Understood Cathrine. Perfectly valid questions in my opinion.
May I start by saying I am not Muslim. I was wali to a niece revert and went to her Nikah. Because I like to know what I'm taking on and because that niece is more precious than anything, I spent quite some tome looking closely at Islam. More so than I had done with my previous, general studies.
For a Muslim, the purpose to life is to worship God. In the Koran, it is stated, "I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." [51:56] However frustrating such disabilities are, for a Muslim they are simply part of temporary existance.
When I say: No. He doesn't. I am affirming what a good Muslim will take for granted.
I appreciate that many who are either cynical or seeking to abandon all aspects of faith find endless contraditions. These are perfectly understandable when all any of us see are different groups fighting for power and money, with little regard for welfare.
I don't seek to argue that point here. I was only attempting to address the very real concerns of Shakira to a valid point put by a fellow Muslim.
Again, for a westerner, it may be difficult to grasp, but Muslims are habitually, very respectful of rhetoric and argument, properly presented with regard to the principals of Islam. In particular, Muslims especially appreciate references to Hadith.
In another thread, to another Muslim member, I made a reference to hadith, but sadly, referenced a collection more closely associated with a different sect from that member's. I hope I am capable of learning lessons. So this time I simply presented an argument.
The Koran is universal among Muslims. So I am safe citing a passage from that. I should think almost every Muslims ever, has already heard that passage anyway.
