1. DEAR ABE: Do Muslims accept the New Testament account of Jesus (aside from claims to divinity) such as the virgin birth and his miracles and teachings? – VICTOR, NEW ENGLAND

DEAR VICTOR: We believe Jesus was “The Messiah, the son of Mary,…a messenger of God, and His word that He had sent to Mary, and a revelation from Him.”[1]  We believe Jesus was supported with the Holy Spirit [2].  We believe in the virgin birth [3].  We believe God taught Jesus “…the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel…" and that Jesus confirmed “previous scripture - the Torah - and (he did) revoke certain prohibitions...”[4]  We also believe Jesus was supported with miracles and proofs such as creating a live bird from clay, restoring vision to the blind, healing the leprous, reviving the dead, and speaking from the crib as an infant [5].

2. DEAR ABE:  I am a Muslim married to a Christian woman.  How do I set up my will’s inheritance distribution?  Do I have to follow the Quran’s inheritance percentages for my wife and all else who have rights to my estate? – MOHAMMED A.

DEAR MOHAMMED:  The Quran commands us to write a will and gives the freedom to distribute your property after your death as you wish (based on your circumstances) [1].  The main guidelines for a Muslims will is to be unbiased and just [2].  The Quran gives clear guidance to property distribution if one dies intestate, or, without a will [3].  Many so called Muslim countries do not even allow the option of writing a will and have mandated as law the Quran’s intestacy distribution. Obviously not allowing individuals to write a will goes against the Quran. In conclusion, if one dies without a will, local law will determine the distribution of the inheritance, but it is best for the individual to determine the most just distribution.

Relevant Quran Verses:  [1]2:180, 4:11;  [2] 2:180-182, 4:9, 5:106-108;  [3] 4:7-14.

3. DEAR ABE: Is it forbidden or haram in Islam to watch TV? –FRAN, NEW YORK

DEAR FRAN:  There is absolutely nothing wrong in watching TV.  We are not permitted to create and impose man-made rules that God never made [1].  Thus, watching television is allowed, or halal compared to disallowed, or haram. As with any other activity, commonsense should be utilized and the bad aspects of TV should be avoided [2].  All religious law is fully detailed in the Quran and we encourage you to study its translation in order to understand God's words and laws [3].  

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 10:57-60, 16:116, 42:21;  [2] 6:120, 42:37;  [3] 6:19, 6:114-115, 12:111, 73:4-5.

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