New to Islam from Glasgow, Scotland – On The Prophet’s ‘image’
IMAN President’s conversations (via email) with Sr Elena Vidican, a Romanian sister who recently converted to Islam. (EV: Elena Vidican; KO: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamar Oniah)
Date: Monday, 22 November, 2010, 8:04
KO: Salam Elena. Forwarding here a piece by Lauren Booth. It is inspiring. I love in particular the quotation below. Dr. Kamar
The sheikh who finally converted me at a mosque in London a few weeks ago told me: “Don’t hurry, Lauren. Just take it easy. Allah is waiting for you. Ignore those who tell you: you must do this, wear that, have your hair like this. Follow your instincts, follow the Holy Qur’an- and let Allah guide you.”
[Refer the article “Lauren Booth: I’m now a Muslim. Why all the shock and horror?” in the previous post]
Date: Sun, Dec 5, 2010
EV: Salam Dr. Kamar, Thank you once again for taking time to answer my questions.
I was thinking about the issue of the 'image' of the Prophet Muhammad. I understand that in Islam is not allowed to have pictures of the Prophet. Does it have to do with what it might lead to, such as idolatry? Also, I found at times (in books about Islam), descriptions of the Prophet, which naturally lead to His visualization in one's mind. Could that be portrait as something wrong?
Thank you, Elena
Date: Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 7:03 PM
KO: Wasalam Elena. There are many reasons why images of Prophets, not just Rasulullah are prohibited. It is not so much about idolatry per se but the inclination to idolize human beings. Take a look at how film and sport stars are idolized and how their pictures are posted with so much adoration. Idolatry actually started with adoration of certain figures or certain items. These figures are commemorated in various forms and eventually crafted and molded. As for visualizing anybody in our minds - that's all right for it is only imaginative, fantasy and so we know it is not actually what it is. And this fantasy is not consistent too cos with more info, more will be added or some dropped off. Tq for the question - as usual, you help me to think about things I had not given so much thought, and I enjoy this. Wassalam and take care. Dr Kamar
5 Feb 2010 -
IIUM will be organising a talk on kalimah Allah on Feb 5. Muslimin and muslimat are invited to join the program.
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From the President's Desk
I woke up before fajr this morning with a thought over Faridah's mail. In my previous two mails, I had explained to some details why I strongly believe not to get into a tango with people whose mission is to revise Islam for their own specific purposes, humiliate our 'ulama' and discredit mainstream Muslims....
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