1. DEAR ABE:  I  have been told that prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Peace Be Upon Him) is ok to celebrate. But I believe it is a bid’ah and falls into wrong worship practices. Do you agree? If you do then tell me where in the Quran it says not to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday?  –ABED, QATAR

DEAR ABED: When was the last time you or other traditional Muslims around you have celebrated the other messenger’s birthdays?  Personally, I have seen extravagant Mawlid celebrations for Muhammad’s birthday, yet I have not seen the traditional Muslims celebrate other messenger’s or prophet’s birthdays equally.  Thus, they are making a distinction and violating a number of Quran verses that require us to make no distinction among God’s messengers [1].

Relevant Quran Verses:  [1] 2:136, 2:285, 3:84, 4:150-152.

2. DEAR ABE: How do we know what words to start with during our Obligatory Salat Prayers?  Where do I find the complete correct steps for the Prayers in the Quran? –JAMES, SOUTH AFRICA

DEAR JAMES: One of the prevalent myths is that Muhammad was the founder of Islam, even though Abraham is reported as the first user of the word "Islam" and the one who called us "Muslims" [1]. Although our religious law is fully detailed in the Quran [2], our religious practices (Salat prayers, Zakat charity, fasting, and Hajj pilgrimage) were given to Prophet Abraham and passed on to us (and to Prophet Muhammad) generation to generation [3]. A proof of divine preservation of the Islamic practices given to Abraham is the "Universal Acceptance" of such practices. There is no dispute concerning the number of Rak`ahs in all five daily prayers.  The Quran only corrects corrupted inherited religious practice.  For example, the distorted ablution is restored to its original four steps, and the tone of voice during the contact prayers (Salat) was distorted -many Muslims pray silently.  This was corrected in the Quran [4]. [5].

3. DEAR ABE: Why do you say All Christians and Jews nowadays will enter heaven?  Is it not Allah’s decision alone who goes to heaven and hell???  You should not feed people who are trying to find the true way of Islam your false ideas or your own opinion. –SOFIA, U.S.A.

DEAR SOFIA: We never said nor do we advocate that all Christians or Jews or even Muslims will go to Heaven.  We do point out that there are minimum requirements set forth in God’s Scripture that, if met, will guarantee any person (no matter what they call themselves) happiness in the hereafter [1].  The Quran tells us that those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve [2]. [3]

Relevant Quran Verse: [1] 41:30-33;  [2] 2:62, 5:69;  [3] Appendix 17, Quran translation by R. Khalifa.

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