Water Issues & its Resolution

 Scarcity & Excess 

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تَبٰرَكَ الَّذِىۡ بِيَدِهِ الۡمُلۡكُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرُۙ‏  ١

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 اَمَّنۡ هٰذَا الَّذِىۡ هُوَ جُنۡدٌ لَّكُمۡ يَنۡصُرُكُمۡ مِّنۡ دُوۡنِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ​ؕ اِنِ الۡكٰفِرُوۡنَ اِلَّا فِىۡ غُرُوۡرٍ​ۚ‏ ٢٠ اَمَّنۡ هٰذَا الَّذِىۡ يَرۡزُقُكُمۡ اِنۡ اَمۡسَكَ رِزۡقَهٗ​ ۚ بَلۡ لَّجُّوۡا فِىۡ عُتُوٍّ وَّنُفُوۡرٍ‏ ٢١ اَفَمَنۡ يَّمۡشِىۡ مُكِبًّا عَلٰى وَجۡهِهٖۤ اَهۡدٰٓى اَمَّنۡ يَّمۡشِىۡ سَوِيًّا عَلٰى صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِيۡمٍ‏ ٢٢ 

قُلۡ هُوَ الَّذِىۡۤ اَنۡشَاَكُمۡ وَجَعَلَ لَـكُمُ السَّمۡعَ وَالۡاَبۡصَارَ وَ الۡاَفۡـــِٕدَةَ ​ ؕ قَلِيۡلًا مَّا تَشۡكُرُوۡنَ‏ ٢٣ 

قُلۡ هُوَ الَّذِىۡ ذَرَاَكُمۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَاِلَيۡهِ تُحۡشَرُوۡنَ‏ ٢٤

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 قُلۡ اَرَءَيۡتُمۡ اِنۡ اَهۡلَـكَنِىَ اللّٰهُ وَمَنۡ مَّعِىَ اَوۡ رَحِمَنَا ۙ فَمَنۡ يُّجِيۡرُ الۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ مِنۡ عَذَابٍ اَلِيۡمٍ‏ ٢٨ قُلۡ هُوَ الرَّحۡمٰنُ اٰمَنَّا بِهٖ وَعَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡنَا​ۚ فَسَتَعۡلَمُوۡنَ مَنۡ هُوَ فِىۡ ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِيۡنٍ‏ ٢٩ قُلۡ اَرَءَيۡتُمۡ اِنۡ اَصۡبَحَ مَآؤُكُمۡ غَوۡرًا فَمَنۡ يَّاۡتِيۡكُمۡ بِمَآءٍ مَّعِيۡنٍ٣٠

[Surah alMulk]

The Quran, Surah alMulk, last ayat questions that if some morning your water sinks, who will be able to make it well up?   

Water is essential for life. Our bodies need water welling up in our cells for them to function. We need water to drink, and we need it to be retained in appropriate amounts, and drained in appropriate amounts, in our bodies. There are so many more functions and processes that require water. We need water to irrigate our crops. We need water to sail upon. We need water on land and we need water bodies (springs, streams, lakes, rivers, seas, oceans, glaciers, snow, ice, hot springs, etc.). 

Water scarcity and water excess both are troublesome. 

Historically, there have been periods of drought and famine, and times when floods have ravaged the land and those upon it. Various regions face similar situations even today. 

The first ayat of Surah alMulk declares the flourishing power of Allah in whose hand is the Kingdom, and that He is Able over all things. That means that to Him belong all the decisions of destiny. 

The next ayat states that He has created death and life to test you which of you is the best in deeds, and He is the All-Mighty, All-Forgiving. 

Death is the state when water does not well up in our cells. Death implies disintegration into dust. 

Life implies functioning cells which have sufficient amount of water to function. 

Excess of water also leads to health problems. 

To flourish, we need balance within the body.  

Ayat 23: قَلِيۡلًا مَّا تَشۡكُرُوۡنَ ...

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human body. 

Ayat 23 draws attention to the fact that He has brought us forth from the Earth, and has appointed the ability to hear, envision, and feel, and then the phrase: little (is) what you give thanks (قَلِيۡلًا مَّا تَشۡكُرُوۡنَ). 

The Earth could have been waterless and barren, or the Earth could have been submerged in water, both of which are not ideal conditions for human life as we experience it. 

The very fact that Allah has produced us from the Earth, appointed hearing, vision, and feelings, and provided so many flourishing stimuli for us to enjoy and give gratitude for, during the life time we are given upon the Earth, before we die, is in itself something to be grateful for, and respond accordingly. 

Allah likes gratitude in His servants. 

Allah does not like ingratitude. 

To flourish forever, in gardens beneath which rivers flow, we need to pass the test of this life. 

The key is gratitude. 

Even in this world, the scriptures present examples of water scarcity, and the Messengers of Allah asking people to seek forgiveness, so that they are given water. 

We also read about the Flood, and about the Dam that broke and flooded Sheba (Saba), because of their ingratitude. 

There is the prophecy about the rising of the seas, and of the seas boiling. 

Seeking forgiveness and showing gratitude is the key to flourishing. 

May Allah make us flourish, in this life, and in the hereafter.  

Related Posts

Water (links' page) 

Iman & Amanat

 what it means to have Iman, 

The Cow (2:285)

ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ٢٨٥

The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."

— Saheeh International

ایمان لائے رسول ﷺ اس چیز پر جو نازل کی گئی ان کی جانب ان کے رب کی طرف سے اور مؤمنین بھی (ایمان لائے۔) یہ سب ایمان لائے اللہ پر اس کے فرشتوں پر اس کی کتابوں پر اور اس کے رسولوں پر (یہ کہتے ہیں کہ) ہم اللہ کے رسولوں میں کسی کے درمیان کوئی تفریق نہیں کرتے اور وہ کہتے ہیں کہ ہم نے سنا اور اطاعت کی پروردگار ! ہم تیری بخشش مانگتے ہیں اور تیری ہی جانب لوٹ جانا ہے۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/2/285]

The Prophet ﷺ believed, and so did the believers... 

The believers believe in the unseen, yes, but the Prophet ﷺ could see Gabriel (Jibreel عليه السلام) who was revealing The Quran to him. 

So, what does it mean to have Iman? What does it mean to believe, to have faith?  

Q2:285 is among the last few ayaat of The Quran. The last two ayaat are a comprehensive dua concluding with the phrase (Q2:286 ... اَنۡتَ مَوۡلٰٮنَا فَانۡصُرۡنَا عَلَى الۡقَوۡمِ الۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ), which, allow me to edit the translation, as I understand it: 'Thou art our Protector; Help us massively against all the disbelieving nations'. 

And what is Amanat? How is it linked with Iman?  

The Combined Forces (33:70-73)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًۭا سَدِيدًۭا ٧٠

يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا ٧١

إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا ٱلْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ ظَلُومًۭا جَهُولًۭا ٧٢

لِّيُعَذِّبَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ وَيَتُوبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۢا ٧٣

O you who have believed, fear Allāh and speak words of appropriate justice.

He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.

Indeed, We offered the Trust[1] to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.[2]

[It[3] was] so that Allāh may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the men and women who associate others with Him and that Allāh may accept repentance from the believing men and believing women. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.

— Saheeh International

[1]The acceptance of obligations and obedience to Allāh.

[2]Coveting its reward while forgetting the penalty for failure to keep his commitment.

[3]- The reason for which mankind was permitted to carry the Trust.

اے اہل ِایمان ! اللہ کا تقویٰ اختیار کرو اور بات کیا کرو سیدھی۔

اللہ تمہارے سارے اعمال درست کردے گا اور تمہاری خطائیں بخش دے گا۔ اور جو کوئی اللہ اور اس کے رسول ﷺ کی اطاعت پر کاربند ہوگیا تو اس نے بہت بڑی کامیابی حاصل کرلی۔

ہم نے اس امانت کو پیش کیا آسمانوں پر اور زمین پر اور پہاڑوں پر تو ان سب نے انکار کردیا اس کو اٹھانے سے اور وہ اس سے ڈر گئے اور انسان نے اسے اٹھا لیا۔ یقینا وہ بڑا ظالم اور بڑا نادان تھا۔

تا کہ اللہ عذاب دے منافق مردوں اور منافق عورتوں کو اور مشرک َمردوں اور مشرک عورتوں کو اور اللہ رحمت کے ساتھ توجہ فرمائے مومن مردوں اور مومن عورتوں پر اور یقینا اللہ بہت بخشنے والا نہایت رحم کرنے والا ہے۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/33/70-73]

Amanat means something given for safekeeping for a limited time: a Trust, an item that needs to be kept and protected, and returned in proper condition when it is time to return it to the person who asked for it to be kept. 

The Bible (Genesis 1) informs that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ created humans to rule over all the creatures of the Earth. 

The Quran informs that the responsibility wasn't imposed, rather it was offered, and humans accepted it. 

The Bible (Genesis 2) informs that Adam was to keep the Garden. 

The Quran informs that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ appointed Adam as the Khalifa of the Earth.  

Bani Adam have inherited that responsibility. 

Both The Bible and The Quran describe the Fall of Adam, his banishment from The Garden of Eden, and his  temporary trial upon Earth. 

So, our belief (Iman) is that we have undertaken a Trust (Amanat). 

What is that Trust (Amanat)? Why is this Trust (Amanat) mention at the end of Surah alAhzaab (The Combined Forces)? The Prophet ﷺ, and those who believed with him, fought many battles to establish Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's Deen. They fought against the alAhzaab (The Combined Forces). Q33:20-22 mention alAhzaab.  Prior nations, such as those of the Pharaoh, Thamud, etc., who had been warned and consequently destroyed, whom we find mentioned in The Quran, have also been described as alAhzaab.   

Deen is Law of Recompense. All nations have a set of laws which their leaders decree, and by which they govern their people. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is The King, greater than everyone. To Him belongs the kingdom of the Skies and Earth, and all in between. 

We have all been granted a personal kingdom, which is our nafs and our body. Moreover, we also have a larger public role, depending on our placement in family and society. The higher the post, the broader the responsibility, the greater the amanat. The scope of the khilafat starts with the self, the family, the country, and ideally worldwide. Obviously, there will be resistance and opposition at all levels.    

Islam means submission to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Deen. 

Iman means establishing Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Deen? Taking care of the Amanat (Trust), ensuring safety and security? To build and enforce a morally upright society, which honours its commitments and undertakings?   

On The Day of Judgement, The True King will recompense (Q1:3 مٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ الدِّيۡنِؕ‏) everyone, turning in Mercy towards the believing men and believing women (Q33:73 وَيَتُوبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۢا). 

Iman and Amanat share the same root word, and so do security, trustworthiness, safety, belief, faith, believing men, believing women: Searching in corpus.quran.com: 

The triliteral root hamza mīm nūn (أ م ن) occurs 879 times in the Quran, in 17 derived forms:

20 times as the form I verb amina (أَمِنَ)

537 times as the form IV verb āmana (ءَامَنَ)

once as the form VIII verb u'tumina (ٱؤْتُمِنَ)

four times as the noun amānāt (أَمَٰنَٰت)

twice as the noun amānat (أَمَٰنَت)

five times as the noun amn (أَمْن)

twice as the noun amanat (أَمَنَة)

14 times as the adjective amīn (أَمِين)

once as the noun maman (مَأْمَن)

six times as the active participle āmin (ءَامِن)

10 times as the active participle āminīn (ءَامِنِين)

once as the active participle āminat (ءَامِنَة)

once as the passive participle mamūn (مَأْمُون)

45 times as the form IV verbal noun īmān (إِيمَٰن)

202 times as the form IV active participle mu'min (مُؤْمِن)

22 times as the form IV active participle mu'mināt (مُّؤْمِنَٰت)

six times as the form IV active participle mu'minat (مُّؤْمِنَة)

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Also Read:

The Excellent Uswah in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  

The Office of The Khalifa 

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

 

in the beginning 

Maroof & Munkar 

The Evil in Love 

The Joy in Love 

 Major Sins & True Repentance 

atTayyabaatu (الطَّيِّبَاتُ) vs alKhabais (الْخَبَائِثَ)  

The Right Religion (Deen) 

Ihram: the pilgrim garb

 the Sign of Allah it reminds me of 

Almost every creature on Earth, from the tiniest to the largest, all are covered in some kind of natural cover. No creature needs to clothe itself. Humans are probably the only exception. Our bodies need clothing to cover our shame, to comfort us, to adorn us, to beautify us. 

The Quran, Surah Ta Ha, explicitly describes the condition of Adam and his wife when they were in the Garden: 

اِنَّ لَـكَ اَلَّا تَجُوۡعَ فِيۡهَا وَلَا تَعۡرٰىۙ‏ ١١٨ وَاَنَّكَ لَا تَظۡمَؤُا فِيۡهَا وَلَا تَضۡحٰى‏ ١١٩

118.Indeed, it is for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed. 

119.And indeed, you will not be thirsty therein or be hot from the sun." 

However, Satan was able to tempt Adam into not keeping his covenant with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and eat from the forbidden tree. That resulted in Adam and his wife slipping out of what they were in, and losing their natural clothing. They put their 'nafs' in darkness. Surah alA'raf, quotes their dua: 

**'darkness' is generally mistranslated as 'wronged', and 'nafs' as 'self'  

 قَالَا رَبَّنَا *ظَلَمۡنَاۤ اَنۡفُسَنَا* وَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَـنَكُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ   قَالَ اهۡبِطُوۡا بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَـعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ​ ۚ وَلَـكُمۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرٌّ وَّمَتَاعٌ اِلٰى حِيۡنٍ‏ ٢٤ قَالَ فِيۡهَا تَحۡيَوۡنَ وَفِيۡهَا تَمُوۡتُوۡنَ وَمِنۡهَا تُخۡرَجُوۡنَ‏ ٢٥ يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ قَدۡ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسًا يُّوَارِىۡ سَوۡاٰتِكُمۡ وَرِيۡشًا​ ؕ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقۡوٰى ۙ ذٰ لِكَ خَيۡرٌ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ مِنۡ اٰيٰتِ اللّٰهِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُوۡنَ‏ ٢٦ يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ لَا يَفۡتِنَـنَّكُمُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ كَمَاۤ اَخۡرَجَ اَبَوَيۡكُمۡ مِّنَ الۡجَـنَّةِ يَنۡزِعُ عَنۡهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوۡءاٰتِهِمَا ؕ اِنَّهٗ يَرٰٮكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيۡلُهٗ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَهُمۡ​ ؕ اِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا الشَّيٰطِيۡنَ اَوۡلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِيۡنَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ ٢٧

23.They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged* ourselves*, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers." 24.[Allāh] said, "Descend, being to one another enemies. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time." 25.He said, "Therein you will live, and therein you will die, and from it you will be brought forth." 26.O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allāh that perhaps they will remember. 27.O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe. 

When Adam was observing his covenant with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and keeping away from the forbidden, he was in a state of taqwa, and was clothed (وَلِبَاسُ التَّقۡوٰى ۙ ذٰ لِكَ خَيۡرٌ​). Ayat 27 clearly states that Satan stripped them of their clothing, resulting in their removal from the Garden (اَخۡرَجَ اَبَوَيۡكُمۡ مِّنَ الۡجَـنَّةِ). 

The pilgrim garb, the two pieces of unstitched clothing that men wear when entering the state of Ihram is a clear reminder of us having lost our original natural clothing that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى initially adorned us with when He created Adam. 

The children of Adam (Bani Adam) have lost not only the Garden, but also the wonderful comforts and adornments that came with it. 

Ihram is a clear reminder to keep our taqwa, so that we our protected by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى from the great fire, on the Day when nothing but the Mercy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى will protect from the terrible, eternal punishment. 

Muslims bury their dead in two pieces of unstitched white clothing. The Ihram is similar in that sense also, that it is reminder of death and consequent resurrection and standing before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى . 

Ihram has a history since before Muhammad ﷺ preached monotheism in Arabia. Hajj was announced by Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), who also practiced and preached monotheism. So, pilgrims had been entering the state of Ihram, to perform Hajj and Umrah, since before Muhammad ﷺ preached in Arabia. Polytheism and shamelessness had creeped into the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. So, we read further in Surah alA'raf: 

...

 وَاِذَا فَعَلُوۡا فَاحِشَةً قَالُوۡا وَجَدۡنَا عَلَيۡهَاۤ اٰبَآءَنَا وَاللّٰهُ اَمَرَنَا بِهَا​ ؕ قُلۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَاۡمُرُ بِالۡفَحۡشَآءِ​ ؕ اَتَقُوۡلُوۡنَ عَلَى اللّٰهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ ٢٨ قُلۡ اَمَرَ رَبِّىۡ بِالۡقِسۡطِ​ وَاَقِيۡمُوۡا وُجُوۡهَكُمۡ عِنۡدَ كُلِّ مَسۡجِدٍ وَّادۡعُوۡهُ مُخۡلِصِيۡنَ لَـهُ الدِّيۡنَ ؕ كَمَا بَدَاَكُمۡ تَعُوۡدُوۡنَؕ‏  ٢٩ فَرِيۡقًا هَدٰى وَ فَرِيۡقًا حَقَّ عَلَيۡهِمُ الضَّلٰلَةُ ​ ؕ اِنَّهُمُ اتَّخَذُوا الشَّيٰطِيۡنَ اَوۡلِيَآءَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ وَيَحۡسَبُوۡنَ اَنَّهُمۡ مُّهۡتَدُوۡنَ‏  ٣٠ ۞ يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ خُذُوۡا زِيۡنَتَكُمۡ عِنۡدَ كُلِّ مَسۡجِدٍ وَّكُلُوۡا وَاشۡرَبُوۡا وَلَا تُسۡرِفُوۡا​ ۚ اِنَّهٗ لَا يُحِبُّ الۡمُسۡرِفِيۡنَ‏ ٣١ 

28.And when they commit an immorality, they say, "We found our fathers doing it, and Allāh has ordered us to do it." Say, "Indeed, Allāh does not order immorality. Do you say about Allāh that which you do not know?" 29.Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord has ordered justice and that you direct yourselves [to the Qiblah] at every place [or time] of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion." Just as He originated you, you will return [to life] - 30.A group [of you] He guided, and a group deserved [to be in] error. Indeed, they [i.e., the latter] had taken the devils as allies instead of Allāh while they thought that they were guided. 31.O children of Adam, take your adornment [i.e., wear your clothing] at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. 

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reformed the practice of Ihram, at Hajj and Umrah, by removing the shamelessness and excesses being observed by the pagans. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ restored the spirit of Hajj and Umrah to its original purpose and proper rituals. 

Surah alA'raf, ayat 29 explicitly mentions sincerity in Deen (Law of Recompense), and that we will be recreated as we were originally created. 

The Quran quotes the prophets praying to be joined with the reformed (وَّاَلۡحِقۡنِىۡ بِالصّٰلِحِيۡن) on the Day of Resurrection. From the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , we learn that Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) will be the first one to be clothed on the Day of Resurrection. [hadith link]  

The Quran also mentions another 'tree trial' in the Hereafter. 

May we always remember the loss our parents suffered due to the advise of Satan, and live our lives with Taqwa, so that, by the Mercy of Allah, we are protected from the trial of the Tree of Zaqqum.  

More on what happened to our parents Adam and his wife, in the links on this page: Natural Clothing.

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Last updated on: May 31, 2026

Eid: The Returning Festival & The Rituals

 Eid-ul-Fitr & Eid-ul-Adha 

The word 'Eid' shares root letters with words which mean something that returns, and so the word Eid generally means the annual feast or festival. Muslims are blessed with two annual festivals, namely Eid-ul-Fitr & Eid-ul-Adha. 

In Ramadhan, Muslims, all over the world, resist the temptation to eat and drink, as well as intimacy, during daytime. 

On Eid day (Eid-ul-Fitr) they may feast all day long. 

Two months later: 

In Dhu-al-Hijjah, pilgrims reach Hijaz from all over the world, to perform the pilgrimage (Hajj). They assemble in the plain of Arafat, praying and seeking forgiveness all day long. Then, they go on to spend the night in Muzdalifah and collect the pebbles they will use to pelt the symbols of Satan. The pilgrims pelt stones at the three symbols of Satan (the Jamarat in Mina) for three consecutive days of Eid (Eid-ul-Adha). 

They, along with Muslims all over the world, offer sacrifice of cattle, and eat and share the meat. 

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So, what do these rituals mean? 

Ramadhan & Eid-ul-Fitr

The religion clearly defines the halal (permissible) and the haraam (forbidden). Throughout the year, Muslims observe the limits prescribed. Ramadhan is different in that even the halal (food, drink, sex) becomes forbidden during fasting hours. 

Is it a kind of training, a lesson in endurance, taking the notch up to develop further resistance and increased control over carnal desires?  

So, what does feating on the Day of Eid ul Fitr signify? That we are in control of our 'nafs', and can be trusted to be responsible when satisfying ourselves? 

Dhu-al-Hijja & Eid-ul-Adha 

The rites of pilgrimage begin with Tawaf (circumambulating around the Kaaba), and then staying in Mina for three days in tents. The Jamarat are also located in Mina. The three Jamarat are three stone pillars, which represent Satan. On the three days of Eid, these stone pillars are pelted with pebbles collected earlier by the pilgrims. 

The Day of Arafah is a day before Eid. On the Day of Arafah, all pilgrims convene onto the plain of Arafat, hoping and desiring to be forgiven and freed from the penalty of Hell-fire. 

So, what do these rituals represent? 

Staying in Mina in tents, near the Jamarat, is like staying in this world, with Satan, in temporary homes? 

Assembling on the plain of Arafat is like the Day when all humanity will appear together before Allah, seeking forgiveness and escape from Hell-fire? 

Spending the night under open sky (no tents even), and collecting pebbles to stone Satan is proving their willingness to prepare for the fight against evil? 

Pelting the obelisks (stone pillars, now enclosed in walls) is proving their resolve to battle evil while in this world? 

The offering of sacrificial animals, the cattle which have been provided to humans, and made subservient to them, expressing gratitude for being provided with cattle for food, travel, labour and other items of comfort?

Circumambulating the Kaaba in anticlockwise direction, like almost all things in the sky move in anticlockwise direction? Being in sync with the right? 

Apparently, people had been circumambulating (لِلطَّآئِفِينَ), staying near Allah's House for worship (ٱلْعَـٰكِفِينَ), and bowing (ٱلرُّكَّعِ) prostrating (ٱلسُّجُودِ) in prayer since before, while Hajj was announced later through Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), and both father and son prayed that they be showed the rituals:   

The Quran informs us that: 

The Cow (2:125-129)

2:125

وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا ٱلْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًۭا وَٱتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ مُصَلًّۭى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْعَـٰكِفِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ ١٢٥

And [mention] when We made the House [i.e., the Kaʿbah] a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform ṭawāf[1] and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."

— Saheeh International

[1]- A form of worship particular to the Kaʿbah consisting of going around it in circuits.

اور یاد کرو جب ہم نے اس گھر (بیت اللہ) کو قرار دے دیا لوگوں کے لیے اجتماع (اور زیارت) کی جگہ اور اسے امن کا گھر قرار دے دیا اور (ہم نے حکم دیا کہ) مقام ابراہیم ؑ کو اپنی نماز پڑھنے کی جگہ بنا لو اور ہم نے حکم کیا تھا ابراہیم ؑ اور اسماعیل ؑ کو کہ تم دونوں میرے اس گھر کو پاک رکھو طواف کرنے والوں اعتکاف کرنے والوں اور رکوع و سجود کرنے والوں کے لیے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

2:126

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنًۭا وَٱرْزُقْ أَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ مِنْهُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۖ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُۥ قَلِيلًۭا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُۥٓ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ١٢٦

And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in Allāh and the Last Day." [Allāh] said, "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination."

— Saheeh International

اور یاد کرو جبکہ ابراہیم ؑ نے دعا کی تھی : اے میرے پروردگار ! اس گھر کو امن کی جگہ بنا دے اور یہاں آباد ہونے والوں (یعنی بنی اسماعیل (ؑ) کو پھلوں کا رزق عطا کر جو کوئی ان میں سے ایمان لائے اللہ پر اور یوم آخر پر۔ اللہ تعالیٰ نے فرمایا : اور (تمہاری اولاد میں سے) جو کفر کرے گا تو اس کو بھی میں دنیا کی چند روزہ زندگی کا ساز و سامان تو دوں گا پھر اسے کشاں کشاں لے آؤں گا جہنم کے عذاب کی طرف اور وہ بہت بری جگہ ہے لوٹنے کی

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

2:127

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ١٢٧

And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing,[1] the Knowing.[2]

— Saheeh International

[1]Who hears every sound, distinguishes every voice, understands every word, and accepts and responds to supplications.

[2]Refer to footnote in 2:32.

اور یاد کرو جب ابراہیم ؑ اور اسماعیل ؑ ہمارے گھر کی بنیادوں کو اٹھا رہے تھے اے ہمارے ربّ ! ہم سے یہ خدمت قبول فرما لے یقیناً توُ سب کچھ سننے والا جاننے والا ہے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

2:128

رَبَّنَا وَٱجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةًۭ مُّسْلِمَةًۭ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١٢٨

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of worship] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

— Saheeh International

اور اے ہمارے رب ! ہمیں اپنا مطیع فرمان بنائے رکھ اور ہم دونوں کی نسل سے ایک امت اٹھائیو جو تیری فرماں بردار ہو اور ہمیں حج کرنے کے قاعدے بتلا دے اور ہم پر اپنی توجہ فرما یقیناً تو ہی ہے بہت زیادہ توبہ کا قبول فرمانے والا (اور شفقت کے ساتھ رجوع کرنے والا) اور رحم فرمانے والا

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

2:129

رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ١٢٩

Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might,[1] the Wise."

— Saheeh International

[1]- Honored for absolute power associated with wisdom and justice.

اور اے ہمارے پروردگار ! ان لوگوں میں اٹھائیو ایک رسول خود انہی میں سے جو انہیں تیری آیات پڑھ کر سنائے اور انہیں کتاب اور حکمت کی تعلیم دے اور ان کو پاک کرے یقیناً توُ ہی ہے زبردست اور کمال حکمت والا

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/2/125-129]

We are living in this world of trial, amid desires and temptations, fears and worries, a nafs in darkness, and Satan on the loose, grabbing every opportunity to misguide us and lead us astray. 

We need to constantly remember that this world is a trial, that we need to control our nafs, be wary of Satan and his attempts to make us lose our way, and that we have a Promised Day of Judgement when we will be accountable for our intentions and our actions. 

The Quran, Surah al-A'raf, ayat 46, informs of people standing in high places (alA'raf) on the Day of Judgement, hoping to be released from Hellfire, and that eventually they will be allowed to ascend to the skies. 

In the same surah, a few ayaat earlier, Q7:40, informs of those people (the criminals) who deny and are arrogant towards Our ayaat (signs), that it is as impossible for them to ascend to the skies, nor will they be allowed to enter the Gardens, until the camel passes through the eye of the needle. This phrase is also mentioned in The Bible, Mark 10. There it is in context of rich people who are unwilling to fight evil with their wealth and their lives for the cause of God.     

Related Posts

Fasting 

Fasting & The Rights of Others 

Be Thankful 

True Baptism 

The Will of Jacob (Israel) 

The Covenant & Its Ratification  

The Announcement of Hajj by Abraham 

Allah chooses from men for public roles 

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's Hospitality 

Ignorant of The Law of Sacrifice 

Women worship & Cattle Ears  

The Potential in The Ordinary 

False gods and their idols 

The Conditional Pardon   

The Blessing of Cattle 

Shayateen & Shaytan 

The Problem of Evil 

in the beginning 

Last updated on: May 18, 2026

Allah is One & Only

 The Deen of Allah 

 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Say, "He (is) Allah, the One.

Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute.

Not He begets and not He is begotten.

And not is for Him equivalent any [one]."

[Al-Quran Surah al-Ikhlas 112]

Surah al-Ikhlas (the Sincerity)

The title of this surah is al-Ikhlas meaning 'the Sincerity'. 

Islam requires sincerity in Deen. 

Allah's Deen means Allah's Laws. 

Laws are decreed by a King. 

Allah is the King of the skies and earth, and everyone and everything in it, and of all the humans. 

To Allah is due full compliance and obedience. 

So, who is Allah? 

The four ayat of Surah al-Ikhlas state: 

 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

Allah is One. He is the only deity (ilah/god). There is no other god. Allah is the One and Only God. 

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

Allah is asSamad. There is no other asSamad. The word asSamad is variously translated as 'the eternal refuge', 'besought of all, needing none', 'the eternally besought of all', 'the eternal, the absolute'. This word occurs only once in The Quran, and only in this ayat. 

We all need Allah. 

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

Allah has neither begotten a child, nor was He born of someone. 

Polytheists assign divine families in their pantheon of gods in their mythologies. The Quran clearly refutes any and all familial relationships with Allah. Allah neither begets, nor is begotten. Allah has no family. 

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

There is no one comparable to Allah. So, there exists neither any other god, nor any companion of Allah. There is no one who is equal to or greater than Allah. 

Allah is the Supreme. 

Allah is the Deity. 

Allah is the God. 

Allah o Akbar. 

Allah is greater than any and every thing imaginable. 

Allah is Flawless and Perfect in all His Names / Attributes. 

We should keep reminding ourselves of Allah's Flawless Perfection. 

We should pin all our hopes and desires with Allah.  

We should become sincere with Allah:  

Allah is The King. 

Allah is The King of The Day of Recompense. 

Allah will judge everyone according to His Laws (Deen). 

Sincerity in Deen requires submitting as Muslims in Islam. 

It means worshipping Allah alone as the One and Only Deity. 

It means rejecting the worship of all others. 

It means being a Hanif, a monotheist who worships Allah alone. 

It means governing our personal lives according to Allah's Deen. 

It means establishing Allah's Deen when made Rulers of the Land. 

It means striving against falsehood, transgression, and corruption. 

It means living and dying as Muslims. 

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The Joy in Love

 that cools the eyes, always and forever

 

The Criterion (25:74)

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍۢ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ٧٤

˹They are˺ those who pray, “Our Lord! Bless us with ˹pious˺ spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

- and those who say, “Our Lord, Give us, from our spouses and our children, comfort of eyes, and make us heads of the God-fearing.”

— T. Usmani

And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes[1] and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous."

— Saheeh International

[1]- i.e., a source of happiness due to their righteousness.

And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous."

— A. Yusuf Ali

جو دُعائیں مانگا کرتے ہیں کہ”اے ہمارے ربّ، ہمیں اپنی بیویوں اور اپنی اولاد سے آنکھوں کی ٹھنڈک ¹ دے اور ہم کو پرہیزگاروں کا امام ² بنا“

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1] یعنی ان کو ایمان اور عمل  صالح کی توفیق دے اور پاکیزہ اخلاق سے آراستہ کر ، کیونکہ ایک مومن کو بیوی بچوں کے  حسن و جمال اور عیش و آرام سے نہیں بلکہ ان کی نیک خصالی سے ٹھنڈک حاصل ہوتی ہے ۔  اس کے لیے اس سے بڑھ کر کوئی چیز تکلیف دہ نہیں ہو سکتی کہ جو دنیا میں اس کو سب سے  زیادہ پیارے ہیں انہیں دوزخ کا ایندھن بنے کے لیے تیار ہوتے دیکھے ۔ ایسی صورت میں  تو بیوی کا حسن اور بچوں کی جوانی و لیاقت اس کے لیے اور بی زیادہ سوہان روح ہو گی،  کیونکہ وہ ہر وقت اس رنج میں مبتلا رہے گا کہ یہ سب اپنی ان خوبیوں کے باوجود اللہ  عذاب میں گرفتار ہونے والے ہیں ۔ 

        یہاں خاص  طور پر یہ بات نگاہ میں رہنی چاہیے کہ جس وقت یہ آیات نازل ہوئی ہیں وہ وقت وہ تھا  جب کہ مکہ کے مسلمانوں میں سے کوئی ایک بھی ایسا نہ تھا جس کے محبوب ترین رشتہ دار  کفر و جاہلیت میں مبتلا نہ ہوں ۔ کوئی مرد ایمان لے آیا تھا تو اس کی بیوی ابھی  کافر تھی۔ کوئی عورت ایمان لے آئی تھی تو اس کا شوہر ابھی کافر تھا۔ کوئی نوجوان  ایمان لے آیا تھا تو اس کے ماں باپ اور بھائی بہن ، سب کے سب کفر میں مبتلا تھے ۔  اور کوئی باپ ایمان لے آیا تھا تو اس کے اپنے جوان جوان بچے کفر پر قائم تھے ۔ اس  حالت میں ہر مسلمان ایک شدید روحانی اذیت میں مبتلا تھا اور اس کے دل سے وہ دعا  نکلتی تھی جس کی بہترین ترجمانی اس آیت میں کی گئی ہے ۔’’ آنکھوں کی ٹھنڈک‘‘ نے اس  کیفیت کی تصویر کھینچ دی ہے کہ اپنے پیاروں کو کفر و جاہلیت میں مبتلا دیکھ ک ایک  آدمی کو ایسی اذیت ہو رہی ہے جیسے اس کی آنکھیں آشوب چشم سے ابل آئی ہوں اور کھٹک  سے سوئیاں سی چبھ رہی ہوں ۔ اس سلسلہ کلام میں ان کی اس کیفیت کو در اصل یہ بتانے کے  لیے بیان کیا گیا ہے کہ وہ جس دین پر ایمان لائے ہیں پورے خلوص کے ساتھ لائے ہیں ۔  ان کی حالت ان لوگوں کیسی نہیں ہے جن کے خاندان کے لوگ مختلف مذہبوں اور پارٹیوں میں  شامل رہتے ہیں اور سب مطمئن رہتے ہیں کہ چلو، ہر بینک میں ہمارا کچھ نہ کچھ سرمایہ  موجود ہے ۔

[2] یعنی ہم تقویٰ ور طاعت میں سب سے بڑھ جائیں ،  بھائی اور یکی میں سب سے آگے نکل جائیں محض نیک ہی نہ ہوں بلکہ نیکوں کے پیشوا ہوں  اور ہماری بدولت دنیا بھر میں نیکی پھیلے ۔ اس چیز کا بھی یہاں در اصل یہ بتانے کے  لیے کیا گیا ہے کہ یہ وہ لوگ ہیں جو مال و دولت اور شوکت و حشمت میں نہیں بلکہ  نیکی و پرہیز گاری میں ایک دوسرے سے بڑھ جانے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں ۔مگر ہمارے زمانے میں  کچھ اللہ کے بندے ایسے ہیں جنہوں نے اس آیت کو بھی امامت کی امیدواری اور ریاست کی  طلب کے لیے دلیل جواز کے طور پر استعمال کیا ہے ۔ ان کے نزدیک آیت کا مطلب یہ ہے کہ  ’’ یا اللہ متقی لوگوں کو ہماری رعیت اور اہم کو ان کا حکمراں بنا دے ‘‘۔ اس سخن  فہمی کی داد ’’امیدواروں ‘‘ کے سوا اور کون دے سکتا ہے ۔

اور یہ دعا کرتے ہیں کہ اے ہمارے پروردگار! تو ہمیں ہماری بیویوں اور اوﻻد سے آنکھوں کی ٹھنڈک عطا فرما اور ہمیں پرہیزگاروں کا پیشوا بنا.[1]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یعنی انہیں اپنا بھی فرماں بردار بنا اور ہمارا بھی اطاعت گزار، جس سے ہماری آنکھیں ٹھنڈی ہوں۔(2) یعنی ایسا اچھا نمونہ کہ خیرمیں وہ ہماری اقتدا کریں۔ٍ

اور وہ لوگ کہ جو کہتے ہیں : اے ہمارے پروردگار ! ہمیں ہماری بیویوں اور ہماری اولاد کی طرف سے آنکھوں کی ٹھنڈک عطافرما اور ہمیں متقیوں کا امام بنا

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/25/74]

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...

Nafs / Soul (the invisible organ)

zombies: the soulless living dead 

The Troops (39:42)

ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ ٱلَّتِى قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٤٢

˹It is˺ Allah ˹Who˺ calls back the souls ˹of people˺ upon their death as well as ˹the souls˺ of the living during their sleep. Then He keeps those for whom He has ordained death, and releases the others until ˹their˺ appointed time. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Allāh takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/39/42]

The Quran discusses the souls (ٱلْأَنفُسَ) in great detail.  

The souls (ٱلْأَنفُسَ) are an invisible part of us. It probably went invisible when Adam, and his wife, ate from the forbidden tree. The Quran quotes his prayer (Q7:23 (ظَلَمۡنَاۤ اَنۡفُسَنَا) we have darkened our nafs). So, while the soul was still in Adam, it was no longer in a state of Nur (نور). He hadn't lost his nafs, but it was no longer radiant. It no longer illuminated his path. Its function was diminished. Moreover, our eyes can only see a narrow part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is the visible light. Higher and lower energy bandwidths on the electromagnetic spectrum are not visible to us. Nur (نور), I understand, is gamma radiation. More on this at Gamma Rays, Visible Light & The Electromagnetic Spectrum. 

We speak of the soul (نفس), but we cannot see it. It is an invisible component of the human being. We can see and/or identify our external components, such as face, hands, feet, skin, hair, etc., and we know that internally we are organised in 78+ organs, such as heart, lungs, appendix, spleen, liver, gall bladder, stomach, kidneys, etc. Some we can live without, others are vital to existence. We cannot see or identify our soul (nafs). Is it an invisible organ? Massless, weightless, immeasurable? Something that humans speak of, yet nobody can pinpoint it.  

Q21:35 informs that every soul will taste death (كُلُّ نَفۡسٍ ذَآٮِٕقَةُ الۡمَوۡتِ). That part of us, which we speak of as our soul or (نفس) will eventually meet its death. 

Surah azZumar, ayat 42, informs us that Allah (ٱللَّهُ) takes away (يَتَوَفَّى) the souls (ٱلْأَنفُسَ) at the time of death (حِينَ مَوْتِهَا), and those who haven't died (وَٱلَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ) in their sleep (فِى مَنَامِهَا). ...

Surah azZumar discusses the soul in the context of sincerity to the Deen (دین):

screenshot from corpus.quran.com

Q39:6 informs that we have been created from a single soul, and her soulmate created from her. 

Q39:15 informs that the losers will be the people who lose their souls and their families on the Day of alQiyamah (when everyone will stand before Allah, our Rabb) 

Q39:41 informs that whoever takes guidance, it is for his own soul. and whoever goes astray, it is upon his own nafs 

Q39:42 informs that Allah takes away all souls: at the time of death, and those who haven't died, in their sleep 

Q39:53 instructs to inform His slaves who have transgressed against their souls to not to despair of the Mercy of Allah 

Q39:56 informs lest a soul says (on the Day of alQiyamah) that it regrets that it neglected its duty towards Allah 

Q39:70 informs that all souls will be repaid in full for what they did, and He knows what they do. 

As studied in previous posts, the soul (nafs) is a thing which can be lost. A body can exist without a soul, but it functions on a basic (subhuman?) level. So, how can we understand such an existence? Two examples come to mind: zombies and sleepwalking. 

Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder in which a human is in a deep sleep, yet is able to move around. So, thinking of it in the light of Q39:42, it is a soulless state. 

Zombies are imaginary undead humans who are the mentioned in legends and horror stories. They are typically thought of as human bodies with inhuman behaviour.  

So, a human body without a human soul (nafs) can be understood as a sleepwalker in this life, and a zombie in afterlife. 

So, while the human soul (nafs) is essential for a flourishing life, it is not a vital organ, and the human body may continue to exist without it. 

The soul (nafs) is invisible, because it is in a state of darkness (ظلم), and Allah promises to restore its radiance by granting it Nur (نور). The Prophet and the people who believed with him, will have their nafs (نفس) radiant for them, and they will be asking for the perfection of their Nur (نور), as we read their prayer in Surah atTahreem: 

The Prohibition (66:8)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوْبَةًۭ نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ ۖ نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَىٰ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ ٨

O you who believe, turn to Allah with a faithful repentance. It is hoped from your Lord that he will write off your faults, and will admit you to the gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will run before them and to their right hands. They will say, “Our Lord, perfect for us our light, and forgive us. Indeed you are powerful over every thing.”

— T. Usmani

O you who have believed, repent to Allāh with sincere repentance. Perhaps[1] 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 will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent."

— Saheeh International

[1]- i.e., it is expected or promised.

اے اہل ایمان ! توبہ کرو اللہ کی جناب میں خالص توبہ۔  امید ہے تمہارا رب تم سے تمہاری برائیوں کو دور کردے گا اور تمہیں داخل کرے گا ایسے باغات میں جن کے دامن میں ندیاں بہتی ہوں گی جس دن اللہ اپنے نبی ﷺ کو اور ان کے ساتھ ایمان لانے والوں کو رسوا نہیں کرے گا۔ (اُس دن) ان کا نور دوڑتا ہوگا ان کے سامنے اور ان کے داہنی طرفوہ کہتے ہوں گے : اے ہمارے رب ! ہمارے لیے ہمارے نور کو کامل کر دے  اور تو ہمیں بخش دے یقینا تو ہر شے پر قادر ہے۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/66/8]

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