A few questions about Islam

Ok, I'm scared to ask these questions, as I posted them at the end of a thread that was 'locked' and I genuinely wanted to know the answers. The answers can be sent by Pm if preferred...
Anyway, sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place

*deep breath*

I'm not very educated in Islam. Might I ask, where does the name Allah originate? And by definition, what does it mean? Also, within the Quaran, is there any scripture/verse which states itself to be a book inspired of God? And why is Jesus viewed as only a Prophet, as opposed to The Messiah? I'be heard it mentioned that Islam preaches all religions lead to God? If so, is it right so many Muslims encourage Islam as the only way? What do Muslims believe Jesus died for? I ask everything out of genuine interest so please do not presume otherwise.

Thank you to Max who has kindly and discreetly answered my post :)

I wanted to answer here, but maybe not now... I'm too sleepy, it's about midnight :p

"Sorry"

Feel free to answer when you're not so sleepy... Haha no worries :)

Simply put, Jesus profit or messiah. Some religions argue how the written word describes his arrival. Son of god? vs. a purveyor of god?

See..all this religious crap really gets to me...what I was brought up with and, as I've said many times I dumped it....because it really didn't add up....Jesus was the messiah and Moses the prophet....you know the guy ...who spent 40 days and nights in the desert and came back with the 10 commandments..that guy? Really..they were cast in stone slabs or something so....I'm pretty sure after 40 days and nights without food he'd have been knackered (fatigued) so....yeah..pretty much crap!

I have PMed u:)

Hellon, my brother did a 40 day fast with my church, strictly water....and he was not fatigued. First week he was hungry obviously, but he got plenty of sleep at night, read the bible and prayed when he was hungry and found strength in God if he ever felt the need to eat. Its actually pretty amazing what your body can do with a certain mindset. Things like that aren't impossible when you have faith.

Hellon, you can last for 40 days and even more while fasting because your liver stores glycogen that is transformed into glucose. Also there is storage in your adipose tissues and muscles. So in fact, 40 days doesn't affect much your body storage. You will lose body water, yes, but you can tolerate 40 days.

Hellon, what were you brought up to believe? My mother was the same; she dropped everything in the churches/religion. The majority was at best vague baloney and no one ever answered her questions. She actually found answers by having a proper Bible study with people who know what they're talking about.

Nope, will not interrogate, interject, or invite igneous innuendo on this topic. This one is between the Bible readers and Qur'an scholars. I am neither.

But. if anyone would like to know what my religion says (Dr. Google), I will be happy to provide my ignoramus i-wisdom. :)

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Chelsey, that was an amazing feat for your brother. Usually that lengthy fast for someone not used to it will land them in the hospital. Belief in God can do miracles. Side note- Extensive water only fasts are routine in some religions, eg In Jainism during and before Pajyushan, some devout believers will fast through the entire month or month. But, this guy probably holds the world record on fasting:
382 days, losing 276 lbs (@ 0.7 lb/day), pooping only every 37-48 days in a supervised medical setting. (Published in Postgraduate Med journal Mar 1973).
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And LP ^^, your info on Glycogen stores sustaining life's ready fuel (ATP molecules) is only true for the first 1-2 weeks, unless the person goes in full hibernation (like a frog).
Most normal individuals use all 3 sources of energy (Glycogen, fat and protein) almost daily, though glycogen stores are the most used. During extended starvation a person survives by Neoglucogenesis (generation of ATP molecules by other sources such as fats, proteins) only. Glycogen stored in the muscle, liver and adipocytes will run out first within days depending on the level of activity of the person, before neoglucogenesis will fully take over, in multiple steps that you already learnt in Biology/Biochemistry ( or Pre-med).
However, for all the folks who really want to lose their "fatty pockets", you really have to do moderate cardio exercise > 40 minutes to even deplete your muscle glycogen completely to be able to make the switch to FFA, glycerol and other byproducts of fat metabolism to be burnt by the muscle powerburners. Don't you wish it was easier to lose the surpluses... :)
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And Twiggy, my apologies for interjection.

No apology necessary :)

Twiggy....to answer your question...I was raised as a catholic. Back then the mass was totally in Latin so unless you were also a priest you had no idea what the service was about. You went to mass back then simply because you were told it was a mortal sin not to and....if you died with a mortal sin on your soul you were doomed and would definately go to hell. The only part of the mass that was in english was when the priest climbed onto the pulpit to frighten the lives out of us. Families were supposed to give a percentage of their income to the chapel....I lived in a very poor neighbourhood and, with contraception also being frowned upon there were kids going without in order for this money to be paid.

The catholic religion is one of the wealthiest in the world and....I sure as hell know why.

Hi Twiggy! The best way for answering all of your questions is to get the English version of the Quran and read. That's because some information and realities even the real muslim has not to deviate from when answering such precise and fine questions and to avoid criticism as well. For example, there're some differences between a Prophet and a Messenger and Prophet Ibrahim was a prophet whereas his son Ismail was both a prophet and a messenger and so were Jesus and Moses, each of them was a prophets and a messenger as written in our Quran. So I, myself, face difficulties to answer such questions since my weak spoken english cannot interpret the answers 100 percent but just try to do my best in revealing realities. For the English natives it appears more simple to pick it up at once and understand.

Khalid...I think I've spoken with you in the past and I know you seldom come on the main boards but....your suggestion about reading the english version of the Quran just doesn't work because...I and some others have tried to do so and when we quote passages we are told the translation is incorrect and words were lost in said translation so we are totally lost in trying to undestand through these books and...that's why we ask questions...hope you understand?

With regards to Messiahs and prohets...according to the catholic religion Jesus was the messiah and Moses the messenger...I'm still trying to work out what a prophet is to this day....can't get my head around this one?

The catholic church is so wealthy because, yes, it demanded contributions (despite Jesus saying "you receive free; give free"), it also has shares in weapons/arms (yet the bible teaches, under Christ, you must not kill your neighbour), the tabaco industry (yet the bible teaches you must view your body as something not to be polluted), pornography... The list goes on. They've also decided to take God's name out of the bible. In original manuscripts, God's name is mentioned over 7,000 times. God is not a name, it is a title. Also, as you said, Hellon, the catholic church kept the bible in Latin for so long. The main reason was to prevent anyone realising that the word "Hell" is not mentioned in the bible. Nor was the word trinity. These teachings were introduced to invoke fear in order to keep numbers up. But now, the news exposes the paedophilia, corruption and false teachings that are prevalent within the church and naturally, anyone with common sense has left. There's so much hypocrisy in religion, and anyone who has read the gospels will appreciate the fact that Jesus felt the same.

As for prophets: a prophet is a man inspired by God, with his holy spirit, used to bear a message about the future, perhaps a warning. Such prophets include Daniel (who had foretold the rise of the league of nations), Jeremiah (who foretold the destruction of ancient Jerusalem, but whose prophecies have modern day parallel,) and another one is John (whose dreams are recorded in revelation and they explain how the devil was cast out of heaven and how he is misleading the earth through false religion and politics). Etc etc. just to name a few. There is also mention of women prophets in the bible (for any feminists out there.)

Jesus was the foretold Messiah. He was sent to earth in order to regain what Adam lost. And to give imperfect humans the chance to benefit from God's purpose. His ransom meant God's worshipers were no longer under the mosaic law (10 commandments). Instead, they were to obey two principles: love God, love neighbour. But many Jews refused to let the mosaic law go, they didn't have faith that Jesus was the messiah, so they put him to death. Anyway, I digress.

Moses was a mere faithful man used by God to deliver a nation out of the hands of the Egyptians. As it happened, that nation (Israel), turned their back on God in the end.

That's what the bible says anyway

Hellon, a prophet is what you get after you had paid tax and overheads.

I'm sure that's a profit... Haha

Twiggy you're lucky to have that in fluent English in the bible. Most of what's mentioned in the bible is written in the Quran besides the names of well known 25 messengers and prophets, each with his own story with his nation. Moses had two children, Ismail and Isaaq, each from a different mother. Our Prophet Mohammad was originally from Ismail chain tree of prophets whereas Jesus was from Isaaq chain tree. This is my information from the Quran interpretation. Hellon, I'm sure that besides the Quran ther're also interpretations of all the Quran in English as well as in all other languages. In our Quran it's written in the third chapter in the third Sura, Aya (verse) 45 {(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah). (45)}.
This is, however, present at the following link:
http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/

I'm sure you'll get the complete interpretation of that. The problem is with my humble interpretation which can be incomplete.
Anyway Twiggy and Hellon you'll search and I'll search and finally share what we get.

Happy to share that with all of you.

Of course!!!

what was I thinking?

In the heat of a religious discussion... Happens to the best of us haha

Islam is christianity plus some very bad ideas, a bit like being a Mormon, or a presidential candidate.

:)

We used to believe in dozens of Gods, hundreds even. In todays times there are fewer Gods held in high esteem than ever before, and we're getting closer to the actual number all the time.

Twilight of the Gods man, and not a century too soon!

Kevin,
you're either morphing Celtic reconstruction into Nordic Ragnarok, or Wagner Ring trilogy into Dr Who, or maybe both.

"Thou art God. ... Grok in fullness" - Robert A. Heinlein, "Stranger in a Strange Land"

"All gods are The God." - Larry Chamberlin

Hellon, a prophet is what you get after you had paid tax and overheads.

^^^^

Very funny Darren...loved it!

Kevin = Prophet????

Oh you sneaky old devil turning my rantish athiest post into a sly support of the ONE TRUE GOD.

I'ma be watching you Larry

Islam is christianity plus some very bad ideas...

^ I can infer from this that Christianity is Judaism plus bad ideas?

mmm... I love how you think
Kisses xx

Exactly!

I can see your point!

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I feel sad tonight....
like I'm ready to blow on walls, like some graffiti paint... the difference is that I'd only scribble my rage....

sorry for the ramble.
felt like venting.

I feel you bro
Martyer al Hassan was a vital asset for the whole Lebanese community
May his soul rest in peace
And may bashar and anyone who helped with the bombing burn in eternal hell

The good die young
Try to find your solitude in that

Thanks for the reminder, Rab. that's true=]

You guys are sad for him because he supported terrorism against Syria? Good for you both!

No ya Nour
Read about the guy and his achievements
Amongst them is stoping more than 30 spies
That work for Israel
Isn't that something u would be proud about
May his soul rip

Noura, this general caught someone driven by Bashar to set bombs everywhere in Lebanon. In addition to the spies networks he discovered...

I will leave Noura to answer this question although I have watched the news...

Anyway...you now seem slightly divided where...once you were very much united in your religious beliefs....why is that? You are still all muslims..yeah?

Lol, yeah, you truly seem to have watched the news.

this thing is not related to muslims. at all.

And, if we don't agree on something, we're not divided. like me and you, we don't agree on one thing, are we divided? :p

Oh, driven by 'Bashar'? He is Mr Bashar because he is a president and has millions of people following him including me, so if you have any respect for me or the Syrian public, then please do add the 'mr'.

Secondly, the same way the media was lying in June war (remember? I bet you don't) the media in Lebanon is lying too about the situation in Syria and what's around it. We haven't sent anything to your country, it's not for our good, y'know, think about it. Oh speaking of war, who saved your souls in June, 1982 and in the 70th? Mr Bashar... you Arabs are really grateful. I am proud to be an Arab.
: )

He was a spy himself, btw. That general you're talking about. What a mess...indeed, those who know little or wrong are even more dangerous than the totally ignorant people. God be with us.

Hellon, we're not divided even though we disagree. I hope someday, 'some' Arabs recognise the REAL problem we're facing. And it's not about muslims or christians... It's about something totally different.

I don't Mr. anyone... especially if he is a murderer.

-

Let's walk your line and say the media's lying about what's happening in Syria. First, not only Lebanese channels are showing what's there :p All Arabian channels are showing it... also western channels, etc... I didn't build up my view from a channel even. Youtube, channels, articles.... Second, there are many immigrants from Syria coming to Lebanon. Why are they coming here? because they're bored? :p There are 5 families in my neighborhood now.

anyway...

that's just an opinion of yours. You are not even reading about what happened. Bashar was planning to spark many explosions through this man who was caught then set free... It's not good for YOU, Noura, to do this to Lebanon, but it's good for HIM.

And the assassinated general is not a spy. Please don't speak false things about him. May he R.I.P

Not even reading about it? How did you know? Then you all prejudge and tell false stories, not only the media, eh?

You still haven't answered my question...who saved Lebanon and supported Palestine allthroughout the years, ha? Qatar? Mubarak? America? Israel? What?

Of course, you won't answer. I understand.

Those YouTube, bla bla bla's you've counted there in your post are the main reason of too many problems around the world and you know that. Or just because it's about us then they're all so innocent?

As you like babygurl, Bashar is a saint... and the people are liars... I was about to cry yesterday when I visited 5 Syrian families living in one house....

oh, I forgot, they're just here for tourism.

Now that you both seem to be disputing each other about truth...can I just say that...it doesn't seem that long ago that you were telling the western world that what we were hearing in the media was total propaganda..with both countries???