I have a puppy. His name is Bentley and he lives in Dallas with my parents. Right now I am really missing this puppy. We had to send him to Texas because we were living in a small apartment and he got much bigger than the pound said that he would be. Also, we could not keep the house clean of his hairs, they got everywhere. He is really smart, but really lazy and he was always doing things to make me laugh. Sometimes he was a very bad puppy though. He has an affinity for all things plastic and accordingly chewed up three cell phones and 3 remote controls and a myriad of other small plastic thingies, the more expensive, the better (including an XBox game conroller and the wire on a power supply for my laptop). Now my Mom has to deal with his shenanigans, which are always pretty funny because she treats him like he is a person. Like she will say, "oh I am mad at Bentley today so I am not talking to him," or "Bentley is mad at us, so he is pouting." I think that this crazy dog thinks that he is a human. He is part beagle and part lab, we think (or something else maybe?) I think that he is the cutest dog in the world, but then again, maybe I am biased.
Playing in the snow. This is the first time he ever saw snow when we took him to Dallas.
He is a hard working dog, riiiiight.
Ok, this is by far the cheesiest post I have done so far, sorry :).
Awww, how adorable!!! Loved the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteBut wait, aren't you a Muslim "revert"? What do your fellow Muslims think about your puppy?
i think he is a doll!!! u must miss him very much!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Mash Allah, he is cute. I like dogs and cats too, but the hair is always a problem. We can't pray if there is even one stray hair on us...
ReplyDeleteI tried to live with some of my Christian relatives a couple years ago, but that only lasted a short while because of the dog hair all over the house...it was a mess to change clothes completely every time I wanted to pray! Needless to say, I moved out a soon as I could.
He is such a cutie!!! I bet your mom is going to have a hard time giving him back!!!:)
ReplyDeletetoooooo cute! lol I had a cat and my mom used to talk about him the same way like "he's having issues today, I'm just going to give him his space" lol
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments! I think he is an obnoxiously cute dog. Now that my parents have him, I don't think that I can take him back from them. Especially because they are new empty nesters and I think he is really helping them by being someone else that they can take care of (especially my mom, lol).
ReplyDeleteAs for the Muslims and dogs issues, there are actually several viewpoints. Of course I am not a scholar, but it seems that there is a consensus that dog hair and saliva are najis (ritually impure), and therefore you cannot pray if you have dog hair on your clothes or in the place where you pray. This was difficult for us living in a tiny apartment because his hair seemed to migrate even when he wasn't allowed in a room.
There are some Muslims who think that you cannot have a dog in your house at all, but I don't personally see this as concrete because it is a hadith and there are stories in the Qur'an about dogs living among humans (The Companions of the Cave). When you hear about Muslims being afraid of dogs or running away from them or thinking that they are evil, this is cultural superstition that is common in societies where dogs are not normally kept as pets. Allah (swt) teaches us to love all his creations and dogs are part of that creation. In fact, there are many stories about our Beloved Prophet treating dogs with kindness.
To sum it up, it is my personal opinion that there is nothing inherently wrong with dogs, just as long as you keep their hair/saliva from the areas where you pray and also change your clothes after coming into contact with them. Of course, this makes it difficult to keep a dog that is in the house 24/7 :).
lol at the tie and shirt picture! too cute! Is this the dog i met 4th of July?
ReplyDeleteand yeah, dogs aren't haram in any way....and the rulings are just on wet hair and saliva. If people didn't have dogs there would be mangy looking dogs running around everywhere like in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm familiar with the explanation you gave.
ReplyDelete"To sum it up, it is my personal opinion that there is nothing inherently wrong with dogs, just as long as you keep their hair/saliva from the areas where you pray and also change your clothes after coming into contact with them. Of course, this makes it difficult to keep a dog that is in the house 24/7 :)."
I don't know if you mean change your clothes after every contact, or change your clothes after contact and before praying. Even then, that would at least be 5 times a day, if you pray all five. Like you said, it makes it difficult to keep a dog inside the house. But as you also know, American custom is not to keep dogs primarily for safety purposes--and therefore, outside the house. Like your dog, most dogs are considered members of the family.
Muslims who have never had dogs, or have never given the poor animal a chance because they grew up with this fear or idea that they are impure, will never understand why their feelings are so absolutely ridiculous. In third world countries where dogs are not traditionally kept as pets (let's try to feed people first!), it's fine if you don't take much interest in dogs. However, you really shouldn't pollute American culture with this idea.
Wayfarer and SM: Don't you think it's a little unfair for you to find so-called scholars that agrees with your opinion, in this case about dogs, and then feel perfectly fine having them. I realize you both converted to Islam so didn't grow up in Muslim communities. But just ask your fellow Muslims who did. Most mainstream muslims will tell you how wrong it is to have dogs, how impure and haram. Fine, newer generations have different attitudes. But the point is: you're just finding opinions that support your own. No wonder it is so easy to be Muslim.
ReplyDeleteWayfarer- Nope that is a different dog, I was just dog sitting that one for my prof.
ReplyDeleteAnon(1)- I don't really think that considering dogs as najis is polluting American culture, (I mean, what is American culture anyways?) Maybe I misunderstood your statement. I guess the bottom line is that I can understand why people don't want to keep dogs in the house, because it is very difficult. Actually, before this dog, all the dogs my family had were outside dogs (border collies). They only came in if it was really cold outside, they liked being outside better because that was their nature as sheep dogs.
Anon(2)- Don't we all just pick the scholars that support our own opinions? If you tried to follow impartially the opinion of every scholar out there, you would be unable to function as a human being. That is why I listen to what scholars have to say, but ultimately make decisions for myself about what I think is right and wrong, because ultimately, I am the one who is going to have answer for my deeds. Otherwise, I totally respect your opinion and those of other Muslims who disagree with keeping dogs and that is your right to feel that way. As mentioned before, the practicality of keeping dogs inside the house is almost impossible. And I personally think that it is NOT easy to be a Muslim, especially one who thinks for herself.
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ReplyDeleteAww, wayfarer, no worries. I hope you are feeling better soon. Don't let anyone bother you.
ReplyDeleteWell, my little puppy certainly caused a bit of a stir :). That is ok, I don't mind a little bit of rational Q&A as long as it doesn't turn nasty, so don't feel bad about asking questions.
"Americans don't have the kind of repulsive reaction to dogs that a lot of Muslims overseas do, and in fact, a lot of American Muslims do. Wouldn't you agree with that?"
I guess the point that I was trying to make is that a revulsion of dogs or considering that they are "evil" is totally cultural and not within the teachings of normative Islam. There are other cultures living in the U.S. who are afraid of dogs or don't consider them as pets(I am not going to specify because I don't want to stereotype just because of what I have heard about other cultures). I personally subscribe to the concept of America as a pluralistic society and not a "melting pot" requiring assimilation, but you are right, that is definitely beyond the scope of this discussion.
"As for everyone picking the scholars that support our own opinions, you can only go so far with this view. At some point, you have to wonder if you're even Muslim any more."
I am a Muslim because I believe in the veracity of the Holy Qur'an and try my best to live my life my its teachings (insha'Allah) and because I believe that there is only one God, Allah (swt) and the Prophet Muhammed (as) is his messenger. Everything else after that is the rulings of scholars, of which there are millions which oftentimes contradict each other. Is there some invisible line that once you cross you stop being a Muslim in deed and are only a nominal Muslim? Yes. Do I know where that line is? No. Who does know? Allah (swt) who is the only one who has the right to judge who is Muslim and who is not. I will continue to live my life by what I think is right.
"And I personally think that it is NOT easy to be a Muslim, especially one who thinks for herself."
"If you think for yourself, it implies to me that you thought hard before you "reverted" to Islam. What was it about Islam that especially appealed to you? You studied the religion and found it entirely acceptable to you and your way of life."
This would take a looong post to explain beyond here. Suffice to say it was a long time of study and personal introspection that led me to believe that Islam was the correct religion for me and my way of life.
"If you were just going to be picking and choosing, why didn't you just pick and choose from the religion of your parents?"
Because both of my parents religions subsrcibce to the Divinity of Jesus Christ (as), I could not in good conscience continue to follow them as I never followed this belief, even before I converted to Islam. There is a difference between picking and choosing among the words of mere men (scholars) and picking and choosing from the commands of the Almighty. When he says worship only him, that is what I follow. I still have immense respect for all members of Ahl-Al-Kitab and a wonderful relationship with my parents who have accepted me and my faith.
Also, I don't mind answering your questions and even a little (light hearted debate), but I would appreciate if you don't deride other posters to my blog. I am trying to create a welcome environment for everyone to post here. Thanks!
Yes, according to which sources you believe, early Christians did not subscribe to the theory that Christ was divine, and Christ himself did not preach this either (if you follow the Muslim POV/interpretaion of the New Testament). The concept of Christ's divinity and the trinity are notably Pauline doctrines. I am by no means an expert in Early Christian history though. An excellent book on the viewpoint of Muslims on the role of Jesus (as) in Islam and the imposition of Trinitarian concepts in Christianity is, Jesus: Prophet of Islam, if you are interested. At this point in history, I am unaware of any Christian sects that do not ascribe divinity to Christ.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I don't know much about Buddhism, but I think that some Buddhist sects ascribe divinity to the Buddha and that Buddhism's concepts of reincarnation and that there is not One Supernatural and All powerful being in charge of creation would be contrary to my personal theological viewpoints.
Also, there are many practicalities about Islam that are appealing to me, especially in regard to women's rights and connection with the Creator through prayer and fasting, as well as attempting to live a pure lifestyle. Of course, it is possible to live these things without specifically subscribing to a Muslim framework, but it fits for me.
BTW, I don't like the term kaafir, as IMO, only Allah (swt) can judge who is kaafir and who is not.
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ReplyDeleteIf you want to call yourself a kaafir, that is your perogative. I'm just saying I don't judge and I don't know what is in your heart of hearts.
ReplyDeleteYou are entitled to your own opinions about religion in general and no one is forcing you to follow one, and I don't think that anyone ever should. Otherwise it would just be a farce, right?
"As a woman, I feel offended by your insistence (I presume you strongly believe in this) that Islam actually gives women [more] rights. You seem to be an intelligent woman and it honestly saddens me to see that you've bought into the women's rights nonsense that Islam preaches. It's too easy to take all that is bad about Islam and stick it to the various cultures of Muslim people. But those cultures developed and continue to develop in light of Islam."
Those cultures also developed and continue to develop under the weight of colonialism, parochialism, tyranny and despotism that have kept them from realizing the rights that Islam promises to women. How much do you know about women's rights in Islam? As far as world religions goes it offers the most advanced, IMO, when you come right down to the Scriptures. Of course this does not matter to you, because you don't follow any religion. But for those of us who do, it is important. Women's rights in the U.S. (a "secular" society) have only developed to those allowed in Islam in the past century (i.e. right to own property, right to vote, right to a legal identity apart from that of your husband). I will reiterate that the rights of women in so-called "Muslim" countries are ridiculous twistings of the original teachings, which you may blame on Islam, but I blame on culture and centuries of delegation to a position as second-class world citizens.
I really don't have much more to say than that.
I am really not going to go into whole debate about women's rights and post colonial muslim societies. That is a long topic and many scholars (by this I mean Phd's) have written much more eloqunetly and wholely than I, especially with two thick texts on Antitrust and Conflict of Laws staring me in the face.
ReplyDeleteSpecifically regarding Ayah 4:34 dealing with women who have cheated on their husbands, see this article for an explanation.
http://www.yuksel.org/e/religion/unorthodox.htm#BEATING
and this one
http://www.answering-christianity.com/beating_no.htm
I can't explain to you why I need God and a religious system, in means acceptable to you, while you can't explain why you don't, in means acceptable to me. I am willing to accept you for who you are, I can't change you through my words, only Allah (swt) can guide those whom he will. I don't think that we can solve the conflicts between Atheism (or Agnosticism) on this little blogger board :). I'm done with this debate, it has helped me procrastinate nicely from school work. Thanks for your opinoins.