I don't have proof the Quran is the word of God but it's something I strongly beleive.
On what basis? How do you know if there are so many different religions around the world, from sun worship to Ganesh the milk drinking elephant God?
I am sure I could also make all these religions make some sort of sense if I was willing to perform intellectual summersaults.
How do you know this is different from that order, that muhammed was simple a man of humble origins, either with schizotypal tendencies or an inflated agenda, who made up commands from God as he went along? Some of the flaws that we or others like Hassan have pointed out, or those that you 'dont know', could be explained by this?
You certainly need to rule this out as an option before you make assumptions that this religion only came into existence 1400 years ago, when man has been around for 250,000 years, and all these religions seem to have been only delivered to one very small part of the world?
You are asking me to provide proof for the Quran whereas you have no proof for the Uthman caliphate story.
Of course there's proof, its accepted in Islam.
I am actually disappointed you did not already know about how this book came together according to muslims scholars, yet you are prepared to believe in it and perform genital mutilation, eat halal products only, reject eating one animal entirely, pray, devote time towards it, all for something that you have no proof and some would consider pie-in-the-sky.
You already know that humans have a tendency not only to create false religions, but also to follow them. You then need to ask youself how you really know, what separates Islam & the rest of religions from the crowd. I came to the conclusion that it did not, and in anything it was more likely to be false that others, such as buddhism. Although I am agnostic, as I believe this is the only honest stance anyone can take. Dont you? Also do polytheist & atheist have their eyes repeatedly fried in your hell, be bitten by 7-headed snakes whose poison is enough to melt the earth and hit repeated on the forehead with metal hammers?
Angel54, the only thing I can say here is that all scholars on Islam agree that any hitting should be light and should not leave a bruise or mark.
That's what the scholars say after allowing the modern societal values to dictate their understandings, a pattern I note is being repeated. You must understand the book of Allah is 'mubeen' i.e. clear. It should be, as Allah would not want differing messages to be inferred unwittingly
Please explain the purpose of this hitting?
We also know the prophet never hit any of his wives and should try to follow his example. Not the answer you were looking for but you backed me into a corner.
No, we dont know that - in fact how are you going to know if only the literature you are willing to accept is that which Allah dictated, and are not willing to accept any sahih literature on his life & times? In fact in the sahih literature, it does in fact claim he hits Aisha..
When sleeping with Aisha, Muhammad surreptitiously left his bed and went to the graveyard at Baqi.
Aisha followed and watched what the prophet doing; when the prophet found out, according to Sahih Muslim Book 4:2127, 'He struck me on the chest which caused me pain'
''I've been dying to ask a Quran-only Muslim, since you don't follow Hadiths, how do you how to pray, how do you know the details of Mohammed's life, and therefore how do you know what is Sunnah?''
I already stated that there are certain hadiths that extend on prayer, charity and other rulings on the Quran - I accept these hadiths although I know there may be minor differences in the way I pray etc. compared to other Muslims - I don't see this as a big problem.
To be honest I don't know what is correct Sunnah - I believe it is up to us as indivduals to use our logic and intellect to decide which Sunnah are correct.
Can you see how this suggestion is widely open to confirmation bias and incorrect interpretation & understanding? Couldnt Allah have told you how to pray in at least the Quran?
Islame, well I think it's quite likely he created living beings from more than just one ingredient don't you? Also as far as I am aware the 'water' is the only one mentioned for 'all living beings' all the rest are specific for humans thus perhaps suggesting water is of fundamental importance?
I cant imagine you really believe God made each of us from all those ingredients listed, including dead people. Try imagining one your professors at Cambridge telling you that, and let me know how seriously you would take them!
allat, no probs - I appreciate and understand where all your questions are coming from. I do however feel a lot of people have a perception of Islam that is not at all accurate - in my opinion of course.
I understand that, its how I felt as a Muslim too! With hindsight, my impression is that you have not studied Islam as thoroughly & objectively as you might have and assume you want it to be true to give you hope, purpose & direction.