| September 2013
1. DEAR ABE: I am preparing to observe Hajj this year. The symbolic stoning of Satan is one of the rituals performed during Hajj, but why is it not mentioned in the Quran? Is it a ritual that I should be performing? –ABBUD, SOUTHEAST ASIA
DEAR ABBUD: The Quran is fully detailed for religious law [1], while the details of religious duties were passed down to us through Abraham [2]. The Quran corrects corrupted religious duties, such as the tone used during Contact Prayers; but does not detail all of the religious rituals [3]. Thus, when Mohammad was observing Obligatory Salat Prayers, the prayers were those handed down through the generations from Abraham. The ritual you mention was a ritual we follow which came to us since the time of Abraham. It is one of the rituals that believers should perform at the time of Hajj [4].
Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 6:113-115, 10:37, 31:27; [2] 16:123, 22:78, Appendix 9 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa ; [3] 17:110; [4] Appendix 15,Pilgrimage: Hajj of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.
2. DEAR ABE: In most verses of the Quran, Allah says "Your wife or wives.” Why does it not say "Your spouses?” In the Bible, God says "Your spouses.” Does Allah intend to speak only to men in the Quran? Why do I see very few verses about women? –SUTAPA, INDIA
DEAR SUTAPA: Most of the Quran verses in Arabic say “Your spouses” [1] . Translators, especially in India and Pakistan, translate as “Your wife or wives,” rather than the more accurate meaning of “Your spouses.” There are Quran verses that speak of the equality of men and women, so we know God does not have a preference [2]. Thus, it is the bias or inaccuracies of the translator, rather than the Quran, that leaves the impression that God intends to not address the women.
Relevant Quran Verses: Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 2:25, 16:72, 23:6, 30:21; [2] 33:35, 4:25, 4:57, 13:23.
3. DEAR ABE: My Muslim girlfriend and I have been talking recently about eloping. What would happen if we marry without telling her family? –JAMES, CANADA
DEAR JAMES: The answer to your question lays in common sense. Muslim women and the families they belong to come in all shapes and forms; from extremely liberal to very conservative. The family’s initial reaction and subsequent conduct will reflect their conviction. Islam prescribes limited specifications to follow if two people want to marry; which includes engagement, dowry, qualifying that the intended spouses are of appropriate age, and a few other actions [1]. A big question for you to consider is the relationship both of you wish to maintain after marriage with her parents and your parents. Obviously such decisions should be well thought about and discussed. The following link is about marriage in the religion of Islam (Submission in English) [2].
Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 2:235, 2:221, 5:5; [2] Islam Unraveled.org article, about Marriage.
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