arRahman arRaheem

...

 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Say, "He (is) Allah, the One.

Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute.

Not He begets and not He is begotten.

And not is for Him equivalent any [one]."

[Al-Quran 112]

The Quran introduces Allah as arRahman arRaheem. One hundred and thirteen surahs begin with the statement: With the name of Allah, arRahman arRaheem (Arabic: بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ). The only surah which doesn't begin with this invocation is the ninth surah, which is a declaration of war against the polytheists of Mecca after two decades of inviting them to faith. 

We have a list of ninety-nine names or attributes of Allah. The predominant names are arRahman and arRaheem. Including the Bismillah of only the first surah, the name arRahman is mentioned fifty-seven times, and arRaheem one hundred and sixteen times, in their nominal form. In other grammatical forms,  the root ر ح م occurs several times, as can be seen in the corpus.quran.com website: 

The triliteral root rā ḥā mīm (ر ح م) occurs 339 times in the Quran, in nine derived forms:

• 28 times as the form I verb raḥima (رَّحِمَ)
• 12 times as the noun arḥām (أَرْحَام)
• four times as the noun arḥam (أَرْحَم)
• once as the noun ruḥ'm (رُحْم)
• 57 times as the nominal raḥmān (رَّحْمَٰن)
• 114 times as the noun raḥmat (رَحْمَة)
• 116 times as the nominal raḥīm (رَّحِيم)
• once as the noun marḥamat (مَرْحَمَة)
• six times as the active participle rāḥimīn (رَّٰحِمِين)

The words arRahman and arRaheem mean Merciful. As some scholars describe it, 

•  arRahman means a huge amount of immediate mercy, like when you see someone in need and you feel overwhelmed with compassion, and do a lot for them 
• arRaheem means constantly merciful, in that His Mercy is not like our mercy which wears out after a while. Allah continues to be permanently merciful, and this aspect of His Mercy is exclusively for the believers who will succeed in the Hereafter. 

The Quran informs us that Allah has a Nafs. In fact, twice does Allah warn us against His Nafs. 

Our nafs is in pledge for what it earns. We are repeatedly invited to submit our will to Allah's Will, that is Islam (submission to Allah's Will), and that is the only Deen (law of recompense / religion) acceptable to Allah. We need to become Muslims. 

In Surah alAn'am, twice we find that Allah has decreed upon His Nafs mercy: 

قُل لِّمَن مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ قُل لِّلَّهِ ۚ كَتَبَ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ ۚ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ١٢

Say, "To whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth?" Say, "To Allāh." He has decreed upon Himself mercy. He will surely assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. Those who will lose themselves [that Day] do not believe.

— Saheeh International

Say, “To whom belongs all that is in the heavens and on the earth?” Say, “To Allah.” He has prescribed Mercy for Himself. He will surely gather you on the Day of Resurrection in which there is no doubt.Those who have brought loss to themselves are not going to believe.

— T. Usmani

پوچھو کہ کس کا ہے جو کچھ آسمانوں اور زمین میں ہے کہو سب کچھ اللہ کا ہے اس نے اپنے اوپر رحمت لکھ لی ہے وہ ضرور تم کو جمع کرے گا قیامت کے دن، اس میں کوئی شک نہیں  جن لوگوں نے اپنے آپ کو گھاٹے میں ڈالا، وہی ہیں جو اس پر ایمان نہیں لاتے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[Al-Quran 6:12]

That we are here, on Earth, living this life, with all the blessings, and guidance, and the lifetime of opportunities to accept the guidance and submit to Allah's Will, is due to Allah being arRahman. 

That the believers have the opportunity to repent from their ignorant ways, and be forgiven, and that they can then hope to find mercy, is Allah being arRaheem. 

So, in the same surah, we find: 

وَإِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ ۖ أَنَّهُۥ مَنْ عَمِلَ مِنكُمْ سُوٓءًۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍۢ ثُمَّ تَابَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَنَّهُۥ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ٥٤

And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, "Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself - indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful."

— Saheeh International

When those who believe in Our verses come to you, say to them, “Peace on you. Your Lord has prescribed for Himself mercy, so that if any one of you does an evil deed out of ignorance and thereafter repents and mends his ways, then (you will see that) He is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.

— T. Usmani

اور جب تمھارے پاس وہ لوگ آئیں جو ہماری آیات پر ایمان لائے ہیں تو ان سے کہو کہ تم پر سلامتی ہو تمھارے رب نے اپنے اوپر رحمت لکھ لی ہے بے شک تم میں سے جو کوئی نادانی سے برائی کر بیٹھے پھر اس کے بعد وہ توبہ کرے اور اصلاح کرلے تو اللہ بخشنے والا مہربان ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[Al-Quran 6:54]

Surah alAn'am presents the example of Allah repeatedly coming to our rescue in this world, His aspect of arRahman taking precedence: 

قُلْ مَن يُنَجِّيكُم مِّن ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ تَدْعُونَهُۥ تَضَرُّعًۭا وَخُفْيَةًۭ لَّئِنْ أَنجَىٰنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِۦ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ ٦٣

Say, "Who rescues you from the darknesses of the land and sea [when] you call upon Him imploring [aloud] and privately, 'If He should save us from this [crisis], we will surely be among the thankful.'"

— Saheeh International

Say, “Who is the One who delivers you from the darkness of the land and the sea when you supplicate Him in humility and in low tones (promising): ‘If He delivers us from this, We shall truly become grateful?’”

— T. Usmani

کہو، کون تم کو نجات دیتا ہے خشکی اور سمندر کی تاریکیوں سے، تم اس کو پکارتے ہو عاجزی سے اور چپکے چپکے کہ اگر خدا نے ہم کو نجات دے دی اس مصیبت سے تو ہم اس کے شکر گزار بندوں میں سے بن جائیں گے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُنَجِّيكُم مِّنْهَا وَمِن كُلِّ كَرْبٍۢ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ ٦٤

Say, "It is Allāh who saves you from it and from every distress; then you [still] associate others with Him."

— Saheeh International

Say, “Allah delivers you from it and from every pain; Yet still, you associate partners with Him.”

— T. Usmani

کہو، خدا ہی تم کو نجات دیتا ہے اس سے اور ہر تکلیف سے، پھر بھی تم شرک کرنے لگتے ہو

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

قُلْ هُوَ ٱلْقَادِرُ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابًۭا مِّن فَوْقِكُمْ أَوْ مِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِكُمْ أَوْ يَلْبِسَكُمْ شِيَعًۭا وَيُذِيقَ بَعْضَكُم بَأْسَ بَعْضٍ ۗ ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَفْقَهُونَ ٦٥

Say, "He is the [one] Able to send upon you affliction from above you or from beneath your feet or to confuse you [so you become] sects and make you taste the violence of one another." Look how We diversify the signs that they might understand.

— Saheeh International

Say, “He is fully capable that He should send a punishment from above you or from beneath your feet, or to put you in confusion through divisions, and make some of you taste troubles through some others.” See how We bring forth explaining verses from different angles, so that they may understand.

— T. Usmani

کہو، خدا قادر ہے اس پر کہ وہ تم پر کوئی عذاب بھیج دے تمھارے اوپر سے یا تمھارے پیروں کے نیچے سے یا تم کو گروہ گروہ کر کے ایک کو دوسرے کی طاقت کا مزہ چکھا دے دیکھو، ہم کس طرح دلائل مختلف پہلوؤں سے بیان کرتے ہیں تاکہ وہ سمجھیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

وَكَذَّبَ بِهِۦ قَوْمُكَ وَهُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ ۚ قُل لَّسْتُ عَلَيْكُم بِوَكِيلٍۢ ٦٦

But your people have denied it while it is the truth. Say, "I am not over you a manager [i.e., authority]."

— Saheeh International

Your people have rejected it (the Qur’ān) while it is the whole truth. Say, “I am not appointed as a taskmaster over you.

— T. Usmani

اور تمھاری قوم نے اس کو جھٹلادیا ہے حالاں کہ وہ حق ہے کہو، میں تمھارے اوپر داروغہ نہیں ہوں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

لِّكُلِّ نَبَإٍۢ مُّسْتَقَرٌّۭ ۚ وَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ٦٧

For every news [i.e., happening] is a finality; and you are going to know.

— Saheeh International

For every event there is a point (of time and place) to occur, and you will soon know (it).”

— T. Usmani

ہر خبر کے ليے ایک وقت مقرر ہے اور تم جلد ہی جان لو گے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا۟ فِى حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِۦ ۚ وَإِمَّا يُنسِيَنَّكَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ٦٨

And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.

— Saheeh International

When you see those who indulge in (blaspheming) Our verses, turn away from them until they become occupied with some other discourse. If Satan should cause you to forget (this instruction), then do not sit with the unjust people after recollection.

— T. Usmani

اور جب تم ان لوگوں کو دیکھو جو ہماری آیتوں میں عیب نکالتے ہیں تو ان سے الگ ہوجاؤ، یہاں تک کہ وہ کسی اور بات میں لگ جائیں  اور اگر کبھی شیطان تم کو بھلادے تو یاد آنے کے بعد ایسے بے انصاف لوگوں کے پاس نہ بیٹھو

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

وَمَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ مِنْ حِسَابِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍۢ وَلَـٰكِن ذِكْرَىٰ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ ٦٩

And those who fear Allāh are not held accountable for them [i.e., the disbelievers] at all, but [only for] a reminder - that perhaps they will fear Him.

— Saheeh International

Those who fear Allah are not responsible for any (evil) act in the account of these (infidels), except for advising them, so that they may be careful.

— T. Usmani

اور جولوگ اللہ سے ڈرتے ہیں ، ان پر ان کے حساب میں سے کسی چیزکی ذمہ داری نہیں ، البتہ یاد دلانا ہے شاید کہ وہ بھی ڈریں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

وَذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ لَعِبًۭا وَلَهْوًۭا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَذَكِّرْ بِهِۦٓ أَن تُبْسَلَ نَفْسٌۢ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِىٌّۭ وَلَا شَفِيعٌۭ وَإِن تَعْدِلْ كُلَّ عَدْلٍۢ لَّا يُؤْخَذْ مِنْهَآ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُبْسِلُوا۟ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ ۖ لَهُمْ شَرَابٌۭ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍۢ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ ٧٠

And leave those who take their religion as amusement and diversion and whom the worldly life has deluded. But remind with it [i.e., the Qur’ān], lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it earned; it will have other than Allāh no protector and no intercessor. And if it should offer every compensation, it would not be taken from it [i.e., that soul]. Those are the ones who are given to destruction for what they have earned. For them will be a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment because they used to disbelieve.

— Saheeh International

Avoid those who have taken their faith as fun and games. The worldly life has deceived them. Preach with it (the Qur’ān), lest one should be seized for what he did, in a way that he should have neither a helper besides Allah, nor an intercessor. Should he offer every (sort of) ransom, it will not be accepted from him. Those are the ones who are seized for what they themselves earned. For them there is a drink of boiling water, and a painful punishment, because they used to disbelieve.

— T. Usmani

ان لوگوں کو چھوڑو جنھوں نے اپنے دین کو کھیل تماشا بنا رکھا ہے اور جن کو دنیا کی زندگی نے دھوکے میں ڈال رکھا ہے اور قرآن کے ذریعہ نصیحت کرتے رہو تاکہ کوئی شخص اپنے کيے میں گرفتار نہ ہوجائے، اس حال میں کہ اللہ سے بچانے والا کوئی مدد گار اور سفارشی اس کے ليے نہ ہو اگر وہ دنیا بھر کا معاوضہ دے تب بھی وہ قبول نہ کیا جائے یہی لوگ ہیں جو اپنے کيے میں گرفتار ہوگئے ان کے ليے کھولتا ہواپانی پینے کے ليے ہوگا اور درد ناک سزا ہوگی اس ليے کہ وہ کفر کرتے تھے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[Al-Quran 6:63-70]

The Quran amply warns us, repeatedly, again and again informing us of Gardens beneath which waters flow, and Fires of great punishment. The Quran makes it very clear that the life of the Hereafter is immortal, and the residence in either is permanent. 

arRahman arRaheem is graciously offering us the Gardens as our eternal home, but he will not compel anyone to make that choice. We are free to choose. Only through His Mercy can we be saved. 

...

Also read:

... if you slip  

The Second Chance 

The State of Muslims in the twenty-first century 

Prayers - The Need for Allah's Help 

... and Join Me with The Reformed 

Accepting Responsibility 

The Folding of The Sky 

Shield and Armour 

The Return to Glory 

...

...

Homosexuality, Adultery and Rape

The Quran is explained in detail, and provides guidance on all matters in which we may not be able to legislate appropriately on our own. Sexual orientations, and the sins and crimes associated with it fall under such a category where we get confused and have varied opinions.

Efforts to purify the NAFS is the object of this temporal life; as the womb is central to procreation, guarding it is of great importance.

Homosexuality 

وَاللَّاتِي يَأْتِينَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مِن نِّسَائِكُمْ فَاسْتَشْهِدُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنكُمْ فَإِن شَهِدُوا فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ حَتَّىٰ يَتَوَفَّاهُنَّ الْمَوْتُ أَوْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًا

وَاللَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَانِهَا مِنكُمْ فَآذُوهُمَا فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُوا عَنْهُمَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا

إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِن قَرِيبٍ فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

وَلَيْسَتِ التَّوْبَةُ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ إِنِّي تُبْتُ الْآنَ وَلَا الَّذِينَ يَمُوتُونَ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ أُولَٰئِكَ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or God ordain for them some (other) way. 

If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for God is Oft-returning, Most Merciful. 

God accept the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards; to them will God turn in mercy: For God is full of knowledge and wisdom.

Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says, "Now have I repented indeed;" nor of those who die rejecting Faith: for them have We prepared a punishment most grievous.

[Al-Quran, Surah an-Nisa, Ayaat 15-18, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali]

Adultery 

سُورَةٌ أَنزَلْنَاهَا وَفَرَضْنَاهَا وَأَنزَلْنَا فِيهَا آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

الزَّانِيَةُ وَالزَّانِي فَاجْلِدُوا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلْدَةٍ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُم بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَائِفَةٌ مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

الزَّانِي لَا يَنكِحُ إِلَّا زَانِيَةً أَوْ مُشْرِكَةً وَالزَّانِيَةُ لَا يَنكِحُهَا إِلَّا زَانٍ أَوْ مُشْرِكٌ وَحُرِّمَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ فَاجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَانِينَ جَلْدَةً وَلَا تَقْبَلُوا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً أَبَدًا وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا مِن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ أَزْوَاجَهُمْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُمْ شُهَدَاءُ إِلَّا أَنفُسُهُمْ فَشَهَادَةُ أَحَدِهِمْ أَرْبَعُ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ

وَالْخَامِسَةُ أَنَّ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِن كَانَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

وَيَدْرَأُ عَنْهَا الْعَذَابَ أَن تَشْهَدَ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

وَالْخَامِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا إِن كَانَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ

وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ حَكِيمٌ

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِّنكُمْ لَا تَحْسَبُوهُ شَرًّا لَّكُم بَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِّنْهُم مَّا اكْتَسَبَ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ وَالَّذِي تَوَلَّىٰ كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ لَهُ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

لَّوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ ظَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ خَيْرًا وَقَالُوا هَٰذَا إِفْكٌ مُّبِينٌ

لَّوْلَا جَاءُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ فَإِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِالشُّهَدَاءِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ عِندَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ

وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِي مَا أَفَضْتُمْ فِيهِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ

وَلَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُم مَّا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَن نَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهَٰذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَٰذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ

يَعِظُكُمُ اللَّهُ أَن تَعُودُوا لِمِثْلِهِ أَبَدًا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

وَيُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَمَن يَتَّبِعْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ مَا زَكَىٰ مِنكُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَبَدًا وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يُزَكِّي مَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْغَافِلَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ لُعِنُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

يَوْمَ تَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ اللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ الْحَقَّ وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ الْمُبِينُ

الْخَبِيثَاتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَالْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَالطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ

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.

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 God, if ye believe in God and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.

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.

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;-

Unless they repent thereafter and mend (their conduct); for God is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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 God that they are solemnly telling the truth;

And the fifth (oath) (should be) that they solemnly invoke the curse of God on themselves if they tell a lie.

But it would avert the punishment from the wife, if she bears witness four times (with an oath) By God, that (her husband) is telling a lie;

And the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of God on herself if (her accuser) is telling the truth.

If it were not for God's grace and mercy on you, and that God is Oft- Returning, full of Wisdom,- (Ye would be ruined indeed).

Those who brought forward the lie are a body among yourselves: think it not to be an evil to you; On the contrary it is good for you: to every man among them (will come the punishment) of the sin that he earned, and to him who took on himself the lead among them, will be a penalty grievous.

Why did not the believers - men and women - when ye heard of the affair,- put the best construction on it in their own minds and say, "This (charge) is an obvious lie" ?

Why did they not bring four witnesses to prove it? When they have not brought the witnesses, such men, in the sight of God, (stand forth) themselves as liars!

Were it not for the grace and mercy of God on you, in this world and the Hereafter, a grievous penalty would have seized you in that ye rushed glibly into this affair.

Behold, ye received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things of which ye had no knowledge; and ye thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of God.

And why did ye not, when ye heard it, say? - "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God! this is a most serious slander!"

God doth admonish you, that ye may never repeat such (conduct), if ye are (true) Believers.

And God makes the Signs plain to you: for God is full of knowledge and wisdom.

Those who love (to see) scandal published broadcast among the Believers, will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: God knows, and ye know not.

Were it not for the grace and mercy of God on you, and that God is full of kindness and mercy, (ye would be ruined indeed).

O ye who believe! follow not Satan's footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong: and were it not for the grace and mercy of God on you, not one of you would ever have been pure: but God doth purify whom He pleases: and God is One Who hears and knows (all things).

Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in God's cause: let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that God should forgive you? For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Those who slander chaste women, indiscreet but believing, are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter: for them is a grievous Penalty,-

On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions.

On that Day God will pay them back (all) their just dues, and they will realise that God is the (very) Truth, that makes all things manifest.

Women impure are for men impure, and men impure for women impure and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable.

[Al-Quran, Surah an-Nur, Ayaat 1-26, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali] 

Rape 

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا

وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ بِغَيْرِ مَا اكْتَسَبُوا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلُوا بُهْتَانًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

لَّئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَالْمُرْجِفُونَ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ لَنُغْرِيَنَّكَ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَا يُجَاوِرُونَكَ فِيهَا إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

مَّلْعُونِينَ أَيْنَمَا ثُقِفُوا أُخِذُوا وَقُتِّلُوا تَقْتِيلًا

سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلُ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا

Those who annoy God and His Apostle - God has cursed them in this World and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating Punishment.

And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.

O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And God is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Truly, if the Hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, and those who stir up sedition in the City, desist not, We shall certainly stir thee up against them: Then will they not be able to stay in it as thy neighbours for any length of time:

They shall have a curse on them: whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain (without mercy).

(Such was) the practice (approved) of God among those who lived aforetime: No change wilt thou find in the practice (approved) of God.

[Al-Quran, Surah al-Ahzaab, Ayaat 57-62, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali] 

From the above ayaat, it seems clear that rape, and all other such offences, in which the woman's consent is not present, should be considered as crimes against them, and prosecuted as such.  

And Allah knows best!

Last updated on January 8, 2018

Nafs / Self / Inner Voice

A neo-pagan asked: I am curious, Samiya, what you may think regarding our inner voice that we are considering as a voice of spiritual, perhaps divine, guidance that leads us ever to follow a higher (?) path. This inner voice is not quite free will, but something other. It is some manner of beacon within our hearts that calls us to our more noble and compassionate destinies. Abraham Lincoln once referred to it as "our better angels" in suggesting that it is a divine voice that always urges compassion, kindness, love, caring, giving, and sacrifice for others. 

As you have read in our posts, I'm sure, we have labeled it with more names than are useful, due to our obvious confusion and uncertainty about just what it may be. ... What is the, or more likely what ARE the, Islamic views and comments on this idea of an inner voice. Is it our soul/spirit speaking to us? Is it the voice of God, or some quality he has bestowed upon us to give us direction through life? It is also possible, though I doubt it, that Muslims reject the notion of any such 'inner guidance' (?). 

...

Reply: The Quran uses the word NAFS to describe the SELF. This SELF is described by various adjectives, such as NAFS-e-AMMARRA, NAFS-e-LAWAMMA and NAFS-e-MUTMAINNA 

The NAFS-e-AMMARRA is the SELF which urges us to evil [http://islamawakened.com/quran/12/53/]

The NAFS-e-LAWAMMA is the SELF which we speak of as our conscience [http://islamawakened.com/quran/75/2/]

The NAFS-e-MUTMAINNA is the SELF who's conscience is clear and is satisfied and contented with God, and God is pleased with this SELF. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/89/27/] 

Copied below are the last four verses of Quran Chapter 89. To read the entire chapter, please visit: http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=89 

The SELF is a real entity, something which the Quran informs us is taken by God when we sleep, and returned to those for whom death has not been decreed, and withheld from those whose death was decreed while they slept. 

	27   يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ
	Transliteration 27:  Ya ayyatuha alnnafsu almutmainnatu
	Pickthal 27:  But ah! thou soul at peace!
	28   ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً
	Transliteration 28:  IrjiAAee ila rabbiki radiyatan mardiyyatan
	Pickthal 28:  Return unto thy Lord, content in His good pleasure!
	29   فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي
	Transliteration 29:  Faodkhulee fee AAibadee
	Pickthal 29:  Enter thou among My bondmen!
	30   وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي
	Transliteration 30:  Waodkhulee jannatee
	Pickthal 30:  Enter thou My Garden!

... please note that I only respond with my current understanding of what the Quran states; it may or may not represent popular Muslim belief. I would request you and all who read my emails and blogposts to please crosscheck with the original texts and other people's perspectives.