[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Surah al-A'raf, ... the narratives

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Surah al-A'raf begins with the general mention about prospering communities disbelieving, and eventually meeting their fate. When the punishment comes to them, they admit that they themselves were the zalimeen. 

Then it goes on to narrate some specific events: 


Adam & Iblis (Q7:11-27) 

The first narration begins with the creation of humans, giving them shape and form, and then the command to the angels to prostrate to Adam. They all prostrated except Iblis. He refused to obey the command of Allah. His arrogance is based on the material he has been created with. He believes the 'naar' he has been created with is better than 'teen' that Adam has been created with. He gets expelled for his arrogance and defiant disobedience. He prays for reprieve until the Day of Resurrection. His prayer is granted. He blames Allah for the legal error he made, and states that he will surely sit on Allah's Straight Path in wait for humans, to hinder them from before, behind, right and left, and that most them won't be grateful. He is commanded to depart, reproached and expelled, and that whoever follows him, hell will be filled with them all. 

Adam and his wife were told to dwell (uskun) in the Garden, eat from whatever you will, but forbidden from even going near this tree, lest you become of those in the darkness (zalimeen). 

Shaitan whispered to them, to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said that their Lord had not forbidden this tree except that they become angels or become immortals. 

وَقَاسَمَهُمَاۤ اِنِّىۡ لَـكُمَا لَمِنَ النّٰصِحِيۡنَۙ‏ ٢١

He promised solemnly to them both, that he was to them both, from their sincere advisors. 

— Samiya Illias 

So, he misled them both through deception. So, when they both tasted from the tree, their hidden parts became manifest, and they began to cover / attach upon themselves the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called out to them, 'didn't I forbid you from this tree? and tell you that Shaitan is your clear enemy?'   


قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٢٣

They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."

— Saheeh International

They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers."

— Al-Hilali & Khan

They said: 'Our Rabb (Lord-Sustainer), we have put our nafs in darkness (zlm), and if You do not cover us and if You do not have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers'.

Samiya Illias

They were commanded to descend from there (The Garden) as enemies to each other, and that upon the Earth will be your place of dwelling and your means of livelihood for a time. There you will live, there you will die, and from there you will be resurrected. 

The next two ayaat inform Bani Adam that libas (clothing) has been bestowed upon them to hide their shame, and as an adornment. The libas-e-taqwa (which they lost by not keeping their duty to Allah) was better. That this is from the Signs of Allah, perhaps you will remember. The Bani Adam are warned to not to let Shaitan (Satan) put you in trial as he put your parents in trial, getting them expelled from The Garden, stripping off their libas (clothing) from them, to expose their concealed parts. Indeed, he (Satan) and his tribe watches you from where you cannot see them. Indeed, We have made the shayateen (satans) the allies of those who do not believe. 


...  

DRAFT 

Q7:53

Certainly Noah, Hud, Saleh, Lot, Shoaib, and Moses were sent to their people. Each called upon them to keep their taqwa (duty to Allah). The leaders of the nation rejected the message. Most of the people followed their leaders. Very few hearkened to their Messenger of Allah. Eventually, they were punished for their crimes. 


Messenger Noah  & His People (Q7:59-64)

Certainly, We sent Noah to his people. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other deity except him. I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous day. But the leaders of his people said, we surely see that you are surely misguided. He said, O my people, there is no misguidance in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds. I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from Allah what you do not know. Do you wonder that there has come to you reminder from your Lord, upon a man from among you, that he may warn you, and that you may keep your taqwa (duty to Allah), so you might receive mercy? But they rejected him, so We saved him and those with him, in a ship, and We drowned those who denied Our signs, indeed, they were a people blind. 


Messenger Hud  & The Aad (Q7:65-72)

And to the Aad, We sent their brother Hud. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. Then, will you not keep your taqwa (duty towards Allah)? Said the leaders who disbelieved from his people, Indeed we see you in foolishness, and indeed we think you are of the liars. He said, O my people, there is no foolishness in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds. I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am to you a trustworthy advisor. Do you wonder that there has come to you reminder from your Lord, upon a man from among you, that he may warn you, and remember He made you successors (khulafaa) after the people of Noah, and increased you in stature extensively. So, remember the favours of Allah, that you may succeed. They said, have you come to us so that we worship Allah alone, and leave what our fathers worshipped? Then bring to us what you promise, if you are truthful. He said, already has fallen upon you, from your Lord, impurity and anger. Do you dispute with me regarding the names you have named, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority? Then wait, indeed, I am with you among those who wait. So, We saved him and those with him, through Our mercy, and cut the root of those who denied Our signs, and they were not believers. 


Messenger Saleh  & The Thamud (Q7:73-79)

And to the Thamud, their brother Saleh. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord: this is Allah's she-camel (naqatu-Allah), as a sign for you. So let her freely eat from Allah's land, and do not touch her with harm, lest seizes you a painful  punishment. And remember when He made you successors (khulafaa) after the Aad, and gave you  station in the Earth. And you choose palaces in the plains, and hew homes for yourselves in the mountains. So, remember the favours of Allah, and do not commit evil in the Earth, as corrupters. Said the leaders who were arrogant among their people to those who were weak who had believed among them, 'do you actually know that Saleh has been sent from your Lord?' they replied, 'indeed we, in that which he has been sent with, are believers'. Said those who were arrogant, 'indeed we, in that which you believe, are disbelievers'. So, they made barren (aqaru) the she-camel (naqata), defying the command of their Lord, and said, O Saleh, bring us what you promise us, if you are indeed from those sent. So, seized them the earthquake, so they became in their homes, fallen prone. So he turned away from them saying, O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the message of my Lord, and advised you, but you do not love the advisors. 


Messenger Lot  & his people (Q7:80-84)

And Lot, when said he to his people, 'do you commit such immorality (al-fahisha) that has preceded you with it no one in the worlds (al-aalameen)? you lust after men instead of women, you are indeed abusers (musrifoon).' And not responded his people except they said, 'expel them from your land, they are a people who remain pure'. So, we saved him and his family, except his woman, she was of those who got covered in or became dust (al-ghabireen), and We rained upon them a rain (or stones). So see what was the end of the criminals.    


Messenger Shoaib  & his people (Q7:85-93)

And to the Madyan, We sent their brother Shoaib. He said, O my people, worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So give just measure (فَاَوۡفُوا الۡكَيۡلَ) and weight (وَالۡمِيۡزَانَ), and do not deprive people of their things (النَّاسَ اَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ), and do not spread corruption (تُفۡسِدُوۡا) in the Earth after it has been reformed (بَعۡدَ اِصۡلَاحِهَا​), that is better for you, if you should be believers. And do not sit on every path (صِرَاطٍ), threatening and hindering from Allah's Way (سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ), those who believe in Him, seeking to make it seem deviant. And remember when you were few, and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters (عَاقِبَةُ الۡمُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏). 

And if a group of you believes in what I am sent with, and a group does not believe, have patience till Allah judges between us, and He is the Best to decide (وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ الۡحٰكِمِيۡنَ‏). 

Said the leaders who were arrogant from his people, Certainly we will expel you, O Shoaib, and those with have believed, with you, from our town, or certainly you must return to our religious persuasion (مِلَّتِنَا​). He said, Even if we are unwilling? We would certainly be fabricating a lie Upon Allah if we return to your religious persuasion after Allah has saved us from it, and not it is for us to return to it unless if Wills Allah, He is our Lord, encompasses our Lord everything in His Knowledge, Upon Allah we put our trust, our Lord decide between us and our people with right (بِالۡحَـقِّ), and You are the Best to decide (خَيۡرُ الۡفٰتِحِيۡنَ‏).  


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Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Surah al-A'raf, ... pay attention to receive mercy

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Q7:1-3

الٓمٓصٓ ١

Alif-Lâm-Mîm-Sâd. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.]

كِتَـٰبٌ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ فَلَا يَكُن فِى صَدْرِكَ حَرَجٌۭ مِّنْهُ لِتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٢

(This is the) Book (the Qur’ân) sent down unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), so let not your breast be narrow therefrom, that you warn thereby; and a reminder unto the believers.

ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۗ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ ٣

[Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur’ân and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah), and follow not any Auliyâ’ (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allâh), besides Him (Allâh). Little do you remember!

[Al-Quran 7:1-3, Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan]

We need to remember: 

  • that everyone will be questioned 
  • that we are being watched constantly 
  • that on that Day, it is the Haqq which will have weight 
    • those whose scale is heavy will be successful
    • those whose scale is light will lose their nafs because of the Zulm they were doing towards Our Signs 
  • that we have been provided with our livelihoods and the economic system 
    • that we show very little gratitude 
  • that Iblis has sworn to harm us all 
    • that Iblis lied and made false promises to our forefather Adam to mislead him 
    • that Iblis caused our forefather Adam immense harm and loss by posing as a sincere well-wisher 
  • that Adam confessed that they both had put their Nafs (soul) in darkness
    • that Adam prayed that if Allah did not cover them and surround them both in His Mercy, they would certainly be among the losers 
  • that Allah sent them all to Earth as enemies to each other 
    • that Allah sent them all to Earth as settlement and enjoyment for a time   
  • that Allah blessed Bani Adam with clothes to cover and hide and adorn our naked bodies 
    • that our clothes are from the Signs of Allah 
    • that Iblis and his tribe watches us from where we cannot see them 
  • that clothing and deen (religious recompense) is linked 
    • that as Allah originally made us, so He will raise us again 
    • that we should adorn ourselves, and eat and drink at every masjid (time and place of prostration) 
    • that we should not indulge in israaf (misuse) 
  • that Allah has not forbidden adornment and good food
    • that the adornments that have been produced, and the good things to eat, are especially for the believers in this world, and exclusively for them in the Hereafter 
  • Allah has forbidden 
    • immoralities, both open and hidden 
    • sinfulness 
    • rebellion / oppression without right
    • joining partners with Allah for which Allah has sent down no authority 
    • saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge  
  • every religious nation (ummah) has an appointed Hour (asSaata), and it cannot be advanced or delayed 
    • that we need to heed to Allah's Ayaat when Allah's Messengers recite them 
    • that we need to keep our duty to Allah, and reform ourselves accordingly 
    • that doing so will save us from grief (of what we lost) and fear (of what will happen to us) 
  • that those who belie and are arrogant towards them will be the Companions of the Fire, eternally living there  
    • that the greatest Zulm (darkness) is to invent about Allah and/or deny His Ayaat (signs)
    • that for such people, the doors of the sky will not open, and they will not be allowed to ascend to The Garden until the Jml (camel) can pass through the eye of the needle, such will be the recompense of the criminals  
    • that Jahanam (fire of Hell) will be their bed and covering, such is the recompense of those (who put their nafs (souls) in) darkness      
  • that those who believe and do small acts of reform, no load is put on any nafs except that it can bear,  they will be the Companions of the Garden, eternally living there 
    • all resentment will have been removed from within their breasts
    • rivers will flow beneath them 
    • they will gratefully praise Allah (Alhamadolillah) for having guided them 
    • they will admit that they could never have been guided had Allah not guided them 
    • they will state that the Messengers had come with the truth 
    • it will be said to them: this is the Garden that you inherit because of what you used to do 
  • the Companions of the Garden will call out to the Companions of the Fire 
    • stating that they have found the promise of their Lord true
    • and asking if they have found the promise of their Lord true 
    • the Companions of the Fire will respond: Yes 
    • then a caller will announce that the Zalimun (those in the darkness) have been removed from Allah's Mercy 
    • those who averted people from the way of Allah, 
    • sought to make it deviant 
    • and rejected the Hereafter 
  • there will be a partition between them, and on the Heights (A'raf) will be men
    • who will recognise everyone by their marks 
    • they will call out to the Companions of the Garden: Salamun alaikum 
    • they will not yet have entered it, but are hopeful with certainty 
  • and when their vision turns towards the Companions of the Fire 
    • they will say, 'our Lord, do not place us with the Zalimun (those in the darkness)' 
    • and the Companions of the A'raf (Heights) will call out to the men they recognise by their marks: 'of what benefit was what you collected (people / wealth), and your arrogance? 
  • 'are these the people you assumed Allah would never show Mercy? Enter Paradise, no fear shall be upon you, nor shall ye grieve' (it is assumed that this statement is about the Companions of the al-A'raf, who were waiting for a decision regarding their fate). 
  • the Companions of the Fire will call out to the Companions of the Garden to pour upon us some water or what rizq Allah has provided you with
    • they will be informed that Allah has forbidden both of those to the Kafireen (rejectors / ingrates)     
    • those who took their Deen (religion / recompense) as distraction and amusement 
    • and the worldly life deluded them 
    • We will forget them just as they forgot the Meeting of This Day
    • and they used to reject Our Signs 
  • We had certainly bought to them a Book 
    • detailed with knowledge
    • as a guidance and a Mercy to a people who believe 
    • do they await except its taweel (outcome)?
    • the Day that it appears, those who had neglected it before, will say
      • the Messengers of our Lord had come with al-Haqq 
      • now are there any intercessors for us who would intercede on our behalf 
      • or can we be sent back to do other than what we used to do
      • they would have lost their Nafs (soul)
      • and they were led astray by that which they used to invent 
  • Indeed, your Lord-Sustainer (Rabb) is Allah  
    • who created the Skies and Earth in six days
    • and then established Himself over the Throne
    • He covers the night with the day, chasing it rapidly
    • He created the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, subjected by His Command 
    • unquestionably, His is the Creation and Command
    •  Blessed is Allah, Flourishes Allah (tabaraka Allahu تَبٰرَكَ اللّٰهُ
    • Lord of all the worlds (رَبُّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏) 
  • Call upon your Rabb in humility and privately 
  • He does not like the transgressors 
  • and do not corrupt the Earth after it has been reformed 
  • and call upon Him in fear and hope 
  • indeed, His Mercy is near the Muhsineen (those who do good deeds, excellently) 
  • it is He who sends winds as good tidings before His Mercy 
    • until when they carry heavy rain clouds
    • We drive it to a land that is dead 
    • pour upon it and bring forth from all of its fruits 
    • thus will the dead be brought forth
    • perhaps you will remember 
    • from the good land comes forth vegetation, with the permission of its Lord
    • from the bad land emerges with difficulty and sparingly 
    • thus do We diversify the signs for a people who are grateful  
  • Messenger Noah (Q7:59-64)
  • Messenger Hud (Q7:65-72)
  • Messenger Saleh (Q7:73-79)
  • Messenger Lot (Q7:80-84)
  • Messenger Shoaib (Q7:85-93) 
  • not We sent to any city a prophet but 
    • We seized its people with extreme poverty (wealth-wise), and extreme hardship (health-wise), that they might humble themselves
    • then We changed the bad to the good till a state of prosperity and affluence 
    • and they said: our fathers were also touched with hardship and ease
    • then We seized them all of a sudden while they were unaware 
    • if only the people of the cities had believed and kept their duty (taqwa),
      • We would have opened for them barakat (blessings to flourish) from the sky and earth 
    • but they belied, so We seized them for what they used to earn 
    • did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the night while they were asleep?
    • did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the morning while they were playing?
    • did they feel secure from the Plan of Allah?
    • but who feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are losers 
    • hasn't it been a reminder for the people who have inherited the earth after those who lived there before that if We willed, We could afflict them for their sins 
    • and We seal up the hearts of those who do not listen    
    • those are the cities, We relate to you some of their news
      • and certainly their messengers came to them with clear proofs 
      • but they were not to believe in that which they had belied before
      • thus We seal up the hearts of the rejectors 
      • and We did not find in most of them any (keeping of their) covenant 
      • and most of them We found to be defiantly disobedient  
  • Messenger Moses (Q7:103-onwards) 
    • ... <highlights> ... 
    • seventy men for the meeting (Q7:155)
    • follow Nabi Ummi mentioned in Taurat and Injeel (Q7:157) 
    • and among the people of Moses are some who are guided by Haqq and do Adl (justice)
    • Sabbath violation and punishment (Q7:163-166) 
    • The generational descendants, inheritors of the Book, and the violation of the Covenant; and they have studied what is therein; the home of the Hereafter is better for those who keep their duty; will they not use their intelligence (Q7:169) 
    • but those who hold fast to the Book and establish prayer, certainly We shall not let the reward of the reformers to be lost 
    • the raising of the mountain above them (ratifying the Covenant with Bani Israel): hold firmly  what We have given you, and remember what is therein, that you may be able to keep your duty (to Allah) (Q7:171)
  • Testimony of all the Descendants of the Children of Adam over their Nafs
    • that Allah is their Lord 
      • lest they say on the Day of Qiyamah 
        • that we were unaware of it 
        • or that our forefathers associated with Allah and we are their descendants, so will you destroy us for the deeds of those who practiced batil? 
    • thus do We explain in detail the ayaat, so that they would return 
  • the example of the person who was given knowledge of Our Signs, but he threw them away, so Shaitan (Satan) followed him up, so he became of those who made legal mistakes (Q7:175)
    • if We willed, We could have elevated him thereby; but he adhered to the earth, and followed his desires
    • his example is that of a dog: if you chase him, he pants, if you leave him, he pants
    • such is the example of those who belie Our signs 
    • so relate their stories, so that they reflect Q7:176)
    • evil is the example of the people who belie Our Signs and put their nafs in darkness (Q7:177)
    • he whom Allah guides is guided; and he whom He sends astray, it is those who are the losers (Q7:178) 
  • and We have certainly produced for Hell many of jinns and humans 
    • they have hearts that do not have any legal understanding 
    • they have eyes but no vision
    • they have ears but do not listen 
    • they are like livestock, or more astray 
    • they are the heedless (Q7:179)
  • for Allah are the best names, so call upon Him through them 
    • and leave those who practice deviation with His names 
    • soon they will be requited for what they used to do (Q7:180) 
    • and among them We created a community which guides by Haqq (truth) and thereby establishes Adl (justice) (Q7:181) 
    • those who belie Our signs, soon shall We seize them in ways they won't even know (Q7:182)
    • and I will give them time, indeed My Plan is Firm (Q7:183) 
    • do they not reflect that in their companion is no madness, but that he is a plain Warner (Q7:184) 
    • do they not look into the realms of the skies and earth, and everything that Allah has created, that perhaps their appointed time has come near
    • then in what Hadith (narration) after this will they believe? (Q7:185)
    • whoever Allah sends astray, their is no one to guide after Him, and He leaves them in their transgressions, wandering blindly (Q7:186) 
    • they ask you about the appointed Hour (as-Sa'ata), when will it be 
      • say the knowledge thereof is with my Lord alone 
      • none will reveal its time except Him 
      • it lays heavily upon the skies and earth 
      • it will not arrive except all of a sudden 
      • they ask you as if you are familiar with it 
      • say, its knowledge is only with Allah
      • but most of the people do not know (Q7:187) 
      • say I hold for myself no benefit or harm except as Allah wills 
      • if I had knowledge of unseen, I would have accumulated for myself much Khair 
      • and no evil would have touched me 
      • I am but a Warner, and a bringer of glad tidings for a people who believe (Q7:188) 
      • it is He who created you from a single nafs,
        • then from her, her mate, 
        • then when he covered her, and she carried a light burden, 
        • when the burden became heavy, they both prayed to Allah, their Lord, that if He gave them a reformed offspring, they will be grateful (Q7:189) 
        • when He gave them a reformed offspring, they both ascribed partners to Allah concerning that which He had given them 
        • Exalted is Allah above what they associate (Q7:190)
        • do they associate with Him those who create nothing, and are themselves created? (Q7:191)
        • and they are unable to help them, nor even help their own nafs (Q7:192) 
        • and if you invite them to guidance, they will not follow you 
        • it is the same whether you invite them or you remain silent, (Q7:193)
        • indeed those you call upon other than Allah are slaves like you
          • call upon them and let them respond if you are truthful (Q7:194)
          • do they have feet by which they walk?
          • or hands with which they strike /grip? 
          • or eyes they envision with?
          • or ears they listen with? 
          • say, call upon those partners, plot against me, and give me no respite 
        • indeed my protector is Allah, who has sent down the Book, and He is the Ally of the reformers (Q7:196)
          • those whom you call upon other than Him are unable to help you, and are unable to help their own nafs (Q7:197) 
          • and if you invite them to guidance, they do not listen, and you see them looking at you, but do not envision (Q7:198) 
          • take what is given freely / pardon, enjoin what is good, and turn away from those ignorant of the Law (Q7:199)
        • and if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaitan (Satan), seek the protection of Allah, He is Hearing, Knowing (Q7:200)
          • those who keep their duty (taqwa), when an impulse by Shaitan (Satan) touches them, they remember, and envision (Q7:201) 
          • and their brothers, they increase them in error, and they do not stop short (Q7:202)
        • and when you do not bring them a sign, they say why have you not contrived it
            • say I only follow that which is revealed to me from my Lord
            • insights from your Lord
            • a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe (Q7:203) 

Surah al-A'raf concludes on this note: 

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ٢٠٤

So, when the Qur’ân is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. [i.e. during the compulsory congregational prayers when the Imâm (of a mosque) is leading the prayer (except Sûrat Al-Fâtihah), and also when he is delivering the Friday-prayer Khutbah]. (Tafsir At-Tabari).

وَٱذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِى نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًۭا وَخِيفَةًۭ وَدُونَ ٱلْجَهْرِ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ ٢٠٥

And remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful.[1]

[1](V.205): See the footnote of (13:28).

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُۥ وَلَهُۥ يَسْجُدُونَ ۩ ٢٠٦

Surely, those who are with your Lord (angels) are never too proud to perform acts of worship to Him, but they glorify His Praise and prostrate themselves before Him.

[Al-Quran 7:204-206, Translation: Al-Hilali & Khan]


Q7:204-206

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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

No Evolution, No Change

The Standing Law of Recompense

30:30

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٣٠


So be steadfast in faith in all uprightness ˹O Prophet˺—the natural Way of Allah which He has instilled in ˹all˺ people. Let there be no change in this creation of Allah. That is the Straight Way, but most people do not know.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


So direct your face [i.e., self] toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fiṭrah[1] of Allāh upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allāh.[2] That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

— Saheeh International

[1]i.e., let people remain true to their fiṭrah within the religion of Islām.

[2]The natural inborn inclination of man to worship his Creator prior to the corruption of his nature by external influences.  Thus, Islāmic monotheism is described as the religion of fiṭrah - that of the inherent nature of mankind.


So, set your face to the Faith uprightly, this (faith) being the nature designed by Allah on which He has created the mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. That is the straight faith, but most of the people do not know.

— T. Usmani


So [Prophet] as a man of pure faith, stand firm and true in your devotion to the religion. This is the natural disposition God instilled in mankind- there is no altering God’s creation- and this is the right religion, though most people do not realize it.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem


So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not -

— M. Pickthall


So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.

— A. Yusuf Ali


So set you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) your face towards the religion (of pure Islâmic Monotheism) Hanîf (worship none but Allâh Alone). Allâh’s Fitrah (i.e. Allâh’s Islâmic Monotheism) with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq-illâh (i.e. the religion of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism): that is the straight religion, but most of men know not.[1] [Tafsir At-Tabarî]

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[1](V.30) See the footnote of (Verse 10:19): (V.19) Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Every child is born on Al-Fitrah [true faith of Islâmic Monotheism (i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone)], but his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal gives birth to a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.2, Hadith No.467). [See also the Qur’ân, Verse V.30:30]


The true, correct religion (the standing law of recompense) clearly declares that: 

... لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ...

... No change in the creation of Allah ...

[Al-Quran 30:30]

Modern science holds evolution of species as an article of faith. 

Islamic monotheism, the Religion of Abraham, must hold 'No change in the creation of Allah' as an article of faith. 

So it follows that:

  1. all creatures, all species, were created as is by Allah 
  2. we do not have the liberty to make changes in any of Allah's creation 
  3. we should especially not make changes in humans, as that will lead to a corruption that we may not be able to reverse 
  4. changing creation is against the standing law, and will be recompensed accordingly 
  5. Adam's attempt to change himself resulted in his devolution
  6. we humans are presently in a devolved state 
  7. directing our face towards Allah's Deen, the Truth, will have a restorative outcome 
  8. just like Allah separated the skies from the earth, He also separated humans from other creatures, making humans in His Image (Fitrat-Allah)
  9. humans were created to rule over other creatures, as Allah's vice-regent (khalifa) 
  10. as responsible agents, endowed with freewill, we are accountable for our actions, and will be compensated accordingly   
  11. most humans are not even aware of this fact 

When Adam disobeyed Allah, he (Adam) put his soul (nafs) in a state of darkness, and suffered bodily harm, slipping out of what he was in, as well as being stripped of his superior natural clothing. Further misadventures by our ancestors have also added to more weakness and diseases to the humans, and corruption of the earth. Though Allah forgives and restores, undoing much of our corruption, we do suffer from some of the individual and collective consequences of others' mistakes, in this world. Thus are made evident, and explained in detail, the signs in the horizons, and within our soul (nafs). With grateful patience, we need to endure what we must suffer, while believing and doing good (acts of reform), sincerely adhering to Allah's Deen. 

Allah wills that each human willingly adheres to Allah's Deen, worshipping Him with a grateful heart, delighted to be honoured with the lofty job of worshipping Allah, in complete submission to Allah, i.e. being in a state of Islam. Allah's revelations guide to how to enter into Islam completely.   

On the Day of Deen, when each soul (nafs) will be recompensed according to what it has earned in this life, each individual will enjoy or suffer the consequence of its deeds that it sent forth for its afterlife. Every soul (nafs) is in pledge for what it earns. Those who direct their face towards the Deen-e-Hanif, inclining to the truth, will be reformed and restored to the perfect initial state and will inherit the Paradise that was lost. Those who look the other way, and choose falsehood instead of the truth, will suffer further devolution, completely losing their soul (nafs), and their family, to consciously suffer in the fires of hell, continuously.  

On the Day of Deen, Allah, the Fatir of the skies and earth, will separate the people of the gardens of eternity from the people of the fires of eternity permanently. The doors in the sky will be opened, and the people of the gardens of eternity will be allowed to enter through them, ascending to their gardens. The doors will not be opened for the people of the fires of eternity, nor will they be granted permission to ascend. We need to believe and put our trust in Allah, who has separated us, even in this world: 





Hadith of Prophet Muhammad 

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ، طُولُهُ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا، فَلَمَّا خَلَقَهُ قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَى أُولَئِكَ النَّفَرِ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ جُلُوسٌ، فَاسْتَمِعْ مَا يُحَيُّونَكَ، فَإِنَّهَا تَحِيَّتُكَ وَتَحِيَّةُ ذُرِّيَّتِكَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ‏.‏ فَقَالُوا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ‏.‏ فَزَادُوهُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ، فَكُلُّ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى صُورَةِ آدَمَ، فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْخَلْقُ يَنْقُصُ بَعْدُ حَتَّى الآنَ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet () said, "Allah created Adam in His picture, sixty cubits (about 30 meters) in height. When He created him, He said (to him), "Go and greet that group of angels sitting there, and listen what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring." Adam (went and) said, 'As-Salamu alaikum (Peace be upon you).' They replied, 'AsSalamu-'Alaika wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you) So they increased 'Wa Rahmatullah' The Prophet () added 'So whoever will enter Paradise, will be of the shape and picture of Adam Since then the creation of Adam's (offspring) (i.e. stature of human beings is being diminished continuously) to the present time."

Sahih al-Bukhari 6227




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Last updated on: October 18, 2024

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Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Food, Deen & Islam

Words & Deeds: why do you say what you do not do? (Surah as-Saff)
Health & Nutrition: avoid sins apparent and hidden; do not transgress/oppress; patience

DRAFT

Abstract 
food, pronouncing Allah's name, expressing gratitude, and praying contact prayers, ... 

Notes:
Economic injustice leading to food scarcity?! : Q20:80+ manna salwa eat of the good we have provided you with, but do not transgress/oppress therein to make lawful the wrath of Allah upon you
Express gratitude by sharing food || The highway: feed, and freeing those enslaved  (Surah al-Balad 90)
  • Job: upright and good; touched by Satan; suffering & cure 
  • Q35:35 no weariness & no fatigue in the Gardens of Eternity implies they exists in this world... 
  • Q17 & others: shifa for the people; shifa for the momineen 
  • Sin & the propensity or inclination to sin / sinfulness check ithm with food and other contexts 
  • Q2:152 Remember Me, I will remember you 
  • pronouncing Allah's name bismillah;  Q55 first & last ayat; Q67 first ayat 
  • Q14:7 If you're grateful, I will increase you 
  • Q40:70 Call upon Me, I will respond to you; 
  • Q2:186 I respond to every caller who calls Me, so respond to Me; nestled in the fasting ayaat so that we might be grateful for The Quran (less food, more Quran; fasting better than fidya)
  • Q5:1-5 sacrificing cattle during Hajj; rites of sacrifice Q2; Q22; Q37 
  • Q8:33 Allah will not punish them till they seek forgiveness  
  • Fix problems through seeking forgiveness? 
  • Protect blessings through gratitude? 


Some Questions:

  • Is it okay to not eat certain things? Jacob forbade himself certain food items ... would he have done it if it were a sin? 
  • Is a high-protein diet good? Abraham brought the roasted calf for his guests; the Bani Israel were given manna and salwa 
  • Are there qualities in food? when Bani Israel asked for onions and lentils and herbs, etc., Moses questioned them if they wanted the lesser instead of the better! 
  • Humans are omnivores: Cattle have been especially created for humans (8 pairs' list); plants and plant-derivatives are used as food and to cure; 
  • Can food and/or its derivatives be used for cure: honey derived from nectar of samr (blossoms/fruits); gourd plant for Jonah; something cold for drink and bath for Job; 
  • Can intoxicants be used for cure: ithm (sinfullness) in it greater than the benefit; its from the works of Satan 
  • Can The Quran be used to cure illness: the human microbiome is communicating with the human body via the electric signals its transmitting via the enteric glial cells through the nerves in the chest: we know of gut-brain-heart connections; The Quran states about itself that it is a cure for that which is within the breasts...  (look up Neurogastroenterology) 


Full Text 

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُوا بِالْأَزْلَامِ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ ۗ

 الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ ۚ 

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ

 فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّإِثْمٍ ۙ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. 
This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me
This day I have perfected for you your religion (law of recompense) and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam (submission) as religion (law of recompense). 
But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Ayat 3 of Surah al-Maida (The Table (Spread)) lists the items prohibited to eat, and goes on to make the following points: 
  • This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me
  • This day I have perfected for you your religion (law of recompense) and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam (submission) as religion (law of recompense).  


The Good is Lawful  
The next two ayaat emphasise that all that is good is lawful to eat: 


... قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ...

... Say, "Lawful for you are [all] good foods ...


... الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ  

This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, ... 


In Surah al-Baqarah, we read:


يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.


إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاءِ وَأَن تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know.


وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا ۗ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ
And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?


وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَنْعِقُ بِمَا لَا يَسْمَعُ إِلَّا دُعَاءً وَنِدَاءً ۚ صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries cattle or sheep - deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand.
  

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.


إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.


إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَشْتَرُونَ بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۙ أُولَـٰئِكَ مَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ إِلَّا النَّارَ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Indeed, they who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book and exchange it for a small price - those consume not into their bellies except the Fire. And Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them  make them grow. And they will have a painful punishment.


أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُا الضَّلَالَةَ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَالْعَذَابَ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ فَمَا أَصْبَرَهُمْ عَلَى النَّارِ
Those are the ones who have exchanged guidance for error and forgiveness for punishment. How patient they are in pursuit of the Fire!


ذَ‌ٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِي الْكِتَابِ لَفِي شِقَاقٍ بَعِيدٍ
That is [deserved by them] because Allah has sent down the Book in truth. And indeed, those who differ over the Book are in extreme dissension.




The Deen 

  • Q09:36 ... do not wrong your nafs in the forbidden months; [Q20:81 eat from the good things We have provided you and do not transgress; Q20:88 golden calf worship; Q22 ... pilgrimage & sacrifice cattle;]  
  • Q12:40 ... do not worship anyone except Allah ... [calf worship, superstitions forbidding: Q6:<145,] 
  • Q30:30 ... no change should there be in the creation of Allah ... 

Allah, our Creator, has forbidden us from eating a small list of items. He has also made it compulsory to pronounce His Name on the food we eat, and forbids us from eating food on which someone other than Allah's name is pronounced. In Q5:3, He states that this day He has perfected for us our religion ...  In Q12:40, the Deen-e-Qayimah is defined as: 

مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ ۚ
 إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۚ 
ذَ‌ٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. 
Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. 
That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.  



The Forbidden Tree
Prior to being sent to the Earth, when Adam was placed in The Garden, he was forbidden from eating from one particular tree. Eating from that single tree caused him loss of clothing! The Quran mentions that clothing is from The Signs of Allah (Q7:26)! The Quran also mentions the Tree of Zaqqum which will be a trial and a cause of loss for the criminals upon resurrection. 

Adam had disobeyed Allah in eating something forbidden, and his prayer was that they had done zulm on their nafs. In Surah an-Nisa`, we learn that though everything good and bad is from Allah, the bad is actually due to our nafs.



Food & Its Impact 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.


Emerging scientific research is informing us that what we eat plays a key role to our overall health. The gut microbiome is the focus of much research in recent times, revealing a whole new world of trillions of microrganisms inhabiting the human gut. This constitutes a virtual organ which plays a key role in our health. The gut-brain connection and the gut-heart connection is also under increasing study as a lot of information originating from the gut microbiome goes to the brain and heart and impacts it in ways that are just being discovered. Further, in some cases, gut bacteria have also been found in or near the the heart. Instead of linking food types with disease, The Quran links faith and food, and makes particular mention of the lying sinful forelock, the diseased heart, and the rust upon the heart. It also mentions that some types of food were forbidden to the Jews due to a reason:

قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ ۚ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say, "I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine - for indeed, it is impure - or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ هَادُوا حَرَّمْنَا كُلَّ ذِي ظُفُرٍ ۖ وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَا إِلَّا مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَا أَوِ الْحَوَايَا أَوْ مَا اخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ

And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their injustice transgression. And indeed, We are truthful.

فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَاسِعَةٍ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُهُ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

So if they deny you, [O Muhammad], say, "Your Lord is the possessor of vast mercy; but His punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals."


One thing that can be clearly gathered from the plethora of research is the complexity and intricacy of the entire system. While researchers are attempting to comprehend and tweak the system, we humans certainly cannot control everything! The Quran provides a simple list of items forbidden to eat, and warns against the sinfulness (الْإِثْمِ) in intoxicating drinks (Q2:219, Q5:90); it enjoins eating food on which Allah's name has been pronounced, and forbids from eating food on which Allah's name has not been pronounced, or if someone else's name has been pronounced along with or other than Allah's name. The Quran stresses on gratitude to Allah for the food He has provided us! In Surah Luqman, we read that gratitude to Allah was the wisdom (The Hikmat (الْحِكْمَةَ)) bestowed upon Luqman. The surah continues with a list of dos and don'ts that Luqman advises his son, including that:


يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ

[And Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted.


يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا أَصَابَكَ ۖ إِنَّ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.


وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ
And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.


وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."
  

أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً ۗ وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يُجَادِلُ فِي اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَلَا هُدًى وَلَا كِتَابٍ مُّنِيرٍ
Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favors, [both] apparent and unapparent? But of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book [from Him].



Sin & The Inclination to Sin
The Quran emphasises that one must not transgress, and links a type of sins (الْإِثْمِ), apparent and hidden, to consequences in the discourse about food! In Surah al-Maidah, we read:

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُم بِآيَاتِهِ مُؤْمِنِينَ

So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses.

وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا لَّيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهْوَائِهِم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُعْتَدِينَ

And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord - He is most knowing of the transgressors.

وَذَرُوا ظَاهِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ الْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُوا يَقْتَرِفُونَ

And leave what is apparent of sin and what is concealed thereof. Indeed, those who earn [blame for] sin will be recompensed for that which they used to commit.

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ ۗ وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ

And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him].

أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا ۚ كَذَ‌ٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom? Thus it has been made pleasing to the disbelievers that which they were doing.

وَكَذَ‌ٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِي كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَابِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُوا فِيهَا ۖ وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
And thus We have placed within every city the greatest of its criminals to conspire therein. But they conspire not except against themselves, and they perceive [it] not.


(الْإِثْمِ) may also be understood as an attitude which causes a person to hasten in committing sins. The Quran links this condition of the heart (Q2:283) to giving false witness, or hiding it, and uses this word in relation to a number of serious offences such as assigning partners to Allah, changing a deceased person's will, bribing authorities, consuming usury, taking back marriage gifts upon divorce, adultery, unlawfully evicting people from their homes and ransoming them, corrupting and destroying crops and progeny, etc. This link lists the ayat using the root: أ ث م


Faith & Prayers 
Eating in Allah's name and expressing gratitude; celebrating Allah's praises, praying contact prayers, and submitting in obedience to Allah's commands ...
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The Harm of Modern Medicines, its symbolism and its ancient roots.... 

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Last updated on: October 14, 2024

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Everything on Record


وَوُضِعَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ فَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا فِيهِ وَيَقُولُونَ يَـٰوَيْلَتَنَا مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا يُغَادِرُ صَغِيرَةًۭ وَلَا كَبِيرَةً إِلَّآ أَحْصَىٰهَا ۚ وَوَجَدُوا۟ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ حَاضِرًۭا ۗ وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًۭا ٤٩

And the record ˹of deeds˺ will be laid ˹open˺, and you will see the wicked in fear of what is ˹written˺ in it. They will cry, “Woe to us! What kind of record is this that does not leave any sin, small or large, unlisted?” They will find whatever they did present ˹before them˺. And your Lord will never wrong anyone.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one.

— Saheeh International


And the book (of deeds) will be placed (before them), then you will see the guilty people scared of its contents and saying, “Woe to us! What a book is this! It has missed nothing, minor or major, but has taken it into account.” Thus they will find whatever they did present before them, and your Lord will not wrong anyone.

— T. Usmani


The record of their deeds will be laid open and you will see the guilty, dismayed at what they contain, saying, ‘Woe to us! What a record this is! It does not leave any deed, small or large, unaccounted for!’ They will find everything they ever did laid in front of them: your Lord will not be unjust to anyone.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem


And the Book is placed, and thou seest the guilty fearful of that which is therein, and they say: What kind of a Book is this that leaveth not a small thing nor a great thing but hath counted it! And they find all that they did confronting them, and thy Lord wrongeth no-one.

— M. Pickthall


And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.

— A. Yusuf Ali


And the Book (one’s Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allâh, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allâh), and you will see the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: "Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!" And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran 18:49]


The Quran states that Allah knows everything, and everything is on record in a Book. It further states that on the Day of Recompense, no one will be wronged in the least: 

اَلَمۡ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يُزَكُّوۡنَ اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ​ ؕ بَلِ اللّٰهُ يُزَكِّىۡ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ فَتِيۡلًا‏ ٤٩

[Al-Quran 4:49]

اَلَمۡ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِيۡنَ قِيۡلَ لَهُمۡ كُفُّوۡۤا اَيۡدِيَكُمۡ وَاَقِيۡمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰ تُوا الزَّكٰوةَ ۚ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِمُ الۡقِتَالُ اِذَا فَرِيۡقٌ مِّنۡهُمۡ يَخۡشَوۡنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشۡيَةِ اللّٰهِ اَوۡ اَشَدَّ خَشۡيَةً​ ۚ وَقَالُوۡا رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبۡتَ عَلَيۡنَا الۡقِتَالَ ۚ لَوۡلَاۤ اَخَّرۡتَنَاۤ اِلٰٓى اَجَلٍ قَرِيۡبٍ​ ؕ قُلۡ مَتَاعُ الدُّنۡيَا قَلِيۡلٌ​ ۚ وَالۡاٰخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقٰى وَلَا تُظۡلَمُوۡنَ فَتِيۡلًا‏ ٧٧

[Al-Quran 4:77]

وَمَنۡ يَّعۡمَلۡ مِنَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ مِنۡ ذَكَرٍ اَوۡ اُنۡثٰى وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ يَدۡخُلُوۡنَ الۡجَـنَّةَ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ نَقِيۡرًا‏ ١٢٤

[Al-Quran 4:124]

يَوۡمَ نَدۡعُوۡا كُلَّ اُنَاسٍۢ بِاِمَامِهِمۡ​ۚ فَمَنۡ اُوۡتِىَ كِتٰبَهٗ بِيَمِيۡنِهٖ فَاُولٰۤٮِٕكَ يَقۡرَءُوۡنَ كِتٰبَهُمۡ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ فَتِيۡلًا‏ ٧١

[Al-Quran 17:71]

وَنَضَعُ الۡمَوَازِيۡنَ الۡقِسۡطَ لِيَوۡمِ الۡقِيٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظۡلَمُ نَـفۡسٌ شَيۡــًٔـا​ ؕ وَاِنۡ كَانَ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ اَتَيۡنَا بِهَا​ ؕ وَكَفٰى بِنَا حٰسِبِيۡنَ‏ ٤٧

[Al-Quran 21:47]

وَلَا نُـكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا اِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا​ وَلَدَيۡنَا كِتٰبٌ يَّـنۡطِقُ بِالۡحَـقِّ​ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ ٦٢

[Al-Quran 23:62]

يٰبُنَىَّ اِنَّهَاۤ اِنۡ تَكُ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ فَتَكُنۡ فِىۡ صَخۡرَةٍ اَوۡ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ اَوۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ يَاۡتِ بِهَا اللّٰهُ ​ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَطِيۡفٌ خَبِيۡرٌ‏ ١٦

[Al-Quran 31:16]

فَالۡيَوۡمَ لَا تُظۡلَمُ نَفۡسٌ شَيۡـــًٔا وَّلَا تُجۡزَوۡنَ اِلَّا مَا كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏ ٥٤

[Al-Quran 36:54]

...

Modern science is now acknowledging that no information is ever lost. The No-hiding theorem asserts that if information is lost from a system, due to decoherence, it simply moves to a subspace in the environment. Therefore, original information can never be destroyed. 


Surah al-Waqiah concludes thus: 


56:83

فَلَوْلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلْحُلْقُومَ ٨٣

Then why, when it [i.e., the soul at death] reaches the throat


56:84

وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍۢ تَنظُرُونَ ٨٤

And you are at that time looking on -


56:85

وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ ٨٥

And We [i.e., Our angels] are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -


56:86

فَلَوْلَآ إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ ٨٦

Then why do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,


56:87

تَرْجِعُونَهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ ٨٧

Bring it back, if you should be truthful?


56:88

فَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ ٨٨

And if he [i.e., the deceased] was of those brought near [to Allāh],


56:89

فَرَوْحٌۭ وَرَيْحَانٌۭ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍۢ ٨٩

Then [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.


56:90

وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ ٩٠

And if he was of the companions of the right,


56:91

فَسَلَـٰمٌۭ لَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ ٩١

Then [the angels will say], "Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right."


56:92

وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٩٢

But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,


56:93

فَنُزُلٌۭ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍۢ ٩٣

Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water


56:94

وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ ٩٤

And burning in Hellfire.


56:95

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ ٩٥

Indeed, this is the true certainty,


56:96

فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ٩٦

So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.

[Al-Quran 56:83-96, Translation: Saheeh International]


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References & Links:  

External links:

No-hiding theorem 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-hiding_theorem 


In this blog: 

Our Record in Our Neck 

https://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2019/04/our-record-in-our-neck.html