The Precepts of Wisdom in Surah al-Isra

لَّا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ فَتَقْعُدَ مَذْمُومًا مَّخْذُولًا

 

#1 Q17:22 Take not with God another object of worship; or thou (O man!) wilt sit in disgrace and destitution.

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا

وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

رَّبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِي نُفُوسِكُمْ إِن تَكُونُوا صَالِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ لِلْأَوَّابِينَ غَفُورًا

#2 Q17:23-25 Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.” Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: If ye do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence).

وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا

إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كَفُورًا

وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ابْتِغَاءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُورًا

وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورًا

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا بَصِيرًا

#3 Q17:26-30 And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful. And even if thou hast to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy Lord which thou dost expect, yet speak to them a word of easy kindness. Make not thy hand tied (like a niggard's) to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that thou become blameworthy and destitute. Verily thy Lord doth provide sustenance in abundance for whom He pleaseth, and He provideth in a just measure. For He doth know and regard all His servants. 

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا

#4 Q17:31 Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا

#5 Q17:32 Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِ سُلْطَانًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّي الْقَتْلِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مَنصُورًا

#6 Q17:33 Nor take life - which God has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him nor exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law). 

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا

#7 Q17:34 Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; #8 and fulfil (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).

وَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ إِذَا كِلْتُمْ وَزِنُوا بِالْقِسْطَاسِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا

#9 Q17:35 Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight: that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination. 

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا

#10 Q17:36 And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). 

وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّكَ لَن تَخْرِقَ الْأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ الْجِبَالَ طُولًا

كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ كَانَ سَيِّئُهُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ مَكْرُوهًا

#11 Q17:37-38 Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for thou canst not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height. Of all such things the evil is hateful in the sight of thy Lord.

ذَٰلِكَ مِمَّا أَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْكَ رَبُّكَ مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ فَتُلْقَىٰ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَلُومًا مَّدْحُورًا

Q17:39 These are among the (precepts of) wisdom, which thy Lord has revealed to thee. Take not, with God, another object of worship, lest thou shouldst be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected. 

 -  Translator: Yusuf Ali

This slide is originally posted in Muhammad ﷺ – Ascension & Return

WHAT to call LIFE?

JM asked: ... do you have a distinction WHAT to call LIFE? 

What life? human only, or "ANY"? including plant, microbial, inorganic, etc.?

Do the diverse kinds of such diversified life-listings have different Gods? 

Do a rose struggle to get into the ROSE-HEAVEN? (or into the same, where we may prefer to spend eternity?) ...

Answer: 

The following verses address some of your questions:

Present Creation

Do not see those who disbelieved that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We parted them and We made from [the] water every living thing? Then will not they believe? 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/21/30/ 

And present to them the example (of) the life (of) the world, like water which We send down from the sky, then mingles with it (the) vegetation (of) the earth then becomes dry stalks, it (is) scattered (by) the winds. And Allah over every thing (is) All Able. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/18/45/ 

And not [of] any animal in the earth and not a bird (that) flies with its wings - but (are) communities like you. We have not neglected in the Book [of] anything, then to their Lord they will be gathered. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/38/ 

Glory be (to) the One Who created (in) pairs all of what grows the earth and of themselves, and of what not they know. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/36/36/ 

Creation in the Hereafter 

Regarding the details of the wonderful life promised in the Gardens of Eden, they are intended as a delightful surprise: 

And not knows a soul what is hidden for them of (the) comfort (for) the eyes (as) a reward for what they used (to) do. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/32/17/  

The Quran does list some of the characteristics of the Gardens promised for the Hereafter. What strikes me is that the characteristics listed are generally those which scientists theorise as primary conditions essential for life, as well as those to not to age or decay. I've listed some verses at: 

Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/11/mission-of-messengers-vi.html 

Bliss & Realm Magnificent: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/09/bliss-realm-magnificent.html  

On the contrary, Immortality is also promised in Hell, but everything there will be in a state of decay, and thus great suffering will be the fate of those who must dwell there. The following are some aspects of that which I've tried to understand: 

Fuel of Hell: Humans & Stones: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/03/fuel-of-hell-humans-and-stones.html 

Until the Camel passes through the Eye of the Needle: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/05/until-camel-passes-through-eye-of-needle.html 

One and Only God

And they make with Allah partners - jinn though He has created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Glorified is He and Exalted above what they attribute. Originator (of) the heavens and the earth. How can be for Him a son while not (there) is for Him a companion, and He created every thing? And He (is) of every thing All-Knower. That (is) Allah your Lord, (there is) no god except Him, (the) Creator (of) every thing, so worship Him. And He (is) on every thing a Guardian. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/100/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/101/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/102/ 

Quran Chapter 27, verses 60-66 question thus: 

1 Ta, Seen. These are the verses of the Qur'an and a clear Book 

...

60 [More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].

61 Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within it rivers and made for it firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but most of them do not know.

62 Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Little do you remember.

63 Is He [not best] who guides you through the darknesses of the land and sea and who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy? Is there a deity with Allah? High is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.

64 Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."

65 Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."

66 Rather, their knowledge is arrested concerning the Hereafter. Rather, they are in doubt about it. Rather, they are, concerning it, blind. 

...

92 And to recite the Qur'an." And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] himself; and whoever strays - say, "I am only [one] of the warners."

93 And say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allah. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."

http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=27&translator=29

Life is once in a death experience!

A discussion on death and what it means:
P: Death is a once in a lifetime experience that I look forward to, but I'm in no hurry and have things I wish to get underway (or complete) before embracing it.
M: Does the “soul” die, or just the outer shell called the physical body?
S: Samiya, do I read you as saying there is reincarnation? Do you believe that our eternal souls return to new lives after death? Or did I misread your post? "We will die and again be reborn." (?)

And my views on it:
Life is once in a death experience!
We were dead, then we were born in this world.
We will die and again be re-born.
In this world, death is decreed for all souls; in the hereafter, immortality is decreed... this is about the only thing we can count on... rest is all uncertain! As I understand it, death is like sleep, only prolonged. In the Quran, it is explained as:
It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect. 
(  سورة الزمر  , Az-Zumar, Chapter #39, Verse #42)
I can not speak with any knowledge about the soul's existence without the body, but it appears that it is in a state of sleep, as about resurrection, it is said that: They will say: "Ah! Woe unto us! Who hath raised us up from our beds of repose?"... (A voice will say:) "This is what ((Allah)) Most Gracious had promised. And true was the word of the apostles!" 
(  سورة يس  , Ya Seen, Chapter #36, Verse #52)

The way I interpret the scripture, this life on Earth is the first bodily life, hence there was no former bodily existence, rather from non-living(death), we were brought into existence(life). We will taste death again(removal of soul from body), and then given life again(resurrected). However, there is the the concept of some form of existence as the life of this world and the judgment to follow are based upon a responsibility (trust) we humans volunteered for (Quran 33:72,73).

And to give an analogy from this life, God explains: And He it is Who makes the Night as a Robe for you, and sleep as Repose, and makes the Day (as it were) a Resurrection. 
(  سورة الفرقان  , Al-Furqan, Chapter #25, Verse #47)

As I replied to M, we will be reborn, but not here, rather in the Hereafter, on the day of retribution, and then life will be eternal. So, its not death which is a finality, rather its life which is a finality, hence its not death that need be feared, rather eternity, as that life, good or bad, will be perpetual! In this life, we atleast taste good times and bad, there it'll be continuously good or bad. So, reincarnation, yes, but with a twist :)

Few verses related to the topic:
Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception. 
(  سورة آل عمران  , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #185)
And Allah sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to the earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for those who listen. 
(  سورة النحل  , An-Nahl, Chapter #16, Verse #65)
Then contemplate (O man!) the memorials of Allah's Mercy!- how He gives life to the earth after its death: verily the same will give life to the men who are dead: for He has power over all things. 
(  سورة الروم  , Ar-Room, Chapter #30, Verse #50)
It is Allah Who sends forth the Winds, so that they raise up the Clouds, and We drive them to a land that is dead, and revive the earth therewith after its death: even so (will be) the Resurrection! 
(  سورة فاطر  , Fatir, Chapter #35, Verse #9)
Know ye (all) that Allah giveth life to the earth after its death! already have We shown the Signs plainly to you, that ye may learn wisdom. 
(  سورة الحديد  , Al-Hadid, Chapter #57, Verse #17)

Comments on Islam, Muslims, terrorism and personal beliefs

In response to a letter about Islam and terrorism
There are two things that I'd like to draw attention to:
First, this forwarded letter only sketches the picture of what some so called muslims are doing in the name of Islam. While correct, it is also true that there are many other non-muslim terrorists also who are all together trying to foment hatred, terror and destruction in the name of ideologies and religions.
Secondly, rising above and beyond the general state of this world, please remember that we are all individuals. We have all come to this world, and each one of us has an expiry date... one day we must leave this temporary abode we call home. The important question is, is there a reason why we're here, is there a life after death, if so, do we need to prepare for it, and is/are there any guidance in that matter? If the after-life is eternal/immortal, then does the quality of that life depend on this life? If our eternity depends on this temporal life, should we not try to 'rise above the noise and confusion to get a glimpse beyond this illusion'; earnestly worry and seek guidance. If we are just 'dust and to dust we shall returneth' and that is the end of us, then it doesn't really matter, but if there is a purpose to this life, if there is a life beyond, should we not focus our attention to seeking the truth, sifting it out from the myriad of falsehood, subjecting it to moral and scientific scrutiny, trying our level best to be our best possible selves?!

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?

A Stranger on this Earth

Question: i am a stranger on this earth and have sensed it for decades.............but, i have no comfort when it comes to an understanding of why i am here and where, if anywhere, i will go at physical death............

Answer: We are all strangers, sent to planet Earth for a temporary abode, for a trial, an open-book examination. Our grades will depend on our deeds, not our achievements. Most scriptures of most religions speak of after-life, though the description and accountability vary greatly. I, being a muslim, believe in the description presented in the Quran, which is Heaven and Hell, and eternal life in either one based on our beliefs and deeds, based on all the evidences within and without us, and our ability to perceive, ponder and understand, in this trial period……. a brief century or less, which is absolutely nothing compared to eternity. I like to compare this life to exams taken by students at the end of their school term. Each gets a paper based on his/her capability level, and is marked based on the ability to respond to the specific situation.

Conditional Love

Question: ...thus, god IS love, but you get utter destruction if you somehow cannot believe in jesus ............so, it is a love that is very conditional.............

Answer: God loves us all, and that is why He has put us in this world to give us a chance to prove ourselves……….. He could have just put us in Heaven or Hell for eternity, but yet, He chose to give us a chance………. What we are required to do is to use our senses, our intellect, our conscience, and all at our disposal to discover the true deity and what He expects from us, and then to do so. Do all evidences point towards intelligent-design, if yes, who designed it, did He choose to communicate with us, if yes, how, through whom, and with what, are His words recorded for our benefit, is this an open-book exam??????????? I have been able to find the answer to all these questions in the Holy Quran.

Capital punishment for mistreating the Quran

Q: ... as a book coming from Allah and the top of communication between Allah and mankind—the perfect book. In the meantime this book became so holy that mistreating it can be a legitimate reason for murder.

A: Allah has not ordained any such punishment. Zealous muslims have themselves created this law. Allah declares that human life is sacred, and the murder of one human being is like the murder of entire mankind, and saving one life is like saving all of mankind. All those who murder will be answerable for their deeds.