Sunday, November 30, 2008

Was Mohammad a true messenger of the Creator/God/Allah? (4)



"By the Sky and the Night-Visitant (therein);-


And what will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is?-

(It is) the Star of piercing brightness;- " Quraan 86:1-3

وَالسَّمَاء وَالطَّارِقِ

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الطَّارِقُ

النَّجْمُ الثَّاقِبُ
الطارق : ١-٣

"Night-Visitant (therein)" is equivalent to "Al Tariq/الطارق" in the Arabic/original verse which means "the knocker".

Was the verse referring to the "Neutron Stars"?
Apparently yes. The video (I believe it's real not graphics) below shows how a typical Neutron star looks and sounds like.


Is it knocking/pulsing? or it's just me?! :-)

How could Mohammad know about that kind of stars and describe it accurately ~1400 years ago?
Because the Creator who created the whole universe including the Neutron Stars informed Mohammad about it!


FYI
The Quraan is composed of only 114 chapters, chapter 86th is named 'Al Tariq/The Knocker' after the star the verses were talking about. That name along with all the verses & chapters in Quraan were intact since they were set up ~1400 years ago.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Who are "Al Mutaqeen/Pious"? (3)


"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and the West (metonymy for blank & dull worship), but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah and the last day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for (the emancipation of) the captives, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate; and the performers of their promise when they make a promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in time of conflicts-- these are they who are true (to themselves) and these are they who guard (against evil)." Quraan 2:177

لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَالْمَلائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُواْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاء وَالضَّرَّاء وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ
البقرة : ١٧٧

That's a real Islam, not a customary one, not a cultural one! An Islam that is stemming from a pure heart and a fine mind!


Friday, November 28, 2008

A Holy Commandment (5)

"O you who believe! do not make your charity worthless by reproach and injury, like him who spends his property to be seen of men and does not believe in Allah and the last day; so his parable is as the parable of a smooth rock with earth upon it, then a heavy rain falls upon it, so it leaves it bare; they shall not be able to gain anything of what they have earned; and Allah does not guide the unbelieving people.

And the parable of those who spend their property to seek the pleasure of Allah and for the certainty 'of their souls is as the parable of a garden on an elevated ground, upon which heavy rain falls so it brings forth its fruit twofold but if heavy rain does not fall upon it, then light rain (is sufficient); and Allah sees what you do. " Quraan 264-265


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُبْطِلُواْ صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالأَذَى كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاء النَّاسِ وَلاَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا لاَّ يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُواْ وَاللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمُ ابْتِغَاء مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَآتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

البقرة : ٢٦٤-٢٦٥

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Whom Allah does not love? (4)



"Allah loveth not those who do wrong." Quraan 3:57

اللَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
آل عمران : ٥٧

"who do wrong" is equivalent to "alththalimeen" (الظالمين) in the original/Arabic verse.
-"ththolim/ظلم" commonly means "injustice" but the original linguistic meaning of the word is "to put something in the wrong place"
-"alththalimeen/الظالمين" is a plural form of the word "ththalim/ظالم" which means a person who practice "ththolim" (ظلم), it becomes "alththalimoon/الظالمون" if it's a subject in the context otherwise will be "alththalimeen/الظالمين" if it's an object. Hence, we can say that "alththalimeen/الظالمين" overall means "the wrong doers" and specifically the "unjust".

So who are "alththalimeen/الظالمين"?
"For whoso transgresseth Allah's limits: such are wrong-doers." Quraan 2:229

وَمَن يَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ اللَّهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
البقرة : ٢٢٩

"And whoever shall invent a falsehood after that concerning Allah, such will be wrong-doers. " Quraan 3:94

فَمَنِ افْتَرَىَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ مِن بَعْدِ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
آل عمران : ٢٢٩

"whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unjust." Quraan 5:45

وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
المائدة : ٤٥

"O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers. " Quraan 9:23

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ آبَاءَكُمْ وَإِخْوَانَكُمْ أَوْلِيَاء إِنِ اسْتَحَبُّواْ الْكُفْرَ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
التوبة : ٢٣

"They say, "We believe in Allah and in the messenger, and we obey": but even after that, some of them turn away: they are not (really) Believers.

When they are summoned to Allah and His messenger, in order that He may judge between them, behold some of them decline (to come).

But if the right is on their side, they come to him with all submission.

Is it that there is a disease in their hearts? or do they doubt, or are they in fear, that Allah and His Messenger will deal unjustly with them? Nay, it is they themselves who do wrong. " Quraan 24:47-50


وَيَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالرَّسُولِ وَأَطَعْنَا ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّى فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم مِّن بَعْدِ ذَلِكَ وَمَا أُوْلَئِكَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ

وَإِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

وَإِن يَكُن لَّهُمُ الْحَقُّ يَأْتُوا إِلَيْهِ مُذْعِنِينَ

أَفِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ أَمِ ارْتَابُوا أَمْ يَخَافُونَ أَن يَحِيفَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَرَسُولُهُ بَلْ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
النور : ٤٧-٥٠

"O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. " Quraan 49:11


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَى أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلا نِسَاء مِّن نِّسَاء عَسَى أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ وَلا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلا تَنَابَزُوا بِالأَلْقَابِ بِئْسَ الاِسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الإِيمَانِ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
الحجرات : ١١


"Allah forbiddeth you only those who warred against you on account of religion and have driven you out from your homes and helped to drive you out, that ye make friends of them. Whosoever maketh friends of them - (All) such are wrong-doers. " Quraan 60:9

إِنَّمَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ قَاتَلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَأَخْرَجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ وَظَاهَرُوا عَلَى إِخْرَاجِكُمْ أَن تَوَلَّوْهُمْ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُمْ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
الممتحنة : ٩


"We know well how their talk grieveth thee, though in truth they deny not thee (Muhammad) but evil-doers flout the revelations of Allah. " Quraan 6:33

قَدْ نَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُ لَيَحْزُنُكَ الَّذِي يَقُولُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ لاَ يُكَذِّبُونَكَ وَلَكِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
الأنعام : ٣٣

"The Companions of the Garden will call out to the Companions of the Fire: "We have indeed found the promises of our Lord to us true: Have you also found Your Lord's promises true?" They shall say, "Yes"; but a crier shall proclaim between them: "The curse of Allah is on the wrong-doers;-

Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek in it something crooked: they were those who denied the Hereafter." 7:44-45

وَنَادَى أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ أَصْحَابَ النَّارِ أَن قَدْ وَجَدْنَا مَا وَعَدَنَا رَبُّنَا حَقًّا فَهَلْ وَجَدتُّم مَّا وَعَدَ رَبُّكُمْ حَقًّا قَالُواْ نَعَمْ فَأَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ بَيْنَهُمْ أَن لَّعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ

الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَهُم بِالآخِرَةِ كَافِرُونَ
الأعراف : ٤٤-٤٥

How does Allah regard them beside not loving them?
"Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. " Quraan 2:258

اللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ
البقرة : ٢٥٨

If you are a wrong doer and you are aware of that then it is nonsense to ask Allah to guide you! First stop whatever wrong you are doing then ask for guidance and then Allah will guide more.


"Theirs will be a bed of hell, and over them coverings (of hell). Thus do We requite wrong-doers. " Quraan 7:41

لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِن فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ
الأعراف : ٤١

"The curse of Allah is on evil-doers" Quraan 7:44

أَن لَّعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
الأعراف : ٤٤

"for wrong-doers is a painful doom." Quraan 14:22

إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
إبراهيم : ٢٢

"Allah confirmeth those who believe by a firm saying in the life of the world and in the Hereafter, and Allah sendeth wrong-doers astray. And Allah doeth what He will. " Quraan 14:27

يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ وَيَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاء
إبراهيم : ٢٧

"And We reveal of the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy for believers though it increase the evil-doers in naught save ruin." Quraan 17:82

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاء وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلاَ يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلاَّ خَسَارًا
الإسراء : ٨٢

"And one of them who should say: Lo! I am a god beside Him, that one We should repay with hell. Thus We Repay wrong-doers. " Quraan 21:29

وَمَن يَقُلْ مِنْهُمْ إِنِّي إِلَهٌ مِّن دُونِهِ فَذَلِكَ نَجْزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ
الأنبياء : ٢٩

"He maketh whom He will to enter His mercy, and for evil-doers hath prepared a painful doom. " Quraan 76:31

يُدْخِلُ مَن يَشَاء فِي رَحْمَتِهِ وَالظَّالِمِينَ أَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
الإنسان : ٣١

FYI:

"Allah is aware of evil-doers." Quraan 2:95

وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ
البقرة : ٩٥







SINFUL SLAVE.


It’s Cold, It’s Late, everybody’s sleeping.

I arise and ask Allah to forgive me.
Oh Allah you see, Oh Allah you know.

All the sins I do, I turn to you to forgive my sins in my heart.


(Chorus)
I’m your Sinful Slave.

You’re my Loving Lord.

I’m the one who runs away.

Oh Allah guide me.


My sins are mountains high.
Your mercy is so wide.

Love me, guide me.

Forgive me all my sins.

My heart inclines to that which is evil and nasty.

I realise that satan’s the one that deceives me.

I wanna make things right, I stand before you here.

Forgive the sins I do, that’s why I turn to you.

I turn to you to forgive my sins in my heart.


(Chorus)
I’m your Sinful Slave.

You’re my Loving Lord.

I’m the one who runs away.

Oh Allah guide me.


My sins are mountains high.
Your mercy is so wide.

Love me, guide me.

Forgive me all my sins.


(Break Away)

All my life I’ve been so blind I don’t know what to say.

I’ve disobeyed my lord I’ve lost control, my mind has gone astray.

No good have I done, only myself to blame.

Please my Lord don’t take my soul.
I don’t wanna burn in your flame.


I hope, I pray, I hope that Allah will forgive me.

I’m so scared, I no longer wanna be lonely.

It’s time to make a change, the way I live my life.

Islam will guide me through, Surrender myself to you.

My Lord I ask you to bring the light in my life.


(Chorus)
I’m your Sinful Slave.

You’re my Loving Lord.

I’m the one who runs away.

Oh Allah guide me.


My sins are mountains high.
Your mercy is so wide.

Love me, guide me.

Forgive me all my sins.

Monday, November 24, 2008

You were the best nation that evolved for mankind (1)



"Ye were the best nation (people) that evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah."
Quraan 3:110

كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ
آل عمران : ١١٠

Several Hadiths indicate that the verse was referring to the first followers, the first Muslims.

Why did Allah consider them the best of all nations?
They were enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. Thus, if we want to be the best again and bring that glory back then that's what we have to do!



(feat. Sami Yusuf)
(Chorus)[Sami Yusuf]
I wish you were here
Here next to me
Been missing you so
So desperately
But lately I feel
Like you feel and
I see what you see
How I’m missing you


[Isam]
What happened to the ummah
Once known so well…

(Chorus)[Sami Yusuf]
I wish you were here
Here next to me
Been missing you so
So desperately
But lately I feel
Like you feel and
I see what you see
How I’m missing you

[Waqas]
What happened to the ummah
Once known so well
Greatness was known
But now can u tell
Used to inspire others with our way of thinking and speech
People came from afar just to hear us teach
Yo what happened to the ummah
Once known so well
Greatness was known
But now can u tell
Mosques are empty, refrigerators are stocked
We lost our deen we feel secure
‘Cause our mansions are locked
In my teen years salah wasn’t really that tight
Now I gotta pray each one of them twice
What happened to the ummah
Once known so well
Greatness was known
But now can u tell
Brother we prefer light skinned women
While righteously maintaining our deen against racism
What happened to the ummah
Once known so well
Greatness was known
But now can u tell


(Chorus)[Sami Yusuf]
I wish you were here
Here next to me
Been missing you so
So desperately
But lately I feel
Like you feel and
I see what you see
How I’m missing you


[Isam]
What happened to the ummah once known so well
Greatness was known, but now can u tell
Kids in Africa are starving – can’t afford to cry
I’ll pay the bank interest for a car I can’t afford to buy
What happened to the ummah once known so well
Greatness was known, but now can u tell?
We used to smile at each other, with faces full of light
Now we frown at each other, we bicker and we fight
Pops in the mosque praying, kids in the streets hating
Kids on the corner selling, pops in the mosque preachin’
What happened to the ummah once known so well
Greatness was known but now can u tell?
The Quran has left out hearts stranded, hanging on out walls
6232 verses, so strong
9 out of 10 of us can’t even read or write
1924 feels distant like way before Christ


(Chorus)[Sami Yusuf]
I wish you were here
Here next to me
Been missing you so
So desperately
But lately I feel
Like you feel and
I see what you see
How I’m missing you


[Lenny]
Que le pasó a la maza
Como puede ser
La grandeza conocida
No la puedo ver
He visto como mi figura cae en tentación
A pesar de que la vida a sido buena con luz e ilusion
He pedido perdón por mis pecados
Tengo la cruz sobre mi cama y el diablo a mi lado
Que le pasó a la maza
Como puede ser
La belleza conocida
No la puedo ver
He sentido incompetencia buscando la verdad
Todos dicen conocerla solo veo la maldad
Que le pasó a la maza
Como puede ser
La pureza conocida
No la puedo ver

Translation:
[What happened to the people
How can it be
Greatness was known
But now can you tell
I’ve watched myself fall from grace
Even though life has been good, filled with hopes and dreams
I’ve asked forgiveness for my sins
I have the cross above my bed and the devil by my side
What happened to the people
How can it be
Beauty was known
But now can you tell]


[Isam]
If I was to fall on my knees and ask you to forgive
everything and anyone out of Love,
for the One, oh oh oh...
I´ve seen
And if u were to fall on ya knees and ask me the same
Brother, don’t even think about it, lets just break out of
the darkness of ignorance

(Chorus)[Sami Yusuf]
I wish you were here
Here next to me
Been missing you so
So desperately
But lately I feel
Like you feel and
I see what you see
How I’m missing you

(Chorus)[Sami Yusuf]
I wish you were here
Here next to me
Been missing you so
So desperately
But lately I feel
Like you feel and
I see what you see
How I’m missing you

Who is Allah/God? (7)



"Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names." Quraan 20:8

اللَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ لَهُ الأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى
طه : ٢٠


Sunday, November 23, 2008

Marriage in Islam: a preface


“In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood.” Henry David Thoreau

If you ask a number of married couples of what marriage means to them or how they define it, I bet the results will very likely be:
- Less than 10% of them--the two pairs will provide 95-100% compatible answers!
- More than 50% of them--the two pairs will provide vague answers/definitions.
- The rest of them--the two pairs will provide (in)compatible answers to a variable degree.

No wonder why most marriages become one of the the most frustrating aspects of life and many marriages fail and end up in divorce! It's really hard to successfully build something mutually without having a clear understanding of it by the two parties, especially if that thing is a critical and sensitive matter like 'marriage'.

The term/word 'Marriage' is quite confusing as it has multiple variable definitions/meanings, it has a linguistic meaning that may vary from one language to another, a legal definition that differs from one country to another, a cultural interpretation that conflicts with one culture and another, and a religious definition that is incompatible with one religion and another. Hence, when it comes to discussing marital issues it's really necessary to clarify which of the meanings of marriage you are talking about, in other words from which perspective. Have you ever heard of the Relativity Theory?! This is a good example of it! :^)

In this series 'Marriage in Islam' I'll be discussing Marriage and Marital issues mainly from Islamic perspective. In the next post, I'll try to formulate a precise and clear Islamic definition of marriage and define the fundamental elements of it.

A Holy Commandment (4)



"O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) We have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining (Will avail), nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject Faith they are the wrong-doers. " Quraan 2:254

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَنفِقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لاَّ بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلاَ خُلَّةٌ وَلاَ شَفَاعَةٌ وَالْكَافِرُونَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
البقرة : ٢٥٤

"and spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, 'O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good'.

But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do." Quraan 63:10-11


وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
المنافقون : ١٠-١١


The same thing for the prayer:

"Say to My servants who believe that they should keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them secretly and openly before the coming of the day in which there shall be no bartering nor mutual befriending. " Quraan 14:31

قُل لِّعِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ يُقِيمُواْ الصَّلاةَ وَيُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلانِيَةً مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لاَّ بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلاَ خِلالٌ
إبراهيم : ٣١


Repent & do your best henceforth:

"Say: O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped.

And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the Penalty comes on you - of a sudden while ye perceive not!-

Lest the soul should (then) say: 'Ah! Woe is me!- In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah, and was but among those who mocked!'-

Or (lest) it should say: 'If only Allah had guided me, I should certainly have been among the righteous!'-

Or (lest) it should say when it (actually) sees the penalty: 'If only I had another chance, I should certainly be among those who do good!'

(The reply will be:) 'Nay, but there came to thee my Signs, and thou didst reject them: thou wast Haughty, and became one of those who reject faith!'" Quraan 54-59


وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لا تُنصَرُونَ

وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لا تَشْعُرُونَ

أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَى عَلَى مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ

أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

بَلَى قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
الزمر : ٥٤-٥٩


Overall:

"Hearken ye to your Lord, before there come a Day which there will be no putting back, because of (the Ordainment of) Allah! that Day there will be for you no place of refuge nor will there be for you any room for denial (of your sins)! " Quraan 42:47

اسْتَجِيبُوا لِرَبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لّا مَرَدَّ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكُم مِّن مَّلْجَأٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّكِيرٍ
الشورى : ٤٧



Saturday, November 22, 2008

Allah loves those who trust in Him



"Allah loves those who trust in Him" Quraan 3:159

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
آل عمران : ١٥٩

What sort of trust is that?
"You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help." Quraan 1:5

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
الفاتحة : ٥

"Say, "Nothing happens to us, except what Allah has decreed for us. He is our Lord and Master." In Allah the believers shall trust." Quraan 9:51

قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلانَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
التوبة : ٥١

"Why should we not trust in Allah, when He has guided us in our paths? We will steadfastly persevere in the face of your persecution. In Allah all the trusters shall trust." Quraan 14:12

وَمَا لَنَا أَلاَّ نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَانَا سُبُلَنَا وَلَنَصْبِرَنَّ عَلَى مَا آذَيْتُمُونَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
إبراهيم : ١٢

How does Allah appreciate this trust?
" Anyone who trusts in Allah, He suffices him. Allah's commands are done. Allah has decreed for everything its fate." Quraan 65:3

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
الطلاق : ٣



Who is Mohammad? (3)


"And We have not sent you (Mohammad) but as a mercy to the worlds." Quraan 21:107

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلاَّ رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
الأنبياء : ١٠٧





Sami Yusuf's song "Al Mu'allim" (The Teacher).

Al-Mu'allim

We once had a Teacher
The Teacher of teachers,
He changed the world for the better
And made us better creatures,
Oh Allah we’ve shamed ourselves
We’ve strayed from Al-Mu'allim,
Surely we’ve wronged ourselves
What will we say in front him?
Oh Mu'allim...

Chorus
He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind,
He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind,
Teacher of all Mankind.
Abal Qasim [one of the names of the Prophet]
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad
(My beloved O Muhammad)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad
(My intercessor O Muhammad)
Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad
(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)
Ya Mustafa ya Imamal Mursalina
(O Chosen One, O Imam of the Messengers)
Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina
(O Chosen One, O intercessor of the worlds)
He prayed while others slept
While others ate he’d fast,
While they would laugh he wept
Until he breathed his last,
His only wish was for us to be
Among the ones who prosper,
Ya Mu'allim peace be upon you,
Truly you are our Teacher,
Oh Mu'allim..

Chorus
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad
(My beloved O Muhammad)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad
(My intercessor O Muhammad)
Ya Rasuli ya Muhammad
(O My Messenger O Muhammad)
Ya Bashiri ya Muhammad
(O bearer of good news O Muhammad)
Ya Nadhiri ya Muhammad
(O warner O Muhammad)
'Ishqu Qalbi ya Muhammad
(The love of my heart O Muhammad)
Nuru 'Ayni ya Muhammad
(Light of my eye O Muhammad)
He taught us to be just and kind
And to feed the poor and hungry,
Help the wayfarer and the orphan child
And to not be cruel and miserly,
His speech was soft and gentle,
Like a mother stroking her child,
His mercy and compassion,
Were most radiant when he smiled

Chorus
Abal Qasim [one of the names of the Prophet]
Ya Habibi ya Muhammad
(My beloved O Muhammad)
Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad
(My intercessor O Muhammad)
Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad
(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)
Ya Mustafa Ya Imamal Mursalina
(O Chosen One O Imam of the Messengers)
Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina
(O Chosen One O intercessor of the worlds)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

True Muslims/Submitters: The Believer of Ya-Seen



"Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it.

When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been senton a mission to you."


The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie."

They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you:

"And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message."

The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us.

They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!"

Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers:

"Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance.


"It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back.


"Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me.


"I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error.


"For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!"


It was said: "Enter thou the Garden(paradise)." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!-

"For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!"

And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do.

It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent.

Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him!" Quraan 36(Ya-Seen):13-30


وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلاً أَصْحَابَ الْقَرْيَةِ إِذْ جَاءَهَا الْمُرْسَلُونَ

إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ اثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا إِلَيْكُم مُّرْسَلُونَ

قَالُوا مَا أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا وَمَا أَنزَلَ الرَّحْمَن مِن شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ تَكْذِبُونَ

قَالُوا رَبُّنَا يَعْلَمُ إِنَّا إِلَيْكُمْ لَمُرْسَلُونَ

وَمَا عَلَيْنَا إِلاَّ الْبَلاغُ الْمُبِينُ

قَالُوا إِنَّا تَطَيَّرْنَا بِكُمْ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهُوا لَنَرْجُمَنَّكُمْ وَلَيَمَسَّنَّكُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

قَالُوا طَائِرُكُمْ مَعَكُمْ أَئِن ذُكِّرْتُم بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّسْرِفُونَ

وَجَاءَ مِنْ أَقْصَى الْمَدِينَةِ رَجُلٌ يَسْعَى قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوا الْمُرْسَلِينَ

اتَّبِعُوا مَن لاَّ يَسْأَلُكُمْ أَجْرًا وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

وَمَا لِي لاَ أَعْبُدُ الَّذِي فَطَرَنِي وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

أَأَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً إِن يُرِدْنِ الرَّحْمَن بِضُرٍّ لاَّ تُغْنِ عَنِّي شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يُنقِذُونِ

إِنِّي إِذًا لَّفِي ضَلالٍ مُّبِينٍ

إِنِّي آمَنتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَاسْمَعُونِ

قِيلَ ادْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ يَا لَيْتَ قَوْمِي يَعْلَمُونَ

بِمَا غَفَرَ لِي رَبِّي وَجَعَلَنِي مِنَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ

وَمَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى قَوْمِهِ مِن بَعْدِهِ مِنْ جُندٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاء وَمَا كُنَّا مُنزِلِينَ

إِن كَانَتْ إِلاَّ صَيْحَةً وَاحِدَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ خَامِدُونَ

يَا حَسْرَةً عَلَى الْعِبَادِ مَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِؤُون

يس : ١٣-٣٠

How easy life is if we just go with flow! Embraced by the majority, not feeling unusual, no criticism, no suspicious looks, feeling accepted and in harmony, singing along with the rhythm, etc ... That's really smooth! Nothing wrong with it though, as long as that's who you are! Namely, that's who you are from the inside and you are reflecting it on the outside. However, if you are something inside but act something else outside just for the sake of going with the flow, then that life is really senseless! You are basically just denying yourself! Rejecting it! No matter how many people respect you because of the outside, that will never ever even up the disrespect you have towards yourself from the inside!

The verses above are talking about a city that her people were extremely repudiators, they keep denying the Messengers no matter what, that even Allah sent two Messengers first and then a third one later on to support the first two but the people of that city insisted on their denial. Apparently they were awfully fanatics to whatever they were worshiping or practicing as culture; thereby they were threatening the Messengers of death just because of what they were promoting for peacefully! In the heat of that critical moment, suddenly, someone came out of the people to announce his support to the Messengers, he accepted their Message and not only that, he immediately started advocating for it!

Apparently, according to the verses and some Hadiths, the man got executed! He was not afraid to stand alone (obviously) as the only believer besides the Messengers against all his people! He faced off all his city! The man took the risk of believing the Messengers and following the truth even though it would imminently cost him his life! He was the man! He was a true submitter!





Chorus
I am not afraid to stand alone….
I am not afraid to stand alone…. If Allah is by my side
I am not afraid to stand alone…. Everything will be alright
I am not afraid to stand alone…. Gonna keep my head up high

Single mother raising her children
Now she's a Muslim
Started praying and wearing a headscarf
Was a healing for her heart

Struggling with no one to lean on
But with prayer she would be strong
Had a job but then she was laid off
Had a better education and it paid off

she was called for a job that she dreamed of
Close by, great pay -she was in love - they said...
They brought her in, told her she's the number one pick
You got the job, but you gotta lose the outfit"

this is a tough position that you put me in
Cause Ive been struggling with my two children
But I'll continue looking for a job again
My faith in my religion now will never bend

Chorus

Peer pressure, they were insisting
And I was resistin
Some days I felt I would give in
Just wanted to fit in

I know when I’m praying and fasting’
They be teasing and laughing
So I called to my Lord for the power
For the strength every day, every hour...

One day there’s a new Muslim teacher
Single mom and the people respect her
Just seeing her strength I get stronger
They can break my will no longer

You don’t see me sweating when they’re jokes're cracking
Never see me cursin’ with my pants saggin’
I aint running yo I’m still standing
I ride with Allah to the very end

Chorus

I am not afraid to stand alone...

now , I’m a tough one, who can bear their blows
The rest play dumb, they don’t dare say no
Scared of being shunned, but its peers they know
But I aint gonna run, I aint scared no more….

Man, these sisters be resolute
Never stressed when the rest say they wasn’t cute
And they get the respect of the other youth
Come best with the dress yo and that’s the truth

These sisters are strong gonna hand it down
So me I’m a brotha gotta stand my ground
I aint gonna shudder, when the gangs around
Peer pressure whatever, its my planet now

Others may fall, I’mma hold my own
With the help of Allah I’ll be strong as stone
And I’mma be brave and let Islam be shown
Cause you I know I not afraid to stand alone

Chorus

And follow not that of which you have not the knowledge;surely the hearing & the sight & the heart,all of these,shall be questioned about that- Q17:36


"Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it.


When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, "Truly, we have been senton a mission to you."


The (people) said: "Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie."

They said: "Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you:

"And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message."

The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us.

They said: "Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!"

Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the messengers:

"Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance.

"It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back.

"Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me.

"I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error.

"For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!"

It was said: "Enter thou the Garden(paradise)." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!-

"For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!"

And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do.

It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent.

Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him!" Quraan 36:13-30


وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلاً أَصْحَابَ الْقَرْيَةِ إِذْ جَاءَهَا الْمُرْسَلُونَ

إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ اثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا إِلَيْكُم مُّرْسَلُونَ

قَالُوا مَا أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا وَمَا أَنزَلَ الرَّحْمَن مِن شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ تَكْذِبُونَ

قَالُوا رَبُّنَا يَعْلَمُ إِنَّا إِلَيْكُمْ لَمُرْسَلُونَ

وَمَا عَلَيْنَا إِلاَّ الْبَلاغُ الْمُبِينُ

قَالُوا إِنَّا تَطَيَّرْنَا بِكُمْ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهُوا لَنَرْجُمَنَّكُمْ وَلَيَمَسَّنَّكُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

قَالُوا طَائِرُكُمْ مَعَكُمْ أَئِن ذُكِّرْتُم بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّسْرِفُونَ

وَجَاءَ مِنْ أَقْصَى الْمَدِينَةِ رَجُلٌ يَسْعَى قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوا الْمُرْسَلِينَ

اتَّبِعُوا مَن لاَّ يَسْأَلُكُمْ أَجْرًا وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

وَمَا لِي لاَ أَعْبُدُ الَّذِي فَطَرَنِي وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

أَأَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً إِن يُرِدْنِ الرَّحْمَن بِضُرٍّ لاَّ تُغْنِ عَنِّي شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يُنقِذُونِ

إِنِّي إِذًا لَّفِي ضَلالٍ مُّبِينٍ

إِنِّي آمَنتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَاسْمَعُونِ

قِيلَ ادْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ يَا لَيْتَ قَوْمِي يَعْلَمُونَ

بِمَا غَفَرَ لِي رَبِّي وَجَعَلَنِي مِنَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ

وَمَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى قَوْمِهِ مِن بَعْدِهِ مِنْ جُندٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاء وَمَا كُنَّا مُنزِلِينَ

إِن كَانَتْ إِلاَّ صَيْحَةً وَاحِدَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ خَامِدُونَ

يَا حَسْرَةً عَلَى الْعِبَادِ مَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِؤُون

يس : ١٣-٣٠

According to most of Tafsirs (books explain Quraan) the verses above were talking about the city of Antioch, the time was either during the life of Jesus or after Allah raised him up unto Himself (the Crucifixion - according to our Christian brothers), the Messengers were Apostles of Jesus and the man who supported them was called "Habib Al-Najar". Ironically according to the Hadiths in those Tafsirs, the ruler of the city eventually believed the Messengers along with his people. Sadly, the Tafsirs were relying on false Hadiths and that's will be explained underneath.

History and the Bible agree with the conclusion those Hadiths drew as it's known that Antioch was one of the first Christianised cities. However, the verses above clearly indicate that Allah poured on them His punishment and eliminated them, surely He wouldn't do so if they followed the Messengers! Also, according to what happened to the man who supported the Messengers and how he ended up it's very obvious that his people didn't follow the Messengers!

Moreover, the specific details of the Hadiths the Tafsirs are relying on do conflict with what the Bible reports. Acts 11:19 (The Church in Antioch) reports that people of Antioch believed in Christianity without obstruction. Nonetheless, there's a similar story in the Bible (Acts:3-9) that's a bit compatible with what those Hadiths report but the location is different though, according to the Bible it was talking about Jerusalem rather than Antioch.

Apparently, those Hadiths are baseless, they are clearly refuted by Quraan, history, and even the Bible (regardless of its accuracy). The frustrating part of the whole thing is how can most of Tafsirs fall into the same simple mistake?! To name few:
Those are great scholars Sunni and Shieti, their Tafsirs are of the most respectable ones. Nevertheless, there were not perfect, no matter how much of knowledge and faith they had they were human beings subject to mistakes.


So which city was the verses referring to? Who were the messengers? Who was the man that believed them?
Apparently there is no reliable source provides those information probably because it's insignificant, Allah wanted to us to pay attention to the stances of the different parties of the story (the people, the messengers, the believer) not to their identities.

What's the moral of all this for us?
We should not read blindly and take Hadiths for granted merely because they were reported by great scholars and in reputable books! Don't switch the brain off while reading, you are the one who will be held responsible at the end of the day!

"Nay, man will be evidence against himself,
Even though he were to put up his excuses. "
Quraan 75:14-15


بَلِ الإِنسَانُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ

وَلَوْ أَلْقَى مَعَاذِيرَهُ

القيامة : ١٤-١٥



Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Who is Allah/God? (6)


"He is Allah, than Whom there is no other Allah, the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible. He is the Beneficent, Merciful.


He is Allah, than Whom there is no other Allah, the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One, Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Majestic, the Compeller, the Superb. Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him).


He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise."
Quraan 59:22-24


هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

الحشر : ٢٢-٢٤


Tuesday, November 18, 2008

A Holy Commandment (3)

"O ye who believe! Come, all of you, into submission (unto Him); and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you." Quraan 2:208

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
البقرة : ٢٠٨

That English translation was from Pickthal, the equivalent phrase of "all of you" in the Arabic/original verse actually means "all of it", what does the "it" refer to? Could either refer to "You - the believers" or "The submission", in each case it's correct but I believe the latter makes more sense and that's will be explained underneath. In other words, the verse could be rephrased as the following:
"O ye who believe! Come into all of submission (unto Him); and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you."

To understand the verse properly, we need to review it in context:

" O ye who believe! Come, all of you, into submission (unto Him); and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemyfor you.

And if ye slide back after the clear proofs have come unto you, then know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.


Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would bealready judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).


Ask of the Children of Israel how many a clear revelation We gave them! He who altereth the grace of Allah after it hath come unto him(for him), lo! Allah is severe in punishment."
Quraan 2:208-211


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

فَإِن زَلَلْتُمْ مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الأَمْرُ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الأُمُورُ

سَلْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَمْ آتَيْنَاهُم مِّنْ آيَةٍ بَيِّنَةٍ وَمَن يُبَدِّلْ نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

البقرة : ٢٠٨-٢١١


It's very obvious from the context that the verse is talking about the believers who are still skeptic about the validity and credibility of Islam! The verses are also reminding those skeptic believers of what the Jewish did with their prophets so we don't fall in the same mistake by being cynics and captious towards our Prophet.

"Or would ye question your messenger as Moses was questioned aforetime? He who chooseth disbelief instead of faith, verily he hath gone astray from a plain road." Quraan 2:108

أَمْ تُرِيدُونَ أَن تَسْأَلُواْ رَسُولَكُمْ كَمَا سُئِلَ مُوسَى مِن قَبْلُ وَمَن يَتَبَدَّلِ الْكُفْرَ بِالإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاء السَّبِيلِ
البقرة : ١٠٨

Apparently, the verse was asking the believers to truly submit in "all submission" if they truely believe that Mohammad is a Messenger of the Creator. If you are a true Muslim who declared Al-Shahadah "I bear witness that there is no deity (none truely to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah" after a true conviction, then you are truly convinced and know that Mohammad is a Messenger of the Creator, thus we have to follow him in everything he asked us to do! whether we like it or dislike, logical or illogical ...
For example, I can't be selective and say that the five prayers make sense to me so I'll perform them but pilgrimage/Hajj rituals are nonsense so I won't do it! If you know that Mohammad was a true Messenger of God and he asked you to do both of them but you still don't follow his instructions because it doesn't make sense to you or it conflicts with your culture or whatever reason .... Then that's not a real submission! You probably need to review your Shahadah!

The verse then is warning us of following the footsteps of the devil/Satan, the verse didn't say "don't follow the devil" because as believers surely we don't follow the devil but it is warning us that we may follow his footsteps unconsciously and end up following the devil himself! Watch out!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Whom Allah does not love? (3)



"Allah loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance)."
Quraan 3:32

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ
آل عمران : ٣٢

The word "the disbelievers (in His guidance)" is equivalent to "Al Kafireen" in the Arabic (original) verse, that was the translation of Pickthal, the meaning of the translation is essentially correct but apparently doesn't suit the context as will be explained underneath.

"Al Kafiroon" means people who practice "Kufur" it becomes "Al Kafireen" if it's object in the context, the word "Kufur" has many meanings in Arabic but overall they all means directly or indirectly "Covering/Hiding something". This word is really crucial and sensitive, giving the consequences of misinterpreting it along history and till present; Thousands if not hundred of thousands of innocent lives were ended by blind extremists in the name of Allah because of misinterpretation to that word! Inshallah sometime in the future I'll provide a comprehensive essay about the different meanings of that word, in the meanwhile it should be enough to know that the general meaning of that word is "to cover/hide something".

So what sort of "Kafireen" is the verse talking about?
We need to review the verse in context:

"Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Say: Obey Allah and the messenger. But if they turn away, lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance). " Quraan 3:31-32

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

قُلْ أَطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ


So now we know what sort of Kafireen the verse is talking about, it's talking about the people who claim to love but practically don't show their love! In other words, the people who hide their love! If I love someone then that love should manifest itself practically on my treatment to that person! Probably the verse is not only saying that Allah doesn't love believers who claim to love Allah that don't follow the Prophet but could be any person who claim to love someone but doesn't show that love! For instance, if I say I love my wife but I don't treat her well according to that love then I could be the kind of Kafireen Allah doesn't love! Why do we suppress our love?! We don't feel ashamed of showing hatred but feel ashamed of showing love?! Let's reflect that good energy inside us and suppress the bad one!

The verse was revealed after some people claimed that they love Allah, so He challenged them by asking them to follow the Prophet if they really do, that how they would show their love to Allah. Some Hadiths indicate that the people the verse was talking about was Muslims but Munafiqoon (Hypocrites), other Hadiths say it was talking about Christians or Jewish. Regardless of who they were, they basically claimed to be believers and love Allah.


Sunday, November 16, 2008

When My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth - Quraan 2:186 (3)



"Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk."
Quraan 2:250

رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
البقرة : ٢٥٠

That was the supplication of the Israelis at the time of David when they faced Goliath and his army whom are believed to be the Palestinians at the time. Apparently Goliath army was much superior in number and strength compared to the Israelis, yet they were defeated by the Israelis because they were true believers and sought help from Almighty. This story is also mentioned in The Bible with more specific details in "1st Samuel".

"Bethink thee of the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, how they said unto a prophet whom they had: Set up for us a king and we will fight in Allah's way. He said: Would ye then refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you? They said: Why should we not fight in Allah's way when we have been driven from our dwellings with our children? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, all save a few of them. Allah is aware of evil-doers.

Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

And their Prophet said unto them: Lo! the token of his kingdom is that there shall come unto you the ark wherein is peace of reassurance from your Lord, and a remnant of that which the house of Moses and the house of Aaron left behind, the angels bearing it. Lo! herein shall be a token for you if (in truth) ye are believers.

And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with the steadfast.

And when they went into the field against Goliath and his hosts they said: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk.

So they routed them by Allah's leave and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willeth. And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is a Lord of Kindness to (His) creatures." Quraan 2:246-251


أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الْمَلإِ مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَى إِذْ قَالُواْ لِنَبِيٍّ لَّهُمُ ابْعَثْ لَنَا مَلِكًا نُّقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ هَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ أَلاَّ تُقَاتِلُواْ قَالُواْ وَمَا لَنَا أَلاَّ نُقَاتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ أُخْرِجْنَا مِن دِيَارِنَا وَأَبْنَائِنَا فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوْا إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنْهُمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا قَالُواْ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِالْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ الْمَالِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ وَاللَّهُ يُؤْتِي مُلْكَهُ مَن يَشَاء وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ آيَةَ مُلْكِهِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ التَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ آلُ مُوسَى وَآلُ هَارُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلائِكَةُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِالْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي إِلاَّ مَنِ اغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةً بِيَدِهِ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنْهُ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنْهُمْ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُ هُوَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَعَهُ قَالُواْ لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا الْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالَ الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلاقُوا اللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُدُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاء وَلَوْلاَ دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الأَرْضُ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

البقرة : ٢٤٦-٢٥١

There are several Hadiths indicate that the number of the Israelis who fought in that battle was around 310 soldier, the same number of Muslims soldiers in Battle of Badr (624 AD/2 AH) whereas Quraish army was composed of around 1000 soldier, yet the Muslims won the battle!

Who is Allah/God? (5)



"He, is the Hearer, the Knower." Quraan 8:61

إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
الأنفال : ٦١

He hears everything and knows about all things.

Does Allah have ears?
We need ears to hear because we are made of materials unlike Him, He is beyond materials and laws of physics, He can hear everything but without ears; If you don't have something how can you give it?! He gave us the capability of hearing but our capability is limited where His is the ultimate.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Was Mohammad a true messenger of the Creator/God/Allah? (3)

"We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and We sent down Iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty. " Quraan 57:25

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
الحديد : ٢٥




"Analysis of data from NASA's Lunar Prospector spacecraft has confirmed that the Moon has a small core, supporting the theory that the bulk of the Moon was ripped away from the early Earth when an object the size of Mars collided with the Earth.

Scientists presented this result and other findings today in a series of papers at the 30th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, TX. Their data show that the lunar core contains less than four percent of the Moon's total mass, with the probable value being two percent or slightly less. This is very small when compared with the Earth, whose iron core contains approximately 30 percent of the planet's mass.

"This is a critical finding in helping scientists determine how the Earth and Moon formed," said Dr. Alan Binder of the Lunar Research Institute, Tucson, AZ, principal investigator for Lunar Prospector.

Similarities in the mineral composition of the Earth and the Moon indicate that they share a common origin. However, if they had simply formed from the same cloud of rocks and dust, the Moon would have a core similar in proportion to the Earth's. A third theory suggests that the Moon was captured fully intact by the Earth's gravity.

Based on information first gathered during the Apollo era, scientists suggested that the Moon was formed when a Mars-sized body hit the Earth during its earliest history. "This impact occurred after the Earth's iron core had formed, ejecting rocky, iron-poor material from the outer shell into orbit," Binder explained. "It was this material that collected to form the Moon."
LUNAR DATA SUPPORT IDEA THAT COLLISION SPLIT EARTH, MOON


The Quraan is composed of 114 Chapters (Surah), each Chapter/Surah has a name, Chapter 56 is named "Al Hadeed" which means "Iron", the numbering sequence of the chapters have never been changed since they were set up ~1400 years ago, neither their names. Was it a coincidence that Iron is forming the core of Earth and Surah (Chapter) Al Hadeed (Iron) lies in the center of Quraan in terms of the numbering sequence (114/2=56)? Could be, but could be not!

Friday, November 14, 2008

A Holy Commandment (2)



" O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He Whom yeworship.


He hath forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and swineflesh, and that which hath been immolated to (the name of) any other than Allah.But he who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is no sin for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." Quraan 2:172-173

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِلّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلاَ عَادٍ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

البقرة : ١٧٢-١٧٣

Allah is not only asking us not to eat the Haram (forbidden) food but also is asking us to eat of the good food! In other words, He is telling us to enjoy this life as long as it's not something Haram (forbidden). Enjoy this life and be thankful to Almighty for the gift of living and for the good things He bestowed on us.

Also, He is affirming the fact that whatever have been forbidden on us are really few compared to what is Halal (permissible). Moreover, He's affirming how precious our lives are, He is telling us even though there are certain food that are forbidden on us, it's not a sin to eat from them if our lives will be jeopardized otherwise!

True Muslims/Submitters: The Magicians Of Pharaoh



"We sent Moses with our tokens unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they repelled them. Now, see the nature of theconsequence for the corrupters!


Moses said: O Pharaoh! Lo! I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds,

Approved upon condition that I speak concerning Allah nothing but the truth. I come unto you (lords of Egypt) with a clear proof fromyour Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me.

(Pharaoh) said: If thou comest with a token, then produce it, if thou art of those who speak the truth.

Then he flung down his staff and lo! it was a serpent manifest;

And he drew forth his hand (from his bosom), and lo! it was white for the beholders.

The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said: Lo! this is some knowing wizard,

Who would expel you from your land. Now what do ye advise?

They said (unto Pharaoh): Put him off (a while) - him and his brother - and send into the cities summoners,

To bring each knowing wizard unto thee.

And the wizards came to Pharaoh, saying: Surely there will be a reward for us if we are victors.

He answered: Yes, and surely ye shall be of those brought near (to me).

They said: O Moses! Either throw (first) or let us be the first throwers?

He said: Throw! And when they threw they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and overawed them, and produced a mighty spell.

And We inspired Moses (saying): Throw thy staff! And lo! it swallowed up their lying show.

Thus was the Truth vindicated and that which they were doing was made vain.

Thus were they there defeated and brought low.

And the wizards fell down prostrate,

Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,

The Lord of Moses and Aaron.

Pharaoh said: Ye believe in Him before I give you leave! Lo! this is the plot that ye have plotted in the city that ye may drive itspeople hence. But ye shall come to know!

Surely I shall have your hands and feet cut off upon alternate sides. Then I shall crucify you every one.

They said: Lo! We are about to return unto our Lord!

Thou takest vengeance on us only forasmuch as we believed the tokens of our Lord when they came unto us. Our Lord! Vouchsafe unto ussteadfastness and make us die as men who have surrendered (unto Thee). " Quraan 7:103-126



ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِم مُّوسَى بِآيَاتِنَا إِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِ فَظَلَمُواْ بِهَا فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

وَقَالَ مُوسَى يَا فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

حَقِيقٌ عَلَى أَن لاَّ أَقُولَ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقَّ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِبَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعِيَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ

قَالَ إِن كُنتَ جِئْتَ بِآيَةٍ فَأْتِ بِهَا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ

فَأَلْقَى عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ

وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ بَيْضَاء لِلنَّاظِرِينَ

قَالَ الْمَلأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَذَا لَسَاحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُمْ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ

قَالُواْ أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَأَرْسِلْ فِي الْمَدَائِنِ حَاشِرِينَ

يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ

وَجَاءَ السَّحَرَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ لَنَا لأَجْرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْغَالِبِينَ

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ لَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

قَالُواْ يَا مُوسَى إِمَّا أَن تُلْقِيَ وَإِمَّا أَن نَّكُونَ نَحْنُ الْمُلْقِينَ

قَالَ أَلْقُواْ فَلَمَّا أَلْقَوْا سَحَرُواْ أَعْيُنَ النَّاسِ وَاسْتَرْهَبُوهُمْ وَجَاؤُوا بِسِحْرٍ عَظِيمٍ

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ

فَوَقَعَ الْحَقُّ وَبَطَلَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

فَغُلِبُواْ هُنَالِكَ وَانقَلَبُواْ صَاغِرِينَ

وَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سَاجِدِينَ

قَالُواْ آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

رَبِّ مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ

قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ آمَنتُم بِهِ قَبْلَ أَن آذَنَ لَكُمْ إِنَّ هَذَا لَمَكْرٌ مَّكَرْتُمُوهُ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ لِتُخْرِجُواْ مِنْهَا أَهْلَهَا فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

لأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلافٍ ثُمَّ لأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

قَالُواْ إِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ

وَمَا تَنقِمُ مِنَّا إِلاَّ أَنْ آمَنَّا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَاءَتْنَا رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ

الأعراف : ١٠٣-١٢٦

The verses above are talking about the story of Moses with Pharaoh, it also shows the attitude of the magicians of Pharaoh before they witness the miracle of Moses and their attitude afterward.

They were officially invited by the God of their time (what an eminent honor!). They attended as professional magicians to perform and expect a good fortune out of the show and also to maintain closer positions with who claims to be God (Pharaoh) at their time. They performed, so Moses did, once they realised that was real not magic they immediately submitted themselves! Not only that, Pharoah threaten them to cruelly torture them and then kill them but they didn't care! "They said: Lo! We are about to return unto our Lord!"

They were not prophets or messengers or saints! To the contrary, they were professional magicians, probably were even very bad people at the time! In spite of all that, once they realized the truth they submitted to it even though it would cost them their lives! That was a true submission! That was a true Islam!


When My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth - Quraan 2:186 (2)



"Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire."
Quraan 2:201

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
البقرة : ٢٠١

Asking Allah for a good life and good afterlife. That's how we should live our lives by focusing on both not neglecting one and put all our focus on the other, enjoying this temporarily life but also not to forget why we are here in the first place, that there will be another eternal life.

There's a well known phrase attributed to Ali Ibn Abu Talib but apparently it was said by his son Hassan Ibn Ali:
"Build this life as if you were to live forever, prepare for the Hereafter as if you were to die tomorrow"

إعمل لدنياك كأنك تعيش أبداً، وأعمل لآخرتك كأنك تموت غداً
من موعظة الحسن بن علي لجنادة بن أبي أمية

There's a similar phrase attributed to Mahatma Gandhi using the same model but with different objectives:
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”




Thursday, November 13, 2008

Whom Allah does not love? (2)



"Allah loveth not the impious and guilty." Quraan 2:276

اللَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ
البقرة : ٢٧٦

"impious" is equivalent to "Kaffaar" in the original (Arabic) verse, which means a person who is very ungrateful. "guilty" is equivalent to "Atheem" in the original (Arabic) verse, which means quite a sinner. According to the Arabic context, the verse is talking about a practiced and ungrateful sinner, a person who usually keeps committing sins.

Allah knows that mankind are not perfect, we do mistakes, that's expectable, but if you are an honest believer then it's also expected that you repent from the sins, which means you regret doing what you did and have no intentions of redoing them again. However, if you keep repeating the same mistakes then something is fundamentally wrong here; You would be the kind of believers the verse is talking about!

"Say: O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped.

And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the Penalty comes on you - of a sudden while ye perceive not!-

Lest the soul should (then) say: 'Ah! Woe is me!- In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah, and was but among those who mocked!'-

Or (lest) it should say: 'If only Allah had guided me, I should certainly have been among the righteous!'-

Or (lest) it should say when it (actually) sees the penalty: 'If only I had another chance, I should certainly be among those who do good!'

(The reply will be:) 'Nay, but there came to thee my Signs, and thou didst reject them: thou wast Haughty, and became one of those who reject faith!'" Quraan 54-59


وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لا تُنصَرُونَ

وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لا تَشْعُرُونَ

أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَى عَلَى مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ

أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

بَلَى قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
الزمر : ٥٤-٥٩