Showing posts with label corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label corruption. Show all posts

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Back to the Future: why the Old Testament is angrier of the three scriptures!

Please find my explanation and relevant verses of the Quran after both the text analyses' results

Computerised Text Analysis
SAE shared the link: 
Bible, Qur’an, and violence computerized
Software uses Scripture to show what text analytics can do
...
Among the analysis findings that Mr. Anderson reported Jan. 20, 21, and 22 in the blog are that the Old Testament is the most violent, not the Qur’an. The Islamic text is actually the least violent. Terms for killing and destruction were in 2.1 percent of the Qur’an, 2.8 percent of the New Testament, and 5.3 percent of the Old Testament. 
He found “that the Old Testament is the ‘Angriest’ (including most mentions of ‘Disgust’); it also contains the least amount of ‘Joy,’” Mr. Anderson states in the blog. 
“Love,” in contrast, takes up 3 percent of the New Testament, 1.9 percent of the Old Testament, and 1.26 percent of the Qur’an. 
“Forgiveness” and “grace” are much more strongly in the Islamic holy book, 6.33 percent in the Qur’an, compared to 2.9 percent in the New Testament and 0.7 percent in the Old Testament. 
“Personally,” Mr. Anderson said in the blog, “I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised that the concept of ‘Mercy’ was most prevalent in the Qur’an; I expected that the New Testament would rank highest there, as it did in the concept of ‘Love.’”
... 

Scholar Text Analysis
SGG responded: Greetings.......
While the software-numbers researcher has done an interesting analysis based on differential expressions of emotions in the Bible and the Qur'an, an eminent biblical scholar, Philip Jenkins (Baylor University) has done a more comprehensive comparative content-analysis of the three Scriptures and reached the same conclusion: that the Qu'ran is far "less bloody and less violent."  Obviously, his conclusion has given rise to much controversy.  Jenkins published his research in a book, Jesus Wars: How Four Patriarchs, Three Queens, And Two Emperors Decided What Christians Would Believe For The Next 1,500 Years (HarperOne, 2010); another of his book is: Laying Down the Sword: Why We Can't Ignore the Bible's Violent Verses; HarperOne, 2012.  
In an NPR interview sometime ago (available on internet), he says, "Violence in the Qu'ran is largely a defense against attack. Given the times, the Qu'ranic laws of war are actually reasonably humane." But in the Bible, he says, "we actually find something that for many is a real surprise; a specific kind of warfare which we can only call genocide."  He cites illustrations from the Old/New Testaments, to wit:  
   (1) Deuteronomy - As Israelites enter the Promised Land, God tells Moses, "I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, my sword shall devour flesh, with the blood of the slain and the captives, from revenges upon         the enemy."
   (2) Book of Samuel - God instructs King Saul to attack Amelekites: "Kill both men, women, infant, nursing child, ox, sheep, camel and donkey." That passage echoes throughout Christian history, says Jenkins.
   (3) Gospel of Matthew - Jesus amends the Old Testament's vengeance with "turning the other cheek." But elsewhere, "Think not that I have come to send peace on Earth. ... I came not to send peace, but a sword" -     a centuries-old puzzle for Christians, says Jenkins.

Jenkins' conclusion: "Much to my surprise, the Islamic scriptures in the Qu'ran are actually far less bloody and less violent than those in the Bible." But, as religions mature, we forget the original violence - what he calls "Holy amnesia." 


My Response: 
For Muslims it is an article of faith to believe in all revelations of Allah: And those who believe in what (is) sent down to you and what was sent down from before you and in the Hereafter they firmly believe.[http://islamawakened.com/quran/2/4/

The Quran repeatedly warns against corruption, and specifically corruption of Earth. It informs us that: Has appeared the corruption in the land and the sea for what have earned (the) hands (of) people, so that He may let them taste a part (of) that which they have done so that they may return. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/30/41/]. 
If my understanding of the scriptures is correct, the Old Testament is naturally angrier as genetic modifications of creation were more prevalent then. I am guessing (based on what we currently know of genetics) that the germlines of entire populations had been infected with retroviruses. Entire nations (corrupters and their corruption) were wiped off the face of the Earth when they were on the verge of causing the extinction of species, the Exodus being the most recent prior to the revelation of Torah, and then the responsibility was placed on the chosen people to eradicate corruption from the Earth: From time that, We ordained on (the) Children (of) Israel that he who kills a soul other than (for) a soul or (for) spreading corruption in the earth then (it) is as if he has killed all [the] mankind, and whoever saves it then (it) is as if he has saved all [the] mankind. And surely came to them Our Messengers with clear Signs yet, indeed, many of them after that in the earth (are) surely those who commit excesses. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/5/32/]

Leviticus 18-20 refers to the crossbreeding and other corrupt practices prevalent during those times. Quran 30:30 clearly states that creation must not be changed: So set your face to the religion upright. Nature (made by) Allah (upon) which He has created mankind [on it]. No change (should there be) in the creation (of) Allah. That (is) the religion the correct, but most men (do) not know. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/30/30/

In Adam's eating off the forbidden tree, we find the first known attempt at genetic modification to achieve immortality. The result: genetic corruption leading to loss of clothing: 
O Children (of) Adam! (Let) not tempt you [the] Shaitaan as he drove out your parents from Paradise, stripping from both of them their clothing to show both of them their shame. Indeed, he sees you - he and his tribe from where not you see them. Indeed, We have made the devils friends of those who (do) not believe. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/7/27/

Throughout history, nations have repeatedly attempted to tinker with the genetic code, and now again we are on the verge of causing human extinction by pursuing the mirage promised by Eugenics, Transhumanism, Posthuman and Posthumanism. Quran warns us: And (do) not cause corruption in the earth after its reformation. And call Him (in) fear and hope. Indeed, (the) Mercy of Allah (is) near for the good-doers. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/7/56/

And when (is) fulfilled the word against them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, that the people were, of Our Signs, not certain. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/27/82/]  

It seems that we are heading back to the future. It is imperative that religious scholars, scientists and policy makers urgently revisit the scriptures to understand the warnings and learn from the lessons in the narratives of the past civilisations, lest we blindly leapfrog into our own extinction! 
  

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Sanctity of Human Life & The Sin in Intoxicants

During a discussion on another topic, someone stated: In Islam Drinking is NOT a SIN it simply says that "Its benefits are outweighed by its ill effects"... Its not recommended but is NOT really a Sin... There are bigger sins in Islam like killing innocent people which is the biggest sin.. But that doesn't seem to bother the Fundos?????

My Comments: It is forbidden to take human life and only the State is granted two exceptions. Intoxicants are discouraged as the sin is greater than the benefit, and it is termed as the work of Satan. Quoted below are some relevant verses for some perspective on the issue. 

Sanctity of Human Life
Human life is sacred and taking a human life is only permissible in the following conditions, and each of them are to be sanctioned and executed by the State: 
1) combatants during battle 
2) a murderer  

Quran narrates the history of humans from Adam onwards. Quran 5:27-31 relates the murder of a son of Adam by his brother. Quran 5:28 informs us that the son who was murdered did not defend himself out of fear of God. Quran 5:32 thus informs us: 
[Quran 5:32] From time that, We ordained on (the) Children (of) Israel that he who kills a soul other than (for) a soul or (for) spreading corruption in the earth then (it) is as if he has killed all [the] mankind, and whoever saves it then (it) is as if he has saved all [the] mankind. And surely came to them Our Messengers with clear Signs yet, indeed, many of them after that in the earth (are) surely those who commit excesses. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/5/32/

[Quran 2:190,193] And fight in (the) way (of) Allah those who fight you and (do) not transgress. Indeed, Allah (does) not like the transgressors. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out, and [the] oppression (is) worse than [the] killing. And (do) not fight them near Al-Masjid Al-Haraam until they fight you in it. Then if they fight you, then kill them. Such (is the) reward (of) the disbelievers. Then if they cease, then indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 
And fight (against) them until not (there) is oppression, and becomes the religion for Allah Then if they cease then (let there be) no hostility except against the oppressors. 

As per the verses of Chapter 9, the State of Medina (believers) declared war on the State of Makkah. The following verses of Chapter 2 command the Muslims to prepare for battle:   
[Quran 2:216,217] Is prescribed upon you [the] fighting while it (is) hateful to you. But perhaps [that] you dislike a thing and it (is) good for you; and perhaps [that] you love a thing and it (is) bad for you. And Allah knows while you (do) not know. They ask you about the month [the] sacred - (concerning) fighting in it. Say, "Fighting therein (is) a great (sin); but hindering (people) from (the) way (of) Allah, and disbelief in Him and (preventing access to) Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, and driving out its people from it, (is) greater (sin) near Allah. And [the] oppression (is) greater than [the] killing." And not they will cease (to) fight with you until they turn you away from your religion, if they are able. And whoever turns away among you from his religion, then dies while he (is) a disbeliever for those became worthless their deeds in the world and the Hereafter. And those (are) companions (of) the Fire, they in it (will) abide forever. 

Chapter 17 further confirms the role of the State in the matter of murder:   
[Quran 17:33] And (do) not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever (is) killed wrongfully, verily We have made for his heir an authority, but not he should exceed in the killing. Indeed, he is helped. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/17/33/]  



Intoxicants
The Quran states that there is great sin in intoxicants. The Arabic term used is ith'm: 
... قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ...
[Quran 2:219] They ask you about [the] intoxicants and [the] games of chance Say, "In both of them (is) a sin great, and (some) benefits for [the] people. But sin of both of them (is) greater than (the) benefit of (the) two." And they ask you what they (should) spend. Say, "The surplus." Thus makes clear Allah to you [the] Verses so that you may ponder, [http://islamawakened.com/quran/2/219/]
The term ith'm is generally translated as sinhttp://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Avm#(2:219:7) 

[Quran 5:90] O you who believe! Verily the intoxicants and [the] games of chance and (sacrifices at) altars and divining arrows (are an) abomination from (the) work (of) the Shaitaan, so avoid it so that you may (be) successful. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/5/90/

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Divine Punishment in this World

Q wrote: Nay Samiya, you were right before that Allah warns of punishment beforehand but the people aren't wise enough to take notice of long STANDING warnings and keep on doing excesses to the mankind. Didn't Allah say, whosoever isn't in the rememberance of Allah, he is caught unawares because Allah doesn't guide the fasiqs, the excessers.

People killed in accidents, clamities etc. unawares are of 2 catagories. One, the fasiqs who are punished and two, the muslims who, Allah rewards them by shortening their worldly life.

Non Muslims think that the muslims killed in the forced wars on them or in clamities is a punishment. Let them be wandering in their skewed understanding.

My Response: I understand it a little differently: firstly, divine punishment in this world is different from the reward / punishment to be given after death. What you refer to and explain is the reward / punishment that is to occur after this life ends, while what I was explaining was the form of punishment which comes to a nation from Allah after clear warnings by Allah's messengers to desist from extreme corruption.  

In this world, Allah has inscribed the rule of mercy upon Himself, while He has postponed judgement, reward and punishment for the Hereafter: 
Say, "To whom (belongs) what (is) in the heavens and the earth?" Say, "To Allah." He has decreed upon Himself the Mercy. Surely He will assemble you on (the) Day (of) the Resurrection, (there is) no doubt about it. Those who have lost themselves, then they (do) not believe. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/12/

Only extreme corruption is punished in this world, and that also is an act of mercy for the rest of mankind. 

Corruption is criminal, and the extreme form of corruption is corrupting creation. According to my study of the verses pertaining to past civilisations, each of the punished civilisation had scientifically advanced to the point where they were indulging in corrupting the human genetically. We are again at the brink of such advancement in scientific technology. You may wish to search online the following terms: Eugenics, Transhumanism, Posthuman, Posthumanism; they promise a utopian superbeing who will no longer be 'human'. 

Quran 30:30 is very clear that the 'fitrat' of humans must not be changed: 
So set your face to the religion upright. Nature (made by) Allah (upon) which He has created mankind [on it]. No change (should there be) in the creation (of) Allah. That (is) the religion the correct, but most men (do) not know. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/30/30/

As mentioned in Surah Taha, Adam also attempted to change creation when Iblis suggested Immortality and A Kingdom that Never Decays: 
Then whispered to him Shaitaan, he said, "O Adam! Shall I direct you to (the) tree (of) the Eternity and a kingdom not (that will) deteriorate?" [http://islamawakened.com/quran/20/120/ ]

Each of the stories mentioned in the Quran are meant to remind, warn and guide us. They are all relevant to us, and the relevance grows as our scientific and technological ability increases:  
Do they not travel through the land and see how was (the) end (of) those who (were) before them? They were more numerous than them and mightier (in) strength and impressions in the land, but not availed them what they used to earn. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/40/82

The beast / dajjal / anti-christ will be the outcome of ignoring these warnings: 
And when (is) fulfilled the word against them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, that the people were, of Our Signs, not certain. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/27/82/

The believers in the scriptures, and especially we Muslims, need to shed our mantles of arrogance and ignorance, wake up to our responsibility, educate ourselves, and share the message with the world: 
You are (the) best (of) people raised for the mankind - enjoining the right and forbidding [from] the wrong and believing in Allah. And if believed (the) People (of) the Book surely would have been good for them. Among them (are) [the] believers, but most of them (are) defiantly disobedient. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/3/110/

I have explained the above in some detail in the following blogposts: 
Mission of the Messengers:
  Part IV: Balance & Guidance
  Part V: Crime & Punishment

MSA asked: "What I was explaining was the form of punishment which comes to a nation from Allah after clear warnings by Allah's messengers to desist from extreme corruption. "
Which means that Allah permits lesser corruption! Am I wrong? 

My Response: Allah permits us to purify or corrupt ourselves, and we are promised justice and recompense in the Hereafter. 
However, in this world, when human corruption tends to upset the Balance, corrective measures are taken to restore it. Messengers warn the people, and after being given enough time to repent and reform, divine punishment is executed.  

MSA asked: "However, in this world, when human corruption tends to upset the Balance, corrective measures are taken to restore it."  
Allah waits for humans to upset the "Balance," and when it becomes "extremes, only then He reacts. Is it not what you are telling us and others as well? 

My Response:  This world is a place of trial to establish who are worthy of the Gardens (Jan-naat). In this world, we are given freedom of choice within certain limits. However, when our foolishness exceeds to a point where it aims to make humans extinct, divine intervention becomes necessary. Its a Most Merciful Lord to whom we owe gratitude for making it possible to live a life in this world, and it is He who lovingly invites us to earn His forgiveness and blessings for an eternity of bliss in the Gardens that are promised:  

Extract from http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/10/creation.html :
Size of the Garden 
The reward will vary in accordance with the quality of faith and actions of each individual, as indicated in the size of the gardens mentioned in 57:21 and 3:133, and as stated in 8:4 below. For those who believe and seek forgiveness for their sins, God will grace them with a garden as extensive as heaven [singular] and the earth, while those who also keep their duty to God, the pious, the reward will be greater: as extensive as the heavens [plural] and the earth. 

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 57:21, Translator: Shakir] Hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and to a garden the extensiveness of which is as the extensiveness of the heaven and the earth; it is prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers; that is the grace of Allah: He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 3:133, Translator: Shakir] And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden, the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for those who guard (against evil)

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 8:4, Translator: Shakir] These are the believers in truth; they shall have from their Lord exalted grades and forgiveness and an honorable sustenance. 

These might also be of interest: 
Mission of the Messengers:
  Part IV: Balance & Guidance
  Part V: Crime & Punishment