
The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Paradise has in it what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has imagined." (Sahih al-Bukhari 4779)
🔹 Scholarly Opinion:
- Imam Al-Qurtubi states that some animals, like the Prophet’s camel, will be in Jannah.
Alhamdullah
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