How is culture separated from religion?

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Natassia

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If the cultural norm of 7th century Arabia was to own slaves and have multiple wives and marry young girls to old men, then how can one say Islam is not about Arabian culture and traditions?

I understand that Muslims believe Islam placed guidelines and restrictions...and yet Islam is still limited by the "morality" of the 7th century.

For example, because it was considered moral in that society to marry young girls, it was not immoral for Muhammad to have done so.

Or because it was considered moral in that society to take slaves and have concubines, it was not immoral for Muhammad to have done so.

Or because it was considered moral in that society to have multiple wives, it was not immoral for Muhammad to have done so.

I mean, how much of the Quran is based on cultures and traditions of the times?
 
Culture is OK but should not be against Islam

Like celebrating Birthday is Cultural thing but it is OK because it is NOT against Islam.
 
Islam is not culture neither it is the opposite. You got completely mixed with your understanding of Islam as a religion, and the culture of Arabs.
Even though that you are not a muslim, try to address Mohamed as a prophet plz.
My kind regards to you dear
 
Morality is relative . Religions not only commands total obedience to a set of morality that is absurd and illogical , it threatens it's followers with very grave punishments .

You can't convince Muslims that the laws of the Quran need reform , bcos the Quran is the immutable Word of God to them .The minority of reformists Muslims have no real political power as the clerics do .

Solution : separation of State and Religion
 
Long, but whatever.
First off, the Quran does not state anything of that which you have listed to be done, meaning that it never said to have slaves, alot of wives, or to marry young women.

Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the defender of the orphans and even the newborn children. He ordered the care of orphans and feeding of the poor as the means to enter Paradise and if anyone held back the rights of those who were destitute, they could forget about ever seeing Paradise. He also forbade the killing of new born girls, as was a custom of ignorance according to primitive Arab traditions. This is referred to in the Quran; when, on the Day of Judgment those who practiced the evil deed of terminating the life of their own infant daughters, will have it exposed, the Quran says:

"And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) is going to be asked; about what sin could she (as an infant) have possibly committed."
[Noble Quran 81:8]
Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
[Noble Quran 2:274]

Muhammad (peace be upon him) ordered men not to "inherit women against their will," and not to marry them accept by mutual consent and never to touch their wealth or inheritance in order to improve their own financial conditions.

O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.
[Noble Quran 4:19]


We also notice from this verse, He forbid the common practice of wife-beating and abuse, (his own wife said he never once hit her).

He never once engaged in sex outside of marriage, nor did he ever approve of it, even though it was very common at the time. His only relationships with women were in legitimate, contractual marriages with proper witnesses according to law. His relationship to Ayesha was only that of marriage. He did not marry her the first time her father offered her hand to him in marriage. He married her only after she reached the age of puberty and could decide for herself. Their relationship is described in every detail by Ayesha herself in the most loving and respectful manner as a match truly made in heaven. Ayesha is considered as one of the highest scholars of Islam and lived out her entire life only having been married to Muhammad (peace be upon him). She never desired any other man, nor did she ever utter a single negative statement against Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Muhammad (peace be upon him) ordered men to "provide and protect" women, whether it was their own mother, sister, wife or daughter or even those of others, whether they were Muslims or not.

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support the women) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband's property, etc.).
As to those women on whose part you see ill conduct, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, startle them (set forth a clear example or parable for them, to make clear the point of what is going on before divorcing them) so if they return to proper obedience (to Allah and their husbands), do not annoy them any further. Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great."

So now I ask you, does the Quran allow slaves? Did the prophet peace be upon him take slaves?
 
Culture is never ever separated from religion. Those people think that culture has nothing to do with religion are IDIOTS...
 
Thank You Natassia (I still remember you because Key say you ignore my points)

Religion is religion, culture is culture.
Did Muhammad ever preach to you to marry young girls?
Did Muhammad ever preach to us to take slaves?
Why you keep struggle in condemning Muhammad's Personality?
Do you think he is God without human desire?
Do you think Muhammad is inhuman character that didn't have human social live in his era?

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For example, because it was considered moral in that society to marry young girls, it was not immoral for Muhammad to have done so.

- Marry young girls is consider as the Nobleman Culture during his time. And He didn't preach to marry young girls (to us obviously). If you thing you don't want to marry young girls or boys, don't marry them.

But please be open minded to the differences. You are liberal right? the 7th Century (and even 19th Centuries) people aren't like us. as long as they didn't do anything wrong to their religion and culture, why should we bother?

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Or because it was considered moral in that society to take slaves and have concubines, it was not immoral for Muhammad to have done so.

- It is still OK to have slaves. I want to be slave to a good Muslim...

Not all people think like you Natassia. May be West aren't like me, but I'm happy if I find a good Muslim master...

Are you going to condemn me Natassia, because of our differences? I'm get straight "A's" for every examination I ever pass (including Cambridge A level).
And I pursue my medical degree right now. Am I stupid and barbaric?

Com'on Natassia, please be open minded to me. (I though you are more liberal?)

p/s: AND... Muhammad didn't have slave. He freed all his slave

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Or because it was considered moral in that society to have multiple wives, it was not immoral for Muhammad to have done so.
- Multiple wives? If you don't want to have multiple wives (because you think your wives will jealous etc like HAGAR and SARAH), don't take it. But condemning the other people that have multiple wives is not open minded to. Why should you open their tent to look into their penis and vagina?

I mean, how much of the Quran is based on cultures and traditions of the times?
- Hmmm? Culture and Traditions? It still compatible until these day. Yeah you are correct, people and culture changes, but HUMAN hardly change.

We still think like like what human think 5000 years ago. Bashing the olden people because it is different culture
(do you think Roman feel OK with Arabic Tradition, and Arabs is OK with Americans and Paganist Tradition?) That is human. If we aren't then, we are different species. And Al-Quran is based on the nature of human, not the tradition.

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p/s:
And al-Quran is not a stories, or culture books. In facts, 2/3 of it is concerning the sign from God.

And Muhammad doesn't preach to marry young girls, having concubines, or multiple wives. He preach about God ALLAH.

I'm sinner, Natassia. But does it mean I'm not compatible of giving speech on Cardiovascular Disease?

Don't look into what people do. Muhammad might differ from us. But look into his teaching. The teaching is not about marrying a young girls...The teaching is about Allah and Islam.


If Key is here, don't ever promotes Natasia to choose me as best answer.

=)
 
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