Qur'an

Surah 14, verse 35

Q: And (recall) when Ibrahim (Abraham) submitted: ‘O my Lord, make this city (Mecca) a land of peace and keep me and my children from idol-worship. (Quraan 14:35)

1. Does this mean the dua is specifically for the biological children of Ibrahim alayhissalam (i.e. only Ismail alayhissalam and Ishaq alayhissalam, or does it refer to every single descendent of Ibrahim alayhissalam?

2. If it indeed is referring to every single descendent of Ibrahim alayhissalam, then what can be said about the polytheists amongst the Quraysh? Was not Ibrahim alayhissalam also their ancestor? If you kindly clarify this.

Slander and fornication

Q: I was asked this question by a Christian. If you can help me by answering this it will have a great effect on a fellow Christian brother in humanity. Therefore here is the question:

1. Can slander of a chaste women be forgiven? Yes [24:5], No [24:23].

Abrogation? The words of the lord are perfect in truth and justice; there is none who can change His words."[Sura 6:115] Also see 6:34 and 10:64. But then Allah (Muhammad?) sees the need to exchange some of them for "better ones"[Surah 2:106,16:101] and it is not for ignorant people to question Allah because of such practises!

2. What is the punishment for adultery? Flogging with 100 stripes (men and women) [Sura 24:2],"confine them to houses until death do claim them (lifelong house arrest -for the women) [4:15]. For men:"If they repent and amend, leave them alone"[sura 4:16].

Sura 24:2 contradicts both the procedure for women and men in sura 4 and why? Is the punishment for women and men equal in sura 24 but different in sura 4?

Sajda-e-Tilaawat

Q: Is it permissible to perform a sajdah tilaawat starting standing up and finishing sitting down? What about starting sitting and finishing standing. I understand starting standing and finishing standing is mustahab. Sitting and finishing sitting is also fine.