The Legacy of Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام)

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعۡىَ قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰى فِى الۡمَنَامِ اَنِّىۡۤ اَذۡبَحُكَ فَانْظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرٰى​ؕ قَالَ يٰۤاَبَتِ افۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُ​

 سَتَجِدُنِىۡۤ اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏ 

فَلَمَّاۤ اَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهٗ لِلۡجَبِيۡنِ​ۚ‏ ١٠٣ 

وَنَادَيۡنٰهُ اَنۡ يّٰۤاِبۡرٰهِيۡمُۙ‏

قَدۡ صَدَّقۡتَ الرُّءۡيَا ​ ​ۚ اِنَّا كَذٰلِكَ نَجۡزِى الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏ 

اِنَّ هٰذَا لَهُوَ الۡبَلٰٓؤُا الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

وَفَدَيۡنٰهُ بِذِبۡحٍ عَظِيۡمٍ‏

And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast."

103 And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,

We called to him, "O Abraham,

You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

Indeed, this was the clear trial.

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,

[Al-Quran 37:102-107]

This is a story of Faith (Iman) and Submission (Islam). 

The Quran relates the great sacrifice demanded from Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام): to sacrifice his only child, and the child's complete submission to what was required of his father. The physical expression of this complete submission was the father putting his son down upon his forehead: the posture of prostration. 

The amazing submission of this young man, Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), is amazing. He was not a baby. He was old enough to work along with his father (Q38:102). He was probably twelve or thirteen years old.* Generally, when boys are entering their teens, they show inclination to assert their independence, not submission, and that also to a dream. He was old enough to mock his old man. He was old enough to run away. This young Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) submits, willingly, assuring his father of his steadfastness, if Allah Wills (اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏). He goes down in prostration, placing his forehead upon the ground. He is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice: lose his life, and embrace death, for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ . 

Allah was testing the father and son. Both passed with flying colours. Allah had bigger plans for them.  Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was replaced with a great sacrifice. He is to assist his father Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) in purifying Allah's house, for the worshippers, and also raise its foundation: 

وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."

And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city country and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day." [ Allah ] said. "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will force him to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination."

And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.

Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.

[Al-Quran 2:125-130, Translation: Sahih International (edited in italics) ]

Purify My House: From these ayaat, it seems the House already existed but it was appointed the centre of pilgrimage when Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) and Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) raised its foundations and purified the House. Similarly, their descendant whom they prayed for, Muhammad ﷺ , Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , purified the House when he conquered Mecca, and retaught the rites of pilgrimage.  

Raise the Foundation: Raising the foundations of an existing house is a common practice, especially in areas prone to flooding. The house is temporarily raised, separating it from its existing foundation; the foundation is then raised and the house replaced on the newly-built foundation. 

Just like his descendant Muhammad ﷺ was a Prophet and Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , so also The Quran informs us that Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was also a Prophet and Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ :

وَاذۡكُرۡ فِى الۡـكِتٰبِ اِسۡمٰعِيۡلَ​ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ صَادِقَ الۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُوۡلًا نَّبِيًّا​ ۚ‏ ٥٤

وَ كَانَ يَاۡمُرُ اَهۡلَهٗ بِالصَّلٰوةِ وَالزَّكٰوةِ وَكَانَ عِنۡدَ رَبِّهٖ مَرۡضِيًّا‏ ٥٥ 

And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.

And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakāh and was to his Lord pleasing [i.e., accepted by Him].

[Al-Quran 19:54-55, Translation: Saheeh International]

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* Age of Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام): 

According to The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was given the glad tidings of  a forbearing son (Q37:101 فَبَشَّرۡنٰهُ بِغُلٰمٍ حَلِيۡمٍ‏)** after his migration (Q38:99 وَقَالَ اِنِّىۡ ذَاهِبٌ اِلٰى رَبِّىۡ سَيَهۡدِيۡنِ‏), and prayer for a righteous son (Q38:100 رَبِّ هَبۡ لِىۡ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏).  

The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, also states that the son at the time of the sacrifice dream was old enough to work with his father (Q37:102 فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعۡىَ قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰى فِى الۡمَنَامِ اَنِّىۡۤ اَذۡبَحُكَ فَانْظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرٰى​ؕ قَالَ يٰۤاَبَتِ افۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُ​ سَتَجِدُنِىۡۤ اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏ ). Boys can start lifting weights as early as the age of seven or eight years, but ideally by the age twelve or thirteen, the age of puberty. 

According to The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, after the attempted sacrifice (Q37:103), Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was given the glad tidings of  a prophet by the name of Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) (Q37:112 وَبَشَّرۡنٰهُ بِاِسۡحٰقَ نَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏), and that they were blessed (Q37:113 وَبٰرَكۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ وَعَلٰٓى اِسۡحٰقَ​ؕ وَ مِنۡ ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحۡسِنٌ وَّظَالِمٌ لِّنَفۡسِهٖ مُبِيۡنٌ​‏). We know about his son Jacob / Israel (Yaqub عليه السلام) , his son Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام), and from the Bani Israel: Moses (Musa عليه السلام) and Aaron (Haroon عليه السلام). It is a matter of fact that there was a continuous line of prophets among their descendants till Messenger Jesus (Isa عليه السلام). 

According to The Bible, the age difference between Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) and Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) was fourteen years. 

At the age of seventy-six, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was granted Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) through Hagar (Bibi Hajra رضي الله عنها). 

At the age of one hundred, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was granted Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) through Sarah (Bibi Sara رضي الله عنها).  

So, assuming the good news about Isaac (Ishaq عليه السلام) was given immediately after the attempted sacrifice of the first born: Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), who was only son at the time, , the Age of Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was most probably twelve or thirteen years at the time he and his father attempted to carry out the dream that Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) had seen. 

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** Haleem (حَلِيۡمٍ‏):  

According to The Quran, Surah as-Saffaat, Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was given the glad tidings of  a forbearing son (Q37:101 فَبَشَّرۡنٰهُ بِغُلٰمٍ حَلِيۡمٍ‏). 

Allah meant to test father and son. What they were asked to do was unthinkable and unspeakable. It required immense faith, love and trust in Allah to even consider the request. It required even more to submit to it. It required forbearance. One of the attributes of Allah is Haleem (حَلِيمٌ), generally translated as Most Forbearing. The word 'forbearing' implies patience and restraint.  

Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was also forbearing (Q11:75). 

Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام) was also forbearing (Q37:101). 

These two persons were already divinely equipped with the quality most required to submit to such a dream. 

Search results for forbearing https://corpus.quran.com/search.jsp?q=forbearing 

Quran dictionary for root - ح ل م : https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Hlm 

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Also read: 

Humans & The Human Condition 

Ignorant of The Law of Sacrifice 

Forehead / جَبِين 

The Possessors of The Stone & Hijr-e-Ismail 

Seventy Men & The Torah in Seventy Languages 

The Ancient House 

Muhammad ﷺ, a Messenger like Moses: The Qibla 

Maroof & Munkar 

Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), the excellent example 

The Quran, the Pharaoh, Exodus and the Promised Day! 

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Lat updated on: June 14, 2024

Arab Prophet with a Global Mission

I wrote to an email discussion group: I am absolutely convinced that the Qur'an and former scriptures are sent by Allah for our guidance, and contain details of all things. On the surface, it may appear that it is not so, but the more one studies the Arabic text of the Qur'an in depth, exploring the surahs and the ayaat, dwelling upon each word, it gets absolutely fascinating. It contains such wealth of knowledge, pointing us towards so many facts and realities! Please see the various posts on my blog: signsandscience.blogspot.com 

...

MSA asked:

So for understand the Quran and for unravel the treasure it contains, one must know Arabic and study the Quran in Arabic. Does it not make clear that Quran is only for those who know and understand Arabic?

That is why Allah had sent an Arabic speaking Prophet to the Arabic speaking people of Mecca and its neighborhood thus eliminating the need of translating the Quran into other languages. Are we willing to accept this Quran fact?

My Response:

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا

Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion upon His slave that he may be to the worlds a warner 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/25/1/

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

And not We have sent you except to all mankind (as) a giver of glad tidings and (as) a warner. But most [the] people (do) not know.

http://islamawakened.com/quran/34/28/ 

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا

He (is) the One Who (has) sent His Messenger with guidance and (the) religion, the true that He (may) make it prevail over the religions all. And sufficient is Allah (as) a Witness. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/48/28/

مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا

Not is Muhammad (the) father (of) anyone of your men but (he is the) Messenger (of) Allah and Seal (of) the Prophets. And Allah is of every thing All-Knower. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/33/40/

According to the Qur'an, Prophet Muhammad is the last of the series of prophets and his mission is to all people, not just the Arabs. The reason why I think he was sent as an Arab prophet is, as I have explained in my blogpost The Prophesy [signsandscience.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-battle.html]: 

Abstract

According to the verses of the Qur’an: the Arab Prophet-Messenger Muhammad, born and raised in the Arab major city of Makkah, speaking the native Arab language, and warning with a scripture revealed in Arabic, all together seem to be pointing to a major prophecy for the Middle East: the battle between the believers in the one true God and the followers of Satan, and the eventual triumph of Truth. 

Comment on article titled Which Quran, Mecca or Medina?

A non-Muslim interested in religious discussion shared this article on an email group: Which Quran, Mecca or Medina? 

Here are my two-bits:

Muhammad (may peace be upon him) was the last Prophet and the Messenger of God.

As the last Prophet, it was necessary to document and record all the revelations he received through Gabriel, the Trustworthy Messenger, so that future generations could benefit from the Quran. Hence, the final ordering of the verses of the Quran is also as revealed by Gabriel. Moreover, the Quran has been preserved in the same order, both in written form and orally, in the minds of those who memorise it (the Huffaz).

Quran is not the only scripture revealed by God. Other scriptures were revealed before it as well. As mentioned in the link Mr. G posted in his email [https://beyondthecusp.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/which-quran-mecca-or-medina/ ], there are certain similarities with other scriptures and certain differences. That the Quran was revealed in seventh century AD, and that it is the last scripture, means that now this book is meant for the guidance of humanity, as this is the most relevant for our times. I think this is what is meant by bringing something in place of the old. All verses of the Quran are equally valid and relevant, they do not contradict each other, and no verse is abrogated by any other verse. Its a matter of diligently studying the verses in context.

As for the contrast between the verses revealed earlier and later during Messenger Muhammad's mission, let me first explain the term Messenger (Rasool). Messengers are sent to warn clearly and Allah has always sent Messengers to warn nations transgressing beyond limits of impending divine punishment. Noah's nation, the Aad and the Samood, the Pharaoh of Egypt, and others were warned well in advance before punishment came to them. So thus this Messenger was sent to warn the Arabs, and give them time to mend. The warnings were conveyed through repeated examples of prior civilisations in several verses all across the Quran, revealed over a period of over two decades. After that the Treaty was declared annulled, notice of war given four months in advance, and then the Muslim State of Medina formally marched towards Makkah, as per divine order through the Messenger of God, and they were victorious, as promised by God.

There were several attacks on the Muslims in Medina prior to the conquest of Makkah. The verses which deal with qital give guidance on conduct when in a state of war. All armies of the world give similar advise to their combatants. Advice for soldiers being sent to battle, and advice for missionaries being sent for peaceful spread of the message must necessarily be different. It is important to read the verses in context, as well as to understand that only a Messenger of God or the Head of State can declare a war and call for battle.

Yes, the verses of the Quran are being abused and misapplied by some zealots within the fold of Islam as well organised criminals. And yes, I understand how imminent and real the threat of being murdered is for non-Muslims who fear for their lives, and thus view Islam as a Satanic cult. Of course, Satan is the avowed enemy of the progeny of Adam, and will use all means to deceive and destroy humans.

However, it is critical to remember that this life is not et al, and that eventually we all will die, and what is really going to matter is the final judgement. Immortality is a foregone eventuality, what matters is the quality of our eternal life. I hope and pray that all of us our guided to faith and guidance, are able to attain forgiveness of the Almighty and dwell in the Gardens of Eternity forever.

Quran, Muhammad and willful submission

A, you write frequently and claim that your view of a godless universe is indeed the correct view. You probably have followers (people who agree with your contention and world-view). If some of them were to relate what you said about something, and they to others, and yet others, and the chain was to go on... ever played Chinese whispers??? Can you guess what the message would morph into? And throw in a mix of some devious mischief-mongers who deliberately make some changes to your views and comments. Imagine!
As I have stated earlier, the arabic Quran is the word of Allah, guarded and preserved by Him as a guidance for all humanity. The hadith books are human compilation and subject to scrutiny just as much as any other human work. If some people choose to follow it without question and evaluation, they are just as free to do so as they are to follow (or not) any religion. As for your accusation about Allah being discriminatory in giving guidance, the fact of the matter is that we all have been equally blessed with life, signs in nature, a conscience, and the Quran. Though He blesses all of us with all these as well as varying degrees of wordly comforts and joys (or trials and tribulations), He wishes willful obedience from us. Had He wished, He could have made us all Muslims, but that is not the idea. He has sent us here on trial, and those who choose to willfully submit to His will qualify for Heaven. The Quran is a message, confirming the Prophets, Books and Messages of old, a message of glad tidings for those who believe and do good deeds, and a warning for those who choose not to. It's purpose is to guide those who choose guidance. Only those who choose and seek guidance will be guided. Those who reject will not be forced against their will. But, God makes plain His warning, so that those who reject, the Word is proven against them and they have no excuse on the Day of Judgement. The Prophets will be allowed to intercede only on behalf of those whom Allah allows them to intercede for. The command will indeed completely belong to God. The verses describing the Day of Judgement are only intended to convey a feel of the magnificence and awe. We cannot really begin to appreciate it while trapped in our mortal bodies and limited knowledge, or atleast I can't.
Mainstream Islam believes that Muhammad was mortal and that he died. Though we greatly love and honour our dear Prophet and those who went before him, we firmly believe that he is human. The hadith books did not exist at the time the Quranic verse of obedience to the Prophet was revealed. Simply explained, as the Prophet's entire life was complete obedience of Allah as revealed in the Quran, we are to follow his example and try to obey the Quran in letter and in spirit. Furthermore, as we are told, our dear Prophet was extremely humble and decent and would never tell others if they were being too forward or disrespectful of him, which is why Allah revealed the verses instructing proper conduct (the Prophet was obliged to recite all revealed verses, so he had no choice in the matter).
As for people belonging to other religions, when the Quran was being revealed, Jews and Christians also lived there. Jews were those who did not believe in Jesus, and Christians were those who believed in Jesus as well as all the prophets before him. In either case, both these groups did not believe Muhammad to be a prophet. Yet, in certain verses, Allah speaks very highly of certain People of the Book who were extremely pious. As I understand, belief in one God and continuous search for truth and guidance, and willful submission and piety is what is required, not a particular religious brand.
Holy Quran 5:119 Allah will say: "This is a day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,- their eternal Home: Allah well-pleased with them, and they with Allah. That is the great salvation.
As for the muslim confession of shahdah, the translation is: there is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Whenever we recite it, we are immediately reminded that only Allah is divine. Religions of afore have repeatedly made the mistake of glorifying their prophets to the extent that they've deified them; we are reminded over and over again to remember to not to commit this grave mistake. There is only one God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, and to whom shall be the final return.
May Allah guide us all.
Regards,
Samiya

Personality of Muhammad

Question: The double personality of Muhammad, who on one hand was completely reliable, beloved, patient, and even timid and who on the other hand encouraged killing, torture, robbing and rape.

Answer: Unreliable information from books written by humans.

Quran: the miracle of Islam

Q: The Quran is undoubtedly the miracle of Islam. I really think Muhammad was an incredible genius to “sell” a book with....Absurdities (the sun goes down in a muddy pond Quran 18.86)

A: The Quran is undoubtedly a miracle. Nobody has been able to make any changes in it over 14 centuries. It is locked in a grid of 19, and no alphabet can even be changed. No human can write a book for 23 years, portions at a time, and yet all portions put together lock up in multiples of 19! Scientifically, it is absolutely consistent with all proven facts; theories are theories by their very nature, they may or may not be correct, thus we must wait till the scientists finally discover and decide on those. After all, how can the Creator not know the science of what He Himself has created?
Absurdities? No, it’s the impression of the person, ZulQarnain, about whom Allah is telling us about. He, when he sees the sun setting on the horizon, thinks it so. Where Allah is talking about the Sun elsewhere in the Quran, He gives an accurate description of a heavenly body moving in space in its fixed path.

Update [October 27, 2016]

Dhu al Qarnayn visited the Polar Regions?

Excerpts from the above:

Travel 1: Hence, based upon the three key features: disappearing Sun, warm waters and people near it, I think the only place on Earth that exhibits all three features is the North Pole and the region surrounding it, i.e. the Arctic. 

Travel 2: Hence, based upon the three key natural features: rising Sun, land and no protection from the Sun, I think the only place on Earth that exhibits all three features is the South Pole and the region surrounding it, i.e. the Antarctic Circle. 

New things Muhammad brought that weren’t already in Christianity or Judaism

Q: I have never met anyone, who can tell me which verses he or she was moved by or found touching, or new things Muhammad brought that weren’t already in Christianity or Judaism…

A: Muhammad did not bring a new religion. He came to confirm the Prophets of old, to fulfill the prophecy, to purify the religion of God by removing all the falsehood and immorality that had crept into it and corrupted it. Read all the Holy Books of all religions, compare the style and the content, the mention of the Prophets and their people, and the language used to describe them. The Holy Quran stands out as the most pure and the most to the point. It does not reduce the Prophets of God to sinners and immoral people, it does not weave a story, it simply presents the essential true message of the event in the most pure words. Right at the beginning, we are told that this book, the Holy Quran, is a guidance for the pious, and the details given about such include a belief in the Prophets and Books revealed before…. Ofcourse it’s a confirmation that the earlier prophets were true messengers, and what they prophesized was true.
The entire Quran can touch your heart, or none will, all one can do is pray for guidance with a true heart.

Books about Islam are mostly misleading?

Q: If one asks information about Islam to Muslims, they will give you a few innocent books to show how beautiful Islam is. These books are mostly misleading and even texts written by the "Centre for Islam in Europe", linked to the University of Gent (Belgium) are a twist of "real Islam" and a denial of the teachings of the four main Schools of Islam.

A: Islam is indeed beautiful. Real Islam is the message of Allah in the Quran, and the Prophet Muhammad’s sunnah, the living traditions of how he practically lived Islam….. his honesty, his compassion, his love for all, how he prayed and taught muslims how to pray, how he balanced between duties to Allah and duties towards family, community and state. The rest, including the ‘four schools’ you mention, are interpretations and applications by people, not the original revealed religion….. we can disagree with some, most or all of it, after all, that is why there are more than one schools, and that is why they are called schools of thought. Coming from a Christian background, you are familiar with numerous sects within the Christian faith….. following or not following a sect doesn’t make anybody any less a Christian or a Muslim, that is for Allah/God to judge………. All we can do is try and find the most correct and true path using all the intellect and resources at our disposal.

The Scientific accuracy in the Quran could have been dictated by a jinn?

Question: My opinion on this is that, no matter how hard we try to prove that Quran is the word of God because it foretold something that has been discovered only recently – we wont be able to cast away all doubts. For example, lets assume that Quran did tell us something about the world that has only been observed today. But couldn’t it be a mere guess by Muhammad (saw)? Or may be a jinn told him of something that humans did not know earlier etc. etc. I mean there are a thousand ways that a doubt can be cast in this kind of a proof.

Answer: Isn’t it strange that Quran seems to stand out as the only book which is free from scientific errors…. All other books(religious and else) seem to be riddled with mistakes, over-sights, and limited by human knowledge….. why would a ‘jinn’ author /dictate this only book, and then glorify Allah only?