I'm Muslim - ask me anything!

Did I spell that right? What do ya think of Jelal u'Din Rumi?

Actually, I am so overwhelmed with PEAS spelling simple wurds is gitting herd.

and why do the females have to cover their hair, and what if they don't want to? OK, i guess thats 3 questions, but i am curious. Thanks!

This is a thorny issue. Many more conservative Muslim women believe they must cover, but not everyone believes so. The Qu'ran says a woman should draw her veil across her bosom, but really is silent on the issue of covering the hair. I don't wear hijab myself; I just dress modestly (i.e., no more shorts or miniskirts). We're supposed to be modest and not draw attention to our bodies.

As for the segregation of the sexes, it sounds sexist, but it's so women won't be ogled while praying (I don't know if you've ever seen Muslims praying, but there's a lot of bending over). I have a hard time with this; the men should keep their noses in their own business, and it's not women's fault if men are pigs! When I have dinner parties in my home, I don't segregate; I think the conversation is much more interesting with a mix.

Things would be a lot better in this world if people just talked to each other!

They said they would be doing that. :(

:scared:

why the prophet Mohammad?

Muslims don't believe that Muhammad is a Messianic figure; he's the last prophet of God. Incidentally, we believe in Jesus; we just don't believe he's the son of God.

I love to learn how wrong I am.

Is there a concept of "messiah" in the Muslim faith?

I wasn't necessarily asking if Islam had certain commonalities with Christianity (considering its roots, how could it not?) but if the faith had the concept of a messiah.

I don't know how y'all go without food or water from rise to set.

We get up and eat before sunrise and break the fast at sunset. I always take Tylenol with breakfast so I won't get headaches. You get hungry, but you really don't dwell on it. I never feel the need to gorge in the evening. It teaches you patience, self-control and empathy for those who have nothing to eat.

I was passing out door hangers to get out the vote today in Reston, VA (heavy DEM part of No. VA). I had on my "People of Faith for Kerry-Edwards" button. A lovely Muslim lady walked up to me, smiled, and said "I love your button!" and took some flyer. It was a nice multicultural moment because I'm sure she saw me as a Christian. Thought I'd mention it.

Sexism seems to be a point of contention where Islam is concerned. But in reality, fundamentalism in the Christian religion is not much different. Look at Laura Bush vs Hillary Clinton. Clinton is a free thinker, highly educated, and transcended the position of first lady to become a U.S. Senator. Bush is largely subservient to W., and not a very dynamic first lady.

Seems to me that conservatives, to include both religions, tend to place women on a lower rung than men. As an atheist, or more aptly a non-theist, I have an equal relationship with my wife. She controls the household finances, I am not the responsible money-minded one. And we have equal say in most other things in the marriage. If we have a daughter I would want her to have the same opportunities as any other human being in our society.

I would ask specifically about Muslim head scarfs, voting rights, driving etc but I have just been ordered to the kitchen to clean. Equality can be tough sometimes. ;-)

I think Americans have a very skewed view of Muslims because all we see is what the media feeds us. The voting and driving issues are true in Saudi Arabia, but not in all Muslim countries. Much of it depends on culture, not just religion. My husband is Pakistani and highly encourages education. I'm a third-year law student; I had dropped out of college in 1984, and he encouraged me to go back to school and finish. Now look at me! His nieces in Pakistan are studying engineering and medicine. BTW, I was raised a Baptist, but converted after marriage because of my own study and consideration, not because he compelled me to do so. I feel more than equal.

Your right most Americans probably do have a skewed picture of Muslims. Having been around many Muslims in my field, medicine, and where I trained, NYC, your story is pretty typical of a modern Muslim family.

There is a trend toward less conservative thinking as one becomes more educated. It sounds like your family is very successful and supportive.

However, and I do not single out Islam on this. The more one retreats into religion as the sole means of dealing with or explaining the world. The more conservative one becomes and the less open to the equalities of others.

Bonus question: Was Mansur al-Hallaj being blasphemous or being accurate when he said "I am God" or "I am the truth"?

-SM

...that malls never have enough parking at Christmas?

After 9/11 I fell under the stereotypical view that Islam was a warmongering religion (sorry, I was a dumbass) and then I took the time to check things out myself.

My conclusion was that Islam is one of the most peaceful and tolerant religions in existence.

I would imagine the majority of Muslims are as indignant about the hijack of their religion as I am about the hijack of my country!