What is Free-Minds.org?

[Tajir]

I know its linked to Islam, however something about it tells me that the site entails of unorthodox practices...

Anyone, maybe Jankren or KillerxGuy, as I've seen the links in your Sigs, would like to explain further about this site.

And I have checked the site for an "About Us" section or mission statement, I ran empty, so please give me the site's definition in your best words.

[Lunar4]

google "Nation of Gods and Earths"

[Yosemite]

google "Nation of Gods and Earths"

Does it has anything to do with the website? I can't see the connections.

[jankren]

google "Nation of Gods and Earths"

What the hell is that?

Anyway, free-minds.org is basically where people who believe in the 'Sola Scriptura' concept of Islam shares their opinions and knowledge. It is not really a movement and everyone has different opinions.

[Tajir]

Can you tell me anything more about it..I just got a slight taste from your descriptions.

Is it an approach to Islam, interpretation maybe? A liberal community of Muslims?

What is Sola Scriptura??

[jankren]

What is Sola Scriptura??

Scripture only. No traditions and no customs. Honestly, I do not think you will like the concept though. You seem to be quite 'extreme' so I guess you would probably see us as kafir.

[AngryTitusPullo]

I know its linked to Islam, however something about it tells me that the site entails of unorthodox practices...

Anyone, maybe Jankren or KillerxGuy, as I've seen the links in your Sigs, would like to explain further about this site.

And I have checked the site for an "About Us" section or mission statement, I ran empty, so please give me the site's definition in your best words.

It's something like trying to get the muslims back to the true path. Basically trying to separate Islam, the Ad-Din and Islam the culture (as is what is Islam according to each culture).

There's are issues that I don't agree though but many issues are also what I've had in mind before I read these.

[RZZZA]

Nations of Gods and Earth is an offshoot of the american Nation of Islam. They are more commonly called the 5% Nation. They are considered highly heretical by traditional islam because they deviate from the qu'ran and its teachings. They call themselves and every other black man "God", they adhere to their own alphabet and their own mathematics system...called The Supreme Alphabet and The Supreme Mathematics.

Theyre a bit nutty but their professed goal seems benign enough, self actualization, empowerment, enlightenment. I'm not one to judge nutty religions though, to me they all pretty much sound nutty.

[AngryTitusPullo]

Nations of Gods and Earth is an offshoot of the american Nation of Islam. They are more commonly called the 5% Nation. They are considered highly heretical by traditional islam because they deviate from the qu'ran and its teachings. They call themselves and every other black man "God", they adhere to their own alphabet and their own mathematics system...called The Supreme Alphabet and The Supreme Mathematics.

Theyre a bit nutty but their professed goal seems benign enough, self actualization, empowerment, enlightenment. I'm not one to judge nutty religions though, to me they all pretty much sound nutty.

From what I know of Nation of Islam, despite it's name it's an organization by and for the black people in America. Their organization is one base on race or nationalism, like the PLO for example.

Now, we know that there's no black or white in Islam, no red or yellow. According to Islam, God will not judge a person by gender, or whether he is Arab or not, or whether he's white or black but only by piety.

[PurpleScotch]

Free-minds is a site that shows people what the Quran wants and nothing else...it's Islam based on only the Quran, like no "bearded" Imams or anything.
Just read through the intro and you'll get my idea.

[Tajir]

Free-minds is a site that shows people what the Quran wants and nothing else...it's Islam based on only the Quran, like no "bearded" Imams or anything.
Just read through the intro and you'll get my idea.

The bearded Imams are only following the beautiful appearance of our prophet (pbuh), not only him, but Jesus (pbuh) and many other late prophets.

Its got less to do with tradition as it does using the prophets as role models.

I won't knock you guys though, the great majority of my family is Sufi, its the reason why I went the direction of the Salaf, even though I still have liberal and Sufi practices and tendencies.

One question though; do you guys follow the Hadith?

And lastly, I always thought it was the early Arabian culture of the Ashaaba, that mixed deeply with Persian, Asian, Caucasian, and African muslim nations that brought us together. Growing up personally in a Turkish-African household, I never felt distant from my Arab neighbors, especially in the mosque.

If Muslims follow the path of Islam in an empty shell, it kills the atmosphere of cultural closeness, especially from differing backgrounds. After all, it was Islam that opened my family to this culture of brotherhood.

Just my opinion above, but I'd like some answers too.

[jankren]

One question though; do you guys follow the Hadith?

Im not gonna speak for everybody but as for myself I believe hadiths references outside Al Quran are merely historical records which in NO WAY divine and 100% authentic coming from Muhammad since hadith itself is only a REPORTED SAYING of the Prophet.

The bearded Imams are only following the beautiful appearance of our prophet (pbuh), not only him, but Jesus (pbuh) and many other late prophets.

Its got less to do with tradition as it does using the prophets as role models.

We are only supposed to take Muhammad as a role model in terms of his behavior such as patience, kindness and steadfastness as shown in Al Quran. In my opinion it is okay for anyone to wanna look EXACTLY in appearance like a man who lived in 7AD but I personally think it is pointless.

Peace,

[Yosemite]

I see that sunnis ptay five times a day, while in the quran it's written 3? Why they do more?

[MasterAdnin]

I see that sunnis ptay five times a day, while in the quran it's written 3? Why they do more?

You see, it is Shiite belief, and apparently the Qu'ran, that the Prophet(pbuh) would read Fajar at dawn, Duhur and Asar at mid-day, then Magrib and Isha at night. Apparently, Sunni's read them all seperatley, while Shiites group them as above.

Adnan

[Saladin45]

Quite interesting. I can understand seperating Islam from the tradition. (Such as traditions as the Saudi Arabian government mixing tradition with Sharia law) One thing though I would like to know. And please, no one feel any sort of way about this. But, what is the majority of the site? As in, what group represents this site?

Oh, I also was reading. I found the site quite interesting on their definitions. Especially how they described things that most people feel nervous about. For example the subject of Jihad. I think they explained it quite well. Very informational site.

-Saladin

[Osceola]

Of course another path for Muslims looking for a more sane version of their faith, could be to follow in the footsteps of their American and European brethren and consider atheism or less radically, agnosticism?

That right there really would eliminate almost all conflicts between us, maybe then we can be brethren.

[AngryTitusPullo]

Of course another path for Muslims looking for a more sane version of their faith, could be to follow in the footsteps of their American and European brethren and consider atheism or less radically, agnosticism?

That right there really would eliminate almost all conflicts between us, maybe then we can be brethren.

Nope. Abandoning religion did not stop crime in the west. You might be strong physically and materially but your soul is empty.

[Sadreddine]

Of course another path for Muslims looking for a more sane version of their faith, could be to follow in the footsteps of their American and European brethren and consider atheism or less radically, agnosticism?

So, what you intend to say, is that a "more sane version of faith" is the lack of it? You should be more objective, don't you think?

Now, about the hadith...the problem with it is that sometimes its importance is equalled with that of the Qur'an. The Qur'an is considered to be the Word of God inspired to the Prophet (s); the hadith are not. They can't have the same importance, by all reasonings. I do not consider the Hadith to be infallible at all; if anything, they can be regarded as complementary to the Qur'an. I personally can cherrypick hadiths, whilst I would never cherrypick the Qur'an. Which does not mean I despise the hadith but, due to the very process of development and selection, one should take them with a grain of salt, even those considered good and fully reliable.

Too much importance placed in the hadith can be dangerous, basically due to misconceptions or lack of a due contextualization.

[Yosemite]

Okay so i also read that sunni pray on the prophet. Their goal is to mimic the prophet the best they can. But the prophet never prayed on himself did he? So why praying anyone else than God?

[Sadreddine]

Sunnis do not pray to Muhammad (s), but for Muhammad.

A muslim should pray only to God whatever the sect he/she belongs to. Praying to a dead man is pointless, and absurd. However since it is a christian practice, and due to prolongued contact, some muslims may feel tempted to pray at some dead "saint's" tomb. That is against the essential teachings of Islam.