DukeCrow,
You said, "Now, some might try to say that I'm dodging the question by going to an outside source (the Prophet's teachings) to more fully explain the above verse on beating ones wife. However, there is nothing further from the truth. The Prophet's teachings are extremely important in guiding a Muslim as to how one should live their life. And, in this case, it helps to set the degree and circumstances of something which otherwise could be misinterpreted."
I agree with you 100%! As a matter of fact, one must use the Hadith (The Hadith, which is a record of the words and deeds of Muhammad, is also viewed by Muslims as inspired. Next to the Quran, it is the most important source of Islamic Law. It's teachings are regarded as binding on all Muslims, for those who do not know!) to complete the teachings of the Qu'ran. In my study of the Qu'ran, I found the Hadith MUST be read, as the Hadith completes the Qu'ran.
Now I wouldn't of brought this up if the thread hadn't gone here. But now that thread took this here, and you made the statement above, we have to seriously consider other teachings in the Hadith, to make an informed decision whether we should believe in its authority or not! (This is really uncomfortable for me to talk about, but these are in the Hadith, and really jumped out at me! I really am sincere in trying to understand Muhammad teachings and these verses! And for some reason, out of many verses I can bring up, these struck me in the past!)
These are some verses I studied with another Muslim that struck me in the Hadith, that we could not get definitive answers for:
Sahih Bukhari
Volume 1, Book 4, Number 215:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
Once the Prophet, while passing through one of the grave-yards of Medina or Mecca heard the voices of two persons who were being tortured in their graves. The Prophet said, "These two persons are being tortured not for a major sin (to avoid)." The Prophet then added, "Yes! (they are being tortured for a major sin). Indeed, one of them never saved himself from being soiled with his urine while the other used to go about with calumnies (to make enmiy between friends). The Prophet then asked for a green leaf of a date-palm tree, broke it into two pieces and put one on each grave. On being asked why he had done so, he replied, "I hope that their torture might be lessened, till these get dried."
Volume 1, Book 4, Number 234:
Narrated Abu Qilaba:
Anas said, "Some people of 'Ukl or 'Uraina tribe came to Medina and its climate did not suit them. So the Prophet ordered them to go to the herd of (Milch) camels and to drink their milk and urine (as a medicine). So they went as directed and after they became healthy, they killed the shepherd of the Prophet and drove away all the camels. The news reached the Prophet early in the morning and he sent (men) in their pursuit and they were captured and brought at noon. He then ordered to cut their hands and feet (and it was done), and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron, They were put in 'Al-Harra' and when they asked for water, no water was given to them." Abu Qilaba said, "Those people committed theft and murder, became infidels after embracing Islam and fought against Allah and His Apostle ."
These two really struck me as Muhammad drew a fine line in his teachings about urine. (I know he was a camel caravan driver, so he knew a lot about camels. But why would he include this in such an important book as the Hadith, the book that completes the Qu'ran? It seems now people have to weigh these verses with more substantial, important verses! I have always been confused by this!) Why are we forced to study about urine?
In the first case, a person was being tortured after death because he soiled himself with urine. In the second case, Muhammad instructed people to drink camel urine for medicinal purposes. That's a fine line don't you think, a person being punished in the afterlife for being soiled with his urine, while in the other case some one can drink camel urine and be healed. Is the distinction between the camel urine and the human urine? (I know this seems like a joke to some, or a mockery, but if Muhammad taught this, shouldn't we understand it and it take it very seriously? Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God to the Muslims!) Should we consider drinking camel urine as medicine if Muhammad said so?
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 516:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "If anyone of you rouses from sleep and performs the ablution, he should wash his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out thrice, because Satan has stayed in the upper part of his nose all the night."
Did Muhammad really think Satan stays in people noses at night?
I could go on, but this is enough! I really had major issues in studying the Hadith when I saw these teachings as I truly thought they didn't seem too important when studying matters of God. Maybe I am wrong and I should take this stuff more seriously, I don't know! But then I figured I was doing an extensive study of Islam, and figured I should try to find out the answers to the above Hadith verses, as difficult that it is for me.
But again, the Hadith completes the Qu'ran, and you need both for a full understanding of Islam. So the Hadith, and these teachings are hard to avoid. And in your opinion, (and in mine) we have to take them seriously.
Sorry for the awkward nature of the post! But I have studied these verses before with another Muslim and got no answers. Maybe you can help me or point me in the right direction ....
God Bless,
IGIT |
