Sister Hajra, I don’t know what replies you’re referring to.

You are saying “could be straight” (unsure) but that “right is acceptable.”(for sure.) Haven’t you answered your own question then? )

As for 17:35 not being a “physical” balance between right and wrong, check out the verse 26:182 which deals with similar. However, in the verse before it we read “Give just measure, and do not be among those who [unjustly] cause loss [to others.]” And, in fact, the verse 183 which is the one after the “qistaas” mention, we are also told to “not deprive people what is rightfully theirs”

Now, Rasheed, assuming you are Sunni since you have cited Sunni sources for me, would you also claim Shi’ites and other Muslims who happen to be not Sunni and advocate beliefs drastically different from Sunnism are also working against Islam?

Do you see the fault in saying other people are working against their self-described faiths? How in the world can you say Manji is working against Islam when her subtitle in her book says she is a Muslim? How can you say Daayiee works against Islam when he has been a faithful Muslim for over many decades, choosing to leave his original faith? Really, what gives you this judgment? Can we not leave God to judge when it comes to what people believe as long as they are not physically harming anyone?

I think Muslims like you are proving Manji’s claims even more correct. There is just a hunger out there for many Muslims to be a judge. In the meantime, God insists who is the ONLY Haakim.

As for Tatchell, I read what you posted. Only one person from Imaan (who happens to be a member) called him an Islamophobe. And you have also posted one of the officials posting against such claim. No mention of this. Another dishonesty in this blog, I guess.

I have never met Tatchell but apparently the Truth does not matter in this blog. Whether you agree with him or not, you know he has always fought gay Muslims seeking to stay in his country and has demonstrated many times against Muslim countries who have put to death people because of their sexual choices.

It really doesn’t matter that they describe themselves as Muslims – it is possible for even Muslims to work against Islam. That is exactly what they do. We leave their judgement up to God, but we will do our best to highlight their undermining of His religion.

Tatchell championing Muslims’ rights? You really need to read. Even Imaan, a British “gay Muslim” group that must be more to your liking, have called him an Islamophobe.

Mustaqeem means straight (among other words that can be used in translation), and that is known by all Arabs. It is the primary understood meaning. And if you ask any English speaker for one word that described “that which has no CROOKEDNESS or deviation in it”, they will say “STRAIGHT” – not “right”. I can’t understand yur failure to grasp that.

Since you’re giving the pretence of being a translator, let me point out that al-Qistaas (not Qisaas) al-Mustaqeem is in the definite, so using “a” there is incorrect. The translation of mustaqeem there could indeed be “straight”, though “right” is acceptable, as is “upright”. The description is to the action of being just, not to a physical balance (which is “meezaan”, not “qistaas”).

I am not going to discuss further linguistic points with you, since you clearly don’t know what you’re talking about.

For the benefit of the reader, I will quote the full verse:

“And give full measure when you measure out, and weigh with a right balance; that is righteous and better [for you] in the end.” (Qur’an 17:35)

The part “Bil-qisaas Al-Mustaqiim” (“With a right balance”) is what matters in this discussion. And let me be the first to tell you how illogical “with a STRAIGHT balance” sounds.

By the way, had you known Arabic or read the Qur’an, you would have known that I mentioned this verse because it is one of only two instances where the verse deals with something outside of “the Rght Path.” Neither would you call that “overwhelming” for surely two meanings, either of which mean something, do not constitute an overwhelming evidence.

And now you are calling me a “her.” Why don’t you stop with the assumptions of my gender and just stick to the issues at hand?

And it is very sad that you also include Tatchell, a non-Muslim who championed time and again for the rights of Muslims. You needed a “specific” and I think you just gave one yourself.

Al-Fatiha (The Opening) > [1:6]
Al-Baqara (The Cow) > [2:213][2:142]
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)> [3:51][3:101]
An-Nisa (The Women)> [4:68][4:175]
Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread) > [5:16]
Al-An’am (The Cattle) > [6:39][6:87][6:126][6:161][6:153]
Al-A’raf (The Heights) [7:16]
At-Tauba (The Repentance)[9:7]
Yunus[10:25]
Hud (The Prophet Hud)[11:56]
Al-Hijr (The Rocky Tract)[15:41]
An-Nahl (The Bee)[16:76][16:121]
Al-Isra (The Journey by Night)[17:35]
Maryam (Mary)[19:36]
Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)[22:54][22:67]
Al-Mu’minun (The Believers)[23:73]
Al-Nour (The Light)[24:46]
Ash-Shu’ara (The Poets)[26:182]
Ya-Sin (Ya-Sin)[36:4][36:61]
As-Saffat (The Rangers)[37:118]
Fussilat (Explained in Detail)[41:30]
Ash-Shura (The Consultation) [42:52]
Az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments) [43:43][43:61][43:64]
Al-Ahqaf (The Curved Sandhills) [46:13][46:30]
Al-Fath (The Victory) [48:2][48:20]
Al-Mulk (Dominion) [67:22]

Lastly, I would agree that “path” is better than “way”, but both are acceptable.