Friday 25 October 2024

The Excellent Grief

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لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا ٢١

Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much.

[Al-Quran 33:21, Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan]


قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ فِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَءَٰٓؤُا۟ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةُ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءُ أَبَدًا حَتَّىٰ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَحْدَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَوْلَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ لَأَسْتَغْفِرَنَّ لَكَ وَمَآ أَمْلِكُ لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ ۖ رَّبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ٤

Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrâhîm (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allâh: we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you hostility and hatred for ever until you believe in Allâh Alone" - except the saying of Ibrâhîm (Abraham) to his father: "Verily, I will ask forgiveness (from Allâh) for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allâh.[1]" Our Lord! In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return.

[1](V.4) See the Qur’ân Verses (Verse 9:114), (Verse 19:41-49) and (Verse 26:70-86)

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةًۭ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٥

"Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You, only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيهِمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ ٦

Certainly, there has been in them an excellent example for you to follow - for those who look forward to (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day. And whosoever turns away, then verily, Allâh is Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all Praise.

[Al-Quran 60:4-6, Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan]


The term اُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ occurs twice in Surah al-Mumtahhina (the (woman) to be examined), and once in Surah al-Ahzaab (the confederates) where it states that in Allah's Messenger is an excellent example (Q33:21), (Q60:4-6). 

Q33:21 is about the example in Messenger of Allah (Muhammad ). 

Q60:4-6 is about the example in Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام). 

The term اُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ begins with the word اُسۡوَةٌ , which shares the root أ س و forming words meaning grieve: 

Screenshot from corpus.quran.com


Both Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) and Muhammad  strove for Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , migrated, and fought many wars for Allah's Deen, eventually purifying Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's ancient house and the masjid around it.   

Both of them were very concerned about everyone, praying for them, preaching to them, taking care of whom they could, and valiantly fighting the forces of evil when necessary. 

We need to understand and appreciate that the lives of these great people were not without challenges and grief. They had many reasons to grieve. They suffered personal loss of dear family members. They suffered rejection and humiliation from the leaders and their nations. Yet, they remained steadfast in the service of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , focussing on their mission and doing all it took to fulfil their mission. 

Surah al-Ahzaab (the confederates) is about Messenger of Allah (Muhammad ) and his companions fighting battles for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى .  

Surah Surah al-Mumtahhina (the (woman) to be examined) is about examining the faith of the women migrating away from the disbelievers and coming to the Muslims for refuge. 

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Deen is about rights. It is Deen-e-Haqq. It is Deen-e-Qayyim. It is about helping the human family. It is about Iman and Amanat. Faith, trust, security, dependability, and recompense are all linked to each other. 

We should grieve for all humans, and that grief should manifest itself in trying to save our self and everyone else. We need to be Muslims our self first, following the guidance in The Quran, on how to invite others. We all need to personally choose to be saved from the eternal fire of hell. We cannot force others, but we must reach out and preach, within the limits prescribed for each one. 

When our forefather Adam was in the Garden, he was able to see and hear Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. In our present state, we are unable to see or hear Allah ﷻ . In the Hereafter, Allah  ﷻ will only allow the successful believers to see Him. As each one longs to return to the Gardens of Eternity, we also hope to be able to see our Rabb عزوجل . Like Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) and Muhammad  , we also need to remember Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى much, modelling our lives on their excellent grief. 

In The Quran, we read about means of nearness to Allah ﷻ , and we read about how well-pleased He ﷻ is with the companions of  Muhammad  : 

وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَـٰتٍ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَصَلَوَٰتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهَا قُرْبَةٌۭ لَّهُمْ ۚ سَيُدْخِلُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ٩٩

And of the bedouins there are some who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, and look upon what they spend in Allâh’s Cause as means of nearness to Allâh, and a cause of receiving the Messenger’s invocations. Indeed these (spendings in Allâh’s Cause) are a means of nearness for them. Allâh will admit them to His Mercy. Certainly Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَـٰنٍۢ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى تَحْتَهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ١٠٠

And the foremost to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhâjirûn ) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.

[Al-Quran 9:99-100, Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan]




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Last updated on: October 26, 2024

Monday 21 October 2024

Dr Zakir Naik's visit to Pakistan


وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًۭا مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ٣٣

And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh’s (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."

وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌۭ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌۭ ٣٤

The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allâh orders the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger,[2] and to excuse those who treat them badly) then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.

وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍۢ ٣٥

But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient - and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and of a high moral character) in this world.

[Al-Quran 41:33-35, Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan]

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Dr Zakir Naik recently visited Pakistan on the invitation of the State of Pakistan. From his first few interviews, it became amply clear that he was a man who spoke his mind. He raised many important points, and his interactions with the public exposed many problems in our society. 

Among the first few interviews, he is on record as saying that most Muslims think they are Muslims, yet they practice 5% only. I don't know about the percentage of Quran and Sunnah that most Muslims practice, but yes, in today's world, there is no country which can claim that it is on Allah's Deen. Politically, and personally, we need to rethink, restudy, reexamine our submission in Islam. 

When questioned about the Palestinian issue, and our role it it, Dr Zakir Naik pointed out the lack of regularity of individuals who go for five daily prayers to the mosques. He was of the opinion that how can they champion Muslim causes when they can't even show up in the mosques for all the prayers. Now that is certainly something to think about. 

Then there was this question about a city where the culture is conservative, the people observing the religion are practicing, men regularly praying in mosques, and women keeping themselves at home as far as possible; yet crimes are also flourishing in that society. Dr Zakir Naik protected the honour of those practicing Muslims, pointing out that practicing Muslims cannot commit the crimes that were mentioned by the questioner. This question exposes the two extremes in our society: the pious and the criminals. These two kinds of people co-exist in our society. If the Deen and Shariah were enforced in our country by the State, such crimes would be punishable by Law, and thus the incidence of crimes would drastically go down. 

There were a number of questions, and reactions to the answers in the social media. Two observations: 

  • Firstly, we need to understand that Allah's Deen is about rights and protection of rights. It grants protection to the weak and oppressed, particularly women and children, and in doing so, builds a decent society, where the challenges to the family are minimised. Both men and women must understand their roles and responsibilities in building such an ideal society. Submission to Allah's Deen is the meaning of the word Islam. 
  • Secondly, the reactions reveal our mindset. 

Like every human on this planet, Dr Zakir Naik is also human. He has his own opinions, and we may or may not agree with some or most of what he says. Nevertheless, he is a person who invites people to Islam, and who is better in speech than one who invites to Islam, and says that he is a Muslim? 

May Allah grant us all the goodness to submit in Islam, invite to Islam, and have utmost respect for all who are serving Allah's Deen. 

May the Deen be established in Pakistan. May Allah grant us the insights to realise the beauty of Allah's Deen. May Allah grant us willing submission. 


إِذَا جَآءَ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْفَتْحُ ١

When there comes the Help of Allâh (to you, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم against your enemies) and the conquest (of Makkah).

وَرَأَيْتَ ٱلنَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِى دِينِ ٱللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًۭا ٢

And you see that the people enter Allah’s religion (Islâm) in crowds.

فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ تَوَّابًۢا ٣

So glorify the Praises of your Lord, and ask His Forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives. 

[Al-Quran 110:1-3, Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan] 











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Friday 27 September 2024

Wondering Aloud

the solution to our issues ... 


Establishing Allah's Deen 

Wasn't Allah's Deen and Shariah of Islam the Law of the Land for almost thirteen centuries in Muslim-ruled lands? Till the Khilafat was disbanded, about a hundred years ago? 

Weren't there good people in power, and bad people in power, throughout those ages? 

Wasn't there less crime in society when the cases were judged according to Allah's revelations? 

Will establishing the Deen and Shariah lead to a reduction in crimes in society?  

Is losing a hand a deterrent against theft?  

Is losing life a deterrent against murder? 

Is being flogged publicly a deterrent against zina? 

Is being flogged publicly a deterrent against being a false witness? 

Q5:33 ???? 

 








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Abolishing Riba 

During Muslim khilafat, was any form of Riba a part of the economy? 

How did economies flourish in the absence of Riba? 

What was the source of wealth? 

 









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Medicines  

Before modern medicines, how were people healed of diseases? 

Antibiotics and other medicines became popular in the past century or two; before that what happened? 

Before Ibn Sina, what did Muslims do to heal their sick? 

How was illness treated by the Believers of Monotheistic religions? 

Why did modern Muslims embrace modern medicines?  









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Heading the Muslim nation / Muslim ummah

One Khalifa for the entire ummah?

Khilafat govenorate in each country?

Governerate, social democracy, presidential form of government or what else???  

Difference between khalifa and king?

How is the khalifa made accountable? 

Checks and balances to ensure Just Rule? 

Who chooses the head of state? Everyone, or a Shura of Select People who understand the Deen (Law)? 

Who forms / selects the Shura of Select People? 


 






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Roles & Responsibilities of a Muslim Head of State  

Improving Economy? 

Creating jobs? 

Legislating laws? 

   or 

Ruling according to Allah's Deen? 

Establishing Prayer? 

Collecting and distributing Zakah? 

Forbidding and containing evil? 

Encouraging and commanding good? 

Establishing social justice?

Equitable justice? 

Ensuring nobody sleeps hungry? 

Fighting oppression?  

  






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Monetary System  

How can we get rid of fiat currency?

Which commodity holds best value?

Can gold dinar and silver darahim be introduced again as legal currency?

How did people spend / buy when gold and silver coins were used as currency?

 







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Repayment of Loans  

The government keeps on taking loans to improve the economy? 

Is there an earnest intention to repay these loans? 

If the government decides to repay the loans, will the nation accept it, or will they strive to replace the ruling party? 

How and when will these loans be repaid?

In the context of our Deen, as each debt must be repaid, if it is not paid in this world, what are the consequences for the individual citizens, and society as a whole? 

 

 









Last updated on: October 1, 2024


Wednesday 19 June 2024

The State of Muslims in the twenty-first century

the prohibitions in Surah al-An'am: 


۞ قُلْ تَعَالَوْا۟ أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًۭا ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَوْلَـٰدَكُم مِّنْ إِمْلَـٰقٍۢ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ١٥١

Say: "Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from": Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want;- We provide sustenance for you and for them;- come not nigh to shameful deeds. Whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَٱعْدِلُوا۟ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْفُوا۟ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ ١٥٢

And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of Allah: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطِى مُسْتَقِيمًۭا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ١٥٣

Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you. that ye may be righteous.

[Al-Quran 6:151-153, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali]

Surah al-An'am (The Cattle) is the sixth surah. Towards the end, after stating the only four things (Q6:145) prohibited by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ to an eater who eats, ayaat Q151-153 list the prohibitions on a Muslim. Do we adhere to these prohibitions? That is the question. 


Prohibition #1

Join not anything as equal with Him; 

There is only one God, one ilah, one deity, the only one to be worshipped. The Quran is very consistently, emphatically, clear about the oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 

While in theory, most muslims do testify to the oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , but how often do Allah  سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's commands get violated, on the altars of wealth, economy, desires, political expediency, science and technology, progress and prosperity, and so on and so forth. 

Related posts: Allah || Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), the excellent example || 

Secular Science vs Creation Faith || Corruption of Creation 


Prohibition #2 

be good to your parents; 

Nothing less than good, or rather best ( إِحْسَـٰنًۭا), is expected towards parents. Immediately after clarifying that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ is the only deity, the only God, and that nothing is equal to Him, we read the command for being extremely good towards our parents, in gratitude. This command creates the balance between the two extremes: it dismisses parent-worship, and it dismisses callousness and carelessness towards parents in their old-age. Parents are to be cherished by their children, and lovingly taken care of in their old-age. 

Even in Muslim countries, we notice the rise in the number of homeless, abandoned, old people, the cropping up of old people's homes, and the introduction of secular celebrations in society, such as Father's Day, and Mother's Day.  

Related post: Secular Celebrations || Parents & Our Deen


Prohibition #3

kill not your children on a plea of want;- We provide sustenance for you and for them;- 

In theory, we believe that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ is the creator and the provider, and that every person is born with their sustenance decreed for them. 

In practice, we conflate poverty with population growth, even though studies have clearly shown that there is no correlation between the two. It is the unjust economic systems that impoverish a large segment of society. Yet, there is increasing focus on family-planning, legalising abortions, and so on. 

Related post: World Hunger & Slavery || Abortions & Family Planning ||

Natural Biology of Procreation || Pregnancies mentioned in The Quran 



Prohibition #4 

come not nigh to shameful deeds. Whether open or secret; 

The institution of marriage, the ratified covenant of 'nikah', is the recognised and approved way for men and women to cohabit with the blessings of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ . Even the arrangement of the match is the responsibility of the family members, particularly the parents. Open intermingling of the sexes, especially in ways to attract each other, is not endorsed. 

Increasingly, we see people accepting and normalising that which used to be considered shameful / immoral deeds (ٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ), and thus frowned upon, be it dressing, intermingling, etc. 

Related post: Maroof & Munkar || World History & Future Implications || Humans & The Human Condition


Prohibition #5 

take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law 

Human life is sacred, and may not be taken, except to serve the purposes of justice, and that also by people appointed to execute the Law. 

However, we see increase in domestic violence and murder, terrorist killings on the streets, misuse of the justice system to execute political opponents, and so on. The sanctity of human life is increasingly diminishing in our world.  

Not only human life, but also hunting of animals, during pilgrimage, while in the state of ihram, has been made illegal (Q5:1).  

Related post: ...


Prohibition #6 

And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; 

Orphans are perhaps the most vulnerable members of any society. They have lost their father, while they haven't yet attained marriageable age themselves. Allah عزوجل ordains extra sensitivity in managing their affairs, supporting them and their mothers, and being very careful and vigilant about their inheritance, dutifully handing it over to them in the state it became their property, or in an improved state, willing good for them, and fearing the consequences of not doing so in the Hereafter.  

However, we see a lot of injustice towards the weaker segments of society in all matters financial. Guardians consume the wealth of the orphans in their care, men deny the inheritance of the women, ... 

Related post: ...


Prohibition #7 

give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- 

The belief in accountability and Allah  's Justice on the Day of Judgement should be enough deterrent for any person who hopes for an easy reckoning to actively ensure that they give everyone their due, with equitable justice (بِٱلْقِسْطِ), such that the weak are especially taken care of, while the strong are also not wronged. 

In our muslim society, we find so many people cheating others; corruption is rampant; the markets are full of cheaters who fleece people off their money; the weights and measures are tampered; the products are adulterated; the quality is compromised; prices are exorbitant; yes, there are good, honest people in the markets also, but, generally, things are increasingly bad. 

Related post: ...


Prohibition #8 

whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; 

In theory, Islam is Deen-e-Haqq, which ensures that everyone gets their rights. An important component of providing everyone their rights is truth, generally every time we speak, and especially while giving testimony. 

In practice, we witness many people habitually and constantly lying, during conversations,  and when giving testimony. Many other considerations seem to override the directive to speak justly. 

Related post: ...

Prohibition #9 

and fulfil the covenant of Allah

Allah  has taken a covenant from all the believers. It must be fulfilled. 

Prohibition #10 

Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you. that ye may be righteous.

These are the prohibitions and this is the path that leads to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and His Path, the path that leads to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's Protection and eternal bliss. 

Surah al-An'am concludes thus: 

ثُمَّ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًۭا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةًۭ لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ ١٥٤

Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing (Our favour) to those who would do right, and explaining all things in detail,- and a guide and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.

وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مُبَارَكٌۭ فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ١٥٥

And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy:

أَن تَقُولُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ عَلَىٰ طَآئِفَتَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِنَا وَإِن كُنَّا عَن دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَـٰفِلِينَ ١٥٦

Lest ye should say: "The Book was sent down to two Peoples before us, and for our part, we remained unacquainted with all that they learned by assiduous study:"

أَوْ تَقُولُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَكُنَّآ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمْ ۚ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَيِّنَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ ۚ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَصَدَفَ عَنْهَا ۗ سَنَجْزِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْدِفُونَ ١٥٧

Or lest ye should say: "If the Book had only been sent down to us, we should have followed its guidance better than they." Now then hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord,- and a guide and a mercy: then who could do more wrong than one who rejecteth Allah's signs, and turneth away therefrom? In good time shall We requite those who turn away from Our signs, with a dreadful penalty, for their turning away.

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ رَبُّكَ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ بَعْضُ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكَ ۗ يَوْمَ يَأْتِى بَعْضُ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّكَ لَا يَنفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَـٰنُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ ءَامَنَتْ مِن قَبْلُ أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِىٓ إِيمَـٰنِهَا خَيْرًۭا ۗ قُلِ ٱنتَظِرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ ١٥٨

Are they waiting to see if the angels come to them, or thy Lord (Himself), or certain of the signs of thy Lord! the day that certain of the signs of thy Lord do come, no good will it do to a soul to believe in them then if it believed not before nor earned righteousness through its faith. Say: "Wait ye: we too are waiting."

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ شِيَعًۭا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ ۚ إِنَّمَآ أَمْرُهُمْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ ١٥٩

As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.

مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ١٦٠

He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them.

قُلْ إِنَّنِى هَدَىٰنِى رَبِّىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ دِينًۭا قِيَمًۭا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ١٦١

Say: "Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight,- a religion of right,- the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah."

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ١٦٢

Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds:

لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ١٦٣

No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.

قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّۭا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ١٦٤

Say: "Shall I seek for (my) Cherisher other than Allah, when He is the Cherisher of all things (that exist)? Every soul draws the meed of its acts on none but itself: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another. Your goal in the end is towards Allah: He will tell you the truth of the things wherein ye disputed."

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍۢ دَرَجَـٰتٍۢ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۢ ١٦٥

It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

[Al-Quran 6:154-165, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali]



Related Posts: 

The Right Religion (Deen) 

With Our Hands 


...

Tuesday 4 June 2024

The Quran on the Bani Israel

and the Israel-Palestine war in 2023-2024 


When Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ informed the angels about His Plan to appoint a Khalifa for the Earth, they wondered why would Allah appoint someone who would cause corruption and shed blood (Q2:30). 

When Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ ratified a covenant with the Bani Israel, they solemnly covenanted to not shed blood, nor evict people from their homes (Q2:84-86).  

So, it is not surprising that right after the exile of Adam عليه السلام , the Quran directly addresses the Bani Israel asking them to fulfil their part of the covenant, so that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ fulfils His part of the Covenant with them (Q2:40). 

The Jews were forbidden from taking usury, and from consuming people's wealth unjustly (Q4:161).

Every time the Jews have kindled the fire of war, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ has extinguished it. And they strive to corrupt the Earth, but Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ does not love the corrupters (Q5:64). 

The Rejectors / Disbelievers (kafirs) among the Bani Israel were cursed by the tongues of David (Dawood عليه السلام) and Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) because they were disobedient and habitual transgressors (Q5:78). 

It was foretold that the Bani Israel will cause corruption in the Earth twice, and become haughty. Both times, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ punished them severely with destruction and exile (Q17:4). 

In the first punishment, the servants of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , people of great military might, entered their homes... (Q17:5) 

In the second punishment, their faces were saddened, and their Masjid was destroyed with complete destruction (Q17:7).  

They have been warned that if they repeat / return, 'We' will repeat / return (Q17:8). 

Surah Bani Israel also informs us that when the promise of the Hereafter comes, they will be collected together, and brought forth in a single gathering (Q17:104). 

So, if we are living in end times, the State of Israel is but a means to collect the Bani Israel from all over the world in a single gathering. 

If we are not living in the end-times, then they have been warned that if they repeat / return to their corruption and haughtiness, 'We' will repeat / return. 

First the Babylonians were sent against them; then the Romans. 

Ever since, the Bani Israel and the Jewish diaspora has lived in exile. They have never had a land to call their own. 

They settled near Yasrab (Medina) expecting the awaited Prophet, yet they refused to support him, even though they were under a pledge to support him. They were exiled from there in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad  .  

They have been repeatedly exiled from one country after the other. 

They planted themselves in Palestine in the twentieth century, and have been shedding blood and evicting people from their homes, in violation of their covenant with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ .  

They have been warned: 

Screenshot from quran.com/17/8


Notes on Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock after the ayaat listed here  


Al-Quran ayaat referenced above: 


Q2:30

وَاِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلٰٓٮِٕكَةِ اِنِّىۡ جَاعِلٌ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ خَلِيۡفَةً ؕ قَالُوۡٓا اَتَجۡعَلُ فِيۡهَا مَنۡ يُّفۡسِدُ فِيۡهَا وَيَسۡفِكُ الدِّمَآءَۚ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَـكَ​ؕ قَالَ اِنِّىۡٓ اَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏  ٣٠

And [mention, O Muḥammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your perfection?" He [Allāh] said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."

[Al-Quran 2:30, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q2:40 

يٰبَنِىۡٓ اِسۡرَآءِيۡلَ اذۡكُرُوۡا نِعۡمَتِىَ الَّتِىۡٓ اَنۡعَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَاَوۡفُوۡا بِعَهۡدِىۡٓ اُوۡفِ بِعَهۡدِكُمۡۚ وَاِيَّاىَ فَارۡهَبُوۡنِ‏ ٤٠

O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you and fulfill My covenant [upon you] that I will fulfill your covenant [from Me], and be afraid of [only] Me.

[Al-Quran 2:40, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q2:84-86

وَاِذۡ اَخَذۡنَا مِيۡثَاقَكُمۡ لَا تَسۡفِكُوۡنَ دِمَآءَكُمۡ وَلَا تُخۡرِجُوۡنَ اَنۡفُسَكُمۡ مِّنۡ دِيَارِكُمۡ ثُمَّ اَقۡرَرۡتُمۡ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ تَشۡهَدُوۡنَ‏ ٨٤ ثُمَّ اَنۡـتُمۡ هٰٓؤُلَاۤءِ تَقۡتُلُوۡنَ اَنۡفُسَكُمۡ وَتُخۡرِجُوۡنَ فَرِيۡقًا مِّنۡكُمۡ مِّنۡ دِيَارِهِمۡ تَظٰهَرُوۡنَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ بِالۡاِثۡمِ وَالۡعُدۡوَانِؕ وَاِنۡ يَّاۡتُوۡكُمۡ اُسٰرٰى تُفٰدُوۡهُمۡ وَهُوَ مُحَرَّمٌ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ اِخۡرَاجُهُمۡ​​ؕ اَفَتُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِبَعۡضِ الۡكِتٰبِ وَتَكۡفُرُوۡنَ بِبَعۡضٍ​ۚ فَمَا جَزَآءُ مَنۡ يَّفۡعَلُ ذٰلِكَ مِنۡکُمۡ اِلَّا خِزۡىٌ فِى الۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا ​ۚ وَيَوۡمَ الۡقِيٰمَةِ يُرَدُّوۡنَ اِلٰٓى اَشَدِّ الۡعَذَابِ​ؕ وَمَا اللّٰهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏  ٨٥ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ الَّذِيۡنَ اشۡتَرَوُا الۡحَيٰوةَ الدُّنۡيَا بِالۡاٰخِرَةِ​ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُمُ الۡعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمۡ يُنۡصَرُوۡنَ‏ ٨٦

And [recall] when We took your covenant, [saying], "Do not shed your [i.e., each other's] blood or evict one another from your homes." Then you acknowledged [this] while you were witnessing. Then, you are those [same ones who are] killing one another and evicting a party of your people from their homes, cooperating against them in sin and aggression. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although their eviction was forbidden to you. So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allāh is not unaware of what you do. Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.

[Al-Quran 2:84-86, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q4:161

وَّاَخۡذِهِمُ الرِّبٰوا وَقَدۡ نُهُوۡا عَنۡهُ وَاَكۡلِـهِمۡ اَمۡوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالۡبَاطِلِ​ ؕ وَاَعۡتَدۡنَـا لِلۡـكٰفِرِيۡنَ مِنۡهُمۡ عَذَابًا اَ لِيۡمًا‏ ١٦١

And [for] their taking of usury while they had been forbidden from it, and their consuming of the people's wealth unjustly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.

[Al-Quran 4:161, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q5:64

وَقَالَتِ الۡيَهُوۡدُ يَدُ اللّٰهِ مَغۡلُوۡلَةٌ​ ؕ غُلَّتۡ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَلُعِنُوۡا بِمَا قَالُوۡا​ ۘ بَلۡ يَدٰهُ مَبۡسُوۡطَتٰنِ ۙ يُنۡفِقُ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُ​ ؕ وَلَيَزِيۡدَنَّ كَثِيۡرًا مِّنۡهُمۡ مَّاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَيۡكَ مِنۡ رَّبِّكَ طُغۡيَانًا وَّكُفۡرًا​ ؕ وَاَ لۡقَيۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمُ الۡعَدَاوَةَ وَالۡبَغۡضَآءَ اِلٰى يَوۡمِ الۡقِيٰمَةِ​ ؕ كُلَّمَاۤ اَوۡقَدُوۡا نَارًا لِّلۡحَرۡبِ اَطۡفَاَهَا اللّٰهُ​ ۙ وَيَسۡعَوۡنَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَسَادًا​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الۡمُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏ ٦٤

And the Jews say, "The hand of Allāh is chained." Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. And We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war [against you], Allāh extinguished it. And they strive throughout the land [causing] corruption, and Allāh does not like corrupters.

[Al-Quran 5:64, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q5:78

لُعِنَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا مِنۡۢ بَنِىۡۤ اِسۡرَآءِيۡلَ عَلٰى لِسَانِ دَاوٗدَ وَعِيۡسَى ابۡنِ مَرۡيَمَ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ بِمَا عَصَوْا وَّكَانُوۡا يَعۡتَدُوۡنَ‏ ٧٨

Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.

[Al-Quran 5:78, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q17:4

وَقَضَيۡنَاۤ اِلٰى بَنِىۡۤ اِسۡرَاۤءِيۡلَ فِى الۡكِتٰبِ لَـتُفۡسِدُنَّ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ مَرَّتَيۡنِ وَلَتَعۡلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيۡرًا‏ ٤

And We conveyed to the Children of Israel in the Scripture that, "You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach [a degree of] great haughtiness."

[Al-Quran 17:4, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q17:5

فَاِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ اُوۡلٰٮهُمَا بَعَثۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ عِبَادًا لَّنَاۤ اُولِىۡ بَاۡسٍ شَدِيۡدٍ فَجَاسُوۡا خِلٰلَ الدِّيَارِ ​ؕ وَكَانَ وَعۡدًا مَّفۡعُوۡلًا‏ ٥

So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them, We sent against you servants of Ours - those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes, and it was a promise fulfilled.

[Al-Quran 17:5, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q17:6

ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنَا لَـكُمُ الۡكَرَّةَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَاَمۡدَدۡنٰـكُمۡ بِاَمۡوَالٍ وَّبَنِيۡنَ وَجَعَلۡنٰكُمۡ اَكۡثَرَ نَفِيۡرًا‏ ٦

Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower.

[Al-Quran 17:6, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q17:7

اِنۡ اَحۡسَنۡتُمۡ اَحۡسَنۡتُمۡ لِاَنۡفُسِكُمۡ​ وَاِنۡ اَسَاۡتُمۡ فَلَهَا ​ؕ فَاِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ الۡاٰخِرَةِ لِيَسُـوْۤءا وُجُوۡهَكُمۡ وَلِيَدۡخُلُوا الۡمَسۡجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوۡهُ اَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَّلِيُتَبِّرُوۡا مَا عَلَوۡا تَتۡبِيۡرًا‏ ٧

[And said], "If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to them [i.e., yourselves]." Then when the final [i.e., second] promise came, [We sent your enemies] to sadden your faces and to enter the masjid [i.e., the temple in Jerusalem], as they entered it the first time, and to destroy what they had taken over with [total] destruction.

[Al-Quran 17:7, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q17:8

عَسٰى رَبُّكُمۡ اَنۡ يَّرۡحَمَكُمۡ​ ۚ وَاِنۡ عُدْتُّمۡ عُدۡنَا​ۘ وَجَعَلۡنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ حَصِيۡرًا‏ ٨

[Then Allāh said], "It is expected, [if you repent], that your Lord will have mercy upon you. But if you return [to sin], We will return [to punishment]. And We have made Hell, for the disbelievers, a prison-bed."

[Al-Quran 17:8, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q17:104

وَّقُلۡنَا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِهٖ لِبَنِىۡۤ اِسۡرَاۤءِيۡلَ اسۡكُنُوا الۡاَرۡضَ فَاِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ الۡاٰخِرَةِ جِئۡنَا بِكُمۡ لَفِيۡفًا ؕ‏ ١٠٤

And We said after him [i.e., Pharaoh] to the Children of Israel, "Dwell in the land, and when there comes the promise [i.e., appointment] of the Hereafter, We will bring you forth in [one] gathering."

[Al-Quran 17:104, Translation: Saheeh International]


Q59:2-4

هُوَ الَّذِىۡۤ اَخۡرَجَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا مِنۡ اَهۡلِ الۡكِتٰبِ مِنۡ دِيَارِهِمۡ لِاَوَّلِ الۡحَشۡرِ​ؔؕ مَا ظَنَنۡـتُمۡ اَنۡ يَّخۡرُجُوۡا​ وَظَنُّوۡۤا اَنَّهُمۡ مَّانِعَتُهُمۡ حُصُوۡنُهُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ فَاَتٰٮهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَمۡ يَحۡتَسِبُوۡا وَقَذَفَ فِىۡ قُلُوۡبِهِمُ الرُّعۡبَ يُخۡرِبُوۡنَ بُيُوۡتَهُمۡ بِاَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَاَيۡدِى الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ فَاعۡتَبِـرُوۡا يٰۤاُولِى الۡاَبۡصَارِ​‏ ٢ وَلَوۡلَاۤ اَنۡ كَتَبَ اللّٰهُ عَلَيۡهِمُ الۡجَـلَاۤءَ لَعَذَّبَهُمۡ فِى الدُّنۡيَا​ؕ وَلَهُمۡ فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ عَذَابُ النَّارِ‏ ٣ ذٰ لِكَ بِاَنَّهُمۡ شَآقُّوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ​ ۚ وَمَنۡ يُّشَآقِّ اللّٰهَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ‏ ٤

It is He who expelled the ones who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think they would leave, and they thought that their fortresses would protect them from Allāh; but [the decree of] Allāh came upon them from where they had not expected, and He cast terror into their hearts [so] they destroyed their houses by their [own] hands and the hands of the believers. So take warning, O people of vision. And if not that Allāh had decreed for them evacuation, He would have punished them in [this] world, and for them in the Hereafter is the punishment of the Fire. That is because they opposed Allāh and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allāh - then indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty.

[Al-Quran 59:2-4, Translation: Saheeh International]



Note on Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (excerpt from Muhammad – Ascension & Return

[Quote]

سُبۡحٰنَ الَّذِىۡۤ اَسۡرٰى بِعَبۡدِهٖ لَيۡلًا مِّنَ الۡمَسۡجِدِ الۡحَـرَامِ اِلَى الۡمَسۡجِدِ الۡاَقۡصَا الَّذِىۡ بٰرَكۡنَا حَوۡلَهٗ لِنُرِيَهٗ مِنۡ اٰيٰتِنَا​ ؕ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيۡعُ الۡبَصِيۡرُ‏ ١

Glory to (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things ).

[Al-Quran 17:1, Translation: Yusuf Ali]

Farthest Mosque 

The Quran describes the Earth as situated within the innermost layer of the seven concentric skies/heavens, and the Throne of God above it. Therefore the farthest mosque from Earth must be at or very near The Mighty Throne, possibly Bait-ul-Mamoor whose oath has been taken in Q52:4.  

A common misconception is that alMasjid alAqsa in Q17:1 refers to the mosque in Jerusalem. The subsequent ayaat of the same surah clarify that the Temple of Solomon had already been completely destroyed and didn’t exist then. Masjid alAqsa is supposed to have been built later, by a Muslim ruler, on the empty site where Caliph Umar رضي الله عنه had prayed after conquering Jerusalem during his caliphate. There was no Masjid alAqsa in Jerusalem, at the time of Prophet Muhammad ’s ascension. 

[End Quote]

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The Possessors of the Stone

Surah al-Fajr states that its opening statements are oaths for the possessors of the 'hijr'. It could be referring to the Arabs who have the Hajar-e-Aswad, the Hijr-e-Ismail, the Madain Saleh, or it could be referring to the masons, or to the rock in Jerusalem on which the golden dome has been built, or the people who throw stones at their enemies ...   


Note on Dome of The Rock (excerpt from The Oaths in Surah alFajr ): 

[Quote] 

The Possessor of حِجْرٍ 

هَلْ فِي ذَٰلِكَ قَسَمٌ لِّذِي حِجْرٍ

Is there not in that an oath to be sworn for a possessor of حِجْرٍ?

[Al-Quran 89:5, Translation: Dr Laleh Bakhtiar, edited to retain last word] 

The root ح ج ر occurs 21 times in The Quran, generally for words meaning stone, as well as for partition, forbidden, private chamber, guardianship, and strangely, translated in Q89:5 as who understand or possess intelligence. 

If a stone (حجر) is a rock (صخرة) that has been modified for a purpose, then: 

Though there is some disagreement on the exact site of The Temple, there exists a rock under the Dome of The Rock (Arabic: قبة الصخرة‎) in Jerusalem, which is supposed to be the foundation stone of the Temple of Solomon, and some believe that it is site of the Holy of Holies in The Temple.


AttributionPublic Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2490663 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_rock_of_the_Dome_of_the_Rock_Corrected.jpg

... 

Jerusalem has exchanged many hands since ancient times. The Dome of the Rock was built above the ancient rock/stone by a Muslim ruler. Since the Crusades, the site has been managed by the Muslim community of Jerusalem as a Waqf. Since 1967 that part of Jerusalem is under Israel's control. However, Israel has returned the administration of the Temple Mount to the Waqf under Jordanian custodianship.

Jews hope to rebuild the Third Temple at the site ...

[End Quote]

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Note on the people who throw stones (excerpt from The Potential in The Ordinary): 

[Quote] 

David (Daud عليه السلام)’ sling

وَلَمَّا بَرَزُوۡا لِجَـالُوۡتَ وَجُنُوۡدِهٖ قَالُوۡا رَبَّنَآ اَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرًا وَّثَبِّتۡ اَقۡدَامَنَا وَانۡصُرۡنَا عَلَى الۡقَوۡمِ الۡکٰفِرِيۡنَؕ‏ ٢٥٠ فَهَزَمُوۡهُمۡ بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰهِ ۙ وَقَتَلَ دَاوٗدُ جَالُوۡتَ وَاٰتٰٮهُ اللّٰهُ الۡمُلۡكَ وَالۡحِکۡمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهٗ مِمَّا يَشَآءُ ​ؕ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ اللّٰهِ النَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُمۡ بِبَعۡضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الۡاَرۡضُ وَلٰـکِنَّ اللّٰهَ ذُوۡ فَضۡلٍ عَلَى الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏ ٢٥١ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ اللّٰهِ نَـتۡلُوۡهَا عَلَيۡكَ بِالۡحَـقِّ​ؕ وَاِنَّكَ لَمِنَ الۡمُرۡسَلِيۡنَ‏ ٢٥٢

And when they went forth to [face] Goliath and his soldiers, they said, "Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people." So they defeated them by permission of Allāh, and David killed Goliath, and Allāh gave him the kingship and wisdom [i.e., prophethood] and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allāh checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the worlds. These are the verses of Allāh which We recite to you, [O Muḥammad], in truth. And indeed, you are from among the messengers.

[Al-Quran 2:250-252, Translation: Saheeh International] 


49 David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, and hurled it with his sling. It struck the P’lishti in his forehead and buried itself in his forehead, so that he fell face down on the ground. 50 Thus David defeated the P’lishti with a sling and a stone, striking the P’lishti and killing him; but David had no sword in his hand. 51 Then David ran and stood over the P’lishti, took his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and finished killing him, cutting off his head with it.

[The Bible, 1 Samuel 17 CJB]

To defeat the giant Goliath (Jalut), all that David (Daud عليه السلام) needed was a sling and a stone.  

[End Quote] 

At that time, the P’lishti were mighty, and the Bani Israel fighting with faith; now Israel is mighty, and the Palestinians fighting with faith... 

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Also read: 

The Covenant & Its Ratification 

The Case against the Bani Israel 

Seventy Men & The Torah in Seventy Languages  

Muhammad , a Messenger like Moses: The Qibla 

The Destruction of The Masjid of Solomon 

Feeding the Miskeen 

Act(s) of Reform (عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ and عَمِلَ صَالِحًا) 

Wronging the Nafs - II (The Forbidden & The Sacred) 

Monotheism & Legal Reforms 

The Devils among The Angels & The Khilafat of Adam 

and be Cautious (وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ) 



Last updated on: June 21, 2024






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Monday 26 February 2024

Nur vs Zulm

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لَاۤ اِكۡرَاهَ فِى الدِّيۡنِ​ۙ  قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشۡدُ مِنَ الۡغَىِّ​ۚ فَمَنۡ يَّكۡفُرۡ بِالطَّاغُوۡتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۡۢ بِاللّٰهِ فَقَدِ اسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِالۡعُرۡوَةِ الۡوُثۡقٰى لَا انْفِصَامَ لَهَا​​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ سَمِيۡعٌ عَلِيۡمٌ‏ ٢٥٦

اَللّٰهُ وَلِىُّ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا يُخۡرِجُهُمۡ مِّنَ الظُّلُمٰتِ اِلَى النُّوۡرِ​  وَالَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡۤا اَوۡلِيٰٓـــُٔهُمُ الطَّاغُوۡتُۙ يُخۡرِجُوۡنَهُمۡ مِّنَ النُّوۡرِ اِلَى الظُّلُمٰتِ​ؕ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ​​ۚ هُمۡ فِيۡهَا خٰلِدُوۡنَ‏ ٢٥٧

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become distinct from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in ṭāghūt and believes in Allāh has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.

Allāh is the Ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light Nur. And those who disbelieve - their allies are ṭāghūt. They take them out of the light Nur into darknesses. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.

[Al-Quran 2:256-257, Translation: Saheeh International, edited in italics for clarity]

On the individual, there is no compulsion in religion (Deen). Those who believe in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , He takes them out from darknesses (الظُّلُمٰتِ) to the Nur (النُّوۡرِ), a special kind of radiation.  

We know from Adam's prayer that they had put their Nafs in darkness by obeying Satan and eating from the forbidden tree: 

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَاۤ اَنۡفُسَنَا وَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَـنَكُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِيۡنَ‏

They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged darkened ourselves Nafs, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."

[Al-Quran 7:23, Translation: Saheeh International, edited in italics for clarity]

Though the word ظَلَمۡنَاۤ is generally translated as 'we have wronged', it shares the trilateral root with الظُّلُمٰتِ (Q2:257), and a clearer translation should be 'we have darkened'.  

later on in Surah al-Araf, we also read that:

وَ اِذۡ اَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۡۢ بَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ مِنۡ ظُهُوۡرِهِمۡ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمۡ وَ اَشۡهَدَهُمۡ عَلٰٓى اَنۡفُسِهِمۡ​ ۚ اَلَسۡتُ بِرَبِّكُمۡ ؕ قَالُوۡا بَلٰى​ ۛۚ شَهِدۡنَا ​ۛۚ اَنۡ تَقُوۡلُوۡا يَوۡمَ الۡقِيٰمَةِ اِنَّا كُنَّا عَنۡ هٰذَا غٰفِلِيۡنَ ۙ‏ ١٧٢ اَوۡ تَقُوۡلُوۡۤا اِنَّمَاۤ اَشۡرَكَ اٰبَآؤُنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَكُنَّا ذُرِّيَّةً مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ​ۚ اَفَتُهۡلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ الۡمُبۡطِلُوۡنَ‏ ١٧٣ وَكَذٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الۡاٰيٰتِ وَلَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُوۡنَ‏ ١٧٤

And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves their Nafs, [saying to them], "Am I not your Lord Sustainer?" They said, "Yes, we have testified." [This] - lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, "Indeed, we were of this unaware." Or [lest] you say, "It was only that our fathers associated [others in worship] with Allāh before, and we were but descendants after them. Then would You destroy us for what the falsifiers have done?" And thus do We [explain in] detail the verses, and perhaps they will return.

[Al-Quran 7:172-174, Translation: Saheeh International, edited in italics for clarity]

All descendants of Adam's sons have been made witness over their Nafs, that Allah is their Lord Sustainer. 

In Surah Al-Nur, we read that Allah is the Nur (Q24:35) of the skies and earth, and five ayaat later, we read that He grants Nur to whom He Wills: 

اَوۡ كَظُلُمٰتٍ فِىۡ بَحۡرٍ لُّـجّـِىٍّ يَّغۡشٰٮهُ مَوۡجٌ مِّنۡ فَوۡقِهٖ مَوۡجٌ مِّنۡ فَوۡقِهٖ سَحَابٌ​ؕ ظُلُمٰتٌۢ بَعۡضُهَا فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍؕ اِذَاۤ اَخۡرَجَ يَدَهٗ لَمۡ يَكَدۡ يَرٰٮهَا​ؕ وَمَنۡ لَّمۡ يَجۡعَلِ اللّٰهُ لَهٗ نُوۡرًا فَمَا لَهٗ مِنۡ نُّوۡرٍ‏ ٤٠

Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allāh has not granted light Nur - for him there is no light Nur.

[Al-Quran 24:40, Translation: Saheeh International, edited in italics for clarity]

Sun is a light that has been worshipped by many people across history, and even in the present day. Secular science also presents the Sun as the source of all life on Earth. The creation narrative of polytheistic beliefs finds many overlaps with secular science. 

In Surah anNaml, we read about the Sun-worshipping people of Saba who were ruled by a Queen. When Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) hears about it, he commands her to come in submission to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ ... Finally, when she submits and comes to the Kingdom of Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام), she realises that she had been putting her Nafs in darkness by worshipping the Sun, and submits to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى along with Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام): 

فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡ قِيۡلَ اَهٰكَذَا عَرۡشُكِ​ؕ قَالَتۡ كَاَنَّهٗ هُوَ​ۚ وَاُوۡتِيۡنَا الۡعِلۡمَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِهَا وَ كُنَّا مُسۡلِمِيۡنَ‏ ٤٢ وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَتۡ تَّعۡبُدُ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ​ؕ اِنَّهَا كَانَتۡ مِنۡ قَوۡمٍ كٰفِرِيۡنَ‏ ٤٣ قِيۡلَ لَهَا ادۡخُلِى الصَّرۡحَ​ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَاَتۡهُ حَسِبَـتۡهُ لُـجَّةً وَّكَشَفَتۡ عَنۡ سَاقَيۡهَا ​ؕ قَالَ اِنَّهٗ صَرۡحٌ مُّمَرَّدٌ مِّنۡ قَوَارِيۡرَ ۙ​ قَالَتۡ رَبِّ اِنِّىۡ ظَلَمۡتُ نَـفۡسِىۡ وَ اَسۡلَمۡتُ مَعَ سُلَيۡمٰنَ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏  ٤٤ 

So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allāh]. And that which she was worshipping other than Allāh had averted her [from submission to Him]. Indeed, she was from a disbelieving people." She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, "Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass." She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself Nafs, and I submit with Solomon to Allāh, Lord of the worlds."

[Al-Quran 27:42-44, Translation: Saheeh International, edited in italics for clarity]

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Deen is to be established as the law of the land, globally. More on this at: Act(s) of Reform (عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ and عَمِلَ صَالِحًا) 

On the individual level, each Nafs is in pledge. Those who sincerely accept the Deen of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , establishing prayer and giving zakat, are promised the restoration of their Nur. In Surah alHadeed (Q57) and Surah atTahreem (Q66), we read:  

يَوۡمَ تَرَى الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ وَالۡمُؤۡمِنٰتِ يَسۡعٰى نُوۡرُهُمۡ بَيۡنَ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَبِاَيۡمَانِهِمۡ بُشۡرٰٮكُمُ الۡيَوۡمَ جَنّٰتٌ تَجۡرِىۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِهَا الۡاَنۡهٰرُ خٰلِدِيۡنَ فِيۡهَا​ؕ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الۡفَوۡزُ الۡعَظِيۡمُ​ۚ‏ ١٢

يَوۡمَ يَقُوۡلُ الۡمُنٰفِقُوۡنَ وَالۡمُنٰفِقٰتُ لِلَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا انْظُرُوۡنَا نَقۡتَبِسۡ مِنۡ نُّوۡرِكُمۡ​ۚ قِيۡلَ ارۡجِعُوۡا وَرَآءَكُمۡ فَالۡتَمِسُوۡا نُوۡرًاؕ فَضُرِبَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ بِسُوۡرٍ لَّهٗ بَابٌؕ بَاطِنُهٗ فِيۡهِ الرَّحۡمَةُ وَظَاهِرُهٗ مِنۡ قِبَلِهِ الۡعَذَابُؕ‏ ١٣

يُنَادُوۡنَهُمۡ اَلَمۡ نَكُنۡ مَّعَكُمۡ​ؕ قَالُوۡا بَلٰى وَلٰـكِنَّكُمۡ فَتَنۡتُمۡ اَنۡفُسَكُمۡ وَ تَرَبَّصۡتُمۡ وَارۡتَبۡتُمۡ وَغَرَّتۡكُمُ الۡاَمَانِىُّ حَتّٰى جَآءَ اَمۡرُ اللّٰهِ وَ غَرَّكُمۡ بِاللّٰهِ الۡغَرُوۡرُ‏ ١٤

فَالۡيَوۡمَ لَا يُؤۡخَذُ مِنۡكُمۡ فِدۡيَةٌ وَّلَا مِنَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا​ؕ مَاۡوٰٮكُمُ النَّارُ​ؕ هِىَ مَوۡلٰٮكُمۡ​ؕ وَبِئۡسَ الۡمَصِيۡرُ‏ ١٥

On the Day you see the believing men and believing women, their light Nur proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], "Your good tidings today are [of] gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally." That is what is the great attainment.

On the [same] Day the hypocrite men and hypocrite women will say to those who believed, "Wait for us that we may acquire some of your light Nur." It will be said, "Go back behind you and seek light Nur." And a wall will be placed between them with a door, its interior containing mercy, but on the outside of it is torment.

They [i.e., the hypocrites] will call to them [i.e., the believers], "Were we not with you?" They will say, "Yes, but you afflicted yourselves nafs and awaited [misfortune for us] and doubted, and wishful thinking deluded you until there came the command of Allāh. And the Deceiver [i.e., Satan] deceived you concerning Allāh.

So today no ransom will be taken from you or from those who disbelieved. Your refuge is the Fire. It is most worthy of you, and wretched is the destination."

[Al-Quran 57:12-15, Translation: Saheeh International, edited in italics for clarity]

Also, in Surah at-Tahreem, we read: 

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا تُوۡبُوۡۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ تَوۡبَةً نَّصُوۡحًا ؕ عَسٰى رَبُّكُمۡ اَنۡ يُّكَفِّرَ عَنۡكُمۡ سَيِّاٰتِكُمۡ وَيُدۡخِلَـكُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِىۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِهَا الۡاَنۡهٰرُ ۙ يَوۡمَ لَا يُخۡزِى اللّٰهُ النَّبِىَّ وَالَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مَعَهٗ​ ۚ نُوۡرُهُمۡ يَسۡعٰى بَيۡنَ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَبِاَيۡمَانِهِمۡ يَقُوۡلُوۡنَ رَبَّنَاۤ اَ تۡمِمۡ لَـنَا نُوۡرَنَا وَاغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا​ ۚ اِنَّكَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ‏ ٨

O you who have believed, repent to Allāh with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allāh will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light Nur will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light Nur and forgive cover us. Indeed, You are over all things competent."

[Al-Quran 66:8, Translation: Saheeh International, edited in italics for clarity]

May Allah grant us Nur of guidance in this life so we can see guidance, accept it, and act upon it, and perfect our Nur for us on the Day of Resurrection, allowing us to dwell in His Gardens forever, with a Nafs that has been restored to its pristine state. 



References & Links

The Sustainer of the Worlds (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ) 

Gamma Rays, Visible Light & The Electromagnetic Spectrum 

Secular Science vs Creation Faith 

Feminism 

The Serpent & The Snake: a Clear Sign 

Corruption of Creation 

Orientation: Right or Left 

Radioactive Human 



Last updated on: February 27, 2024