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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