1. DEAR ABE: I wanted to know how you felt about the mosque being built near Ground Zero in New York? Personally, if the mosque is being built by real Muslims who are benevolently motivated to make a difference, them I'm all for it. If it is being built by people who wish to open old wounds and establish Sharia law in America then I do not want it built.  –BENSON, NEW JERSEY

DEAR BENSON: We are okay with Cordoba House, or Park51 Islamic Community Center and Mosque because the law of the land (USA) should remain supreme to a true Muslim [1]. The Quran advocates absolute freedom of religion which is practiced more in the USA than any other country. Also, the U.S. laws state that mutually acceptable transactions should not be interfered with; in this case, the sale of private property a few blocks from the site of the 9/11 attack [2].  However, those involved with the NYC mosque, like the majority of Muslims, have set aside the Quran in favor of manmade laws called Hadith and Sunnah written 200+ years after the death of Prophet Mohammad [3]. Hadith and Sunnah are used in Sharia Law. There is no such thing as Sharia law in the Quran [4].

Relevant Quran Verses:  [1] 4:59; [2] 4:29; [3] Appendix 19 of Quran translation by R. Khalifa; [4] Appendix 18 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.

2. DEAR ABE: I am traveling out of the country this Ramadan for 4 days and it will be difficult for me to fast during my business trip. Which days can I break my fast?  Should I break my fast only during the traveling hours?  Also, am I supposed to feed a poor person instead of making up my missed days? –HUSSAIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

DEAR HUSSAIN: You must make that decision using the guidance in the Quran, since you know your situation best. If you are traveling or are ill, you are permitted to not fast and substitute an equal number of fasting days at another time [1].  So, if you think you are in the "travel mode" the entire trip then you need not fast throughout the whole trip. If, however, you feel it is necessary for only parts of the trip such as the flying days, then you would not fast only on those travel days.  Your days of missing fast can be made up at a later date [2].  If you cannot make up the fasting out of difficulty, you are permitted to feed one needy person for each day missed [3].

Relevant Quran Verses:  [1] 2:184; [2] 2:183-187; [3] 2:184.

3. DEAR ABE: During this month of Ramadan, I would like to pray nightly Ramadan Tarawih prayers.  Must I perform twenty to complete the Taraweeh prayers?  Or is eight enough?  –MAHIR, PAKISTAN

DEAR MAHIR: There is no such thing as Tarrawi, Tarawi, or Salaat a Tarive prayers sanctioned in the Quran [1]. Therefore, Taraweeh as Salat has no basis in the Quran. God, the Author of the Quran has authorized only five daily Contact (Salat) Prayers together with the congregational Friday prayers. Any additional Salat prayers outside of the authorized Obligatory prayers are not sanctioned by God, even during the blessed month of Ramadan [2].

Relevant Quran Verses:  [1] 6:114-115, 12:111, 7:52;  [2] 22:78, Appendix 9 and Appendix 15 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.

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