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 (5)

"Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Bestower.

Our Lord! Lo! it is Thou Who gatherest mankind together to a Day of which there is no doubt. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst. " Quraan 3:8-9

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ

آل عمران : ٨-٩

This is another way the Almighty like to be entreated. To ask Him to help us maintain the straight path. However, the supplication has a confusing statement that seems contradictory to the purpose He created us for!

"Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us"

If Allah created us to test us why would He cause our hearts to stray or not to?! If He does so then it's unfair that He will punish us if we committed sins because He strayed our hearts! Neither we will deserve the reward for whatever good we do because He didn't stray our hearts!

The answer is in the previous post of this series. I don't think Allah will cause our hearts to be strayed or not, even though He is totally capable to do so! It would be unjust for Him to do so; only the weak practices injustice while He has the ultimate power, thus He will never be unjust. However, He can test us with difficult (yet sill can be passed successfully) trials that we may fail in, consequently that failure will cause our hearts to be strayed but it's us who are liable about our failures not Him. Thus, the supplication is about asking Him not put us through difficult tests that we may fail in.

Enslavery: "What will people say?"

Whenever we think of doing something that might be unusual, yet not wrong, or refrain from doing something that could be wrong, yet usual, we ask that question!

"What will people say?"

Why do we care about what will people say?! How come we don't ask this question!

"What will Allah say?"

I believe that's a fundamental difference between real Muslims who are Muslims by conviction and dummy Muslims who are Muslims by heredity.

What does Allah say about people?
"most of mankind give not thanks." Quran 2:243

وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَشْكُرُونَ
البقرة : ٢٤٣

"most of mankind know not." Quraan 7:187

وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ
الأعراف : ١٨٧

"most of mankind believe not." Quraan 11:17

وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ
هود : ١٧

"And though thou try much, most men will not believe." Quraan 12:103

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
يوسف : ١٠٣

"most of mankind refuse aught save disbelief." Quraan 17:89

فَأَبَى أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ إِلاَّ كُفُورًا
الإسراء : ٨٩

That's the people you care about what they say?! That's what Allah say about them! That's the reality of the majority of people! No wonder the world became like a jungle or probably worse! Ever heard of genocides in a jungle committed by animals?!

That's what I call enslavery by customs & traditions! To refrain yourself from doing what you think is right just because of what people might say against you!

Merry Christmas to all Muslims!

"Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered." Quraan 2:136

قُولُواْ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ
البقرة : ١٣٦

Over the last Christmas I greeted some good Muslims with "Merry Christmas", all of them lived all or most of their lives in the West. That's the reactions I got:

• One was so surprised that I celebrate Christmas
• Another said doesn't celebrate Christmas but thanked me anyway
  
• Others greeted back conservatively
  
• One opposed it bluntly and said it's Haram/forbidden! Ironically, she was a revert from Christianity! :^)
  
• As far as I remember, only one or none exchanged the greeting as a normal celebration

Why don't we celebrate Christmas? It's Jesus' birthday! Don't we love him? We may argue about the accuracy of the date but that doesn't matter it's the thought that counts anyway! Isn't Jesus the closest Prophet to our Prophet Mohammad? Isn't Jesus our Prophet? Don't we expect his return? True, we disagree with some principles of Christianity but that doesn't mean we should reject anything comes from it! Isn't Christianity the closest religion to ours? Don't we claim we follow Jesus better than Christians? Isn't it a good opportunity to show the genuine tolerance and interconnection of Islam with other religions especially the other monotheistic religions (Christianity & Judaism)?!

Marriage in Islam: Sex, forbidden subject?

Sex is considered a forbidden subject for some of the so called "Religious" Muslims and even for other religious people of different religions! Somehow is looked at with a disgraceful look! Faces change when they hear that word! Why? What's wrong with it?

In Quraan the holy book of Muslims, sexual related issues are discussed in more than one occasion, the word "Nikah/نكاح" which means "Sexual Intercourse" is mentioned several times explicitly! So what's the deal?

I think there's nothing inherently evil or bad of itself, sex is no different here. True, prostitution is bad but not sex itself! Immodesty is bad but not beauty! Can't we differentiate?! The knife is bad if it will be used for killing but it's a handy tool otherwise!

So what does Islam say about sex?
Sex and erotic interactions is a natural right for males and females that can only be obtained through marriage. I think that's why in Quraan Allah calls marriage "Nikah" (sexual intercourse) because it's the unique feature the marital relationship has than other relations.

Herein a nice demonstrative story from Quraan about sex:

A little background: The Arabic man in pre-Islam era if he says to his wife "You are forbidden on me like my mother" he will never have sex with her thenceforth, that's called "Zihar" they remain married but no sexual intercourse.

During the Prophet time a Muslim man had an argument with his wife and said that phrase to her. The wife went to the Prophet to complain about her husband that he wouldn't have sex with her anymore. Then Allah revealed to his Prophet a whole Surah (chapter in Quraan) about this occasion which is called "Surah Al Mujadila":

"Allah has indeed heard (and accepted) the statement of the woman who pleads with thee concerning her husband and carries her complaint (in prayer) to Allah: and Allah (always) hears the arguments between both sides among you: for Allah hears and sees (all things).

If any men among you divorce their wives by Zihar (calling them mothers), they cannot be their mothers: none can be their mothers except those who gave them birth. And in fact they use words (both) iniquitous and false: but truly Allah is One that blots out (sins), and forgives (again and again).

But those who divorce their wives by Zihar, then wish to go back on the words they uttered, (it is ordained that such a one) should free a slave before they touch each other: these are ye admonished to perform: and Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.

And if any has not (the wherewithal), he should fast for two months consecutively before they touch each other. But if any is unable to do so, he should feed sixty indigent ones. This, that ye may show your faith in Allah and His Messenger, those are limits (set by) Allah. For those who reject (Him), there is a grievous Penalty." Quraan 58:1-4

قَدْ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ قَوْلَ الَّتِي تُجَادِلُكَ فِي زَوْجِهَا وَتَشْتَكِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ

الَّذِينَ يُظَاهِرُونَ مِنكُم مِّن نِّسَائِهِم مَّا هُنَّ أُمَّهَاتِهِمْ إِنْ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ إِلاَّ الَّلائِي وَلَدْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَقُولُونَ مُنكَرًا مِّنَ الْقَوْلِ وَزُورًا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ

وَالَّذِينَ يُظَاهِرُونَ مِن نِّسَائِهِمْ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا قَالُوا فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَاسَّا ذَلِكُمْ تُوعَظُونَ بِهِ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَاسَّا فَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا ذَلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

المجادلة - الآيات ١-٤

There are many morals out of this story but in regard to this topic, it shows how significant, yet normal that right is for women and men equally.

I'm not advocating for immodesty by talking about sex senselessly but rather advocating for sex education. It's unarguable that sex is one of the most important elements of the marital relationship, not only that but it's the unique feature that distinguishes marriage from other relationships, so neglecting it means neglecting a huge part of the relationship which off course means a huge problem in the relationship! :^)

Marriage in Islam: a definition

"Marriage. Why do we do it Everybody knows the stats. One in two marriages end up in broken dishes and a trip to Tijuana. Is it loneliness Partly. Is it teamwork Definitely. Things just kind of go easier when there's two of you. One of you can wait in line at the movie theater while the other guy parks the car. Get better seats that way. Better room rate when it's a double. Are you ready to file jointly...Above you is the sun and sky. Below you, the ground. Like the sun, your love should be constant, like the ground, solid." Jed Seidel

As promised in the preface of this series, the objective of this post will be about formulating an Islamic definition for marriage and defining its basic elements. I'll be asking some questions and will draw a conclusion out of the answers that should lead to a clear definition.

What is marriage?
Marriage is normally (apart from gays) a personal relationship that can be formed by a man and a woman (or sometimes multiple women) through a covenant commitment to be together for a lifetime and thereby the man becomes a husband for the the woman and the woman becomes a wife for the man, also in case the couple procreate offspring, the man becomes a father for the children and the woman becomes a mother for them.

Where does the complexity of marriage lie in?
Rights and responsibilities. Hence, expectations and frustrations.

The man by becoming a husband obtains rights that have to be fulfilled by the wife and also bears responsibilities towards the wife, likewise for the woman, by becoming a wife she obtains rights that have to be fulfilled by the husband and also bears responsibilities towards the husband. Furthermore, both the man and the woman as parents bear responsibilities towards their children until certain age. The complexity of marriage lies in defining and understanding those rights and responsibilities legally, culturally, and religiously.

Who can form an Islamic marriage?
An eligible adult Muslim man with an eligible adult Muslim, or Christian, or Jewish woman with the condition of her guardian acceptance (only if she's dependent according to some sects).

What are the basic elements of an Islamic marriage?

• Bridegroom: An eligible adult Muslim man (i.e. sane, can't marry more than four women, can't marry his sister, etc ..)
• Bride: An eligible adult Muslim, or Christian, or Jewish woman (i.e. sane, must be single, not a recent divorcee or widow -- not in Ida, etc ..)
• Bride guardian: The acceptance of the woman guardian (only if she's dependent according to some sects).
• Consent: Mutual consent (genuine acceptance, no imposition on either party) between the bride and the bridegroom through an offer and acceptance.
• Witnesses/Announcement: The presence of two witnesses is compulsory/Wajib for Sunni while is recommended/Mustahab for Shi'ite.
• Dowry: It's highly recommended that the bridegroom gives the bride a Dowry/Mahr/Gift, it only becomes compulsory if it was a condition upon the bridegroom.

What are the responsibilities of the husband towards the wife in Islam?

• He is obligated to cover the basic living expenses for his wife (i.e. shelter, food, clothing, medical, etc..)
• He must reasonably satisfy his wife's sexual needs (some scholars decree whenever she needs to, other scholars decree at least once in a while)
• If he has more than a wife then he has to be just in his living expenses and divide his nights equally among them.

What are the husband rights in Islam?

• To be satisfied sexually by his wife whenever he needs to unless she can't because of reasonable excuses
• To be the household leader (not dictator)
  
• To have the privilege to end the relationship
  

What are the responsibilities of the wife towards the husband in Islam?

• She is obligated to satisfy her husband's sexual needs whenever he needs to and must not reject him unless there's a justifiable reason like being ill or having the period, etc..
• She is not allowed to leave home without his permission (some scholars decree that the wife can leave home without his permission if that won't prevent her husband from being satisfied sexually when he needs to)
  

What are the wife rights in Islam?

• To be reasonably satisfied sexually by her husband
  
• To have her basic living expenses covered by her husband
• To be treated fairly (in basic living expenses & nights) as her counterpart(s) if her husband has multiple wives
• To end the relationship through an Islamic judge if the husband is not fulfilling his responsibilities towards her or causing some harm to her (the judge has to determine whether the reasons are reasonable or not)
  

How about love and respect?
Love is not a responsibility neither a right, it's something should be worked out and built by both of them. However, there are several Quranic verses and Hadiths encourage the couples to treat each other with respect and show affection towards each other, in other words people can't be instructed to love or not! Thus Allah didn't ask the couples to love each other, it's uncontrollable feelings it can't become a right or a responsibility but He encourage us as people in general and as couples in particular to treat each other with mercy and respect.

How about the houseworks?
In Islam the wife doesn't have to do the houseworks it's recommended/Mustahab for her to do so, in other words the husband can't force her to do the houseworks.

How about obeying the husband?
Principally from Islamic perspective, a person doesn't have to obey anyone, if that person chose to become a Muslim then s/he voluntarily accepted to obey the Messenger and follow the Message of Islam, it shouldn't be imposed on him/her. Obeying the parents is not Wajib/compulsory in Islam, however treating them nicely is and obeying them is recommended/Mustahab. In regard to obeying the husband, from Islamic legal perspective the wife doesn't have to obey the husband but since Islam put the husband as a family leader she probably needs to obey him in matters where it's related to the family directly as long as that won't lead her to commit something Haram/forbidden or leave something Wajib/compulsory. Neverthless, Islam encourages the husband to consult the wife and work things out with her mutually.

What most Muslims especially women don't know about marriage in Islam?
Most Muslims especially women don't know that marriage is basically a mutual agreement like any other agreement it has terms and conditions. The aforementioned responsibilities and rights for husband and wife are the default terms and conditions for the marriage agreement that sat by Islam but they only become effective and compulsory if the two parties (bridegroom & bride) don't oppose them explicitly! Moreover, most (if not all) of those terms and conditions are Islamically (according to Islamic legal system - Shariah) alterable completely or to some extent! For instance, the bride can accept on condition that she will be able to leave home without the husband permission, etc ..

Are there any limits on the conditions the bride & bridegroom can set on their marriage agreement?
No reasonable limits as long as the conditions don't causes either party to commit something Haram/Forbidden (e.g. drinking alcohol) nor to abandon something Wajib/compulsory (e.g. prayer). However, some sects decree that the bride can't ask the bridegroom to give up his right of marrying another woman while in other sects it's a valid condition.

So marriage in Islam is merely a mutual agreement between an eligible Muslim man with an eligible Muslim/Christian/Jewish woman?
From Islamic legal (Shariah) perspective yes, it's only a mutual agreement between an eligible Muslim man with an eligible Muslim or Christian or Jewish woman. However, from Islamic spiritual perspective it's much beyond that.

What makes marriage different from other agreements?
One word "Sex". In Islam sexual intercourse and erotic interactions are natural rights for males and females that can only be practiced through marriage. In other words, if an agreement between a Muslim man with a Muslim or Christian or Jewish woman has no implicit or explicit mention of performing sexual intercourse or erotic interactions then it can't be called a marriage but it becomes a normal agreement like any other agreement (e.g. trade agreement) that the two parties have to fulfill its conditions as they consented. Hence, Quraan calls marriage "Nikah/نكاح" which is an Arabic word that means "sexual intercourse"

Why does Quraan call marriage "Nikah/sexual intercourse"?
Apparently that's an objective/scientific naming as "sexual intercourse" is the unique attribute of this personal relationship compared to the other personal relationships. Love, respect, support, care, etc.. all may exist in other personal relationships like father-ship, mother-ship, brother-ship, sister-ship, friendship, etc..

Is "sexual intercourse" the only unique attribute of marriage compared to other personal relationships?
Yes. However, it has other unique features but they are the result of the sexual intercourse, like procreation then sub-consequently the parentship and childship, etc..

Sexual intercourse (marriage = husband-ship + wife-ship) --> procreation (parent-ship + child-ship + sibling-ship) --> subprocreation (grandparent-ship + grandchild-ship + uncle-ship + aunt-ship + cousin-ship)

Is marriage compulsory/Wajib in Islam?
No, all sects in Islam agree that marriage is not compulsory but rather recommended/Mustahab/Sunnah or permissible/Mubah, it becomes compulsory/Wajib if the person might commit adultery if remains single.

Is marriage really half the religion/Deen?
If marriage is not compulsory in Islam how can it be half of Islam/Deen/religion?! Certainly that can't be true. Yes, there are some Hadiths for the Prophet regarding that like he said ” Any man whom Allah provides with a virtuous wife has been helped to half his Deen, so he should fear Allah regarding the other half.”

عن أنس رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم قال: من رزقه الله امرأة صالحة فقد أعانه على شطر دينه فليتق الله في الشطر الباقي. رواه الطبراني في الأوسط والحاكم ومن طريقه للبيهقي وقال الحاكم صحيح الإسناد، وفي رواية البيهقي قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله و سلم: إذا تزوج العبد فقد استكمل نصف الدين فليتق الله في النصف الباقي. حسنه الألباني في صحيح الترغيب والترهيب.

If those Hadiths are true, then they don't mean it's literally half the religion/Deen. The Arabic meaning for the word Deen "دين" is "a lifestyle", however nowadays it usually refer to "religious lifestyle", also according to Islam this life is a test which is to live it according to religion (The Message of Islam). Thus, the Hadith may was referring to the marriage as half of person's life as the person will spend most of his life with his wife, so if that time will be spent wisely (hence "virtuous wife" not "any wife") according to the religion then he basically fulfilled half of his religion. I think the Hadith can be applied to both man and woman like in many Quranic verses even though it was talking about the husband.

And the definition is?
I leave this for you to form! :^)

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 (4)

"Our Lord! do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake; Our Lord! do not lay on us a burden as Thou didst lay on those before us, Our Lord do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear; and pardon us and grant us protection and have mercy on us, Thou art our Patron, so help us against the unbelieving people. " Quraan 2:286

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنتَ مَوْلانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
البقرة : ٢٨٦

This is how Allah likes to be entreated. To plead guilty, to confess our mistakes, to acknowledge our imperfection, to admit our weakness, to concede that this life is a test, to ask for forgiveness, to beg for mercy, to appeal for support!

Simply to tear up and trash our arrogance!

Enslavery: I'd have called him Abdullah!

If my baby could have made it and was born then I'd have called him Abdullah (Slave of Allah), that presuming it would have been a son but unfortunately my ex-wife (wife at the time) did miscarry him.

I'd have called him Abdullah to keep him always reminded that to be a free man he would have to implement his name in real life, to be a slave of Allah means he can't be enslaved by people or things and must not enslave!

When I'd need to tell him off I'd have just rebuked him by:

I named you Abdullah to exclusively be a slave to Allah not to anyone/anything else!
سَميُتك عبدالله لتكن عبداً لله لا لغيره

That statement would have addressed all mistakes he would have done!


Ironically, the name of my ex-wife's father was Abdullah, he thought I'd name the baby Abdullah after him! I implied to him that I was not but he either didn't get it or insisted on believing the notion he had in mind! I didn't want to be blunt and hurt his feelings so I let him keeps believing it! :^)

If it would have been a daughter I don't think I'd have called her Amatullah (Slave of Allah - used for females) but certainly I'd have enlightened (not brain washed or brain fed) her to that truth.

Who is Mohammad? (4)

"Ta. Ha (one of the Prophet's nicknames),

We have not revealed unto thee (Muhammad) this Qur'an that thou shouldst be distressed,

But as a reminder unto him who feareth" Quraan 20:1-3

طه

مَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَى

إِلاَّ تَذْكِرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَى

طه: ١-٣

The Prophet used to strive a lot to deliver the Message of Islam and implement it to the point that Allah reminded him that he is not liable about the disbelief of people to distress himself about their denial.

"Yet it may be, if they believe not in this statement, that thou (Muhammad) wilt torment thy soul with grief over their footsteps." Quraan 18:6

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَى آثَارِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا
الكهف : ٦

"It may be that thou tormentest thyself (O Muhammad) because they believe not." Quraan 26:3

لَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ أَلاَّ يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ
الشعراء : ٣

"Had Allah willed, they had not been idolatrous. We have not set thee as a keeper over them, nor art thou responsible for them. " Quraan 6:107

وَلَوْ شَاء اللَّهُ مَا أَشْرَكُواْ وَمَا جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ
الأنعام : ١٠٧

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

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)

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:

• The commentary on the Qur'an (Arabic:Jāmi` al-bayān `an ta'wīl āy al-Qur'ān), popularly Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī (Arabic: تفسير الطبري‎) is a classic Sunni tafsir by the Persian scholar Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari
• Tafsir al-Qurtubi (Arabic: تفسير القرطبي‎) (Arabic: Al-Jami li-Ahkam al-Qur'an) is a famous Qur'an exegesis (Arabic: tafsir) by the famous classical Sunni scholar Al-Qurtubi d.671H.
• Majma‘ al-bayan li-‘ulum al-Qur’an (Arabic: مجمع البيان‎)is a tafsir by the 12th century Imami scholar and author al-Fadl ibn al-Hasan al-Tabrisi.
• Tafsir al-Jalalayn (Tafsir of the twin Jalals) (Arabic: تفسير الجلالين‎)is a classical Sunni tafsir of the Qur'an, composed first by Jalal ad-Din al-Mahalli in 1459 and then completed by his student Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti in 1505, thus its name.
• Tafsir al-Kabir (Arabic: التفسير الكبير‎) is a classical Islamic Tafsir book, written by the well-known Persian theologian and philosopher Muhammad ibn Umar Fakhr al-Din al-Razi d. 606H (1149-1209)

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

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