Questions and Answers
The Light (Pakistan), 1st March 1922 Issue (Vol. 1, No. 6, p. 3)
Question:
What says Islam about pictures? — Inamulla Khan, Fort Sandeman [Zhob, India (in Present-day Pakistan)].
Answer:
Islam is a religion and deals with man’s duties towards God and man. If pictures interfere in any way with either of these duties, they should not be used. But there are cases in which pictures serve a useful purpose without doing any harm to a man. There is nothing in the Islamic law against their use in such cases.
Question:
Was Jesus (peace be on him) born without the agency of a male parent? — Inamulla Khan, Fort Sandeman
Answer:
The question does not relate to any vital principle of Islam. There are Muslims who answer the question in the affirmative and others who answer it in the negative. It is a question of the interpretation that may be put on certain words of the Holy Quran, and any two men may honestly differ as to that.
For the Christians of course, it is a vital question. He could not be divine if he was born in the ordinary course of nature. But the Gospels contain statements which raise serious doubts as to the claim. Evidently Mary had other children, for the Gospels speak of the brothers and sisters of Jesus and of his being Mary’s “firstborn” son, not her only son. They also speak of his being the carpenter’s son. And even if he was born without the agency of a male parent, it is no argument for his being divine.
For Adam was not divine though he had no parent.
Question:
Is it idolatry to the Musalmans [Muslims] to kneel and salute the feet of their superiors? If so, why so? If not, why not? — Md. [Muhammad] Yaqub Ali, Datta Para [India].
Answer:
Yes. The reason is that all men are born with the same faculties and powers, and all men are equal. We may respect and revere our superiors, but we can only bow before God, Who is above us all and the Maker of us all.
Question:
Is it a sin to us to shave our beards? — Md. Yaqub Ali, Datta
Answer:
In itself, the act is not one of much importance, but we should try to follow the practice of our Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] who kept a beard. We are better Muslims if we do it.