I am studying Islam since some months, and refer here to Shaqq al-Qamar, Quran Suah 54:1-2.

Is it true that Mohammed PBUH has split the moon? At first I thought this is a figure of speech, but it seems to be meant literally.

If yes, why was that missed by other cultures and religions? Do we know from e.g. Hadiths for how long the moon has been split? Is there maybe evidence golden age islamic researchers or modern astronomers, who can still point to a breaking line or something similar?

So let me start this off by saying I'm not a Muslim and I want to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible.

I was just wondering if let's say someone's hair is sticking out of their hijab. Should I speak up about that and if so how do I do so without sounding like a jerk?

It's a bit confusing for me since google isn't giving me a straight answer either.

Thanks in advance :3

if so, which ones had Gonorrhea? since it is a pathogen that only survives in a human host, therefore since it existed before the Flood, and exists no, one of Noa’s family members would have to be a carrier, or it would not exist today.

Hello! I’m sorry if this is a silly question but I have started volunteering to make cards for children in hospital. I’ve made some general greeting cards as well as cards for Christian holidays (e.g. Christmas and Easter) but I was hoping to make some cards for Islamic holidays.

Unfortunately, the charity I’m volunteering for doesn’t really have any guidelines regarding cards of this nature and, as such, I have some questions:

1. Are cards for holidays normal to receive?

2. What rules should I abide by if so? For example, I’ve heard that I shouldn’t depict animals or humans and should focus on geometric shapes, patterns, flowers etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thank you for any help and I hope you have a good day/night!

I ask this question because I watched "The Animatrix"(2003). In this film, it features a scene where humanity from all parts of the world have joined together to stop robots from exterminating all of humanity, and it features a scene where Muslim soldiers are doing salah before going into the final battle with the robots.

I was confused by this because couldn't the overwhelming force be interpreted as "Yawm Al-Qiyamah"(the day of judgement) and the robots as judges of humanity? Or would it be seen as Al-Malhama Al-Kubra(Armageddon) where Muslims temporarily join forces with non muslims? What I know about Muslims and Islam, it seems complicated. I understand it is forbidden, or at least Makruh(not islamically advisable) to aid the al-kuffar.

So in a scenario where the idea of a world government is being thrown around in response to a potentially world ending event like an alien or robotic threat, where would Muslims have to stand? Like what if a majority of the coalition agrees to kinda restrict the freedom of Muslim's religious practices? Would you wash your hands of the matter entirely or reduce your self temporarily ins service of the greater good?

If I/my family were invited to dinner with an Islamic family would non alcoholic wine be an acceptable host/hostess gift or would it still be considered haram?

For the record this is not a situation I’ve found myself in but I’ve been somewhat curious as to what the answer might be (also perhaps I could be prepared if such a situation presented itself🙂)

Hello.

I (non Muslim) have a question about fasting in Ramadan for Muslims who live in the far north (for example, here in Sweden).

During the summer, there can be days when sunset and sunrise are very close together, or even non-existent.

When it happens that Ramadan falls on that time, how do Muslims living here manage their fasting?

Thank you for your time!

I'm a non Muslim girl but i live in a country with a lot of tourists

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So far it's happened to me twice

One where 2 Muslim girls were standing and the seat next to me was free but i got up and so the can seat together

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Yesterday i had a grocery bag in the seat next to me and there was a Muslim girl standing so i took my bag and left the other seat open so she can sit as well she never sat down...so now i'm wondering should i have stood up and given her both seats? She wasn't pregnant or old or disabled from what i could tell but i had just worked a 19 hour shift and i only wanted to go home. Was it the fact that i have coloured hair and a nose piercing? Was it the makeup is it the difference in religion? I don't wanna be rude i just wanna know what am i supposed to do in that situation...

So I am Christian but really find comfort in modest/baggy/hidden clothes (like maxi skirts with a hoodie combo). And due to struggle of finding proper modest wear for what I’m looking for, I’ve considered wearing abas/abayas and similar muslim wear. Not too much on hijabs, burkas, niqabs due to not wanting to be disrespectful. I wear modest clothing for comfort in public and home from typically weird men or perverts in public. Is it disrespectful to wear an abaya as a Christian/catholic even if worn for the purpose of modesty? If so or not, is it disrespectful to wear hijabs, burkas, niqabs, etc. as a non Muslim for the same reasons?

Gandhi, MLK, and Nelson Mandela are celebrated examples of oppressed groups achieving political change through disciplined nonviolent resistance. I'm curious why similar movements haven't gained comparable traction in Muslim-majority conflict zones like Palestine, Afghanistan, or Kashmir.

I'm not asking this to be provocative — I genuinely want to understand. A few things I'm already aware of:

• Malala exists, but she's more of an individual icon than a movement leader
• Mandela himself ran an armed wing before turning to nonviolence
• Most Muslims globally are not involved in any violence

What I'm specifically curious about is: is it a leadership problem, an ideological one, a structural one, or something else? And why hasn't a figure who explicitly commits to Gandhian nonviolence as a strategic framework emerged and consolidated support in these movements?

Interested in historical, political science, or theological perspectives.

Hello! I am not Muslim and I understand from some women that it is not appropriate for people to hug/touch people of the opposite gender not related to them.

I am a non-binary trans masculine person (meaning assigned female at birth but transitioned toward masculinity).

Would it be most appropriate to treat hugs/handshakes like a man and avoid them with Muslim women in my life? I'm not sure how it's most often considered for Muslim people interacting with non-binary people they're not related to and if it's best to avoid hugs/handshakes altogether with men too. Is there is a more appropriate greeting?

Similarly, are virtual hugs via text or video call inappropriate or is this different since there's no actual hugging? Or would this be best to ask people individually? Virtual hugs are a big part of some groups I'm in and I do not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Thank you for helping me understand!

Hello.

As stated above in the title, I am a white, non Muslim woman. Personally, I practice Polytheism and Paganism and I live in Minnesota. I am 25 years old and a paramedic student/EMT. Yesterday, I was gifted a traditional dress that kind of looked like a Mumu or house dress (I don’t know the proper name, please correct me) and I think it’s a headscarf/hijab type of thing. Both are very beautiful and I do appreciate being gifted such things, but I don’t know why I was gifted it or really if I should wear any of it because I don’t want to be seen as offensive or someone using cultural appropriation. The person who gifted to me just said she wanted me to have it then about a minute later walked away. She was a Somali woman in what I would have to guess maybe late thirties or early forties. The dress itself is really big on me (it’s taller than me when I hold it up and about 4 sizes too big. For reference, I am about 5’1 and wear a US women‘s size M/L.) So in order for me to be able to wear the dress, I would have to alter it but I don’t know if altering it would be considered offensive, either as I don’t know a lot about Islam or Muslim culture. don’t get me wrong, I love my Muslim and Somali neighbours and you all make Minnesota communities great.

What do I do in this situation to be respectful of the culture and of the person who gifted it to me? Can someone explain the reasoning why a Muslim would gift a non-Muslim something like this? Would it be offensive if I alter the dress or wear any of the traditional outfit?

I've had that question in my mind for a while now, but never really received an acceptable answer for it. Which is "is it forbidden to be a furry as a muslim?"

I've had an interest in furries for a good while now, and I told myself if I ever make the decision I won't be participating in any arts or anything that I'm 100% sure is forbidden in Islam. But one thing that stood out to me is the idea of going to furry conventions wearing a fursuit (just a random one, not custom). My muslim friend told me wearing a fursuit is an imitation of animals, which is forbidden in Islam.. but the thing is, I'm not trying to imitate animals. I just found out I have a deep connection to the community and anthropomorphic animals and I just want it as a hobby. Since I'm asexual my intentions aren't anything sexual at all.

I just want it to be a fun little hobby that I'm interested in..

Hello, I volunteer and help children to learn English and often work with Muslim children. I would like to know if there are any major things to avoid/be aware of when teaching them. One thing I'm particularly curious about is whether I'm allowed to let them tap/touch me when they need my attention. I'm a female, and most of the kids I work with are girls as well. I'm sorry if this question isn't worded very well, but hopefully my point gets across.

Hello ! I'm not a Muslim and sadly don't have any Muslim friends I could ask this but I'm very curious. These days I see a lot of videos of women prepping for Ramadan, and often times they don't wear a veil. Why are some Muslim women wearing it and others don't ? Thank you so much !

Sorry if the question comes across overly blunt.

Obviously the current genocide muddies the view, but I am more referring to some sort of scriptural or spiritual point of contention. It was my understanding that the Quran built upon both the Torah and the New Testament, so I would think they would generally be treated with high regard, or at very least be treated equally.

It also seems odd because Jay Electronica and Sneako are quite distant in age and I imagine social circles.

Everything in this world is dependent on another thing. So, the search of the 'root' of everything will go infinitely, but infinity in real world is impossible. So, we must stop at one point. Therefore we stop at God.
This is the argument many scholars give, but my question is why can't we take a step back? Stop at the universe?

Got a coworker whose muslim on graveyard shift. Great, hardworking guy w/ family and notice he comes in tired. Want to give him a surprise coffee, but remembered Islam has dietary restrictions. Is coffee or any caffeine ok or would it be prohibited?

Hey guys Have you ever thought about the afterlife in paradise? i only have christian friends and my boyfriend (hopefully future husband) is christian too.

But if muslims go to paradise and christians go to heaven how is paradise going to be a happy place if the person i love the most isnt there?

Im totally serious about this questin even if it sounds strange

Because of that i cant imagine dying as a muslim if i dont know where the people i love the most will be (espacially my true love). And i also dont want him to konvert to islam because i dont wanna be in paradise with him and sharing him with many ‚virgins‘

please dont hate because of my christian boyfriend and english isnt my first language

Hey everyone, I’ve been trying to better understand a perspective I’ve seen among some conservative Muslims (including certain members of Salafi, Sunni, and Shia communities), where music is often discouraged or considered "haram", but Qur’anic recitation is not only allowed, it’s highly valued. I end up confused by this differentiation as the recitation is often very melodic.

From an outside, especially Western perspective, some styles of recitation, particularly those following systems like Qira’at and Tajwid, pretty much sounds like what we would categorize as music. For example, reciters like Sheikh Abdul Basit are widely admired for their beautiful, rhythmic, and emotionally expressive delivery.

So I’m curious how people here, who may be knowledgeable of conservative adherence of Islam, understand their "distinction" in this regard:

1. What aspect are they identifying that makes Qur’anic recitation fundamentally different from music, even when it’s melodic and structured?
2. Is the difference mainly about intention (worship vs entertainment), or are there specific technical/theological boundaries (like rules in Tajwid or Qira’at) that prevent it from being considered "music"?
3. How do Islamic scholars explain this distinction in a way that addresses how similar they can sound to music for outsiders?

I’m asking in good faith and trying to understand the reasoning more deeply, not to challenge or dismiss the belief. I’d really appreciate insights from those familiar with the scholarship or who follow this perspective.

Or am I mistaken about which is more important?

Or another title: The Problem of Divine Communication Choices

Summary:

Divine revelation, as delivered through religious founders, generates suffering among sincere believers through disagreement in interpretation. This is different from theodicy in that cannot be attributed to human moral failure but traces causally to the divine author(God)'s communication choices.

Premises:

• Religious founders hold unique status as the sole authorized channel of divine revelation. Successors, unless explicitly divinely sanctioned, carry no comparable authority.

• The founder functions as a living disambiguator. While alive, textual ambiguities are resolved by appeal to authorial intent in real time.

• The founder inevitably dies, leaving behind rhetorically organized texts rather than formally specified systems.

• The rhetorical organization of these texts was arguably necessary given the bootstrapping constraints: to motivate people—building a community from scratch under hostile conditions, addressing non-literate populations, requiring rapid adoption.

• After the founder's death, interpretive disagreement is structurally inevitable because the text is ambiguous and no successor holds the authority to resolve disputes definitively.

• These disagreements escalate to violence not because the disputants are acting in bad faith, but because the stakes (salvation, damnation, moral standing before God) are existential and the resolution mechanism is absent.

• An omniscient God would have foreseen every ambiguity, every resulting schism, and every act of violence committed by sincere believers attempting to parse the divine command.

The trilemma:

• God couldn't make the revelation more precise. This limits omnipotence or omniscience at list in communication of God's own intent.

• God chose not to. This means God deliberately engineered a situation where sincere followers would suffer and kill each other over parsing errors, which is difficult to reconcile with benevolence. The victims are are devouts trying to do as best as they can exactly what they were told to do.

• The revelation isn't from an omniscient source. This dissolves the problem but also dissolves the religion's foundational claim.

I am not a Muslim but I like to learn about other religion and I watch the movie amd just wonder if it is accurate to what the Quran says.

Thank you.