Saving Lives

from mutual violence

The Table Spread (5:27-33)

5:27

۞ وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ٱبْنَىْ ءَادَمَ بِٱلْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًۭا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ٢٧

And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both made an offering [to Allāh], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], "I will surely kill you." Said [the former], "Indeed, Allāh only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].

— Saheeh International

اور ان کو آدم کے دو بیٹوں کا قصہ حق کے ساتھ سناؤ جب کہ ان دونوں نے قربانی پیش کی تو ان میں سے ایک کی قربانی قبول ہوئی اور دوسرے کی قربانی قبول نہ ہوئی اس نے کہا میں تجھ کو مار ڈالوں گا اس نے جواب دیا کہ اللہ تو صرف متقیوں سے قبول کرتا ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

5:28

لَئِنۢ بَسَطتَ إِلَىَّ يَدَكَ لِتَقْتُلَنِى مَآ أَنَا۠ بِبَاسِطٍۢ يَدِىَ إِلَيْكَ لِأَقْتُلَكَ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٢٨

If you should raise your hand toward me to kill me - I shall not raise my hand toward you to kill you. Indeed, I fear Allāh, Lord of the worlds.

— Saheeh International

اگر تم مجھے قتل کرنے کے ليے ہاتھ اٹھاؤ گے تو میں تم کو قتل کرنے کے ليے تم پر ہاتھ نہیں اٹھاؤں گا میں ڈرتا ہوں اللہ سے جو سارے جہان کا رب ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

5:29

إِنِّىٓ أُرِيدُ أَن تَبُوٓأَ بِإِثْمِى وَإِثْمِكَ فَتَكُونَ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ٢٩

Indeed, I want you to obtain [thereby] my sin and your sin so you will be among the companions of the Fire. And that is the recompense of wrongdoers."

— Saheeh International

میں چاہتاہوں کہ میرا اور اپنا گناہ توہی لے لے پھر تو آگ والوں میں شامل ہوجائے اور یہی سزا ہے ظلم کرنے والوں کی

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

5:30

فَطَوَّعَتْ لَهُۥ نَفْسُهُۥ قَتْلَ أَخِيهِ فَقَتَلَهُۥ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٣٠

And his soul permitted to him[1] the murder of his brother, so he killed him and became among the losers.

— Saheeh International

[1]i.e., the killer allowed himself.

پھر اس کے نفس نے اس کو اپنے بھائی کے قتل پر راضی کرلیا اوراس نے اس کو قتل کر ڈالاپھر وہ نقصان اٹھانے والوں میں شامل ہوگیا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

5:31

فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ غُرَابًۭا يَبْحَثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيُرِيَهُۥ كَيْفَ يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَةَ أَخِيهِ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰوَيْلَتَىٰٓ أَعَجَزْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِثْلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْغُرَابِ فَأُوَٰرِىَ سَوْءَةَ أَخِى ۖ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ ٱلنَّـٰدِمِينَ ٣١

Then Allāh sent a crow searching [i.e., scratching] in the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace[1] of his brother. He said, "O woe to me! Have I failed to be like this crow and hide the disgrace [i.e., body] of my brother?" And he became of the regretful.

— Saheeh International

[1]Referring to the dead body, evidence of his shameful deed.

پھر خدا نے ایک کوّے کو بھیجا جو زمین میں کریدتا تھا، تاکہ وہ اس کو دکھائے کہ وہ اپنے بھائی کی لاش کو کس طرح چھپائے اس نے کہا افسوس میری حالت پر کہ میں اس کوّے جیسا بھی نہ ہوسکا کہ اپنے بھائی کی لاش کو چھپادیتا  پس وہ بہت شرمندہ ہوا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

5:32

مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًۭا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحْيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًۭا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَمُسْرِفُونَ ٣٢

Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul[1] or for corruption [done] in the land[2] - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one[3] - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And Our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.[4]

— Saheeh International

[1]i.e., in legal retribution for murder.

[2]i.e., that requiring the death penalty.

[3]Or refrains from killing.

[4]Heedless of Allāh's limits, negligent of their responsibilities.

اسی سبب سے ہم نے بنی اسرائیل پر یہ لکھ دیا کہ جو شخص کسی کو قتل کرے، بغیر اس کے کہ اس نے کسی کو قتل کیا ہو یا زمین میں فساد برپا کیا ہو تو گویا اس نے سارے آدمیوں کو قتل کر ڈالا اورجس نے ایک شخص کو بچایا تو گویا اس نے سارے آدمیوں کو بچالیا اور ہمارے پیغمبر ان کے پاس کھلے ہوئے احکام لے کر آئے اس کے باوجود ان میں سے بہت سے لوگ زمین میں زیادتیاں کرتے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

5:33

إِنَّمَا جَزَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُوٓا۟ أَوْ يُصَلَّبُوٓا۟ أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلَـٰفٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْا۟ مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْىٌۭ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ٣٣

Indeed, the penalty[1] for those who wage war[2] against Allāh and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment,

— Saheeh International

[1]Legal retribution.

[2]i.e., commit acts of violence and terrorism against individuals or treason and aggression against the Islāmic state.

جو لوگ اللہ اوراس کے رسول سے لڑتے ہیں اور زمین میں فساد کرنے کے ليے دوڑتے ہیں ، ان کی سزا یہی ہے کہ ان کو قتل کیا جائے یا وہ سولی پر چڑھائے جائیں یا ان کے ہاتھ اور پاؤں مخالف سمت سے کاٹے جائیں یا ان کو ملک سے باہر نکال دیا جائے یہ ان کی رسوائی دنیا میں ہے اور آخرت میں ان کے ليے بڑا عذاب ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

https://quran.com/5/27-33

...

The Quran narrates the story of Adam's two sons: the envy of one son of Adam of his pious brother, and then his envy leads him to murder him. In that context, it was ordained for the Bani Israel that killing one human is like killing humanity, and saving one human is like saving humanity. 

Saving human beings from violence being inflicted upon them is the desired and required act, the one we all are falling short of. There are so many people suffering violence and oppression all over the world. If only the believers would rise up to save them, ... , as it states in Surah anNisa` :

The Women (4:75-76)

4:75

وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا ٧٥

And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allāh and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper"?

— Saheeh International

اور تم کو کیا ہوا کہ تم نہیں لڑتے اللہ کی راہ میں اور ان کمزور مردوں اور عورتوں اور بچوں کے ليے جوکہتے ہیں کہ خدا یا، ہم کو اس بستی سے نکال جس کے باشندے ظالم ہیں اور ہمارے ليے اپنے پاس سے کوئی حمایتی پیدا کردے اور ہمارے ليے اپنے پاس سے کوئی مدد گار کھڑا کردے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

4:76

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا ٧٦

Those who believe fight in the cause of Allāh, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of ṭāghūt.[1] So fight against the allies of Satan. Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak.

— Saheeh International

[1]See footnote to 4:60

جو لوگ ایمان والے ہیں ، وہ اللہ کی راہ میں لڑتے ہیں اور جو منکر ہیں ، وہ شیطان کی راہ میں لڑتے ہیں  پس تم شیطان کے ساتھیوں سے لڑو بے شک شیطان کی چال بہت کمزور ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

https://quran.com/4/75-76

There are so many Muslim nations in the world. So many Muslim governments. So many Muslim armies. So many who are willing to lay their lives in the cause of Allah. So many ready to embrace martyrdom. So many who believe that the life of this dunya is but to test who is the best in deeds, and that the real life is in the Akhirah. 

If only one Muslim government, or a collection of Muslim governments, were to declare war against the oppressors of this world. The objective: saving people from violence and oppression. Being on the right side of history. Striving to be in the right side of future. 

The Spoils of War (8:73)

وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌۭ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ ٧٣

And those who disbelieved are allies of one another. If you do not do so [i.e., ally yourselves with other believers], there will be fitnah [i.e., disbelief and oppression] on earth and great corruption.

— Saheeh International

اور جو لوگ منکر ہیں ، وہ ایک دوسرے کے رفیق ہیں  اگر تم ایسا نہ کرو گے تو زمین میں فتنہ پھیلے گا اور بڑا فساد ہوگا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

https://quran.com/8/73

...

...

Let Pakistan host Gaza

the beginnings of Riyasat-e-Madina

9:100

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

And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhājireen[1] and the Anṣār[2] and those who followed them with good conduct - Allāh is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.

— Saheeh International

[1]The inhabitants of Madīnah who had accepted Islām and assisted the Prophet (ﷺ) and other emigrants upon their arrival there.

[2]Those who emigrated from Makkah and settled in Madīnah for the cause of Islām.

وہ مہاجر و انصار جنہوں نے سب سے پہلے دعوت ایمان پر لبیک کہنے میں سبقت کی، نیز وہ جو بعد میں راستبازی کے ساتھ پیچھے آئے، اللہ ان سے راضی ہوا اور وہ اللہ سے راضی ہوئے، اللہ نے ان کے لیے ایسے باغ مہیا کر رکھے ہیں جن کے نیچے نہریں بہتی ہوں گی اور وہ ان میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے، یہی عظیم الشان کامیابی ہے

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

اور پہلے پہل سبقت کرنے والے مہاجرین اور انصار میں سے اور وہ جنہوں نے ان کی پیروی کی نیکوکاری کے ساتھ اللہ ان سے راضی ہوگیا اور وہ اللہ سے راضی ہوگئے اور اس نے ان کے لیے وہ باغات تیار کیے ہیں جن کے نیچے ندیاں بہتی ہوں گی ان میں وہ ہمیشہ ہمیش رہیں گے یہی ہے بہت بڑی کامیابی

— (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

اور مہاجرین و انصار میں جو لوگ سابق اور مقدم ہیں اور جنھوں نے خوبی کے ساتھ ان کی پیروی کی، اللہ ان سے راضی ہوا اور وہ اس سے راضی ہوئے اور اللہ نے ان کے ليے ایسے باغ تیار کر رکھے ہیں جن کے نیچے نہریں بہتی ہوں گی وہ ان میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے یہی ہے بڑی کامیابی

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Let the Gazans immigrate to Pakistan. 

The Israelis are hell-bent on exterminating them. 

The Israelis believe that the land belongs to them. 

The Israelis believe it is their inheritance. 

The American President wants them to relocate to another country. 

We believe that the Muslims are our brothers and sisters in faith. 

We believe that it is our duty to help our brothers and sisters in need. 

We believe that we must try to save them. 

For several decades, we hosted the Afghanis. 

Now, many of them have been repatriated to their country. 

We have space. 

Let us bring our war-afflicted Palestinian brothers and sisters to our country. 

Let us be of those who are ready to help. 

The Israelis can have the land they so covet. 

We can have our precious brothers and sisters. 

Perhaps, then we can have some semblance to the idea of Riyasat-e-Madina. 

Perhaps, then we can be useful Muslims who serve Allah's Deen. 

...

...

Pondering on The Quran

 The Mubarak Book, Flourishing in Knowledge

 

38:26  یَـٰدَاوُۥدُ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰكَ خَلِیفَةࣰ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱحۡكُم بَیۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ فَیُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ یَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمۡ عَذَابࣱ شَدِیدُۢ بِمَا نَسُوا۟ یَوۡمَ ٱلۡحِسَابِ ۝٢٦

38:27  وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَاۤءَ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَیۡنَهُمَا بَـٰطِلࣰاۚ ذَ ٰلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا۟ۚ فَوَیۡلࣱ لِّلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ ۝٢٧

38:28  أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلۡمُفۡسِدِینَ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِینَ كَٱلۡفُجَّارِ ۝٢٨

38:29  كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ إِلَیۡكَ مُبَـٰرَكࣱ لِّیَدَّبَّرُوۤا۟ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِیَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ ۝٢٩

38:30  وَوَهَبۡنَا لِدَاوُۥدَ سُلَیۡمَـٰنَۚ نِعۡمَ ٱلۡعَبۡدُ إِنَّهُۥۤ أَوَّابٌ ۝٣٠

38: 26  O David! Surely We have made you a Vicegerent in the land; so judge between men with justice and follow not desire, lest it should lead you astray from the path of Allah. Lo! Those who go astray from the path of Allah, they shall surely have a severe punishment because they forgot the Day of Reckoning."

38:27  And We create not the heaven and the earth and that which is between them in vain; that is the opinion of those who disbelieve; then woe to those who disbelieve because of the Fire

38:28  Shall We treat those who believe and do good like the mischief-makers in the earth? Or shall We make those who guard (against evil) like the wicked

38:29  (It is) a Book We have revealed to you abounding in good that they may ponder over its verses, and that those endowed with understanding may reflect

38:30  And We bestowed on David, Solomon, a most excellent servant! Surely he was frequent in turning (to Allah)

[Al-Quran Surah Saad, ayaat: 26-30, Translation: Hamid S. Aziz]

The word مُبَـٰرَكࣱ is generally translated as blessed / blessing / full of blessings as can be seen across multiple translations. As a scholar once explained the term to me, it implies something good that increases in its goodness, such that it flourishes. So, The Quran is a Book (كِتَـٰبٌ) that has been sent (أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ), in Arabic language on an Arab prophet, blessed / flourishing (مُبَـٰرَكࣱ), so that they may ponder over its ayaat (لِّیَدَّبَّرُوۤا۟ ءَایَـٰتِهِ), and it is a reminder for those (وَلِیَتَذَكَّرَ) who are (أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ).

A Mubarak Book. 

The Quran flourishes with knowledge. The more one reads it, the more one ponders upon it, the more there is to learn. It is an inexhaustible source of knowledge, wisdom, insights, learnings, ... . It just keeps giving. It not only gives, it improves the person who sincerely seeks to understand it, clearly conveying the dos and don'ts, clarifying the right path from the wrong, distinguishing between good and evil, improving the condition of the person seeking to learn from it. 

The word (كِتَـٰبٌ) also means the 'writ', that is the commands that must be followed. 

وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ مُبَارَكࣱ مُّصَدِّقُ ٱلَّذِی بَیۡنَ یَدَیۡهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَمَنۡ حَوۡلَهَاۚ وَٱلَّذِینَ یُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡءَاخِرَةِ یُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦۖ وَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمۡ یُحَافِظُونَ ۝٩٢

And this is a Book We have sent down, blessed (and) sincerely (verifying) that which was before (Literally: between its two hands) it, and for you to warn the Mother of the Towns (Makkah) and whomever are around it; and the ones who believe in the Hereafter believe in it, and they (constantly) preserve their prayer

[Al-Quran Surah al-An`am, ayaat: 92, Translation: Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali]

Surah Saad informs us that Allah عزوجل created Adam with His Two Hands. Adam was appointed Khalifa of the Earth. David (Dawood عليه السلام) was also appointed a Khalifa. Both Adam and David (Dawood عليه السلام) were prone to making mistakes. When Adam made the legal mistake, and suffered the consequence, he repented and sought forgiveness. David (Dawood عليه السلام) also repented and sought forgiveness when he realised his mistake. 

Surah Saad is about rich / powerful men, people of influence and status. 

Some make mistakes and never repent. The surah begins with examples of such people from human history, and concludes with the example of Iblis. 

Some immediately repent, turning back to Allah عزوجل . The surah presents the example of David (Dawood عليه السلام), Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام), Job (Ayub عليه السلام), and mentions their pious forefathers who were also men of power and wealth. Then it recounts the story of the creation of Adam عليه السلام . 

Every time we read the story of Adam in The Quran, there is so much to discover and learn. 

Every time we read the story of creation in The Quran, there is so much to know and learn. 

Every time we read any ayah of The Quran, there is so much to ponder upon. 

The Quran is a Book flourishing with knowledge. 

55:1  ۞ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ۝١

55:2  عَلَّمَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ ۝٢

55:3  خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ ۝٣

55:4  عَلَّمَهُ ٱلۡبَیَانَ ۝٤

55:1  The Merciful-to-all

55:2  taught the Qur’an,

55:3  created man,

55:4  taught him articulate speech.

[Al-Quran Surah Ar-Rahman, ayaat: 1-4, Translation: Safi Kaskas]

Allah عزوجل , the All-Knowing Master Creator, has blessed us with the seven oft-repeated ayaat (Surah al-Fatiha) and The Quran: 

15:85  وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَیۡنَهُمَاۤ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَءَاتِیَةࣱۖ فَٱصۡفَحِ ٱلصَّفۡحَ ٱلۡجَمِیلَ ۝٨٥

15:86  إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخَلَّـٰقُ ٱلۡعَلِیمُ ۝٨٦

15:87  وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَیۡنَـٰكَ سَبۡعࣰا مِّنَ ٱلۡمَثَانِی وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡعَظِیمَ ۝٨٧

15:88  لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَیۡنَیۡكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَ ٰجࣰا مِّنۡهُمۡ وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَیۡهِمۡ وَٱخۡفِضۡ جَنَاحَكَ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ ۝٨٨

15:89  وَقُلۡ إِنِّیۤ أَنَا ٱلنَّذِیرُ ٱلۡمُبِینُ ۝٨٩

15:90  كَمَاۤ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡمُقۡتَسِمِینَ ۝٩٠

15:91  ٱلَّذِینَ جَعَلُوا۟ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ عِضِینَ ۝٩١

15:92  فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡءَلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِینَ ۝٩٢

15:93  عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ یَعۡمَلُونَ ۝٩٣

15:94  فَٱصۡدَعۡ بِمَا تُؤۡمَرُ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِینَ ۝٩٤

15:95  إِنَّا كَفَیۡنَـٰكَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَهۡزِءِینَ ۝٩٥

15:96  ٱلَّذِینَ یَجۡعَلُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَۚ فَسَوۡفَ یَعۡلَمُونَ ۝٩٦

15:97  وَلَقَدۡ نَعۡلَمُ أَنَّكَ یَضِیقُ صَدۡرُكَ بِمَا یَقُولُونَ ۝٩٧

15:98  فَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِینَ ۝٩٨

15:99  وَٱعۡبُدۡ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ یَأۡتِیَكَ ٱلۡیَقِینُ ۝٩٩

15:85  We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them both, save with truth. And, verily, the Hour is surely coming; then do you forgive with a gracious forgiveness

15:86  Verily, your Lord He is the Master Creator, the All-knowing

15:87  We have already given you the Seven Oft-Repeated (the verses of the first chapter of the Quran), and the mighty Quran

15:88  Let not your eyes strain after what We have allowed certain classes among them to enjoy, nor grieve for them; but lower your wing (in tenderness) to the believers

15:89  And say, "Verily, I, even I, am a plain Warner."

15:90  Such as We sent down for those who make divisions

15:91  Those who break the Quran into separate parts

15:92  Them, by your Lord! We shall question, one and all

15:93  About what they used to do

15:94  Therefore, proclaim what you are commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters

15:95  Verily, We are enough defence for you against the scoffers

15:96  Who place other gods along with Allah; but they at length shall come to know

15:97  And well know We that your breast was at times oppressed by what they say

15:98  But hymn the praises of your Lord, and be you of those who make prostrations (or obeisance)

15:99  And serve your Lord until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (death)

[Al-Quran Surah al-Hijr, ayaat: 26-30, Translation: Hamid S. Aziz]

Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) and the Queen of Saba had both been given from Everything. They had wondrous power and technology. Many other ancients have also passed away who have left behind ruins we marvel at. We also have a limited time. We have an upcoming meeting with Allah عزوجل .  Instead of being swayed by modern science and technology, it is high time we reflect and ponder deeply upon the truth of the scriptures revealed, believe in them, and consequently prepare for our standing before our Lord, Our Sustainer, our Rabb, Our Creator, Allah عزوجل :  

Surah Saad 

    Translation by Hamid S. Aziz 

https://quran411.com/quran-translations?tid=105&sn=38/1000  

http://islamawakened.com/quran/38/st15.htm 

Related Blogs:

https://signsandscience.blogspot.com 

https://islam-qna.blogspot.com  

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World Wide Web

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29:43

وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَـٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ ۖ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْعَـٰلِمُونَ ٤٣

These are the parables We set forth for humanity, but none will understand them except the people of knowledge.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Surah al-'Ankabut (The Spider) presents the example of the spider's web: how weak it is. Prior to the example of the spider's home, it presents the examples of ancients, and how many polytheistic nations were destroyed after clear warnings to abandon sins. They were all very confident about their polytheism. Yet, nothing availed them when Allah's punishment came to them. The protectors they take other than Allah, they are as weak as a spider taking a home: the weakest of homes! 

These days the world is interconnected by a virtual web. A lot of information is available at our fingertips. A lot of opportunities to indulge in sins are also available. New ways to sin. So, just a few ayaat after the example of the spider's home, we find the ayat about prayer: 

29:45

ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ ٤٥

Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, ˹genuine˺ prayer should deter ˹one˺ from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is ˹an˺ even greater ˹deterrent˺. And Allah ˹fully˺ knows what you ˹all˺ do.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater. And Allāh knows that which you do.

— Saheeh International

The spider builds its web to trap prey. Many people get caught in the deceit available on the World Wide Web. Little do we realise the harm it is causing to our minds. A lot of time is spent surfing the net, and while some of the content is useful, the danger of misguidance is immense. Believers need to follow what they recite of The Quran (اُتۡلُ مَاۤ اُوۡحِىَ اِلَيۡكَ مِنَ الۡكِتٰبِ), and establish regular prayer (وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ). Periodic, repeated reminder is very important if we are to be able to wade through the new challenges and still remain steadfast on our faith. 

Throughout the world, moral decay is on the rise. The more the world connects with each other, the more are people moving away from cherished moral values. Many a ways which were considered sinful or disapproved by society are finding greater acceptance and normalisation. People of Abrahamic faiths must hold tight to the guidance they find detailed in their scriptures. Already the West has moved away from most of the guidance in their scriptures. Muslims are following on their heels. Generally, people are  moving away. While some people are touching base, and reverting to their scriptures, they are few. 

Evil is on the rise. End times' prophecies foretell great evil, accompanied by wondrous technology. Seems like we have either entered or are fast entering that phase. It is important for believers to keep a strong connection with their Lord, repeatedly turning to Him, seeking guidance and protection, lest we lose faith.  

Noah (Nuh عليه السلام), Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), Lot (Lut عليه السلام), Shoaib (عليه السلام), and all the messengers whom we read about in Surah al-'Ankabut were in the minority (faith-wise) at their time. Very few people believed them. They endured, held on to their faith, kept inviting to true faith, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and each one of them prevailed. The temptations of their time did not dissuade them from their faith: long life span, polytheism and space flight, sexual perversity (fahisha, munkar, mufsideen, zalimeen), social evils (mufsideen), vision and foresight, arrogance. Seems that all of these are coming to the fore in this day and age. Therefore, we are being warned: 

فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًۭا وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَخَذَتْهُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ٤٠

So We seized each ˹people˺ for their sin: against some of them We sent a storm of stones, some were overtaken by a ˹mighty˺ blast, some We caused the earth to swallow, and some We drowned. Allah would not have wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

So each We seized for his sin; and among them were those upon whom We sent a storm of stones, and among them were those who were seized by the blast [from the sky], and among them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow, and among them were those whom We drowned. And Allāh would not have wronged them, but it was they who were wronging themselves.

— Saheeh International

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًۭا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ ٱلْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ٤١

The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider spinning a shelter. And the flimsiest of all shelters is certainly that of a spider, if only they knew.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

The example of those who take allies other than Allāh is like that of the spider who takes [i.e., constructs] a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.

— Saheeh International

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍۢ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٤٢

Allah surely knows that whatever ˹gods˺ they invoke besides Him are ˹simply˺ nothing. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Indeed, Allāh knows whatever thing they call upon other than Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

— Saheeh International

وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَـٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ ۖ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْعَـٰلِمُونَ ٤٣

These are the parables We set forth for humanity, but none will understand them except the people of knowledge.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

— Saheeh International

[Al-Quran 29:40-43]

  

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Also read: 

The Evil of the الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ 

The Example of The Spider's Home 

Let Pakistan REBUILD Gaza

 

Screenshot from https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFCqerIoOIV/

From Gaza With Love - A Boy Proudly Waves the Pakistani Flag in Celebration

Give the Gaza Strip to the Pakistani Army to rebuild it. The Pakistani Army and the Pakistani people, working through their various charitable organisations, will be happy to rebuild and resettle the Palestinians in their homeland. 

There will be no need for them to migrate to any other country. The area can be rebuilt with them there, with their help, with the expertise and the wealth of Muslims. 

Pakistan Army has the expertise to rebuild. They have the domestic, national, and international, experience to understand the needs for peacekeeping.  

Perhaps, a barrier can also be built, to contain any further corruption by the enemies.  

Perhaps, it will also be an expiation of our inability to help them when they most needed us, if wills Allah (in sha Allah). 

قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا ١١٠

[Al-Quran 18:110]

Last  updated on: February 22, 2025