So what could they eat and how could they get it?

This may be a dumb question, but it was something I was wondering while reading. In the fifth Surah, The Feast, lawful and unlawful foods are discussed. In verse 96 it says, “It is permitted for you to catch and eat seafood-an enjoyment for you and the traveller-but hunting game is forbidden while you are in the state of consecration [for pilgrimage]. Be mindful of God to whom you will be gathered”. So, how are the Muslims supposed to gather food and what are they supposed to eat anyway? I would imagine that it would be pretty difficult to go fishing in the desert. And, what else would they be able to grab on the way there? Did they have to pack a bunch of food and bring it with them on their journey or could enough food be found to sustain every person? I guess if they couldn’t find anything they had God’s permission (5:3 “if any of you is forced by hunger to eat forbidden food, with no intention of doing wrong, then God is most forgiving and merciful”) but all the same, what were they supposed to eat?

Race and religion

As we have been learning more about Islam it has occurred to me that Islam seems to have a certain race following. I know it is probably the same for every religion but Islam seems to have a huge African following. Especially in the US, Muslims are usually Arabs or African Americans. Why would African Americans be more inclined to be Muslim than any other race in the US. I can see Africans because it was so much closer to where Islam all started but its just interesting that so many African Americans seem to be Muslim. What other races are prominent in Islam?

Allowing Violence?

It does not make any sense to me that God would allow violence. I mean if someone does not want to embrace the message then they won’t be going to heaven or whatever. End of story. Its frustrating to see that you can say “God gave me permission”  and then go around persecuting people who dont accept. Religion should always be a choice because if you force someone to change they will not really feel it in their heart and thats the most important thing. Saying that you practice a certain religion does not mean anything if you do not REALLY believe in it.

scary fact response

I agree with the previous post regarding the portrayal of women in religion. Women, due to some aspects of Christianity (Eve), are painted as temptresses. I do agree women are looked to be more guilty than man. Men must not fall prey women’s mischievous ways. It does not surprise me women are not painted in a magnificent light in Islam. As previously posted, women are seen as more naive and ignorant. I do believe this view of women goes beyond religious belief. The way the religions depict women perhaps greatly affect how they are treated and viewed in society. Maybe some of the treatment of women in the Muslim world comes from their depiction in Islam.

response to tattoos and piercings from a while ago…

It makes sense to me that one should not mess with the body he is given by God by piercing/ tattooing it, but I heard that Muslim women are technically not even supposed to do their eyebrows except that nowadays it’s not as strictly enforced? Is this true? Is that like the Bible saying not to eat shellfish, but people do anyway because it’s a different time now? …and what if somebody got a tattoo that says ”Allahu Akbar” or something just as a personal symbol for themselves? Would that make the tattoo ok?