During the early years of Islam, many muslims pursued science and wrote great papers, theses and books which served as the foundation for modern science. Unfortunately, when the spirit of inquiry, broad-mindedness and pursuit of knowledge as a sacred duty was replaced by irrational lack of tolerance, the decline of the muslims started, and it is us muslims' fault.... we did not adhere to the great teachings and fell to in-fighting instead, laying the way open for outsiders to profit from our weaknesses. Yes, we have been manipulated and exploited by the powers that be, but only because we are dense enough to not to follow the great wisdom between us, the Holy Book, the Prophet's practice,the history of the Caliphate and the muslim rulers who followed and ruled over a great empire, honesty, fairness and justice for all, the openess of thought and the importance of the pursuit of education, the tolerance and the understanding, and all those attributes that make any nation great.
And as a non-muslim friend noted, back in those days there was no Nobel Prize otherwise many muslim names would have adorned the list!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Jesus
In response to a blog about Early Christianity:
Well, quite a bit of what you write is close to our understanding, but there are certain fundamental differences.
Firstly these verses:
4:157 And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.
3:54 And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.
3:55 (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.
www.searchtruth.com
Then, according to The Gospel of Barnabas, towards the end of the book, section 216 reads as follows:"Judas entered impetuously before all into the chamber whence Jesus had been taken up. And the disciples were sleeping. Whereupon the wonderful God acted wonderfully, insomuch that Judas was so changed in speech and in face to be like Jesus that we believed him to be Jesus. And he, having awakened us was seeking where the Master was. Whereupon we marvelled, and answered: 'Thou, Lord, art our master; hast thou now forgotten us?' And he, smiling, said: 'Now are ye foolish, that know not me to be Judas Iscariot! And as he was saying this the soldiery entered, and laid their hands upon Judas, becase he was in every way like Jesus. We having heard Judas' saying, and seeing the multitude of soldiers, fled as beside ourselves....... "
As you know, we take the arabic Quran to be the 'word of God'... thus we evaluate all other texts in the light of what it says in the Holy Quran... if it is in accordance, then it can be a plausible explanation. Therefore, as you can see in the verse (Quran 4:157), God clearly says that Jesus was not crucified; so when we read this account in the Gospel of Barnabas, we find it a closer explanation to our beliefs.I know that the Gospel of Barnabas is not included in the Biblical canon, and therefore, probably not acceptable to most Christians. As far as researching and getting to 'the truth of the matter' is concerned, I doubt if any text can actually provide any conclusive proof about any historical event... in the end it boils down to faith... believing in a certain text to be absolutely true, and taking it as it is.I have mentioned in earlier posts why and how I'm convinced of the absolute authenticity of the Quran. Thus, for me, it is very easy to accept whatever Allah says about any event. That is the source and the reason for my belief that Jesus was not crucified.
Also, check out this article: http://can-you-answer.com/scripts/miscArticles.asp?artno=100
Well, quite a bit of what you write is close to our understanding, but there are certain fundamental differences.
- We Muslims believe that Jesus was a born messenger and prophet, that is, he started speaking God's message(in defense of his pious and innocent mother) right from the cradle, while the people were accusing her of how she bore a child though not married.
- We believe that God sent Jesus to the Jews (Bani Israel) to guide them, to teach them the wisdom of the Torah, to confirm the Laws and explain how it was in their best interests.
- We believe that Jesus was able to heal the lepers, restore sight to the blind, and perform other miracles with God's help and permission.
- We believe that even though they tried to crucify Jesus, God miraclously saved him, and another person was made to resemble him, who was crucified instead.
- We believe that God raised Jesus to Heaven.
- We do not think that Paul had any right to do away with the laws, as it is against the teachings of Jesus.
- We do not hold Jesus to be divine, he is a revered Prophet and Messenger, a highly respected human being.
- We believe that all messengers and prophets brought to mankind the same message from the same original divine source.
Firstly these verses:
4:157 And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.
3:54 And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.
3:55 (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.
www.searchtruth.com
Then, according to The Gospel of Barnabas, towards the end of the book, section 216 reads as follows:"Judas entered impetuously before all into the chamber whence Jesus had been taken up. And the disciples were sleeping. Whereupon the wonderful God acted wonderfully, insomuch that Judas was so changed in speech and in face to be like Jesus that we believed him to be Jesus. And he, having awakened us was seeking where the Master was. Whereupon we marvelled, and answered: 'Thou, Lord, art our master; hast thou now forgotten us?' And he, smiling, said: 'Now are ye foolish, that know not me to be Judas Iscariot! And as he was saying this the soldiery entered, and laid their hands upon Judas, becase he was in every way like Jesus. We having heard Judas' saying, and seeing the multitude of soldiers, fled as beside ourselves....... "
As you know, we take the arabic Quran to be the 'word of God'... thus we evaluate all other texts in the light of what it says in the Holy Quran... if it is in accordance, then it can be a plausible explanation. Therefore, as you can see in the verse (Quran 4:157), God clearly says that Jesus was not crucified; so when we read this account in the Gospel of Barnabas, we find it a closer explanation to our beliefs.I know that the Gospel of Barnabas is not included in the Biblical canon, and therefore, probably not acceptable to most Christians. As far as researching and getting to 'the truth of the matter' is concerned, I doubt if any text can actually provide any conclusive proof about any historical event... in the end it boils down to faith... believing in a certain text to be absolutely true, and taking it as it is.I have mentioned in earlier posts why and how I'm convinced of the absolute authenticity of the Quran. Thus, for me, it is very easy to accept whatever Allah says about any event. That is the source and the reason for my belief that Jesus was not crucified.
Also, check out this article: http://can-you-answer.com/scripts/miscArticles.asp?artno=100
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Beyond the Veil
My two cents on a discussion on beyond the veil...
Hi,I just wanted to chip in this interesting discussion with the Islamic perspective. As you know, we muslims definitely believe in after-life. But, we also believe that when we die, we will remain in a sleep-like state(*) till the Day of Reckoning, when all souls will be raised back to life.
Some believe that the dead do have dreams... pleasant dreams for the good people, scary dreams for those who've accumulated many bad deeds in their worldly life. But, no, I don't think they travel in their dreams to our realm. I'm not very clear on this, but I understand the bodies will be reconstructed and perfected for immortal, eternal life. Reason being that
(i) we are told that we will abide their forever
(ii) on judgement day, our own bodies, hands, feet, et all, will testify against ourselves, such that nobody can except to get away with lying.
This brings up the interesting question of how do we explain visions of those who are no more... do they return? Well, the one explanation that most religious scholars seem to concur on is that these are basically dJinns(genies) who
(i) have information of our and other people's past lives
(ii) they appear as that person
How do they have intimate information? It is also believed that there is a dJinn associated with each human throughout our lives, such that they know of all things past. dJinns themselves are a community, and as such, able to exchange notes.
As far as the Holy Quran is concerned, though it acknowledges the existence of dJinns, and speaks of their ability to whisper thoughts in our minds, it nowhere explicitly details the above explanation, at least as far as I know. Nothing can be stated for certain, as none of the living have crossed over and returned to tell the tale; and the few who do, well we really don't know what their source is.
We believe dJinns are another creation, created from smokeless fire; generally invisible to humans. Satan is a dJinn. We also believe that they are communities of dJinn, families, procreation, etc, like any other human or animal community we are able to observe; There are good dJinns and bad dJinns, believer and non-believers, helpers and hinderers; dJinns are known to have served Prophet-King Solomon. Satan(named Iblis) was one of the angels when God created Adam... when God ordered all present to prostrate/submit to Adam, Iblis refused (Holy Quran 2:34); he was haughty, because he took pride in his being created from fire, whereas Adam was from clay; God dislikes arrogance, and thus Iblis was disgraced. Instead of repenting, he vowed to take it upon himself to hinder humans from the path of God, and asked God to grant him permission till the end of this-world time (doomsday) to mislead humans (Holy Quran 4:119). We are told that Iblis and his host of satans have no real power upon us, that it is in our will whether to do their bid or to reject it, and those who remember God and seek guidance will ultimately be the ones who prevail.(Holy Quran 7:200-206)
A question:If the dJinn can "whisper thoughts in our minds," would you describe them as spirit-beings as opposed to material (physical) beings? Do they have gender, form, specific names and identities?
Yes, I'm sure they all must have some names or numbers or codes to interact within their community; spirit-beings as in 'in another dimension? like angels, invisible to us?' yes, if that's what you are trying to ask; material(physical) beings also as they are created from smokeless fire... guess the correct answer is spirit-beings to us, physical beings in their own dimension(world)
(*)except those who have proven beyond doubt that they deserve punishment, for them the torture probably begins in the grave; (Pharoah is one of the examples usually cited).
Hi,I just wanted to chip in this interesting discussion with the Islamic perspective. As you know, we muslims definitely believe in after-life. But, we also believe that when we die, we will remain in a sleep-like state(*) till the Day of Reckoning, when all souls will be raised back to life.
Some believe that the dead do have dreams... pleasant dreams for the good people, scary dreams for those who've accumulated many bad deeds in their worldly life. But, no, I don't think they travel in their dreams to our realm. I'm not very clear on this, but I understand the bodies will be reconstructed and perfected for immortal, eternal life. Reason being that
(i) we are told that we will abide their forever
(ii) on judgement day, our own bodies, hands, feet, et all, will testify against ourselves, such that nobody can except to get away with lying.
This brings up the interesting question of how do we explain visions of those who are no more... do they return? Well, the one explanation that most religious scholars seem to concur on is that these are basically dJinns(genies) who
(i) have information of our and other people's past lives
(ii) they appear as that person
How do they have intimate information? It is also believed that there is a dJinn associated with each human throughout our lives, such that they know of all things past. dJinns themselves are a community, and as such, able to exchange notes.
As far as the Holy Quran is concerned, though it acknowledges the existence of dJinns, and speaks of their ability to whisper thoughts in our minds, it nowhere explicitly details the above explanation, at least as far as I know. Nothing can be stated for certain, as none of the living have crossed over and returned to tell the tale; and the few who do, well we really don't know what their source is.
We believe dJinns are another creation, created from smokeless fire; generally invisible to humans. Satan is a dJinn. We also believe that they are communities of dJinn, families, procreation, etc, like any other human or animal community we are able to observe; There are good dJinns and bad dJinns, believer and non-believers, helpers and hinderers; dJinns are known to have served Prophet-King Solomon. Satan(named Iblis) was one of the angels when God created Adam... when God ordered all present to prostrate/submit to Adam, Iblis refused (Holy Quran 2:34); he was haughty, because he took pride in his being created from fire, whereas Adam was from clay; God dislikes arrogance, and thus Iblis was disgraced. Instead of repenting, he vowed to take it upon himself to hinder humans from the path of God, and asked God to grant him permission till the end of this-world time (doomsday) to mislead humans (Holy Quran 4:119). We are told that Iblis and his host of satans have no real power upon us, that it is in our will whether to do their bid or to reject it, and those who remember God and seek guidance will ultimately be the ones who prevail.(Holy Quran 7:200-206)
A question:If the dJinn can "whisper thoughts in our minds," would you describe them as spirit-beings as opposed to material (physical) beings? Do they have gender, form, specific names and identities?
Yes, I'm sure they all must have some names or numbers or codes to interact within their community; spirit-beings as in 'in another dimension? like angels, invisible to us?' yes, if that's what you are trying to ask; material(physical) beings also as they are created from smokeless fire... guess the correct answer is spirit-beings to us, physical beings in their own dimension(world)
(*)except those who have proven beyond doubt that they deserve punishment, for them the torture probably begins in the grave; (Pharoah is one of the examples usually cited).
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
On Love, Hate, Hardened Criminals and Followers of Satan
My thoughts in response to a discussion:
I firmly believe that all have a chance... as we cannot peep into any one's heart, we must continue believing in the latent potential for goodness, and keep spreading love and hope... who knows when what strikes a chord, and a person reverts back to the truth that we are all born with! Easier said than done, I know, but I really admire those who can persevere and hold their ground while spreading hope and light!
May Allah open minds to reason, discussion and tolerance, and may He guide all to the truth. Amen.
I firmly believe that all have a chance... as we cannot peep into any one's heart, we must continue believing in the latent potential for goodness, and keep spreading love and hope... who knows when what strikes a chord, and a person reverts back to the truth that we are all born with! Easier said than done, I know, but I really admire those who can persevere and hold their ground while spreading hope and light!
May Allah open minds to reason, discussion and tolerance, and may He guide all to the truth. Amen.
Verses regarding War (The Holy Quran, Ch 9)
Question: "Are you familiar with the contents of Surah 9 (At-Tauba), and are you comfortable with the implications of many of its verses, especially verse 5?" The 129 verses of this very long Surah contain many verses suggesting an animosity towards other religions and anyone who is not Muslim.
*** Verse Five."Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (5)"*** Verses Thirty thru Thirty-Three."And the Jews say:. Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they! (30)"They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One God. There is no god save Him. Be He glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)! (31)"Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse. (32)"He it is who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse. (33)"*** Verse One Hundred and Twenty-Three."O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). (123)"
These are some of the verses that suggest intolerance of non-Muslims. Please be aware that I could easily find a number of intolerant verses in passages from the New Testament or the Talmud as well. Abrahamic religions were born in a culture of intolerance, while many of the eastern religions show little sign of such intolerance in their sacred scriptures.Is their anything that can be done, from the Islamic perspective, to help the Abrahamic religions get beyond such expressions of intolerance without sacrificing essential tenets of their faith?
Answer: To answer your question regarding the verses which call on to armed struggle in the name of God, a little background is necessary for a better understanding.
It appears to have been the tradition of God Almighty that whenever He has sent messengers with clear signs for the guidance of humans, He has given them clear victory over their opponents.
Noah was rejected by most of his people, the handful who believed survived the Great Flood.
Lot was disbelieved and rejected, Sodom was destroyed.
Moses was disbelieved, Pharoah met his death, and the enslaved tribes of Israel were able to cross over and escape.
They tried to crucify Jesus, Allah saved Jesus, and decreed that those who believed in Jesus will be above those who disbelieved in him, and thus the Jews, inspite of thier intelligence and brilliance, are always in need of protection. In the medieval times, they sought refuge in Muslim lands, now they need US veto and aid. An abiding punishment for rejecting the Prophet.
The Quran is full of repeated examples of nations to whom prophets came, were disbelieved in, and thus, after proving their persistent rejection of truth, finally incurred the wrath of the Almighty. The key words here are 'rejecting clear signs'_ the people knew that this was the truth and yet they insisted upon rejecting it, hence they established the case against their own souls. God does not do injustice, He sent signs and messengers bearing truth and glad tidings, prophets who told of the hereafter, of what was to become of those who insisted on rejecting what they knew to be the truth, and what was to be the outcome of those who embraced faith with all their heart.
The people of Prophet Muhammad's time are repeatedly being invited to faith, throughout the Quran, as well as reminded of the end of those nations which rejected God's message, so that they have no argument against it when it befalls them. The verses you quote are time-specific, as they are directives during those periods when the muslims were in a state of war with the non-believers. They had treaties with some of them which were being violated time and again. Also, bear in mind that most of these wars were defensive, as the muslims had migrated to Medina with little or no material belongings, and the Muslims of Medina were hosting and sharing with them, thus the muslims were fighting more on faith whereas the opponents were far stronger militarily. These were special times, events and circumstances in the Prophet's time. These verses do not mean that we can take the licence and, go and kill. A proper declaration was made to those with whom Muslims had entered in treaty, only to see them repeatedly breached, that hence the treaty stood revoked and dissolved, and a warning of 4 months time was given to them to either mend their ways or prepare for war.
Specifically, these verses are set in the backdrop of 9 and 10AH (AH means after migration to Medina. 8AH is the year the Muslims conquered Makkah).Also, please remember that Muslims were required to follow strict rules during war, such as not attacking women and children, if a non-believer combatant would, on coming under a sword, say that he believed in Islam, killing him was prohibited. Once, in such a situation, a companion of the Prophet went ahead and killed such a person, on the plea that he only said that to save his life, yet was severely reprimanded and questioned how he could say such a thing with any certainty when he couldn't peep into peoples' hearts! Unlike regular armies, which loot and plunder and rape when victors, Muslims are strictly prohibited from any such acts.
When Makkah was conquered, it was declared that all people are safe and no one will be done any injustice with. The religion of Islam carries the message of peace, and strives to lift humanity out of the sufferings and injustices that we humans unwittingly allow to be perpetrated upon us by other humans, it seeks to establish social justice and freedom, and states: "There is no compulsion in religion (2:256)".
There are many verses in the Quran which tell us that there are people among the Jews and the Christians and Sabians( and others), who are pious and doers of good, and will be rewarded by the Almighty for their beliefs and good deeds. In Surah Maida, we are told that we are permitted to share meals with the people of the book... you don't invite sworn enemies over feasts, do you? Allah does not contradict Himself, therefore, it is important to understand the verses with reference to context. God forbid, if you are in a state of war with somebody, what would you advice your soldiers? And would your directives be applicable for quoting in peace-time with friendly nations, or be equally applicable to peaceful or innocent citizens?
Another great tragedy of our times is the mis-reporting in the media. Evil people with criminal agendas exist in all societies. When a non-muslim does some such act, his or her religion is never dragged into the limelight. But when a muslim does some such act, the religion is highlighted to make it appear as the fault of the teachings of the religion rather than the person's own crime. Besides, people who have been oppressed and robbed of their land and belongings, their people killed, if they are throwing stones out of frustration at big tanks which threaten their very existence, who bears the bigger blame? These can be understood as desperate reactions. Whereas, as far as suicide bombings, etc are concerned, as muslims, we are not allowed to hurt innocent, unarmed people; these are organized crimes perpetrated on unarmed people, must have a source of funding and proper planning, and thus must be seen as deliberate criminal acts and the perpetrators dealt with accordingly.
As far as the relevance to today's wars are concerned, as one scholar explained to me, after the Prophet's demise, the Muslim Caliphs only conquered the lands that had been sent invitations to believe in the prophethood of Muhammad, and inspite of knowing that he was the messenger of God, yet chose to reject the message. They stopped short of going any further than those lands, inspite of favourble conditions for conquest. The scholar was of the opinion that we should not try to apply those verses to today's wars, as the Prophet is no longer between us.
You may wish to read this introduction, summary and explanation of Ch 9 by Abdullah Yusuf Ali: http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsiraya/009%20Tawbah.htm
*** Verse Five."Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (5)"*** Verses Thirty thru Thirty-Three."And the Jews say:. Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they! (30)"They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One God. There is no god save Him. Be He glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)! (31)"Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse. (32)"He it is who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse. (33)"*** Verse One Hundred and Twenty-Three."O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). (123)"
These are some of the verses that suggest intolerance of non-Muslims. Please be aware that I could easily find a number of intolerant verses in passages from the New Testament or the Talmud as well. Abrahamic religions were born in a culture of intolerance, while many of the eastern religions show little sign of such intolerance in their sacred scriptures.Is their anything that can be done, from the Islamic perspective, to help the Abrahamic religions get beyond such expressions of intolerance without sacrificing essential tenets of their faith?
Answer: To answer your question regarding the verses which call on to armed struggle in the name of God, a little background is necessary for a better understanding.
It appears to have been the tradition of God Almighty that whenever He has sent messengers with clear signs for the guidance of humans, He has given them clear victory over their opponents.
Noah was rejected by most of his people, the handful who believed survived the Great Flood.
Lot was disbelieved and rejected, Sodom was destroyed.
Moses was disbelieved, Pharoah met his death, and the enslaved tribes of Israel were able to cross over and escape.
They tried to crucify Jesus, Allah saved Jesus, and decreed that those who believed in Jesus will be above those who disbelieved in him, and thus the Jews, inspite of thier intelligence and brilliance, are always in need of protection. In the medieval times, they sought refuge in Muslim lands, now they need US veto and aid. An abiding punishment for rejecting the Prophet.
The Quran is full of repeated examples of nations to whom prophets came, were disbelieved in, and thus, after proving their persistent rejection of truth, finally incurred the wrath of the Almighty. The key words here are 'rejecting clear signs'_ the people knew that this was the truth and yet they insisted upon rejecting it, hence they established the case against their own souls. God does not do injustice, He sent signs and messengers bearing truth and glad tidings, prophets who told of the hereafter, of what was to become of those who insisted on rejecting what they knew to be the truth, and what was to be the outcome of those who embraced faith with all their heart.
The people of Prophet Muhammad's time are repeatedly being invited to faith, throughout the Quran, as well as reminded of the end of those nations which rejected God's message, so that they have no argument against it when it befalls them. The verses you quote are time-specific, as they are directives during those periods when the muslims were in a state of war with the non-believers. They had treaties with some of them which were being violated time and again. Also, bear in mind that most of these wars were defensive, as the muslims had migrated to Medina with little or no material belongings, and the Muslims of Medina were hosting and sharing with them, thus the muslims were fighting more on faith whereas the opponents were far stronger militarily. These were special times, events and circumstances in the Prophet's time. These verses do not mean that we can take the licence and, go and kill. A proper declaration was made to those with whom Muslims had entered in treaty, only to see them repeatedly breached, that hence the treaty stood revoked and dissolved, and a warning of 4 months time was given to them to either mend their ways or prepare for war.
Specifically, these verses are set in the backdrop of 9 and 10AH (AH means after migration to Medina. 8AH is the year the Muslims conquered Makkah).Also, please remember that Muslims were required to follow strict rules during war, such as not attacking women and children, if a non-believer combatant would, on coming under a sword, say that he believed in Islam, killing him was prohibited. Once, in such a situation, a companion of the Prophet went ahead and killed such a person, on the plea that he only said that to save his life, yet was severely reprimanded and questioned how he could say such a thing with any certainty when he couldn't peep into peoples' hearts! Unlike regular armies, which loot and plunder and rape when victors, Muslims are strictly prohibited from any such acts.
When Makkah was conquered, it was declared that all people are safe and no one will be done any injustice with. The religion of Islam carries the message of peace, and strives to lift humanity out of the sufferings and injustices that we humans unwittingly allow to be perpetrated upon us by other humans, it seeks to establish social justice and freedom, and states: "There is no compulsion in religion (2:256)".
There are many verses in the Quran which tell us that there are people among the Jews and the Christians and Sabians( and others), who are pious and doers of good, and will be rewarded by the Almighty for their beliefs and good deeds. In Surah Maida, we are told that we are permitted to share meals with the people of the book... you don't invite sworn enemies over feasts, do you? Allah does not contradict Himself, therefore, it is important to understand the verses with reference to context. God forbid, if you are in a state of war with somebody, what would you advice your soldiers? And would your directives be applicable for quoting in peace-time with friendly nations, or be equally applicable to peaceful or innocent citizens?
Another great tragedy of our times is the mis-reporting in the media. Evil people with criminal agendas exist in all societies. When a non-muslim does some such act, his or her religion is never dragged into the limelight. But when a muslim does some such act, the religion is highlighted to make it appear as the fault of the teachings of the religion rather than the person's own crime. Besides, people who have been oppressed and robbed of their land and belongings, their people killed, if they are throwing stones out of frustration at big tanks which threaten their very existence, who bears the bigger blame? These can be understood as desperate reactions. Whereas, as far as suicide bombings, etc are concerned, as muslims, we are not allowed to hurt innocent, unarmed people; these are organized crimes perpetrated on unarmed people, must have a source of funding and proper planning, and thus must be seen as deliberate criminal acts and the perpetrators dealt with accordingly.
As far as the relevance to today's wars are concerned, as one scholar explained to me, after the Prophet's demise, the Muslim Caliphs only conquered the lands that had been sent invitations to believe in the prophethood of Muhammad, and inspite of knowing that he was the messenger of God, yet chose to reject the message. They stopped short of going any further than those lands, inspite of favourble conditions for conquest. The scholar was of the opinion that we should not try to apply those verses to today's wars, as the Prophet is no longer between us.
You may wish to read this introduction, summary and explanation of Ch 9 by Abdullah Yusuf Ali: http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsiraya/009%20Tawbah.htm
Shariah Law
Question: "What is Sharia Law?" What authority does it have in Islam? Is it based upon the Quran or upon some other holy scripture? Is it Sharia Law that dictates theocratic rule of nations?
Answer: The Quran contains very few direct laws which basically comprise the Shariah of Allah. Other than that, based on the recorded practice of the Prophet and the new legal situations as they arose, jurists tried to formulate laws based on their knowledge of the Quran, Hadith and Law itself. These have, over the years, come to be regarded as the Shariah Laws. There is a debate among Muslims as to whether these jurists' laws, as formulated centuries ago, are directly applicable to all people at all times, or whether they are open to further improvement based on the fundamental directives in the Quran, and the current situations specific to our time and age. The Shariah Laws thus have various versions depending on the works of different jurists, and thus the Shariah Laws in use in Saudi Arabia are slightly different from the ones in Iran.
Also, for a broader perspective on Shariah, check out http://khalidzaheer.com/essays/kzaheer/islamic%20shariah/what_is_islamic_and_what_is_not.html
Answer: The Quran contains very few direct laws which basically comprise the Shariah of Allah. Other than that, based on the recorded practice of the Prophet and the new legal situations as they arose, jurists tried to formulate laws based on their knowledge of the Quran, Hadith and Law itself. These have, over the years, come to be regarded as the Shariah Laws. There is a debate among Muslims as to whether these jurists' laws, as formulated centuries ago, are directly applicable to all people at all times, or whether they are open to further improvement based on the fundamental directives in the Quran, and the current situations specific to our time and age. The Shariah Laws thus have various versions depending on the works of different jurists, and thus the Shariah Laws in use in Saudi Arabia are slightly different from the ones in Iran.
Also, for a broader perspective on Shariah, check out http://khalidzaheer.com/essays/kzaheer/islamic%20shariah/what_is_islamic_and_what_is_not.html
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
What it says about money in the Qur'an?
Question: For some reason I have been thinking about the issue of money and what has been written about it in the OT and NT. (I'm also curious what it says about money in the Qur'an.) ...I know the bible says the *love* of money is the root of all evil; then there is the story about the rich man and the camel and the eye of a needle. My question is: does the bible differentiate between those who have money and use it wisely, and those who have money and use it only to live lavishly? My money does not come from family, but from some fortunate financial decisions I made in my youth. I do not live lavishly; in fact I live decidedly below my means. I sure hope that the bible doesn't say that God will exclude all rich people from heaven. If that is so, I have a problem.
Answer: Very briefly, money/wealth is a means of trial. We are not encouraged to hoard money, rather it is seen as a societal economic tool which should stay in circulation for the benefit of all rather than in coffers to rot. We are advised that wealth is among the things of this world and will be left behind upon death. The best we can do is use it, and if we use it for good causes, we earn rewards which we carry with us to the Hereafter. We are encouraged to spend, whatever is left after fulfilling our needs, on the poor, the needy and in the way of God (helping the society and promoting the religion). As far as spending on the poor and needy is concerned, we are advised to first look to our immediate relatives, and then move out towards others. Thus, depending on whatever one’s financial status, one can help as many as possible. Most jurists agree that the recommended minimum amount of charity is 2.5% of our wealth (only after one is able to meet one’s basic needs) which is known as zakat, which must be distributed annually among those who need it. Quoting a relevant passage below:
Holy Quran Chapter 2 Verses 261- 284 Translation by M Pickthal
261 The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.
262 Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent; their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve.
263 A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by injury. Allah is Absolute, Clement.
264 O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen of men and believeth not in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.
265 And the likeness of those who spend their wealth in search of Allah's pleasure, and for the strengthening of their souls, is as the likeness of a garden on a height. The rainstorm smiteth it and it bringeth forth its fruit twofold. And if the rainstorm smite it not, then the shower. Allah is Seer of what ye do.
266 Would any of you like to have a garden of palm-trees and vines, with rivers flowing underneath it, with all kinds of fruit for him therein; and old age hath stricken him and he hath feeble offspring; and a fiery whirlwind striketh it and it is (all) consumed by fire. Thus Allah maketh plain His revelations unto you, in order that ye may give thought.
267 O ye who believe! Spend of the good things which ye have earned, and of that which We bring forth from the earth for you, and seek not the bad (with intent) to spend thereof (in charity) when ye would not take it for yourselves save with disdain; and know that Allah is Absolute, Owner of Praise.
268 The devil promiseth you destitution and enjoineth on you lewdness. But Allah promiseth you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracing, All-knowing.
269 He giveth wisdom unto whom He will, and he unto whom wisdom is given, he truly hath received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding.
270 Whatever alms ye spend or vow ye vow, lo! Allah knoweth it. Wrong-doers have no helpers.
271 If ye publish your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. Allah is Informed of what ye do.
272 The guiding of them is not thy duty (O Muhammad), but Allah guideth whom He will. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, it is for yourselves, when ye spend not save in search of Allah's Countenance; and whatsoever good thing ye spend, it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.
273 (Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it.
274 Those who spend their wealth by night and day, by stealth and openly, verily their reward is with their Lord, and their shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
275 Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury) - Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.
276 Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty.
277 Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 278 O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah, and give up what remaineth (due to you) from usury, if ye are (in truth) believers.
279 And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged.
280 And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know.
281 And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged.
282 O ye who believe! When ye contract a debt for a fixed term, record it in writing. Let a scribe record it in writing between you in (terms of) equity. No scribe should refuse to write as Allah hath taught him, so let him write, and let him who incurreth the debt dictate, and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord, and diminish naught thereof. But if he who oweth the debt is of low understanding, or weak, or unable himself to dictate, then let the guardian of his interests dictate in (terms of) equity. And call to witness, from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not (at hand) then a man and two women, of such as ye approve as witnesses, so that if the one erreth (through forgetfulness) the other will remember. And the witnesses must not refuse when they are summoned. Be not averse to writing down (the contract) whether it be small or great, with (record of) the term thereof. That is more equitable in the sight of Allah and more sure for testimony, and the best way of avoiding doubt between you; save only in the case when it is actual merchandise which ye transfer among yourselves from hand to hand. In that case it is no sin for you if ye write it not. And have witnesses when ye sell one to another, and let no harm be done to scribe or witness. If ye do (harm to them) lo! it is a sin in you. Observe your duty to Allah. Allah is teaching you. And Allah is knower of all things.
283 If ye be on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a pledge in hand (shall suffice). And if one of you entrusteth to another let him who is trusted deliver up that which is entrusted to him (according to the pact between them) and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord. Hide not testimony. He who hideth it, verily his heart is sinful. Allah is Aware of what ye do.
284 Unto Allah (belongeth) whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; and whether ye make known what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will bring you to account for it. He will forgive whom He will and He will punish whom He will. Allah is Able to do all things.
The last two verses of this chapter which follow the above injunctions are beautiful:
Holy Quran Chapter 2 Verse 285-286 Translation by A Yusuf Ali
285 The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His apostles. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His apostles." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."
286 On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."
Answer: Very briefly, money/wealth is a means of trial. We are not encouraged to hoard money, rather it is seen as a societal economic tool which should stay in circulation for the benefit of all rather than in coffers to rot. We are advised that wealth is among the things of this world and will be left behind upon death. The best we can do is use it, and if we use it for good causes, we earn rewards which we carry with us to the Hereafter. We are encouraged to spend, whatever is left after fulfilling our needs, on the poor, the needy and in the way of God (helping the society and promoting the religion). As far as spending on the poor and needy is concerned, we are advised to first look to our immediate relatives, and then move out towards others. Thus, depending on whatever one’s financial status, one can help as many as possible. Most jurists agree that the recommended minimum amount of charity is 2.5% of our wealth (only after one is able to meet one’s basic needs) which is known as zakat, which must be distributed annually among those who need it. Quoting a relevant passage below:
Holy Quran Chapter 2 Verses 261- 284 Translation by M Pickthal
261 The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.
262 Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent; their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve.
263 A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by injury. Allah is Absolute, Clement.
264 O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen of men and believeth not in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.
265 And the likeness of those who spend their wealth in search of Allah's pleasure, and for the strengthening of their souls, is as the likeness of a garden on a height. The rainstorm smiteth it and it bringeth forth its fruit twofold. And if the rainstorm smite it not, then the shower. Allah is Seer of what ye do.
266 Would any of you like to have a garden of palm-trees and vines, with rivers flowing underneath it, with all kinds of fruit for him therein; and old age hath stricken him and he hath feeble offspring; and a fiery whirlwind striketh it and it is (all) consumed by fire. Thus Allah maketh plain His revelations unto you, in order that ye may give thought.
267 O ye who believe! Spend of the good things which ye have earned, and of that which We bring forth from the earth for you, and seek not the bad (with intent) to spend thereof (in charity) when ye would not take it for yourselves save with disdain; and know that Allah is Absolute, Owner of Praise.
268 The devil promiseth you destitution and enjoineth on you lewdness. But Allah promiseth you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracing, All-knowing.
269 He giveth wisdom unto whom He will, and he unto whom wisdom is given, he truly hath received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding.
270 Whatever alms ye spend or vow ye vow, lo! Allah knoweth it. Wrong-doers have no helpers.
271 If ye publish your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. Allah is Informed of what ye do.
272 The guiding of them is not thy duty (O Muhammad), but Allah guideth whom He will. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, it is for yourselves, when ye spend not save in search of Allah's Countenance; and whatsoever good thing ye spend, it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged.
273 (Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it.
274 Those who spend their wealth by night and day, by stealth and openly, verily their reward is with their Lord, and their shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
275 Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury) - Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.
276 Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty.
277 Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 278 O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah, and give up what remaineth (due to you) from usury, if ye are (in truth) believers.
279 And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged.
280 And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know.
281 And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged.
282 O ye who believe! When ye contract a debt for a fixed term, record it in writing. Let a scribe record it in writing between you in (terms of) equity. No scribe should refuse to write as Allah hath taught him, so let him write, and let him who incurreth the debt dictate, and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord, and diminish naught thereof. But if he who oweth the debt is of low understanding, or weak, or unable himself to dictate, then let the guardian of his interests dictate in (terms of) equity. And call to witness, from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not (at hand) then a man and two women, of such as ye approve as witnesses, so that if the one erreth (through forgetfulness) the other will remember. And the witnesses must not refuse when they are summoned. Be not averse to writing down (the contract) whether it be small or great, with (record of) the term thereof. That is more equitable in the sight of Allah and more sure for testimony, and the best way of avoiding doubt between you; save only in the case when it is actual merchandise which ye transfer among yourselves from hand to hand. In that case it is no sin for you if ye write it not. And have witnesses when ye sell one to another, and let no harm be done to scribe or witness. If ye do (harm to them) lo! it is a sin in you. Observe your duty to Allah. Allah is teaching you. And Allah is knower of all things.
283 If ye be on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a pledge in hand (shall suffice). And if one of you entrusteth to another let him who is trusted deliver up that which is entrusted to him (according to the pact between them) and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord. Hide not testimony. He who hideth it, verily his heart is sinful. Allah is Aware of what ye do.
284 Unto Allah (belongeth) whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; and whether ye make known what is in your minds or hide it, Allah will bring you to account for it. He will forgive whom He will and He will punish whom He will. Allah is Able to do all things.
The last two verses of this chapter which follow the above injunctions are beautiful:
Holy Quran Chapter 2 Verse 285-286 Translation by A Yusuf Ali
285 The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His apostles. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His apostles." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."
286 On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."
God, Quran, love and good deeds.....
According to my understanding of Islam, as is in the Quran, all those who believe in the Unity of the One and Only Creator, worship Him alone, do good deeds and live a good honest life, and bear with patience whatever trials life brings their way, take care of those around them especially the poor, needy and orphans, and do all this not to be seen of ( and rewarded/applauded by) men, but for the love of God, have nothing to fear, as Allah is Most Just, Most Merciful, Ever Loving, and nobody will suffer any injustice in the least.
Also, Allah invites all humans again and again to guidance and truth, and offers forgiveness for all things past, if a person willingly comes to truth, and solemnly resolves to give up all sinful deeds and live a just and faithful life. In fact, the doors of repentance are open till before the time a person sees the angel of death/ knows that his/her time is up….. as then it is too late……. We are required to realize the Oneness of the Only Creator/Sustainer through the signs (and science) all around us. We are supposed to reflect and wonder and arrive at the conclusion ourselves that all this around us is not mere chance, that there must be a Creator and all this is His creation, and that it stands to reason that there can be no more than One Creator.
Allah has sent prophets and books for guidance to mankind throughout the ages. Muhammad was the last messenger, and the Holy Quran the final revelation, which Allah has thus taken it upon Himself to protect it from changes, as no more revelations are to be sent. As this is a divine book, and we humans would wonder whether this actually is the very word of God, Allah has kept multiple layers of miracles in it to appeal to all ages and all intellects. It appeals to the morality of our very conscience, and seems to speak the same language. It focuses on the rights of individuals and relations, and strives to create a socially just and vibrant society, where justice, compassion and peace are the order of the day. It exhorts it readers to wonder, look around, explore all things around, and gives such exact descriptions of certain scientific phenomenon that one wonders just how could anybody except God Himself author such a perfect account of everything. Historically, it narrates the accounts of the prophets and the peoples of the past in terms so precise and to-the-point, without unnecessarily romanticising, unlike any such description found in any other book. It foretells certain facts which have turned out to be true. It is mathematically guarded such that not a single alphabet of the Arabic text can be deleted or altered. And to those who’ve read it before, reading again and again reveals layers upon layers of meaning, spiritually raising the reader to higher dimensions of understanding and faith.
To know that God is, and to love Him and obey Him, as He deserves to be loved and obeyed, for to Him we owe all thanks, for the gift of life and all else, and to Him is our final return.
Also, Allah invites all humans again and again to guidance and truth, and offers forgiveness for all things past, if a person willingly comes to truth, and solemnly resolves to give up all sinful deeds and live a just and faithful life. In fact, the doors of repentance are open till before the time a person sees the angel of death/ knows that his/her time is up….. as then it is too late……. We are required to realize the Oneness of the Only Creator/Sustainer through the signs (and science) all around us. We are supposed to reflect and wonder and arrive at the conclusion ourselves that all this around us is not mere chance, that there must be a Creator and all this is His creation, and that it stands to reason that there can be no more than One Creator.
Allah has sent prophets and books for guidance to mankind throughout the ages. Muhammad was the last messenger, and the Holy Quran the final revelation, which Allah has thus taken it upon Himself to protect it from changes, as no more revelations are to be sent. As this is a divine book, and we humans would wonder whether this actually is the very word of God, Allah has kept multiple layers of miracles in it to appeal to all ages and all intellects. It appeals to the morality of our very conscience, and seems to speak the same language. It focuses on the rights of individuals and relations, and strives to create a socially just and vibrant society, where justice, compassion and peace are the order of the day. It exhorts it readers to wonder, look around, explore all things around, and gives such exact descriptions of certain scientific phenomenon that one wonders just how could anybody except God Himself author such a perfect account of everything. Historically, it narrates the accounts of the prophets and the peoples of the past in terms so precise and to-the-point, without unnecessarily romanticising, unlike any such description found in any other book. It foretells certain facts which have turned out to be true. It is mathematically guarded such that not a single alphabet of the Arabic text can be deleted or altered. And to those who’ve read it before, reading again and again reveals layers upon layers of meaning, spiritually raising the reader to higher dimensions of understanding and faith.
To know that God is, and to love Him and obey Him, as He deserves to be loved and obeyed, for to Him we owe all thanks, for the gift of life and all else, and to Him is our final return.
Infinite punishment for a finite act??
Question: ....And yet, I think there is also a thing called wrong, that all of us can and have committed, myself included. There is no way that a finite creature can perform a finite act that merits infinite punishment, .... But punishment of some kind, yeah I can see it.....I just can't see it as eternal, or as hinging on whether or not one believes in Jesus as God and the only way to know God. Even Catholics, rigid as they are, don't believe that. It strikes me as pure crap.
Answer: It is the seriousness of the crime, not the length of it. For example, a person commits murder at but a point in time, but it is the seriousness which earns him the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Now, if the after-life is to be infinite, I figure the sentences there will also be infinite in nature as but a consequence of the very nature of infinite life. After all, if every moment of this life is a trial for the after-life, then every action is such that it matters an eternity. I guess its difficult for us to comprehend/ come to terms with this concept, bound as we are in this capsule of earth/space/time. To re-state my favourite analogy, a lot of what lies in the future career of a person depends on how well he/she takes his/her high school/college/university exam…. the exam is but for a few hours, but a lifetime depends upon it!
Answer: It is the seriousness of the crime, not the length of it. For example, a person commits murder at but a point in time, but it is the seriousness which earns him the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Now, if the after-life is to be infinite, I figure the sentences there will also be infinite in nature as but a consequence of the very nature of infinite life. After all, if every moment of this life is a trial for the after-life, then every action is such that it matters an eternity. I guess its difficult for us to comprehend/ come to terms with this concept, bound as we are in this capsule of earth/space/time. To re-state my favourite analogy, a lot of what lies in the future career of a person depends on how well he/she takes his/her high school/college/university exam…. the exam is but for a few hours, but a lifetime depends upon it!
Miracles, special experiences and thin places
In response to someone who has given up on existing religions, and is looking for a special experience:
We experience God daily, in the miracle we call life, all around and within us!
As far as personal special experiences are concerned, they are just that………. moments far too precious to put up for scrutiny and threadbare analysis. Thin places, mystical experiences, dreams and visions, these are to be experienced and felt….. a special blessing to those who receive it. They cannot be adequately put in words, appropriately explained or discussed, and cannot be employed for the task of convincing others of the truth of the matter. Prophets and messengers bygone experienced and spoke of such encounters, performed miracles for the people…… how many actually believed or converted to that? People who are drawn to faith will profess faith in the absence of any miracle, and those who doubt will continue to find excuses such as magic or hallucination or something similar to write off such things. We can discuss facts and ideas, but discussing an experience… I don’t see the point of that.
We experience God daily, in the miracle we call life, all around and within us!
As far as personal special experiences are concerned, they are just that………. moments far too precious to put up for scrutiny and threadbare analysis. Thin places, mystical experiences, dreams and visions, these are to be experienced and felt….. a special blessing to those who receive it. They cannot be adequately put in words, appropriately explained or discussed, and cannot be employed for the task of convincing others of the truth of the matter. Prophets and messengers bygone experienced and spoke of such encounters, performed miracles for the people…… how many actually believed or converted to that? People who are drawn to faith will profess faith in the absence of any miracle, and those who doubt will continue to find excuses such as magic or hallucination or something similar to write off such things. We can discuss facts and ideas, but discussing an experience… I don’t see the point of that.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Common Word between People of the Book
I quoted this verse in a forum, which generated the following exchange:
Holy Quran 3:64 Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (atleast) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will) ."
Question: "O People of the Book! Come to the common Word (Kalimah) between you and us." (Quran 3:64)
"Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! Allah gives you glad tiding of His Word(Kalimah). His name will be Jesus son of Mary, the Messiah, held in honor in this world and the hereafter and one of those nearest to Allah." (Quran3:45)
Is there any relationship between the two verses above? Can we say theKalimah (The Holy Quran or Jesus Christ) is the instrument and the means with which the One has revealed Himself to all of us? Can someone believe in the Oneness of Allah, yet deny his Word?
Answer: As you know, Arabic is a complex language where the same word can mean differently in different contexts, especially when one attempts to translate it in another language. The verse I quoted (3:64), uses the word kalimah.Now what R is referring to (3:45) is another use of the same word, and is trying to draw some sort of parallel. But the fact is that throughout theQuran, Allah has repeatedly told us that:
Update [June 19, 2019]
Please read Virgin Birth and Human: Body or Soul? for a better explanation of the what was given to Mary.
Holy Quran 3:64 Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (atleast) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will) ."
Question: "O People of the Book! Come to the common Word (Kalimah) between you and us." (Quran 3:64)
"Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! Allah gives you glad tiding of His Word(Kalimah). His name will be Jesus son of Mary, the Messiah, held in honor in this world and the hereafter and one of those nearest to Allah." (Quran3:45)
Is there any relationship between the two verses above? Can we say theKalimah (The Holy Quran or Jesus Christ) is the instrument and the means with which the One has revealed Himself to all of us? Can someone believe in the Oneness of Allah, yet deny his Word?
Answer: As you know, Arabic is a complex language where the same word can mean differently in different contexts, especially when one attempts to translate it in another language. The verse I quoted (3:64), uses the word kalimah.Now what R is referring to (3:45) is another use of the same word, and is trying to draw some sort of parallel. But the fact is that throughout theQuran, Allah has repeatedly told us that:
- When He wills something, He just says Be and it becomes (that is all is needed is just a word or Divine Will).
- Allah willed Jesus without a father, and thus he was conceived and born, and that his creation is similar to the creation of Adam. Adam was without parents, Jesus was without father.
- We are reminded that Jesus was a messenger, he came to confirm that which was already with the Jews, that is The Torah, he reconfirmed the Laws and taught their wisdom to his people(I think there is a verse in the Bible to that effect, where Jesus is reported to have said that he has come to confirm the law, not to do away with it).
- Prophet Muhammad was sent as the final messenger to mankind. He came to reconfirm the message brought by all the prophets who preceded him. As the original message was from the same creator, thus the same, he was sent to remove all the man-made changes, and restore it to its pristine beauty.
- Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad as the guidance for mankind and preserved by Allah such that no alphabet or word has been changed since it was revealed.
- 3:64 is self explanatory as the common word/terms are defined in detail
Holy Quran 3:64 Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (atleast) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will) ." - As Muslims, we are required to associate NO partners with Allah, thus even though we have a very high regard for Jesus and his mission, believing that he was a human is an article of faith, since we believe that the Holy Quran is the unadulterated, untampered word of Allah, and we cannot pick and choose what we believe in.
- Furthermore, in the Quran, Allah tells us that there is no confusion/doubt in it. Thus, if we are not sure about the correct interpretation of some verse/word, we put together the various verses throughout the Quran to get the larger picture, and then it usually is self-explanatory
- 2:87 And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty), and We supported him with the Holy spirit. Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselves desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve andsome ye slay?
- 2:136 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 untoHim we have surrendered.
- 2:253 Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) and We supported him with the holy Spirit. And if Allah had sowiled it, those who followed after them would not have fought one with anotherafter the clear proofs had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they would not have fought one with another; but Allah doeth what He will.
- 3:45 (And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah).
- 3:59 Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.
- 4:171 O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease!(it is) better for you! - Allah is only One Allah. Far is it removed from HisTranscendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in theheavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.
- 5:46 And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him theGospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed)before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off(evil).
- 5:116 And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? he saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I used to say it, then Thou knewest it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy Mind. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower of Things Hidden
- 61:6 And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when he hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic.
Update [June 19, 2019]
Please read Virgin Birth and Human: Body or Soul? for a better explanation of the what was given to Mary.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Torah and afterlife
Question: The "god" that gave the "law" to Moses forgot to mention anything about some "eternity", or hope of some "afterlife"........i guess he was just too busy? :))))))))))
Answer: I do not think God forgot, I think the people didn’t like the notion of after-life, reward and punishment, and thus slowly weeded it out of the Book.
I think so because I believe that the approach of God and His dictates have been consistent throughout the ages……… He has repeatedly sent messengers telling people this life is but a trial, and that there is a final destination beyond death, an eternal life, and He has sent guidance regarding that. When He stopped sending messengers, He guarded His last message…… it’s a miracle in itself that no alphabet or word of the Holy Quran has changed since it was revealed………and this book addresses all humans and transcends time.
Answer: I do not think God forgot, I think the people didn’t like the notion of after-life, reward and punishment, and thus slowly weeded it out of the Book.
I think so because I believe that the approach of God and His dictates have been consistent throughout the ages……… He has repeatedly sent messengers telling people this life is but a trial, and that there is a final destination beyond death, an eternal life, and He has sent guidance regarding that. When He stopped sending messengers, He guarded His last message…… it’s a miracle in itself that no alphabet or word of the Holy Quran has changed since it was revealed………and this book addresses all humans and transcends time.
What is meant by 'if' in the scriptures
Question: Thank you for the excerpt from the Quran as well, as I am unfamiliar with it at this time. One similarity between the bible and the Quran seems to be the word "if".
M has commented on this several times and made a good point of that word indicating the Holy One's love being conditional. In other words, "if" you do this I will love you.
I can see that and try to remain cognizant of it when I read any religious text.
However, there is another perspective. This one was also discussed during the Kabbalah workshop I attended this week. Rabbi W stated that when a scripture says "if" it actually means "when". For instance, "If you study diligently you will surely graduate. ". This statement is not entirely different from something like, "If you live by these words you will surely go to heaven".
Both statements indicate the result of a given action, not an "if you do this, then I'll do that" type of transaction. Which is very different than how we were perceiving it. It truly sheds a new light on everything IMHO.
From what I can tell, it seems to apply to both the bible and the Quran. Do you feel this true?
Answer: Yes, I agree with Rabbi W’s explanation of the word if…….. the book of God is a guidance for mankind and, as such, tells us which actions and beliefs lead us in which direction, and what is the ultimate destination. We believe that Torah, Bible, Quran and many other books/revelations have been sent earlier from the Almighty for the guidance of mankind, so essentially, Yes, the style is consistent throughout: glad tidings for the right beliefs and actions, warning for those who choose other paths. I guess this is the basic requirement for justice, all souls shall carry the burden of their beliefs and actions, and no soul shall be wronged in the slightest.
M has commented on this several times and made a good point of that word indicating the Holy One's love being conditional. In other words, "if" you do this I will love you.
I can see that and try to remain cognizant of it when I read any religious text.
However, there is another perspective. This one was also discussed during the Kabbalah workshop I attended this week. Rabbi W stated that when a scripture says "if" it actually means "when". For instance, "If you study diligently you will surely graduate. ". This statement is not entirely different from something like, "If you live by these words you will surely go to heaven".
Both statements indicate the result of a given action, not an "if you do this, then I'll do that" type of transaction. Which is very different than how we were perceiving it. It truly sheds a new light on everything IMHO.
From what I can tell, it seems to apply to both the bible and the Quran. Do you feel this true?
Answer: Yes, I agree with Rabbi W’s explanation of the word if…….. the book of God is a guidance for mankind and, as such, tells us which actions and beliefs lead us in which direction, and what is the ultimate destination. We believe that Torah, Bible, Quran and many other books/revelations have been sent earlier from the Almighty for the guidance of mankind, so essentially, Yes, the style is consistent throughout: glad tidings for the right beliefs and actions, warning for those who choose other paths. I guess this is the basic requirement for justice, all souls shall carry the burden of their beliefs and actions, and no soul shall be wronged in the slightest.
Jews, the Chosen People?
Question: .. and Jacob was of the people the Lord chose for himself...it then goes on to say that he treated Jacob better than anyone else....huh?Why would God do that? I'm not certain what the interpretation of this scripture is supposed to be, but as it reads, it doesn't sound very good to me....
Answer: That the Jews were the chosen people is in our scriptures as well. The explanation is that when a Prophet is sent to a people with divine message, they are indeed blessed to have received it and thus, they are bound to honour the covenant they make with God. Since after Prophet Abraham, all Prophets were from his progeny, and the Jews or Bani Israel are the family of Jacob, they were the chosen people and that carried with it great responsibility.
We are reminded over and over again in the Quran that the Bani Israel were blessed above all the nations, yet they disobeyed and thus have lost that privileged status. Now, the message has been sent to Bani Ishmael (Ishmael was the other son of Abraham) through his progeny Muhammad, and thus we should forever be careful not to make the mistakes that the Jews did, and if we do, then we should also be prepared to suffer a similar fate.
The Holy Quran, Chapter 5
Verse 12: Allah made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We raised among them twelve chieftains, and Allah said: Lo! I am with you. If ye establish worship and pay the poor-due, and believe in My messengers and support them, and lend unto Allah a kindly loan, surely I shall remit yoursins, and surely I shall bring you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow. Whoso among you disbelieveth after this will go astray from a plain road.
Verse 13: And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made hard their hearts. They change words from their context and forget a part of that whereof they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them. But bear with them and pardon them.Lo! Allah loveth the kindly.
Verse 14: And with those who say: "Lo! we are Christians," We made a covenant, but they forgot a part of that whereof they were admonished.Therefore We have stirred up enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection, when Allah will inform them of their handiwork.
Verse 15: O People of the Scripture! Now hath Our messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which ye used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. now hath come unto you light from Allah and plain Scripture,Verse 16: Whereby Allah guideth him who seeketh His good pleasure unto paths of peace. He bringeth them out of darkness unto light by His decree, and guideth them unto a straight path.http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=5
Follow up question: I have throughout my life had an issue with how Abraham set Hagar and Ishmael off as if they were not important. This story will forever remain unsettling to me.
Answer: Why Prophet Abraham had to send Hagar and Ishmael off, I do not know for sure…. The only thing I do know is that he was a very good person and a prophet, and thus there must have been some compulsion, some unavoidable circumstances, that led to such an event. There are all sorts of stories, from the Jewish as well as Islamic sources, but yes, they just don’t seem to match up with the character of a prophet, a man of God…..but then these are history recorded by men, and as such not to be blindly relied upon.
Answer: That the Jews were the chosen people is in our scriptures as well. The explanation is that when a Prophet is sent to a people with divine message, they are indeed blessed to have received it and thus, they are bound to honour the covenant they make with God. Since after Prophet Abraham, all Prophets were from his progeny, and the Jews or Bani Israel are the family of Jacob, they were the chosen people and that carried with it great responsibility.
We are reminded over and over again in the Quran that the Bani Israel were blessed above all the nations, yet they disobeyed and thus have lost that privileged status. Now, the message has been sent to Bani Ishmael (Ishmael was the other son of Abraham) through his progeny Muhammad, and thus we should forever be careful not to make the mistakes that the Jews did, and if we do, then we should also be prepared to suffer a similar fate.
The Holy Quran, Chapter 5
Verse 12: Allah made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We raised among them twelve chieftains, and Allah said: Lo! I am with you. If ye establish worship and pay the poor-due, and believe in My messengers and support them, and lend unto Allah a kindly loan, surely I shall remit yoursins, and surely I shall bring you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow. Whoso among you disbelieveth after this will go astray from a plain road.
Verse 13: And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made hard their hearts. They change words from their context and forget a part of that whereof they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them. But bear with them and pardon them.Lo! Allah loveth the kindly.
Verse 14: And with those who say: "Lo! we are Christians," We made a covenant, but they forgot a part of that whereof they were admonished.Therefore We have stirred up enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection, when Allah will inform them of their handiwork.
Verse 15: O People of the Scripture! Now hath Our messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which ye used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. now hath come unto you light from Allah and plain Scripture,Verse 16: Whereby Allah guideth him who seeketh His good pleasure unto paths of peace. He bringeth them out of darkness unto light by His decree, and guideth them unto a straight path.http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=5
Follow up question: I have throughout my life had an issue with how Abraham set Hagar and Ishmael off as if they were not important. This story will forever remain unsettling to me.
Answer: Why Prophet Abraham had to send Hagar and Ishmael off, I do not know for sure…. The only thing I do know is that he was a very good person and a prophet, and thus there must have been some compulsion, some unavoidable circumstances, that led to such an event. There are all sorts of stories, from the Jewish as well as Islamic sources, but yes, they just don’t seem to match up with the character of a prophet, a man of God…..but then these are history recorded by men, and as such not to be blindly relied upon.
Intolerance and misuse of religion
Question: As with many issues, I've never read about problems concerning this in Buddhism or Hinduism -- do they EVER do anything controversial? I've never read anyone attacking them except fundamentalists from other religions. But I'm not well versed in Eastern religions or affairs, so maybe it's just not reported in the Western sources I read.
Answer: Intolerance and misuse of religion for evil purposes is not limited to a few religions. Great misery is cast upon humans by humans..... some events of not so distant a past: Gujrat Pogrom, Ayodhya . You may wish to check them out.
PS: This is not meant as an insult or injury to any Hindus on this group. All I'm trying to point out is that there are extremists all over, people who will misuse religion to perpetrate evil and terror, and they will use any religion as long as they can achieve their goals and objectives.
Answer: Intolerance and misuse of religion for evil purposes is not limited to a few religions. Great misery is cast upon humans by humans..... some events of not so distant a past: Gujrat Pogrom, Ayodhya . You may wish to check them out.
PS: This is not meant as an insult or injury to any Hindus on this group. All I'm trying to point out is that there are extremists all over, people who will misuse religion to perpetrate evil and terror, and they will use any religion as long as they can achieve their goals and objectives.
War and killing
Question: The Qur'an says its okay to kill your brother/fellowman if he is spreading discord, or has committed murder, infidelity, or adultery. The Old Testament permits certain sins in certain conditions. The Laws of the State invariably allow certain crimes to go unpunished when certain conditions instigated thecrime, such as self-defense or the defense of one's property or family.
All of these exceptions to moral law are instances of the ends justifying the means, the circumstances or conditions of an act serving to justify the act itself. We consider it morally reprehensible that a man should not go to war and murder or be murdered for the cause of his government and the propaganda they espouse. As long as he is following lawful orders, a soldier is not held in any moral accountability for actions which are commonly unacceptable, such as killing another human being, ruthless destruction and theft of property, kidnapping, arson, etc.
A question we must ask and answer is when is it proper to break a moral law, many of which are commonly accepted across diverse cultural boundaries? Who can permit the commission of harmful or sinful actions and set the conditions upon which those actions are permitted? Is it proper to say that only the source of a given law has the right to set conditions upon which that law may justly be broken?
Perhaps we should focus our examination of this question upon a specific category of laws such as those laws that forbid a person to take another person's life; that is, forbid a person from committing murder.
Another questioner responded: I'm up for that. Why is something committing murder, which clearly against the law not considered morally incorrect in war? It is not just OK to kill, but is required.
I am a pacifist and can't understand taking young men (and women) with every potential in the world and making them do the unspeakable in addition toputting their own lives at risk.
How is this justified?
Answer: As I understand it, its only okay to fight in defensive wars, not offensive. Protecting oneself from danger is a basic human instinct.
All of these exceptions to moral law are instances of the ends justifying the means, the circumstances or conditions of an act serving to justify the act itself. We consider it morally reprehensible that a man should not go to war and murder or be murdered for the cause of his government and the propaganda they espouse. As long as he is following lawful orders, a soldier is not held in any moral accountability for actions which are commonly unacceptable, such as killing another human being, ruthless destruction and theft of property, kidnapping, arson, etc.
A question we must ask and answer is when is it proper to break a moral law, many of which are commonly accepted across diverse cultural boundaries? Who can permit the commission of harmful or sinful actions and set the conditions upon which those actions are permitted? Is it proper to say that only the source of a given law has the right to set conditions upon which that law may justly be broken?
Perhaps we should focus our examination of this question upon a specific category of laws such as those laws that forbid a person to take another person's life; that is, forbid a person from committing murder.
Another questioner responded: I'm up for that. Why is something committing murder, which clearly against the law not considered morally incorrect in war? It is not just OK to kill, but is required.
I am a pacifist and can't understand taking young men (and women) with every potential in the world and making them do the unspeakable in addition toputting their own lives at risk.
How is this justified?
Answer: As I understand it, its only okay to fight in defensive wars, not offensive. Protecting oneself from danger is a basic human instinct.
The Great Contest Between the Forces of Light and Darkness
Question: If all Gods are just facets of the one God, is not Satan also a facet of God?
I see no point in fearing God, Satan/God or Jehovah/God included, there is nothing to gain and everything to lose if I fear God. I would much rather respect God. Fear to me is akin to hatred, something to offer my adversaries, or for my adversaries to see in me. It is not something I would offer, or expect from any being whom I love.
I would rather seek to know and respect any God force. To hold fear in my heart is to know distrust, not something I would like to show any loving God force for in that moment of distrust, or fear if you like, I could expect nothing other than rejection.
Fear is something to be shown by ones prey, it initiates our fight or flee response.
It seems to me if I were to fear a/the God force, I would be running away from it when I would rather move towards it.
Answer: Acknowledging one or more gods, and fear or love of God are two separate things. We can choose to be either grateful to the benevolent creator, and love and thank Him for all His care and love and compassion, and consequently obey Him, loyally and lovingly, or we can fear Him and obey Him out of fear of misfortune... that depends on our perspective and understanding. Allah, in the Quran, repeatedly introduces Himself as the loving, compassionate, merciful deity. He informs us of the hereafter, of His universal justice, and gives glad tidings and warnings regarding the same.
Choosing to worship just the one and only creator, or worshiping everything that has the power to give or take anything of value is our choice to make.
When we choose to worship more than one god, I see the fear factor and accompanying superstitions more in such a path. Knowing that there is only one omnipotent force, who creates and controls all, and without whose permission no other can harm or bless anybody else, is a great liberating force.
As they say, its all in the mind!
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Upon further discussion: You quoted: Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'
That itself tells us plainly that no matter what Satan says he has or can offer anybody, he is not God and thus what God says and offers is far better and more reliable.
When God tells us that Satan (or anybody else for that matter) can do only as much as God permits him, then we should simply focus all our energies in finding out what God expects of us, obeying Him and seeking His protection from the devil.
I think the world can be viewed as dualist, tripalist, poly-alist, as many forces we want to fear and reckon with..... but the unitary approach is the simplest, easiest and classiest: one creator, rest all created.... and no servant greater than his master, that is, no created being equal to or greater than the Creator!
I see no point in fearing God, Satan/God or Jehovah/God included, there is nothing to gain and everything to lose if I fear God. I would much rather respect God. Fear to me is akin to hatred, something to offer my adversaries, or for my adversaries to see in me. It is not something I would offer, or expect from any being whom I love.
I would rather seek to know and respect any God force. To hold fear in my heart is to know distrust, not something I would like to show any loving God force for in that moment of distrust, or fear if you like, I could expect nothing other than rejection.
Fear is something to be shown by ones prey, it initiates our fight or flee response.
It seems to me if I were to fear a/the God force, I would be running away from it when I would rather move towards it.
Answer: Acknowledging one or more gods, and fear or love of God are two separate things. We can choose to be either grateful to the benevolent creator, and love and thank Him for all His care and love and compassion, and consequently obey Him, loyally and lovingly, or we can fear Him and obey Him out of fear of misfortune... that depends on our perspective and understanding. Allah, in the Quran, repeatedly introduces Himself as the loving, compassionate, merciful deity. He informs us of the hereafter, of His universal justice, and gives glad tidings and warnings regarding the same.
Choosing to worship just the one and only creator, or worshiping everything that has the power to give or take anything of value is our choice to make.
When we choose to worship more than one god, I see the fear factor and accompanying superstitions more in such a path. Knowing that there is only one omnipotent force, who creates and controls all, and without whose permission no other can harm or bless anybody else, is a great liberating force.
As they say, its all in the mind!
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Upon further discussion: You quoted: Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'
That itself tells us plainly that no matter what Satan says he has or can offer anybody, he is not God and thus what God says and offers is far better and more reliable.
When God tells us that Satan (or anybody else for that matter) can do only as much as God permits him, then we should simply focus all our energies in finding out what God expects of us, obeying Him and seeking His protection from the devil.
I think the world can be viewed as dualist, tripalist, poly-alist, as many forces we want to fear and reckon with..... but the unitary approach is the simplest, easiest and classiest: one creator, rest all created.... and no servant greater than his master, that is, no created being equal to or greater than the Creator!
Dualism
Question: Anyone want to explain to me why dualism is not a viable wayof looking at things?
Answer: As there can be no two leaders of a nation or organization, no two kings or presidents, there can not be two gods. God has to be one and only one to have complete authority and freedom, to be omnipotent, omniscient, all-powerful.
Observation of nature leads one to reasonably assume that there is a guiding force (a pattern-imposing force as V would put it) which creates with such clockwork precision and beauty, encoded programming and replication,and so on and so forth. Even things/events/creatures which do not appear as nice/pleasant/beautiful have the underlying clockwork precision and infallible programming. All that must emanate from a deity, and only one deity, because two or more would eventually have differences, and thus would no longer be able to co-exist. As they themselves would be immortal/eternal (our concept of God being uncreated and thus from forever till forever), they would eventually seek out to destroy each others work and all created things would come to an end. For things to be as beautiful, wonderful, precise and orderly as they are, there has to be only one God.
Considering the above premise to be true, how does one explain the continuous war between good and evil. My answer is FREE-WILL and its misuseby both humans and djinns.
Remembering that God is omnipotent, omniscient, all-powerful leads us to theunderstanding that inspite of a grand and vast celestial plan, he has the time and the ability to be a personal deity for each and everyone of his creatures...He created all, He knows all, He cares for all, and He respondsto all.
Why God allows some to suffer while others enjoy a luxurious life, He Himself best knows, though I have attempted to answer that question before (link below). The problem is that we try to judge God without having a complete knowledge of what exactly is going on. The story of Moses and Khizr aptly illustrates this short-coming:
Chapter 18 (Kahf) Translated by M. Pickthal
65 Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us,and had taught him knowledge from Our presence.
66 Moses said unto him: May I follow thee, to the end that thou mayst teachme right conduct of that which thou hast been taught?
67 He said: Lo! thou canst not bear with me.
68 How canst thou bear with that whereof thou canst not compass anyknowledge?
69 He said: Allah willing, thou shalt find me patient and I shall not inaught gainsay thee.
70 He said: Well, if thou go with me, ask me not concerning aught till Imyself make mention of it unto thee.
71 So they twain set out till, when they were in the ship, he made a holetherein. (Moses) said: Hast thou made a hole therein to drown the folkthereof? Thou verily hast done a dreadful thing.
72 He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me?
73 (Moses) said: Be not wroth with me that I forgot, and be not hard upon mefor my fault.
74 So they twain journeyed on till, when they met a lad, he slew him.(Moses) said: What! Hast thou slain an innocent soul who hath slain no man?Verily thou hast done a horrid thing.
75 He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me?
76 (Moses) said: If I ask thee after this concerning aught, keep not companywith me. Thou hast received an excuse from me.
77 So they twain journeyed on till, when they came unto the folk of acertain township, they asked its folk for food, but they refused to makethem guests. And they found therein a wall upon the point of falling intoruin, and he repaired it. (Moses) said: If thou hadst wished, thou couldsthave taken payment for it.
78 He said: This is the parting between thee and me! I will announce untothee the interpretation of that thou couldst not bear with patience.
79 As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working on the river, and Iwished to mar it, for there was a king behind them who is taking every shipby force.
80 And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest heshould oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.
81 And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one betterin purity and nearer to mercy.
82 And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, andthere was beneath it a treasure belonging to them, and their father had beenrighteous, and thy Lord intended that they should come to their fullstrength and should bring forth their treasure as a mercy from their Lord;and I did it not upon my own command. Such is the interpretation of thatwherewith thou couldst not bear.
http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=18&translator=4&mac=
Link of a previous answer:http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-loving-perfect-god.html
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M, you responded: "a child is not born based onFREE-WILL.................nor will it die, based on FREE-WILL..............a person may choose many things, but there are many things that will happen, regardless of CHOICE." And, in another post, you write: "we is just ants, following well wornpaths.............."
See, this is exactly what I've also been (trying) to say all along, that is,that we are sent here for a fixed period(trial), that we have freedom of choice (free-will), that everything is already programmed/paths or roads already mapped/decreed (that is all happens exactly as God has decreed) regardless of choice, because all possible choices are already pre-programmed and consequent paths mapped.
We both belief that there is a Creator, we both believe that we do not have much control ( if any) over what happens, and we are too tiny (peanuts) inthe cosmic scale of things to be able to comprehend God.
R, coming back to your point, you seem to believe that Satan/Lucifer is in control /has domain over planet Earth, and God is somehow incapable of intervening, unable to stop him from perpetrating evil. I believe that even Satan is on a licence from God, and all that he is able to do is suggest evil ideas to humans, whereas we are endowed with intellect, conscience/ morality, and freedom of choice. It is upon each of us, as individuals, to choose to do good or evil, and the world is shaped by the consequences of our collective actions, not because God is unable to intervene, but because God has programmed (decreed) all possible outcomes. Birth, death, disease, health, poverty, wealth, and so many other things are not in our direct control, and we naturally worry, fret and dismay over our helplessness, and then try to find explanations why the all-loving, ever-merciful deity does not intervene and put an end to suffering. Ofcourse, there are many human conditions that worry me just as much as theyworry you all as well, but are we qualified to judge God? The proof that God is able to intervene is to be found in the experiences of those who pray and have their prayers answered. Since most choose not to pray, atleast directly to God, and since sometimes God also chooses to not grant us that which we pray for, it is indeed difficult to establish such interventions scientifically/empirically.
There are a myriad of faith systems out there, and in the absence of a direct means of communication with God, how is one to arrive at the correct set of beliefs, if I may put it that way.
We've discussed earlier why I believe the Quran is divine revelation, so I don't think repetition is necessary. http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/11/holy-quran-word-of-god.html
As you know, we muslims pray five times a day, and we start with recitation of the first seven verses of the Quran. The key prayer is verse 6: ehdinassirat al mustaqeem meaning Show us the straight path! I'd like to share theprayer with you
Translated by M.Pickthal
1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
2 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,
3 The Beneficent, the Merciful.
4 Master of the Day of Judgment,
5 Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.
6 Show us the straight path,
7 The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those whoearn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.
The above oft-repeated seven verses are a reminder that we need to keep learning, to keep praying, and to ever be wary of being misled by the whisperings of Satan and the myriad of philosophies, and to remember that on the basis of our intellect alone we will not be able to reach anywhere, and that we are always in need of divine guidance and help. Hope I've been able to clarify why dualism doesn't appear viable to me, and why I believe what I believe.
Answer: As there can be no two leaders of a nation or organization, no two kings or presidents, there can not be two gods. God has to be one and only one to have complete authority and freedom, to be omnipotent, omniscient, all-powerful.
Observation of nature leads one to reasonably assume that there is a guiding force (a pattern-imposing force as V would put it) which creates with such clockwork precision and beauty, encoded programming and replication,and so on and so forth. Even things/events/creatures which do not appear as nice/pleasant/beautiful have the underlying clockwork precision and infallible programming. All that must emanate from a deity, and only one deity, because two or more would eventually have differences, and thus would no longer be able to co-exist. As they themselves would be immortal/eternal (our concept of God being uncreated and thus from forever till forever), they would eventually seek out to destroy each others work and all created things would come to an end. For things to be as beautiful, wonderful, precise and orderly as they are, there has to be only one God.
Considering the above premise to be true, how does one explain the continuous war between good and evil. My answer is FREE-WILL and its misuseby both humans and djinns.
Remembering that God is omnipotent, omniscient, all-powerful leads us to theunderstanding that inspite of a grand and vast celestial plan, he has the time and the ability to be a personal deity for each and everyone of his creatures...He created all, He knows all, He cares for all, and He respondsto all.
Why God allows some to suffer while others enjoy a luxurious life, He Himself best knows, though I have attempted to answer that question before (link below). The problem is that we try to judge God without having a complete knowledge of what exactly is going on. The story of Moses and Khizr aptly illustrates this short-coming:
Chapter 18 (Kahf) Translated by M. Pickthal
65 Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us,and had taught him knowledge from Our presence.
66 Moses said unto him: May I follow thee, to the end that thou mayst teachme right conduct of that which thou hast been taught?
67 He said: Lo! thou canst not bear with me.
68 How canst thou bear with that whereof thou canst not compass anyknowledge?
69 He said: Allah willing, thou shalt find me patient and I shall not inaught gainsay thee.
70 He said: Well, if thou go with me, ask me not concerning aught till Imyself make mention of it unto thee.
71 So they twain set out till, when they were in the ship, he made a holetherein. (Moses) said: Hast thou made a hole therein to drown the folkthereof? Thou verily hast done a dreadful thing.
72 He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me?
73 (Moses) said: Be not wroth with me that I forgot, and be not hard upon mefor my fault.
74 So they twain journeyed on till, when they met a lad, he slew him.(Moses) said: What! Hast thou slain an innocent soul who hath slain no man?Verily thou hast done a horrid thing.
75 He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me?
76 (Moses) said: If I ask thee after this concerning aught, keep not companywith me. Thou hast received an excuse from me.
77 So they twain journeyed on till, when they came unto the folk of acertain township, they asked its folk for food, but they refused to makethem guests. And they found therein a wall upon the point of falling intoruin, and he repaired it. (Moses) said: If thou hadst wished, thou couldsthave taken payment for it.
78 He said: This is the parting between thee and me! I will announce untothee the interpretation of that thou couldst not bear with patience.
79 As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working on the river, and Iwished to mar it, for there was a king behind them who is taking every shipby force.
80 And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest heshould oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.
81 And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one betterin purity and nearer to mercy.
82 And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, andthere was beneath it a treasure belonging to them, and their father had beenrighteous, and thy Lord intended that they should come to their fullstrength and should bring forth their treasure as a mercy from their Lord;and I did it not upon my own command. Such is the interpretation of thatwherewith thou couldst not bear.
http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=18&translator=4&mac=
Link of a previous answer:http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-loving-perfect-god.html
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M, you responded: "a child is not born based onFREE-WILL.................nor will it die, based on FREE-WILL..............a person may choose many things, but there are many things that will happen, regardless of CHOICE." And, in another post, you write: "we is just ants, following well wornpaths.............."
See, this is exactly what I've also been (trying) to say all along, that is,that we are sent here for a fixed period(trial), that we have freedom of choice (free-will), that everything is already programmed/paths or roads already mapped/decreed (that is all happens exactly as God has decreed) regardless of choice, because all possible choices are already pre-programmed and consequent paths mapped.
We both belief that there is a Creator, we both believe that we do not have much control ( if any) over what happens, and we are too tiny (peanuts) inthe cosmic scale of things to be able to comprehend God.
R, coming back to your point, you seem to believe that Satan/Lucifer is in control /has domain over planet Earth, and God is somehow incapable of intervening, unable to stop him from perpetrating evil. I believe that even Satan is on a licence from God, and all that he is able to do is suggest evil ideas to humans, whereas we are endowed with intellect, conscience/ morality, and freedom of choice. It is upon each of us, as individuals, to choose to do good or evil, and the world is shaped by the consequences of our collective actions, not because God is unable to intervene, but because God has programmed (decreed) all possible outcomes. Birth, death, disease, health, poverty, wealth, and so many other things are not in our direct control, and we naturally worry, fret and dismay over our helplessness, and then try to find explanations why the all-loving, ever-merciful deity does not intervene and put an end to suffering. Ofcourse, there are many human conditions that worry me just as much as theyworry you all as well, but are we qualified to judge God? The proof that God is able to intervene is to be found in the experiences of those who pray and have their prayers answered. Since most choose not to pray, atleast directly to God, and since sometimes God also chooses to not grant us that which we pray for, it is indeed difficult to establish such interventions scientifically/empirically.
There are a myriad of faith systems out there, and in the absence of a direct means of communication with God, how is one to arrive at the correct set of beliefs, if I may put it that way.
We've discussed earlier why I believe the Quran is divine revelation, so I don't think repetition is necessary. http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/11/holy-quran-word-of-god.html
As you know, we muslims pray five times a day, and we start with recitation of the first seven verses of the Quran. The key prayer is verse 6: ehdinassirat al mustaqeem meaning Show us the straight path! I'd like to share theprayer with you
Translated by M.Pickthal
1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
2 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,
3 The Beneficent, the Merciful.
4 Master of the Day of Judgment,
5 Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.
6 Show us the straight path,
7 The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those whoearn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.
The above oft-repeated seven verses are a reminder that we need to keep learning, to keep praying, and to ever be wary of being misled by the whisperings of Satan and the myriad of philosophies, and to remember that on the basis of our intellect alone we will not be able to reach anywhere, and that we are always in need of divine guidance and help. Hope I've been able to clarify why dualism doesn't appear viable to me, and why I believe what I believe.
Animal Sacrifice and Vegetarianism
This is in response to a discussion between a Jew, a Christian and myself
Being permitted to eat meat is not the same as being obliged to eat meat... we can be good muslims or good jews while being vegetarians at the sametime. No contradiction there in my mind. We are reminded again and again that life is sacred and a gift of God, not to be taken lightly, and therefore, slaughtering can be done for food only, but pronouncing the name of God (remembering Him and His gift of life) at the time is a must. Infact, we are also told that other than the permitted animals, in case of dire hunger and no other alternative, anything can be consumed.
But if you are a vegan, then animal sacrifice... yes that is a test of faith! For us muslims, it is only compulsory once in a lifetime, that also if one is in a financial position to afford to travel for pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah(KSA). Due to the huge number (millions) of muslims performing Hajj, the government there has made arrangements such that one can just buy coupons and the govt will ensure that the sacrifice is performed and the meat distributed as well. I'm guessing one who goes for pilgrimage is such as believes in the God of the Quran, and knows that God knows best.
My Jewish friend responded thus:
Thank you for your post and it has brought new thoughts to mind! On Passover, one of the ritual parts of the holiday is to prepare a Seder plate (many say the last supper was a Passover meal, Seder) The Seder plate is prepared with several symbolic foods which commemorate the freeing of the Hebrews from slavery under Pharaoh. One of the items is supposed to be a lamb shank bone. Often this is not available and a roasted chicken leg or wing may be used in its place. If one is a vegetarian a beet is often used in this spot. The symbol is one which stands for the lamb that was sacrificed to mark the doors of the Hebrews so when the angel of death passed over (thus Passover) the first born would not be smitten (this was the last of the ten plagues). It is said that the lamb was then cooked and shared among the people. Today, the item placed on the Seder plate would not be eaten, it's just a symbol.
Jews are not required to eat meat. I know very many who are vegetarian or vegan. Also, part of the whole kashrut (kosher dietary laws) require many different types of food not to be eaten - all those listed in the OT (I believe in Leviticus) for example, no pork, no shellfish, no fish without scales, no animal without split hoofs or those who don't chew their cud. Even with beef, we're not suppose to eat meat from the back portion of the cow because blood is never to be consumed and the intricacy of the veins and such in the back portion of a cow is too difficult to remove. That part of the cow is sold to other meat packing plants for general use.
As you mentioned, we must remain mindful that this is a living being and not just a something to grab and eat. The animal must always be treated as a gift and a living thing, never to be taken for granted.
I read a wonderful book about 8 months ago called "Life of Pi". It is a novel but it addresses so much of what we discuss here that I strongly recommend it to any and all of our members. In the book a young man, around 13 or so ends up alone on a lifeboat after a cargo ship sinks with his entire family, their zoo animals and all their belongings.
Pi is a gentle boy who is very spiritual, reflective and good. He is a vegetarian, he is also searching for his faith. Prior to ending up on the boat he was drawn by Hindu, Islam and Christianity simultaneously. He even frequented each house of worship secretly and spoke with each of the clergy.
Now on this boat, alone in the vast ocean with nothing but horizon surrounding him for months he has to come to terms with his God, he learns what true hunger means and that even turtle blood is a welcome and tasty treat when there is nothing else to survive on. It was compelling and forces one to consider that no matter what we call our reality and brings us balance something can occur in our lives that forces us into a whole other reality with a brand new sources of balance.
Being permitted to eat meat is not the same as being obliged to eat meat... we can be good muslims or good jews while being vegetarians at the sametime. No contradiction there in my mind. We are reminded again and again that life is sacred and a gift of God, not to be taken lightly, and therefore, slaughtering can be done for food only, but pronouncing the name of God (remembering Him and His gift of life) at the time is a must. Infact, we are also told that other than the permitted animals, in case of dire hunger and no other alternative, anything can be consumed.
But if you are a vegan, then animal sacrifice... yes that is a test of faith! For us muslims, it is only compulsory once in a lifetime, that also if one is in a financial position to afford to travel for pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah(KSA). Due to the huge number (millions) of muslims performing Hajj, the government there has made arrangements such that one can just buy coupons and the govt will ensure that the sacrifice is performed and the meat distributed as well. I'm guessing one who goes for pilgrimage is such as believes in the God of the Quran, and knows that God knows best.
My Jewish friend responded thus:
Thank you for your post and it has brought new thoughts to mind! On Passover, one of the ritual parts of the holiday is to prepare a Seder plate (many say the last supper was a Passover meal, Seder) The Seder plate is prepared with several symbolic foods which commemorate the freeing of the Hebrews from slavery under Pharaoh. One of the items is supposed to be a lamb shank bone. Often this is not available and a roasted chicken leg or wing may be used in its place. If one is a vegetarian a beet is often used in this spot. The symbol is one which stands for the lamb that was sacrificed to mark the doors of the Hebrews so when the angel of death passed over (thus Passover) the first born would not be smitten (this was the last of the ten plagues). It is said that the lamb was then cooked and shared among the people. Today, the item placed on the Seder plate would not be eaten, it's just a symbol.
Jews are not required to eat meat. I know very many who are vegetarian or vegan. Also, part of the whole kashrut (kosher dietary laws) require many different types of food not to be eaten - all those listed in the OT (I believe in Leviticus) for example, no pork, no shellfish, no fish without scales, no animal without split hoofs or those who don't chew their cud. Even with beef, we're not suppose to eat meat from the back portion of the cow because blood is never to be consumed and the intricacy of the veins and such in the back portion of a cow is too difficult to remove. That part of the cow is sold to other meat packing plants for general use.
As you mentioned, we must remain mindful that this is a living being and not just a something to grab and eat. The animal must always be treated as a gift and a living thing, never to be taken for granted.
I read a wonderful book about 8 months ago called "Life of Pi". It is a novel but it addresses so much of what we discuss here that I strongly recommend it to any and all of our members. In the book a young man, around 13 or so ends up alone on a lifeboat after a cargo ship sinks with his entire family, their zoo animals and all their belongings.
Pi is a gentle boy who is very spiritual, reflective and good. He is a vegetarian, he is also searching for his faith. Prior to ending up on the boat he was drawn by Hindu, Islam and Christianity simultaneously. He even frequented each house of worship secretly and spoke with each of the clergy.
Now on this boat, alone in the vast ocean with nothing but horizon surrounding him for months he has to come to terms with his God, he learns what true hunger means and that even turtle blood is a welcome and tasty treat when there is nothing else to survive on. It was compelling and forces one to consider that no matter what we call our reality and brings us balance something can occur in our lives that forces us into a whole other reality with a brand new sources of balance.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Why couldn't God protect the earlier scriptures?
Question: If you had been born into a Jewish or Christian family and culture, the odds are that you would now be a follower of one of those religions. Why do you think that an all knowing God went to the trouble of creating those religions, if he knew they would become corrupted and need to be replaced ? How come 'He' was able to perfectly protect the contents of the Holy Quran, but not able to protect the contents of the Hebrew Scriptures, or the New Testament ?I'm still trying to get my head around the links you gave me, I will try to respond soonish.... honest !!!!
Answer: Probably so, but who knows. All I can say is that I have read the Quran, Bible and Torah, and the Quran seems to stand the test of truth and accuracy.
It is not that God could not protect the earlier scriptures, rather he chose not to. Just like he left choice of religion to our free-will, he allowed us to do what we wanted with the scriptures as well. Do keep in mind that God had been sending prophets and revealing scriptures ever since man has been accountable. But since the Quran was meant to be the last and final scripture, and no prophet is to come now, we humans needed something from God to guide us. For this purpose, God guaranteed that this book will not suffer change!
Also, God did not create so many religions. His basic message has always been the same. Humans have made changes. A reading of the text of most world religions readily shows that. Where people have not been able to make enough changes in the original text, they have cleverly written/attributed books to other ‘holy’ men and say that now it is okay to follow this instead of what’s written in the original text.
Answer: Probably so, but who knows. All I can say is that I have read the Quran, Bible and Torah, and the Quran seems to stand the test of truth and accuracy.
It is not that God could not protect the earlier scriptures, rather he chose not to. Just like he left choice of religion to our free-will, he allowed us to do what we wanted with the scriptures as well. Do keep in mind that God had been sending prophets and revealing scriptures ever since man has been accountable. But since the Quran was meant to be the last and final scripture, and no prophet is to come now, we humans needed something from God to guide us. For this purpose, God guaranteed that this book will not suffer change!
Also, God did not create so many religions. His basic message has always been the same. Humans have made changes. A reading of the text of most world religions readily shows that. Where people have not been able to make enough changes in the original text, they have cleverly written/attributed books to other ‘holy’ men and say that now it is okay to follow this instead of what’s written in the original text.
Reading Scientific and Mathematical proofs into Holy Books?
Question: I have a deep concern with the practice of reading scientific and mathematical proofs into holy books that were written by persons living in a pre scientific age. Recently in my country it became popular for some biblical scholars to claim that the Old Testament contained secret number codes, and that these number codes could be used to predict future events. Some argued that only God could have inserted these number codes into the old testament, and that this was clearly proof that the old testament had God as its source. Computer modelling has since shown that the appearance of certain numbers within the old testament is purely random, and that it is wrong to read things into the ancient texts that were never intended by the original writers.
I also have major fears of persons insisting that all of THEIR holy texts should be taken literally. I know of some Orthodox Jews who believe that they have the correct understanding of their holy books, and that only they are being faithful to the teachings and commands of God. My Roman Catholic friends believe that Jesus was the son of God, and that only they have a full and accurate understanding of the teachings and commands of God. My Muslim friends believe that only they have the true teachings and commands from God. Now to my mind, something is clearly not right here, which is why I asked my original question about trusting any of the holy scriptures. I have no doubt about the existence of God, anyone who studies the wonders of science would be hard pressed to say otherwise. But I do still see the big religions as being man made and largely male dominated, yet I do not see or sense that God is male. Clearly I have much more to explore and learn !!!!
Answer: We are told by Allah in the Quran that he has sent numerous prophets and revealed various books to mankind, and that as Muslims, we have to believe in them, and respect them.
Having said that, we are also informed that people have over the ages changed the message to suit their interests, so that now they are no longer in their pure form.
We are also told that Allah Himself takes the responsibility of protecting the Quran from changes as it is the final revelation till the end of time, and no other prophet will hence be sent for the guidance of humanity. The Quran is a guidance for all humanity, not just Muslims.
Furthermore, the reader of the Quran is constantly challenged to ponder and reflect upon the message and the signs all around. We are urged to study and evaluate critically, and then believe.
The belief that comes from such understanding and evaluation is naturally one of complete faith and submission…….. it just cannot be otherwise.
I understand your concern, but that is the litmus test……… if it was written by ‘persons living in a pre scientific age’ it is bound to have errors intermixed with some truths that their Prophet informed them of and they were able to record.
Whereas if it is a book from God, protected by God, unadulterated by humans, it should definitely contain no errors as the Creator knows exactly what He created and is not limited in knowledge, nor has any need to lie.
We can theorize all we want based on our knowledge, understanding, intellect and heart ( and we should, as it is an important part of trying to understand), but there has to be some way of testing these theories………. one is to put it to the test of science!
I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain……….. the Holy Quran is a book of Guidance and not a text book of science………… yet since it is from God, whatever scientific phenomenon it refers to should be verifiable……… if not, then we would face the same dilemma other ‘people of the book’ face…. that some of it is from God, some portions written by humans, and it would be a constant challenge sifting out the primary from the secondary.
Were you able to go through the links I sent you earlier…tell me what you think of them?
As far as God being a he or she is concerned, God is above and beyond that. God has created in pairs, males and females for reproductive purposes of moral beings, while God is immortal, has always been and will always be, and thus has no need to be either male or female. Referring to God as He/Him is just a traditional/cultural/linguistical/anthropological way of addressing or referring to God.
I was born in a traditional muslim family which practiced Islam as it is practiced in the sub-continent. Obviously a lot of culture, and influence of Hinduism, Sikhism, etc was also there. Luckily, my dad always believed in critical evaluation while being religious at the same time, thus from a very early age, I was encouraged to understand and separate religious ‘do’ from all other doooos, thus helping me understand how simple and true the original message of Islam was as compared to the complicated practices of ‘evolved’ societies. I was also able to draw upon the works of a lot of scholars who have studied the Quran from different angles and helped establish that it is indeed the true unadulterated word of God. Also, studying other religions and faith systems, I have come to understand that all contain some element of truth, but the message has somehow been distorted over time, something that Allah Himself has already informed us about, as mentioned above. Joining this group was part of the same journey….. I needed to interact with actual people of other beliefs and understand how come they also so strongly believe in whatever they believe in. Its been a wonderful journey, enriching me with new ideas, thoughts and ways of looking at things. This is a great group indeed. Hope your journey here is just as rewarding as mine has been.
I also have major fears of persons insisting that all of THEIR holy texts should be taken literally. I know of some Orthodox Jews who believe that they have the correct understanding of their holy books, and that only they are being faithful to the teachings and commands of God. My Roman Catholic friends believe that Jesus was the son of God, and that only they have a full and accurate understanding of the teachings and commands of God. My Muslim friends believe that only they have the true teachings and commands from God. Now to my mind, something is clearly not right here, which is why I asked my original question about trusting any of the holy scriptures. I have no doubt about the existence of God, anyone who studies the wonders of science would be hard pressed to say otherwise. But I do still see the big religions as being man made and largely male dominated, yet I do not see or sense that God is male. Clearly I have much more to explore and learn !!!!
Answer: We are told by Allah in the Quran that he has sent numerous prophets and revealed various books to mankind, and that as Muslims, we have to believe in them, and respect them.
Having said that, we are also informed that people have over the ages changed the message to suit their interests, so that now they are no longer in their pure form.
We are also told that Allah Himself takes the responsibility of protecting the Quran from changes as it is the final revelation till the end of time, and no other prophet will hence be sent for the guidance of humanity. The Quran is a guidance for all humanity, not just Muslims.
Furthermore, the reader of the Quran is constantly challenged to ponder and reflect upon the message and the signs all around. We are urged to study and evaluate critically, and then believe.
The belief that comes from such understanding and evaluation is naturally one of complete faith and submission…….. it just cannot be otherwise.
I understand your concern, but that is the litmus test……… if it was written by ‘persons living in a pre scientific age’ it is bound to have errors intermixed with some truths that their Prophet informed them of and they were able to record.
Whereas if it is a book from God, protected by God, unadulterated by humans, it should definitely contain no errors as the Creator knows exactly what He created and is not limited in knowledge, nor has any need to lie.
We can theorize all we want based on our knowledge, understanding, intellect and heart ( and we should, as it is an important part of trying to understand), but there has to be some way of testing these theories………. one is to put it to the test of science!
I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain……….. the Holy Quran is a book of Guidance and not a text book of science………… yet since it is from God, whatever scientific phenomenon it refers to should be verifiable……… if not, then we would face the same dilemma other ‘people of the book’ face…. that some of it is from God, some portions written by humans, and it would be a constant challenge sifting out the primary from the secondary.
Were you able to go through the links I sent you earlier…tell me what you think of them?
As far as God being a he or she is concerned, God is above and beyond that. God has created in pairs, males and females for reproductive purposes of moral beings, while God is immortal, has always been and will always be, and thus has no need to be either male or female. Referring to God as He/Him is just a traditional/cultural/linguistical/anthropological way of addressing or referring to God.
I was born in a traditional muslim family which practiced Islam as it is practiced in the sub-continent. Obviously a lot of culture, and influence of Hinduism, Sikhism, etc was also there. Luckily, my dad always believed in critical evaluation while being religious at the same time, thus from a very early age, I was encouraged to understand and separate religious ‘do’ from all other doooos, thus helping me understand how simple and true the original message of Islam was as compared to the complicated practices of ‘evolved’ societies. I was also able to draw upon the works of a lot of scholars who have studied the Quran from different angles and helped establish that it is indeed the true unadulterated word of God. Also, studying other religions and faith systems, I have come to understand that all contain some element of truth, but the message has somehow been distorted over time, something that Allah Himself has already informed us about, as mentioned above. Joining this group was part of the same journey….. I needed to interact with actual people of other beliefs and understand how come they also so strongly believe in whatever they believe in. Its been a wonderful journey, enriching me with new ideas, thoughts and ways of looking at things. This is a great group indeed. Hope your journey here is just as rewarding as mine has been.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Shariah Law and flogging as a form of punishment
Question: I just want the opinion of all members of the recent implementation of 'Sharia Law' in sawat. Not the forget, the infamous video of flogging a girl.
Answer: We had a brief discussion on ideal Islamic state and shariah law in our Quran class the other day. Our teacher was of the opinion (or so I understood) that there is no such thing as an ideal state, as there always will be something better than an existing state, and thus there can never be a perfect state….. so instead of dreaming of an ‘ideal Islamic state’, we should simply strive, continuously, to improve our current state.As for the Shariah Laws, his opinion was that Allah has provided us with guidance (in the Quran) for only about five things, which as humans we would probably get confused about, and not be able to formulate the correct laws based on our human faculties. The rest, which are known as Islamic Shariah Laws, were formulated much much later, for political reasons.
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As for flogging, my understanding from the Quran (see below) is that Allah has indeed made it extremely difficult for anybody to accuse anybody else for adultery. To even admit the case in court you need atleast 4 witnesses, how is it possible to get 4 witnesses for such a thing? Then again, if the accusation is found to be false, the accuser is to be flogged with eighty stripes, and never again is his testimony to be accepted throughout his life! And if a person accuses his/her spouse of adultery, he/she is required to take oath 4 times that the accusation is true, and a fifth oath that if he/she is lying, may the wrath of Allah fall upon him/her.
………………………………………………….
As for flogging, my understanding from the Quran (see below) is that Allah has indeed made it extremely difficult for anybody to accuse anybody else for adultery. To even admit the case in court you need atleast 4 witnesses, how is it possible to get 4 witnesses for such a thing? Then again, if the accusation is found to be false, the accuser is to be flogged with eighty stripes, and never again is his testimony to be accepted throughout his life! And if a person accuses his/her spouse of adultery, he/she is required to take oath 4 times that the accusation is true, and a fifth oath that if he/she is lying, may the wrath of Allah fall upon him/her.
Given the above conditions, it is indeed extremely difficult, if not impossible to launch such accusations. Also, I don’t see how except the openly promiscuous would suffer such a fate, and then again, after one or two such punishments, how many would be left in society who would dare do such a thing, especially openly? I think the hudood and zina laws as implemented in Pakistan is simply a mockery of religion, and an additional tool for the oppressors to further their oppression.
Surah Noor ayat 1-10
1 A sura which We have sent down and which We have ordained in it have We sent down Clear Signs, in order that ye may receive admonition.
2 The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication,- flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.
3 Let no man guilty of adultery or fornication marry and but a woman similarly guilty, or an Unbeliever: nor let any but such a man or an Unbeliever marry such a woman: to the Believers such a thing is forbidden.
4 And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations),- flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors;-
5 Unless they repent thereafter and mend (their conduct); for Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.
6 And for those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own,- their solitary evidence (can be received) if they bear witness four times (with an oath) by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth;
7 And the fifth (oath) (should be) that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie.
8 But it would avert the punishment from the wife, if she bears witness four times (with an oath) By Allah, that (her husband) is telling a lie;
9 And the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself if (her accuser) is telling the truth.
10 If it were not for Allah.s grace and mercy on you, and that Allah is Oft- Returning, full of Wisdom,- (Ye would be ruined indeed).
http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=24&translator=2
Surah Noor ayat 1-10
1 A sura which We have sent down and which We have ordained in it have We sent down Clear Signs, in order that ye may receive admonition.
2 The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication,- flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.
3 Let no man guilty of adultery or fornication marry and but a woman similarly guilty, or an Unbeliever: nor let any but such a man or an Unbeliever marry such a woman: to the Believers such a thing is forbidden.
4 And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations),- flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors;-
5 Unless they repent thereafter and mend (their conduct); for Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.
6 And for those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own,- their solitary evidence (can be received) if they bear witness four times (with an oath) by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth;
7 And the fifth (oath) (should be) that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie.
8 But it would avert the punishment from the wife, if she bears witness four times (with an oath) By Allah, that (her husband) is telling a lie;
9 And the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself if (her accuser) is telling the truth.
10 If it were not for Allah.s grace and mercy on you, and that Allah is Oft- Returning, full of Wisdom,- (Ye would be ruined indeed).
http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=24&translator=2
Monday, June 1, 2009
This Life, Resurrection and Retribution
Question: We are knowingly dishonest, morning, noon and night, knowingly and willingly behaving in a less than optimum manner. That behaviour has consequences and it is these consequences that are designed beforehand as safeguards into the Kosmos. They are not decided on a one at a time basis. They are an automated part of the eternal system. No judgment and handing out of customised punishments is involved.
Answer: I had to re-read your post as there are certain sentences that I totally agree with, and those that are quite different to my understanding. For example the above quote…. quite similar to what I’ve been saying when I compare life and predestination to a super computer program. We make choices, and all are coded like if-elseif-else constructs, such that whatever choice we make, it is already known to God, and consequences predestined. How is that different /opposite to the concept of trial? God can, and I believe has, incorporated trial in the software.And how is it punishment? Trial and pre-destination are not punishment. But we have been told that all our choices and intentions are being recorded, and the consequences of which we will receive in after-life. Ofcourse, if one doesn’t believe in after-life, one does not wish to accept this last part……….but if there is no after-life, what is the point or purpose of this life?Also, if there is a majestic Creator who not only created everything but also designed a flawless super program, what is there to stop Him from intervening in His program whenever or however He wishes, both in this world and in the here-after.And since He did create us in the first place, what is there to stop Him from resurrecting us?
Answer: I had to re-read your post as there are certain sentences that I totally agree with, and those that are quite different to my understanding. For example the above quote…. quite similar to what I’ve been saying when I compare life and predestination to a super computer program. We make choices, and all are coded like if-elseif-else constructs, such that whatever choice we make, it is already known to God, and consequences predestined. How is that different /opposite to the concept of trial? God can, and I believe has, incorporated trial in the software.And how is it punishment? Trial and pre-destination are not punishment. But we have been told that all our choices and intentions are being recorded, and the consequences of which we will receive in after-life. Ofcourse, if one doesn’t believe in after-life, one does not wish to accept this last part……….but if there is no after-life, what is the point or purpose of this life?Also, if there is a majestic Creator who not only created everything but also designed a flawless super program, what is there to stop Him from intervening in His program whenever or however He wishes, both in this world and in the here-after.And since He did create us in the first place, what is there to stop Him from resurrecting us?
Can any of the Holy Scriptures be totally trusted?
Question: My next BIG question is:CAN ANY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES BE TOTALLY TRUSTED ?Working on the ASSUMPTION that all humans are limited in their knowledge and understanding of God, and what they hear, read, or learn is strongly influenced by their culture and pre-existing world views, and perhaps shaped by their inner mental and emotional motives, can ANY of the writings of the various prophets be trusted to be totally accurate, or is it the case that that any sort of literal reading is too be avoided. Apart from the FACT that women often get a bad deal in most of the holy scriptures, I am also concerned that God is so often portrayed as being exclusively Male, and that so many of the holy scriptures paint an all too restricted and conveniently human image of God. IF such a thing as God exists, I hope She is more intelligent and compassionate than the ones portrayed in the world's holy scriptures. My guess is that no one religion has ALL the answers, and as Mark has already said, God remains a "Great Mystery".Just Being Curious & Exploring,
Answer: Yes, the Arabic Quran is a holy scripture that can be totally trusted.
Reason: Mathematically, Scientifically, Morally it stands the test.
Explanation: Allah/God has taken it upon himself to protect it. Any copy of the Holy Quran anywhere in the world contains the same alphabets in the same order. The numbering of the sentences may be different in some copies, but the exact alphabets and words in the exact same sequence are always there. For example, all Chapters (Surahs) begin with Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim (In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful): Some mark it as the first sentence while others mark it as the header, and the following sentence is marked as 1. Also, most copies list Surah Fatiha as Chapter 1 while some mark it as an opening prayer. Now, as a science student, you will be able to appreciate the following: if we take Surah Fatiha as the opening prayer, and Surah Baqarah as Chapter 1, then counting till the chapter titled Iron, the count is 56 which is the atomic weight of Iron(Fe). Then again, if you count the bismillah as the first sentence, then the count till the sentence which contains the mention of Iron is number 26, which is the atomic number of Iron.
Another example: Surah Rum or the Roman Empire (30:3 or 29:4, depending on how one counts), it says that ‘fi adna l-ardi’, now we know that Arabic language comprises of root words which lend themselves to an array of meanings, one of which can be: lowest part of the Earth……now you will be surprised to learn that the Romans were defeated by the Persians in the Dead Sea valley, which is indeed the lowest part on the surface of the Earth (land), being approximately 400m below sea level. This verse also goes on to foretell that after this they will soon be victorious…….. and indeed, history is witness to the fact that the Romans later on did win.
Point to Ponder: Prophet Muhammad was not only illiterate, science had not progressed to such a level in the 7th Century AD. Some people respond to this with the argument that he was inspired not by God but by a djinn, and thus such scientific accuracy is there which was unknown to humans at that time. Why would a djinn or any other creature inspire Muhammad with such a wonderful book which seeks to glorify the one and only creator alone? Links: You may do some research for more evidence from the following linkshttp://www.irf.net/irf/faqonislam/index.htm http://19.org/download/19_001.wmv http://www.quran.org/science/origin.htm There are many more sites on the web; for scientists you may look up Maurice Bucaille and Nurbaki to begin with; you might even look up youTube and Google videos.Also, do check out: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5897202495636098966&ei=aaEkSuWDNIe8wgOXm_XSCQ&q=islam+and+science http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjDBlH9Thug
Answer: Yes, the Arabic Quran is a holy scripture that can be totally trusted.
Reason: Mathematically, Scientifically, Morally it stands the test.
Explanation: Allah/God has taken it upon himself to protect it. Any copy of the Holy Quran anywhere in the world contains the same alphabets in the same order. The numbering of the sentences may be different in some copies, but the exact alphabets and words in the exact same sequence are always there. For example, all Chapters (Surahs) begin with Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim (In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful): Some mark it as the first sentence while others mark it as the header, and the following sentence is marked as 1. Also, most copies list Surah Fatiha as Chapter 1 while some mark it as an opening prayer. Now, as a science student, you will be able to appreciate the following: if we take Surah Fatiha as the opening prayer, and Surah Baqarah as Chapter 1, then counting till the chapter titled Iron, the count is 56 which is the atomic weight of Iron(Fe). Then again, if you count the bismillah as the first sentence, then the count till the sentence which contains the mention of Iron is number 26, which is the atomic number of Iron.
Another example: Surah Rum or the Roman Empire (30:3 or 29:4, depending on how one counts), it says that ‘fi adna l-ardi’, now we know that Arabic language comprises of root words which lend themselves to an array of meanings, one of which can be: lowest part of the Earth……now you will be surprised to learn that the Romans were defeated by the Persians in the Dead Sea valley, which is indeed the lowest part on the surface of the Earth (land), being approximately 400m below sea level. This verse also goes on to foretell that after this they will soon be victorious…….. and indeed, history is witness to the fact that the Romans later on did win.
Point to Ponder: Prophet Muhammad was not only illiterate, science had not progressed to such a level in the 7th Century AD. Some people respond to this with the argument that he was inspired not by God but by a djinn, and thus such scientific accuracy is there which was unknown to humans at that time. Why would a djinn or any other creature inspire Muhammad with such a wonderful book which seeks to glorify the one and only creator alone? Links: You may do some research for more evidence from the following linkshttp://www.irf.net/irf/faqonislam/index.htm http://19.org/download/19_001.wmv http://www.quran.org/science/origin.htm There are many more sites on the web; for scientists you may look up Maurice Bucaille and Nurbaki to begin with; you might even look up youTube and Google videos.Also, do check out: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5897202495636098966&ei=aaEkSuWDNIe8wgOXm_XSCQ&q=islam+and+science http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjDBlH9Thug
Sunday, May 24, 2009
WHO OR WHAT IS GOD ?
Question: WHO OR WHAT IS GOD ?
Answer: Firstly, we start everything with the invocation: Bismi-llah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem(In the name of Allah, the Most-Gracious, Ever-Merciful). Three things to be noted here: (A)llah meaning the only one worthy of worship, His attribute Rahman exceedingly kind and gracious, while Raheem meaning whose kindness, mercy and graciousness is forever.Further on in the Quran, we are introduced to Allah’s other attributes: the Alive, the Self-Subsisting, the Eternal, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds, Master of the Day of Judgement, Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing, the Most-High, the Irresistible, the Wise, the Supreme, the Protector, free of all wants, He is the One who hears and sees and knows all things, and so on. And, in Chapter 112 Verse 4, we are told that there is none like Him or comparable to Him.So, we know of God not through His image, but through His attributes. He Himself chooses to remain hidden, and expects us to find/discover/acknowledge Him through His signs and attributes. By looking around at His creations, we wonder at how so much order and beauty there is, and attempt to seek the originator and creator of it all. This search leads us through the various world religions and philosophies, we read and evaluate the sacred books of different faiths, and then use God’s gift of knowledge and intellect to satisfy our heart’s desire for the truth. We muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation from God, guidance for mankind, confirming the message and the prophets of old, sifting out the additions/subtractions that had been made to His message (in the earlier books) over the ages, and protecting this final revelation from any changes. Thus, people are able to memorize this complete book, did so when it was revealed, and this oral tradition of memorizing the Quran has continued since the days of Prophet Mohammed to this day. All manuscripts of the Arabic Quran all across the world contain the exact same words in the exact same order. As a student of science, you may wish to check out this website: http://www.quran.org/science/origin.htm Over the past few years, I have tried to answer some questions according to my understanding, and have attempted to compile them … you may wish to check out my blog: http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/ There is also a list of links and books there which might be useful to you.
Answer: Firstly, we start everything with the invocation: Bismi-llah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem(In the name of Allah, the Most-Gracious, Ever-Merciful). Three things to be noted here: (A)llah meaning the only one worthy of worship, His attribute Rahman exceedingly kind and gracious, while Raheem meaning whose kindness, mercy and graciousness is forever.Further on in the Quran, we are introduced to Allah’s other attributes: the Alive, the Self-Subsisting, the Eternal, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds, Master of the Day of Judgement, Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing, the Most-High, the Irresistible, the Wise, the Supreme, the Protector, free of all wants, He is the One who hears and sees and knows all things, and so on. And, in Chapter 112 Verse 4, we are told that there is none like Him or comparable to Him.So, we know of God not through His image, but through His attributes. He Himself chooses to remain hidden, and expects us to find/discover/acknowledge Him through His signs and attributes. By looking around at His creations, we wonder at how so much order and beauty there is, and attempt to seek the originator and creator of it all. This search leads us through the various world religions and philosophies, we read and evaluate the sacred books of different faiths, and then use God’s gift of knowledge and intellect to satisfy our heart’s desire for the truth. We muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation from God, guidance for mankind, confirming the message and the prophets of old, sifting out the additions/subtractions that had been made to His message (in the earlier books) over the ages, and protecting this final revelation from any changes. Thus, people are able to memorize this complete book, did so when it was revealed, and this oral tradition of memorizing the Quran has continued since the days of Prophet Mohammed to this day. All manuscripts of the Arabic Quran all across the world contain the exact same words in the exact same order. As a student of science, you may wish to check out this website: http://www.quran.org/science/origin.htm Over the past few years, I have tried to answer some questions according to my understanding, and have attempted to compile them … you may wish to check out my blog: http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/ There is also a list of links and books there which might be useful to you.
Friday, February 13, 2009
God's reasons
Q: I was sick & god made me well, healed me!" I say "sure but "it" made or allowed you to get sick in the first place, so what? Besides what does the creator get out of all this suffering?" And the gullible says "god has his reasons".( why "his".. not "hers"or "its"? we have been programmed well) Fine I say "what are they?"
A: Well, according to what I’ve understood from the Quran, first of all, God speaks in shifting pronouns and tells us that He is One and Only and nothing we can imagine. Also, the pronouns He uses for Himself are I and We…. both neutral, that is can be used by male, female or neuter gender. Also, in atleast in Arabic language, unless specifically speaking about females, the general style of speech is in the male tense.And the answer to your second question is that God says that He inflicts us with disease, hunger, poverty, adversities to bring us closer to Him as when we humans are affluent, most of us generally like to take credit for it all and consider it all our own achievements and good practices, but when struck by adversity, we feel helpless and turn towards God. He also says that all the riches of the world are nothing in His eyes, and if He so wanted, He would give mansions of gold and silver to all the non-believers to thoroughly enjoy their brief life on Earth, but the only reason He does not do that is because He wishes to guide those who seek guidance………. Humans are weak and easily impressive…….. and need help both in the physical and the spiritual realm!
I did sort of explain my view to someone earlier regarding life on earth, please check out this blog entry:http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-loving-perfect-god.html
A: Well, according to what I’ve understood from the Quran, first of all, God speaks in shifting pronouns and tells us that He is One and Only and nothing we can imagine. Also, the pronouns He uses for Himself are I and We…. both neutral, that is can be used by male, female or neuter gender. Also, in atleast in Arabic language, unless specifically speaking about females, the general style of speech is in the male tense.And the answer to your second question is that God says that He inflicts us with disease, hunger, poverty, adversities to bring us closer to Him as when we humans are affluent, most of us generally like to take credit for it all and consider it all our own achievements and good practices, but when struck by adversity, we feel helpless and turn towards God. He also says that all the riches of the world are nothing in His eyes, and if He so wanted, He would give mansions of gold and silver to all the non-believers to thoroughly enjoy their brief life on Earth, but the only reason He does not do that is because He wishes to guide those who seek guidance………. Humans are weak and easily impressive…….. and need help both in the physical and the spiritual realm!
I did sort of explain my view to someone earlier regarding life on earth, please check out this blog entry:http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-loving-perfect-god.html
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Crescent... the Symbol
When and How the crescent was adopted as a symbol and by Whom:
…..The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it. It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol. Legend holds that the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman, had a dream in which the crescent moon stretched from one end of the earth to the other. Taking this as a good omen, he chose to keep the crescent and make it the symbol of his dynasty. There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is pure conjecture…….
http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm
…..The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it. It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol. Legend holds that the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman, had a dream in which the crescent moon stretched from one end of the earth to the other. Taking this as a good omen, he chose to keep the crescent and make it the symbol of his dynasty. There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is pure conjecture…….
http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm
Allah is not the moon-god!
The article posted on Fri Dec 12, 2008 contained some serious mis-information regarding Allah and Islam. Please find below
1. Verses from the Holy Quran directly answering the allegation that Allah was moon-god, and laat, manaat and uzza were his daughters
2. Verses from the Holy Quran regarding Prophet Abraham, and the Jewish and Christian faith
3. History of how, when and by whom was the crescent adopted as a symbol
Holy Quran Chapter 41
37 And of His portents are the night and the day and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon; but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if it is in truth Him Whom ye worship.
Holy Quran Chapter 53:
19 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,
20 And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
21 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
22 Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
23 These are nothing but names which ye have devised,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!
And who forsaketh the religion of abraham save him who befooleth himself? Verily We chose him in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he is among the righteous. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #130)
The same did abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): O my sons! Lo! Allah hath chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him). ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #132)
And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #135)
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. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #136)
O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense? ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #65)
Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is the Protecting Guardian of the believers. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #68)
Say (O Muhammad): 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 was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #84)
Say: Allah speaketh truth. So follow the religion of abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #95)
1. Verses from the Holy Quran directly answering the allegation that Allah was moon-god, and laat, manaat and uzza were his daughters
2. Verses from the Holy Quran regarding Prophet Abraham, and the Jewish and Christian faith
3. History of how, when and by whom was the crescent adopted as a symbol
Holy Quran Chapter 41
37 And of His portents are the night and the day and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon; but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if it is in truth Him Whom ye worship.
Holy Quran Chapter 53:
19 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,
20 And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
21 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
22 Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
23 These are nothing but names which ye have devised,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!
And who forsaketh the religion of abraham save him who befooleth himself? Verily We chose him in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he is among the righteous. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #130)
The same did abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): O my sons! Lo! Allah hath chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him). ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #132)
And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #135)
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. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #136)
O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense? ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #65)
Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is the Protecting Guardian of the believers. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #68)
Say (O Muhammad): 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 was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #84)
Say: Allah speaketh truth. So follow the religion of abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters. ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #95)
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