Monday, 24 August 2026

Intentions & Actions

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Al-Insan (76:5-10)

إِنَّ ٱلْأَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِن كَأْسٍۢ كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا كَافُورًا ٥

عَيْنًۭا يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ ٱللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًۭا ٦

يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًۭا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسْتَطِيرًۭا ٧

وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا ٨

إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا ٩

إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًۭا قَمْطَرِيرًۭا ١٠


Indeed, the righteous will have a drink from a goblet, blended with (a drink from) Camphor that will be a spring from which Allah’s servants will drink, making it flow (wherever they wish) profusely. They (are the ones who) fulfill their vows, and fear a day whose evil (events) will spread far and wide, and they give food, out of their love for Him (Allah), to the needy, and the orphan, and the captive, (saying to them,) “We feed you only for the sake of Allah; we have no intention of (receiving) either a return from you or thanks. In fact, we are fearful of a day, from the side of our Lord, that will be frowning, extremely malignant.”

— T. Usmani


Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of Kāfūr,[1] A spring of which the [righteous] servants of Allāh will drink; they will make it gush forth in force [and abundance]. They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. And they give food in spite of love for it[2] to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], "We feed you only for the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful."

— Saheeh International 
[1]- A sweet-smelling spring in Paradise.
[2]- The meaning here may also be "out of love for Him," i.e., Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā).


یقینا نیکوکار بندے ایسی شراب کے جام نوش کریں گے جس میں کافور کی ملونی ہوگی۔ یہ ایک چشمہ ہے جس میں سے اللہ کے خاص بندے پئیں گے اور جدھر چاہیں گے اس کی شاخیں نکال لے جائیں گے۔ وہ نذر کو پورا کرتے ہیں اور ڈرتے رہتے ہیں اس دن سے جس کا شر ہر ُ سو پھیل جائے گا۔ اور وہ کھانا کھلاتے ہیں اللہ کی محبت میں مسکین کو یتیم کو اور قیدی کو۔ (اور کہتے ہیں کہ) ہم تو آپ کو یہ کھانا کھلا رہے ہیں صرف اللہ (کی رضا) کے لیے ہم آپ سے نہ تو کوئی بدلہ چاہتے ہیں اور نہ ہی شکریہ۔ ہم تو ڈرتے ہیں اپنے رب کی طرف سے ایک ایسے دن سے جس کی اداسی بڑی ہولناک ہوگی۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


نیک لوگ ایسے پیالے سے پئیں گے جس میں کافور کی آمیزش ہوگی اس چشمہ سے اللہ کے بندے پئیں گےوہ اس کی شاخیں نکالیں گے وہ لوگ واجبات کو پورا کرتے ہیں اور ایسے دن سے ڈرتے ہیں جس کی سختی عام ہوگی اور اس کی محبت پر کھانا کھلاتے ہیں محتاج کو اور یتیم کواور قیدی کو ہم جوتم کو کھلاتے ہیں تو اللہ کی خوشی چاہنے کے لیےہم نہ تم سے بدلہ چاہتے ہیں اور نہ شکرگزاری ہم اپنے رب کی طرف سے ایک سخت اور تلخ دن کا اندیشہ رکھتے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/al-insan/5-10]


Surah al-Insaan describes the people who believe, and due to their belief, they feed the needy. Their love for their wealth does not prevent them from spending in the way of Allah. Their love for Allah and their fear of the extremely difficult day, which they believe is approaching, helps them do the deeds listed in these ayaat. They want to see the Face of Allah, and for that they invest in their future. 

Believers, and those who do not believe, many people do good deeds that make the world a wonderful place. So, what about those who do not believe? What is to be expected for them? 

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Al-Kahf (18:103-106)

18:103

قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَـٰلًا ١٠٣


Say: Shall We inform you who will be the greatest losers by their works?

— M. Pickthall


Say: "Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds?-

— A. Yusuf Ali


کہہ دو کہ ہم تمہیں بتائیں جو عملوں کے لحاظ سے بڑے نقصان میں ہیں

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


کہہ دیجئے کہ اگر (تم کہو تو) میں تمہیں بتا دوں کہ باعتبار اعمال سب سے زیاده خسارے میں کون ہیں؟

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi


18:104

ٱلَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا ١٠٤


Those whose effort goeth astray in the life of the world, and yet they reckon that they do good work.

— M. Pickthall


"Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?"

— A. Yusuf Ali


وه ہیں کہ جن کی دنیوی زندگی کی تمام تر کوششیں بیکار ہوگئیں اور وه اسی گمان میں رہے کہ وه بہت اچھے کام کر رہے ہیں.[1]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یعنی اعمال ان کے ایسے ہیں جو اللہ کے ہاں ناپسندیدہ ہیں، لیکن بزم خویش سمجھتے یہ ہیں کہ وہ بہت اچھے کام کر رہے ہیں۔ اس سے مراد کون ہیں؟ بعض کہتے ہیں، یہود وانصار ہیں، بعض کہتے ہیں مخالفین اور دیگر اہل بدعت ہیں، بعض کہتے ہیں کہ مشرکین ہیں۔ صحیح بات یہ ہے کہ آیت عام ہے جس میں ہر وہ فرد اور گروہ شامل ہے جس کے اندر مذکورہ صفات ہوں گی۔ آگے ایسے ہی لوگوں کی بابت مزید وعیدیں بیان کی جا رہی ہیں۔


وہ لوگ جن کی سعی دنیا کی زندگی میں برباد ہوگئی۔ اور وہ یہ سمجھے ہوئے ہیں کہ اچھے کام کر رہے ہیں

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


18:105

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَآئِهِۦ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَزْنًۭا ١٠٥


Those are they who disbelieve in the revelations of their Lord and in the meeting with Him. Therefor their works are vain, and on the Day of Resurrection We assign no weight to them.

— M. Pickthall


They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord and the fact of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their works, nor shall We, on the Day of Judgment, give them any weight.

— A. Yusuf Ali


یہ وہ لوگ ہیں جنہوں نے اپنے پروردگار کی آیتوں اور اس کے سامنے جانے سے انکار کیا تو ان کے اعمال ضائع ہوگئے اور ہم قیامت کے دن ان کے لئے کچھ بھی وزن قائم نہیں کریں گے

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


یہی وه لوگ ہیں جنہوں نے اپنے پروردگار کی آیتوں اور اس کی ملاقات سے کفر کیا[1] ، اس لئے ان کے اعمال غارت ہوگئے پس قیامت کے دن ہم ان کا کوئی وزن قائم نہ کریں گے.[2]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]رب کی آیات سے مراد توحید کے وہ دلائل ہیں جو کائنات میں پھیلے ہوئے ہیں اور وہ آیات تشریعی ہیں اور جو اس نے اپنی کتابوں میں نازل کیں اور پیغمبروں نے تبلیغ وتوضیع کی۔ اور رب کی ملاقات سے کفر کا مطلب آخرت کی زندگی اور دوبارہ جی اٹھنے سے انکار ہے۔

[2]یعنی ہمارے ہاں ان کی کوئی قدر وقیمت نہیں ہوگی یا یہ مطلب ہے کہ ہم ان کے لئے میزان کا اہتمام ہی نہیں کریں گے کہ جس میں ان کے اعمال تولے جائیں، اس لئے کہ اعمال تو موحدین کے تولے جائیں گے جن کے نامہ اعمال میں نیکیاں اور برائیاں دونوں ہونگی، جب کہ ان کے نامہ اعمال حسنات سے بالکل خالی ہوں گے جس طرح حدیث میں آتا ہے کہ ”قیامت والے دن موٹا تازہ آدمی آئے گا، اللہ کے ہاں اس کا اتنا وزن نہیں ہوگا جتنا مچھر کے پر کا ہوتا ہے“، پھر آپ (صلى الله عليه وسلم) نے اسی آیت کی تلاوت فرمائی۔ (صحیح بخاری۔ سورہ کہف)



18:106

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُوا۟ وَٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِى وَرُسُلِى هُزُوًا ١٠٦


That is their reward: hell, because they disbelieved, and made a jest of Our revelations and Our messengers.

— M. Pickthall


That is their reward, Hell, because they rejected Faith, and took My Signs and My Messengers by way of jest.

— A. Yusuf Ali


حال یہ ہے کہ ان کا بدلہ جہنم ہے کیونکہ انہوں نے کفر کیا اور میری آیتوں اور میرے رسولوں کو مذاق میں اڑایا.

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi


یہ ان کی سزا ہے (یعنی) جہنم۔ اس لئے کہ انہوں نے کفر کیا اور ہماری آیتوں اور ہمارے پیغمبروں کی ہنسی اُڑائی

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari

[https://quran.com/al-kahf/103-106]

The reason why they will lose out, in the hereafter, on the rewards of the good deeds they did in this world, is because they rejected guidance and made fun of Allah's Signs and Allah's Messengers. 

People refuse to believe, people mock the messengers, — this has been going on since the beginning. 

This is not a light matter. 

The penalty is great: they risk being led away, and a terrible hereafter 

Al-Isra (17:97)

وَمَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِهِۦ ۖ وَنَحْشُرُهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمْ عُمْيًۭا وَبُكْمًۭا وَصُمًّۭا ۖ مَّأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ كُلَّمَا خَبَتْ زِدْنَـٰهُمْ سَعِيرًۭا ٩٧


And he whom Allâh guides, he is led aright; but he whom He sends astray, for such you will find no Auliyâ’ (helpers and protectors), besides Him, and We shall gather them together on the Day of Resurrection on their faces,[1]blind, dumb and deaf; their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase for them the fierceness of the Fire.

— Al-Hilali & Khan
[1](V.17:97) Narrated Anas bin Mâlik رضي الله عنه: A man said, "O Allâh’s Prophet! Will Allâh gather a disbeliever (prone) on his face on the Day of Resurrection?" He صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Will not the One Who made him walk on his feet in this world, be able to make him walk on his face on the Day of Resurrection?" (Qatâdah, a subnarrator, said: "Yes, by the Power of Our Lord!") (Sahih Al Bukhri, Vol. 6, Hadith No.283).

It is he whom Allah guides, that is on true Guidance; but he whom He leaves astray - for such wilt thou find no protector besides Him. On the Day of Judgment We shall gather, them together, prone on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf: their abode will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, We shall increase from them the fierceness of the Fire.

— A. Yusuf Ali


جس کو اللہ ہدایت دے وہی ہدایت پانے والا ہے ، اور جسے وہ گمراہی میں ڈال دے تو اس کے سوا ایسے لوگوں کے لئے تو کوئی حامی و ناصر نہیں پاسکتا۔ ان لوگوں کو ہم قیامت کے روز اوندھے منہ کھینچ لائیں گے ، اندھے ، کوئلے اور بہرے۔ ان کا ٹھکانا جہنم ہے۔ جب کبھی اس کی آگ دھیمی ہونے لگے گی ہم اسے اور بھڑکا دیں گے۔

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an


اور جس کو راہ دکھلائے اللہ وہی ہے راہ پانے والا اور جس کو بھٹکائے پھر تو نہ پائے انکے واسطے کوئی رفیق اللہ کے سوائے [1] اور اٹھائیں گے ہم انکو دن قیامت کے چلیں گے منہ کے بل اندھے اور گونگے اور بہرے [2] ٹھکانا ان کو دوزخ ہے جب لگے گی بجھنے اور بھڑکا دیں گے ان پر [3]

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی نبوت پر اللہ کی فعلی شہادت:یعنی خدا کی توفیق و دستگیری ہی سے آدمی راہ حق پر چل کر منزل مقصود تک پہنچ سکتا ہے جس کی بدبختی اور تعنت کی وجہ سے خدا دستگیری نہ فرمائے اسے کون ہے جو ٹھیک راستہ پر لگا سکے۔

[2]آخرت میں کفار کا حشر:یہ قیامت کے بعض مواطن میں ہو گا کہ کافر منہ کے بل اندھے گونگے کر کے چلائے جائیں گے ۔ حدیث میں ہے صحابہ نے عرض کیا یارسول اللہ ! منہ کے بل کس طرح چلیں گے فرمایا جس نے آدمی کو پاؤں سے چلایا وہ قادر ہے کہ سر سے چلا دے۔ باقی فرشتوں کا جہنمیوں کو منہ کے بل گھسیٹنا ، وہ دوزخ میں داخل ہونے کے بعد ہو گا۔ یَوۡمَ یُسۡحَبُوۡنَ فِی النَّارِ عَلٰی وُجُوۡہِہِمۡ (القمر۔۴۸)۔

[3]یعنی عذاب معین اندازہ سے کم نہیں ہونے دیں گے۔ اگر بدن جل کر تکلیف میں کمی ہونے لگے گی تو پھر نئے چمڑے چڑھا دیے جائیں گے۔ کُلَّمَا نَضِجَتۡ جُلُوۡدُہُمۡ بَدَّلۡنٰہُمۡ جُلُوۡدًا غَیۡرَہَا (نساء۔۵۶)۔

[https://quran.com/al-isra/97]




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Sunday, 16 August 2026

What Do You Think?

Legend, Myth, or Ancient Reality 



















































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Wednesday, 12 August 2026

anNafs - alMutmainna

The Content Souls



Adam & wife were given residence in The Garden. 
Adam & wife ate from the forbidden Tree. 
Adam & wife lost the nur of their nafs. Their nafs became invisible. 
Adam & wife lost their comfort, clothing, and residence. 
Adam & wife got expelled from The Garden. 

Adam and his family hope to return to The Garden. 

Those who make it back, will have a 'nafs-e-mutmainna', that is, a content nafs. 
The 'nafs' will return to her Lord, pleased and well-pleasing. 
The 'nafs' will be told to re-enter Allah عزوجل 's slave.
The body (slave) with the reinstated soul (nafs) will be granted entry into The Garden. 

So, the state of contentment of the soul precedes the entry to The Garden. It is a prerequisite. It means acknowledging all the favours that we are already blessed with, and to know that contentment stems from and with the Lord. 




When the slaves of Allah عزوجل will be entering The Garden, they will be greeted by its keepers with:
 'Peace be unto you! Ye are good, ...

The Arabic word for 'good' used in this ayat is (طِبۡتُمۡ). 

Surah Aal-e-Imran informs that Allah عزوجل will separate the 'Tayyab' from the 'Khabees'. 

Surah Al-Nur informs us that Tayyab men are for Tayyab women, and Khabees men are for Khabees women. 

Surah al-Furqan informs us that Allah عزوجل has appointed our families and our in-laws. 

Surah al-Furqan lists the three major sins: shirk, murder, and zina.  

Surah Al-Nur prescribes punishment for 'zina', equally for both men and women, and forbids the believers from marrying adulterers and polytheists.  

Surah al-Furqan includes an invocation for making 'our wives and offsprings coolness of our eyes, and making us all leaders of the muttaqi'.  







Going back to الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ

Search result for 89:27:3

The triliteral root ṭā mīm nūn (ط م ن) occurs 13 times in the Quran, in three derived forms:

nine times as the form XII verb iṭ'ma-anna (ٱطْمَأَنَّ)

twice as the form XII active participle muṭ'ma-inn (مُطْمَئِنّ)

twice as the form XII active participle muṭ'ma-innat (مُّطْمَئِنَّة

The general meaning of words formed with root ṭā mīm nūn (ط م ن) are satisfaction, reassurance, and content. 

Focusing on the two ayaat using the exact word مُّطْمَئِنَّة :

The Bee (16:112) 

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًۭا قَرْيَةًۭ كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةًۭ مُّطْمَئِنَّةًۭ يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًۭا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍۢ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ ١١٢

Allah gives an example: There was a town, secure and content with its sustenance coming in plenty from every place. Then, it turned ungrateful to the bounties of Allah; so, Allah made it to taste hunger and terror (that covered it) like a garment, as recompense of what its people used to do.
— T. Usmani


Allah sets forth the parable of (the people of) a town who were secure and content and whose sustenance came in abundance from every quarter. But then the people of the town showed ingratitude towards Allah for His bounties, so Allah afflicted them with hunger and fear in punishment for their evil deeds.
— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)


Allah coineth a similitude: a township that dwelt secure and well content, its provision coming to it in abundance from every side, but it disbelieved in Allah's favours, so Allah made it experience the garb of dearth and fear because of what they used to do.
— M. Pickthall


Allah sets forth a Parable: a city enjoying security and quiet, abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place: Yet was it ungrateful for the favours of Allah: so Allah made it taste of hunger and terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like a garment (from every side), because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought.
— A. Yusuf Ali


اور اللہ نے مثال بیان کی ہے ایک بستی کی جو بالکل امن و اطمینان کی حالت میں تھی آتا تھا اس کے پاس اس کا رزق با فراغت ہر طرف سے تو اس نے نا شکری کی اللہ کی نعمتوں کی تو اسے چکھا (پہنا) دیا اللہ نے لباس بھوک اور خوف کا ان کے کرتوتوں کی پاداش میں
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


اور اللہ ایک بستی والوں کی مثال بیان کرتا ہے کہ وہ امن و اطمینان میں تھے ان کو ان کا رزق فراغت کے ساتھ ہر طرف سے پہنچ رہا تھا پھر انھوں نے خدا کی نعمتوں کی ناشکری کی تو اللہ نے ان کو ان کے اعمال کے سبب سے بھوک اور خوف کا مزا چکھایا
— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Surah an-Nahl begins with the information that Allah عزوجل 's command is coming, so do not be impatient about it. 

Surah an-Nahl is about the many favours Allah عزوجل grants us to compensate for our fallen state: clothing, comfort, shelter, milk and honey. Honey bees are critical for pollination, which means that their ecological contributions are significant. The economy is affected by their work, and bee disappearance is a major climate issue, posing a threat to food security and biodiversity.  

The first item on the list of contentment is food-security. It is a fundamental human need. 

Gratitude is a key factor in retaining Allah's favours. Surah an-Nahl cites the example of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) whose gratitude to Allah عزوجل was exemplary. 

Surah an-Nahl concludes with the good news that Allah عزوجل is with those who have taqwa and do ihsaan. 

The other ayat which mentions ٱلْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ is: 

The Dawn (89:27-30)


89:27
يَـٰٓأَيَّتُهَا ٱلنَّفْسُ ٱلْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ٢٧

(As for an obedient man, it will be said to him,) “O content soul,
— T. Usmani


اے نفس ِمطمئنہ ! ّ
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)



89:28
ٱرْجِعِىٓ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةًۭ مَّرْضِيَّةًۭ ٢٨

come back to your Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing.
— T. Usmani


اب لوٹ جائو اپنے رب کی طرف اس حال میں کہ تم اس سے راضی وہ تم سے راضی۔
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)



89:29
فَٱدْخُلِى فِى عِبَـٰدِى ٢٩

So, enter among My (special) servants,
— T. Usmani


تو داخل ہو جائو میرے (نیک) بندوں میں۔
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)



89:30
وَٱدْخُلِى جَنَّتِى ٣٠

and enter My Paradise.”
— T. Usmani


اور داخل ہو جائو میری جنت میں !
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

anNafs - alMutmainna ( ٱلنَّفْسُ ٱلْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ) represents the group of souls who are blessed with contentment. They are well-pleased with their Lord, and that is well-pleasing to their Lord. Such enlightened souls (no longer dark), will be reinstated in their reformed bodies (no longer fallen), and such people will dwell in the Gardens of Eternity. Greetings of peace will be upon those who have become good. 

Such shall be the judgement and the blessing on Judgement Day.  

...

Related links

Links to posts about Nafs

atTayyabaatu (الطَّيِّبَاتُ) vs alKhabais (الْخَبَائِثَ)  

Major Sins & True Repentance 

Deen-e-Qayyimah (Q12:40) 

The Will of Jacob (Israel) 

Be Thankful 

Prayers - The Need for Allah's Help 

The Excellent Uswah in Prophet Muhammad  

Gamma Rays, Visible Light & The Electromagnetic Spectrum 

The Home in The Gardens of The Hereafter 
...



https://loving-worship.blogspot.com 

https://expeditionthink.blogspot.com

https://signsandscience.blogspot.com 

https://islam-qna.blogspot.com   





Monday, 10 August 2026

The Tree of Good & Evil

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The Letter "Saad" (38:32)


فَقَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ ٱلْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّى حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِٱلْحِجَابِ ٣٢


And he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until it [i.e., the sun] disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."

— Saheeh International

And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain.

— M. Pickthall

[https://quran.com/sad/32]

Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) is quoted as saying he preferred the love of ٱلْخَيْرِ over the remembrance of his Lord. He had missed praying his obligatory prayer, and the time had passed for it while he was busy with the horses. 

The word ٱلْخَيْرِ occurs, in various grammatical forms, one hundred and ninety-six times in The Quran.  

Interestingly, the Arabic translation of the Bible uses this same word to describe the mental effect, eating, from the forbidden tree, had on Adam: 

21 وَكَسَا الرَّبُّ الإِلَهُ آدَمَ وَزَوْجَتَهُ رِدَاءَيْنِ مِنْ جِلْدٍ صَنَعَهُمَا لَهُمَا

22 ثُمَّ قَالَ الرَّبُّ الإِلَهُ: «هَا الإِنْسَانُ قَدْ صَارَ كَوَاحِدٍ مِنَّا، يُمَيِّزُ بَيْنَ الْخَيْرِ وَالشَّرِّ. وَقَدْ يَمُدُّ يَدَهُ وَيَتَنَاوَلُ مِنْ شَجَرَةِ الْحَيَاةِ وَيَأْكُلُ، فَيَحْيَا إِلَى الأَبَدِ». 23 فَأَخْرَجَهُ مِنْ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ لِيَفْلَحَ الأَرْضَ الَّتِي أُخِذَ مِنْ تُرَابِهَا. 24 وَهَكَذَا طَرَدَ اللهُ الإِنْسَانَ مِنْ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ، وَأَقَامَ مَلائِكَةَ الْكَرُوبِيمِ وَسَيْفاً نَارِيًّا مُتَقَلِّباً شَرْقِيَّ الْجَنَّةِ لِحِرَاسَةِ الطَّرِيقِ الْمُفْضِيَةِ إِلَى «شَجَرَةِ الْحَيَاةِ».

[Genesis 3 21-24, Arabic Translation: Kitab el Hayat]


The Bible informs that Adam was expelled from that garden lest he ate from the Tree of Life as well: 

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[e] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

[Genesis 3 21-24


In the phrase 'knowing good and evil', the Hebrew word for 'good' is [טוֹב], pronounced as 'TOV' 

Study of Hebrew word 'TOV': https://library.faithlabz.com/words/tov/ ; another explanation (video): https://bibleproject.com/videos/vocab-insight-tov-good/ 

'TOV' is translated generally as 'good'. Basically, as per the link above, it means something that functions properly, or is most suited for the purpose. 

The Arabic translation uses the word (الْخَيْرِ). 

In The Quran, the word الْخَيْرِ implies something that is 'chosen' for the purpose it is meant to serve, and that it is 'better', or 'best'. 

It is interesting to go through the search result, realising the depth of meaning. 

The last two results seem to shed light on why Adam had no choice in the matter of the whether to eat or not from the tree, as God had forbidden it: 

The Stories (28:68)


وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيَخْتَارُ ۗ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ٦٨


And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allāh and high above what they associate with Him.

— Saheeh International

Thy Lord bringeth to pass what He willeth and chooseth. They have never any choice. Glorified be Allah and Exalted above all that they associate (with Him)!

— M. Pickthall

[https://quran.com/al-qasas/68]


The Combined Forces (33:36)


وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍۢ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۭا مُّبِينًۭا ٣٦


It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allāh and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.

— Saheeh International

And it becometh not a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His messenger have decided an affair (for them), that they should (after that) claim any say in their affair; and whoso is rebellious to Allah and His messenger, he verily goeth astray in error manifest.

— M. Pickthall

[https://quran.com/al-ahzab/36]

The Quran informs us that Allah chose (اللّٰهَ اصۡطَفٰۤى) Adam, and He chose (اجْتَبٰهُ) him again. So, there exist at least three words in The Quran which indicate choice: (اصۡطَفٰۤى) ,(اجْتَبٰهُ), and, (الْخَيْرِ).

Coming back to the Tree of (الْخَيْرِ) and ( الشَّرِّ). 

The Quran mentions thirty-one times various grammatical forms of the word  الشَّرِّ .

The first result informs:

The Cow (2:216)


كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٢١٦


Battle has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allāh knows, while you know not.

— Saheeh International

Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not.

— M. Pickthall

[https://quran.com/al-baqarah/216]

The third result informs:

The Table Spread (5:60) 


قُلْ هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّۢ مِّن ذَٰلِكَ مَثُوبَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَن لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْقِرَدَةَ وَٱلْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ شَرٌّۭ مَّكَانًۭا وَأَضَلُّ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ٦٠


Say, "Shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that[1] as penalty from Allāh? [It is that of] those whom Allāh has cursed and with whom He became angry and made of them apes and pigs and slaves of ṭāghūt.[2] Those are worse in position and further astray from the sound way."

— Saheeh International
[1]Referring to the punishment the People of the Scripture (in their censure of the Muslims) claimed was deserved by them.
[2]See footnote to 2:256.


Shall I tell thee of a worse (case) than theirs for retribution with Allah? (Worse is the case of him) whom Allah hath cursed, him on whom His wrath hath fallen and of whose sort Allah hath turned some to apes and swine, and who serveth idols. Such are in worse plight and further astray from the plain road.

— M. Pickthall

[https://quran.com/al-maidah/60]

Surah alMaidah emphasises judging according to the revelation in the scriptures. This ayat informs the state of those who rejected the guidance in the scriptures, and were consequently removed from Allah's Mercy and devolved into apes and pigs, literally, as well as those who have been made worshippers of Taghut (عَبَدَ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ). Taghut is the falsehood that stands in opposition to Allah's Deen (the legal system).  




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The Combination 

Adam عليه السلام was forbidden to eat from only one tree in the garden. 

Once he ate from that forbidden tree (Tree of Good & Evil), Adam had to be banished from the garden, to protect him from eating from another tree (The Tree of Life). So, initially, that tree (The Tree of Life) wasn't forbidden. It was only that it could could not be taken in combination, as the harmful effect of the forbidden tree (Tree of Good & Evil) would cause unwanted, detrimental, side-effects? Like, the two medicines were contraindicated? 

[Bible] When he was warned to not to eat from the forbidden tree, he was told that the day he ate from it, he would surely die. 

[Quran] When he was warned to not to eat from the forbidden tree, he was also warned to not let Satan remove him from what he was in. As a consequence of eating from it, he slipped out of what he was in, had his natural clothing stripped off, and he stated that he had put his 'nafs' in darkness. 

[Quran] We have been warned to not to make changes in our 'nafs'. Only Allah can make the 'nafs' grow. We are being protected, our 'nafs' guarded, by the command of Allah. However, when nations make detrimental changes to their 'nafs', they bring upon themselves Allah's punishment: [Q13:11 ...​ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتّٰى يُغَيِّرُوۡا مَا بِاَنۡفُسِهِمۡ​ؕ وَاِذَاۤ اَرَادَ اللّٰهُ بِقَوۡمٍ سُوۡۤءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهٗ​ۚ وَمَا لَهُمۡ مِّنۡ دُوۡنِهٖ مِنۡ وَّالٍ‏ ١١]. 

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Friday, 7 August 2026

The Tree of Life

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فَوَسۡوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيۡطٰنُ لِيُبۡدِىَ لَهُمَا مَا وٗرِىَ عَنۡهُمَا مِنۡ سَوۡاٰتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهٰٮكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنۡ هٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ تَكُوۡنَا مَلَـكَيۡنِ اَوۡ تَكُوۡنَا مِنَ الۡخٰلِدِيۡنَ‏ ٢٠ وَقَاسَمَهُمَاۤ اِنِّىۡ لَـكُمَا لَمِنَ النّٰصِحِيۡنَۙ‏ ٢١
[The Quran, 7:20-21]

فَوَسۡوَسَ اِلَيۡهِ الشَّيۡطٰنُ قَالَ يٰۤاٰدَمُ هَلۡ اَدُلُّكَ عَلٰى شَجَرَةِ الۡخُلۡدِ وَمُلۡكٍ لَّا يَبۡلٰى‏ ١٢٠
[The Quran, 20:120]



The Quran informs us that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى taught Adam عليه السلام all the names, and that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى forbid him from eating from a particular tree in that garden. 

So, Adam عليه السلام was taught all the names. He knew about everything and everyone. When asked to name them, he successfully named them. He passed the knowledge test which the angels failed. 

Adam عليه السلام was forbidden from a tree in that garden, and warned to not let Satan Iblis make them slip out of the comfort they were in. Adam disobeyed, which resulted in the loss of the nur illuminating his nafs. He was consequently removed from the garden, as he had made a legal mistake, and his nafs was no longer in the state of nur. 

As the English translation of the Bible puts it, paraphrased: of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat; for in the day you eat from it, you will surely die. 

The Quran and The Bible inform us that, after eating from that forbidden tree, they started covering themselves with the leaves of the garden.   

Satan Iblis had convinced Adam that it was the Tree of Immortality and Ever-lasting Kingdom. 

The Bible informs that Adam was expelled from that garden lest he ate from the Tree of Life as well: 

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[e] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

[Genesis 3 21-24


So, now, in our fallen state, in our world, across the ages, we see two things: 
  1. sexual immorality 
  2. diseases and the search for cures  
The plots in most of mythology, legends, stories, etc. is pursuing love and happiness, and defying death and disease. 

Adam عليه السلام had the best job, the most luxurious residence, his soulmate as his wife, all angels at his command, direct access to God, yet he fell for the one thing he didn't have: immortality and a kingdom that never decays. 

Why immortality? Why did he wish to live forever? Why not embrace death when it came to him, and move on from this stage of existence to the next? The Hereafter will come after all the tests of this life are taken and the angel of death comes, at the command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , to remove us from this world. Everything in this world is meant to decay and disappear. Nothing is meant to last forever. Then why try to live here forever?  

Do we also suffer from this problem? The desire for that which is not? Perpetually trying to achieve what isn't? Instead of being grateful for what is, we yearn for what isn't? Is that the role of Satan in our lives: making us feel incomplete and ungrateful? 

Secular societies indulge in sexual liberties which the scriptures do not permit. They cherish their freedom. 

Secular science views death as a disease. They wish and strive to eradicate it. They strive for perpetual health and life. 




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Last updated on: August 8, 2026

Luxurious Economies

  and the scriptures 

12:21 & 12:56

Joseph (12:21)


وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِى ٱشْتَرَىٰهُ مِن مِّصْرَ لِٱمْرَأَتِهِۦٓ أَكْرِمِى مَثْوَىٰهُ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَنفَعَنَآ أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُۥ وَلَدًۭا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُۥ مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٢١


The man from Egypt[1] who bought him said to his wife, “Take good care of him, perhaps he may be useful to us or we may adopt him as a son.” This is how We established Joseph in the land, so that We might teach him the interpretation of dreams. Allah’s Will always prevails, but most people do not know.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran
[1] Potiphar, the Chief Minister of Egypt (Al-’Azîz).


اور اہل مصر میں سے جس شخص نے اس کو خریدا، اس نے اپنی بیوی سے کہا کہ اس کو اچھی طرح رکھو امید ہے کہ وہ ہمارے ليے مفید ہو یا ہم اس کو بیٹا بنالیں اوراس طرح ہم نے یوسف کو اس ملک میں جگہ دی اور تاکہ ہم اس کو باتوں کی تاویل سکھائیں اور اللہ اپنے کام پر غالب رہتا ہے لیکن اکثر لوگ نہیں جانتے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/yusuf/21]


Joseph (12:56)


وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَآءُ ۚ نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَآءُ ۖ وَلَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ٥٦


And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. We touch with Our mercy whom We will, and We do not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.

— Saheeh International


اور اس طرح ہم نے یوسف کو تمکن عطا کیا (مصر کی) زمین میں کہ وہ اس میں جہاں چاہے اپنا ٹھکانہ بنا لے ہم اپنی رحمت سے نوازتے ہیں جس کو چاہتے ہیں اور ہم نیکو کاروں کا اجرضائع نہیں کرتے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/yusuf/56]

Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام) was established in the land, in affluent polytheistic Ancient Egypt, at first, in the home of the Aziz, and later as a senior official in the government of the King, to settle wherever he wished. 

So, in bondage, and when elevated in rank and freedom, the establishing of Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام) in the land is described with the word (مَكَّنَّا) in both Q12:21 and Q12:56.  

Ancient Egypt was an affluent land, with a luxurious economy. 

All over the world, across history, many people have experienced luxuries, due to the flourishing of the economy. Where there is economic prosperity, the citizens, or the elites, at least, enjoy the luxuries of life. Along with the luxuries come opportunities and situations which test the moral compass. 

There is an inbuilt morality in each human nafs, such that every person dislikes being cheated, robbed, lied to, insulted, disrespected, taken advantage of, and disapproves of killing, etc. Good people dislike it for others as well, and behave in a morally responsible manner. 

Moreover, divine scriptures provide guidance as to what constitutes the Deen and the Shariah Laws, and what constitutes a sin and a crime. We know that Adam was given the mandate of Khilafat, to rule and judge as per Divine Law; that there were the Seven Laws of Noah; that there was the Suhuf-e-Ibrahim; Suhuf-e-Musa, and we are all aware of the existence of Torah, the Psalms of David, the books of the prophets, the Christian Bible, and The Quran.  

Morality itself becomes subjective when divorced from divine guidance. So, we see many societies, established in the land, provided with livelihoods, morally decent in a secular way, while ignoring the divine laws. It is not that they do not have the scripture, or that they are unaware of it, yet they seem to not to believe in the repercussions in the life of the Hereafter. Very few are grateful, and gratitude itself is too little. 

..

The Heights (7:10)


وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّـٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَـٰيِشَ ۗ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ ١٠


And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful.

— Saheeh International


And We have given you (mankind) power in the earth, and appointed for you therein livelihoods. Little give ye thanks!

— M. Pickthall


اور ہم ہی نے زمین میں تمہارا ٹھکانہ بنایا اور اس میں تمہارے لیے سامان معشیت پیدا کئے۔ (مگر) تم کم ہی شکر کرتے ہو

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


اور ہم نے تم کو زمین میں جگہ دی اور ہم نے تمھارے ليے اس میں زندگی کا سامان فراہم کیا، مگر تم بہت کم شکر کرتے ہو

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/al-araf/10]


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Last updated on: August 8, 2026