[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].

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Al-Hijr (الْحِجْرِ) & The ذِي حِجْرٍ

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الۤرٰ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ الۡـكِتٰبِ وَقُرۡاٰنٍ مُّبِيۡنٍ‏ ١

رُبَمَا يَوَدُّ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا لَوۡ كَانُوۡا مُسۡلِمِيۡنَ‏ ٢

ذَرۡهُمۡ يَاۡكُلُوۡا وَيَتَمَتَّعُوۡا وَيُلۡهِهِمُ الۡاَمَلُ​ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏  ٣

وَمَاۤ اَهۡلَـكۡنَا مِنۡ قَرۡيَةٍ اِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌ مَّعۡلُوۡمٌ‏ ٤

Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the Book and a clear Qur’ān [i.e., recitation].

Perhaps those who disbelieve will wish that they had been Muslims.

Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know.

And We did not destroy any city but that for it was a known decree.

...

وَلَـقَدۡ كَذَّبَ اَصۡحٰبُ الۡحِجۡرِ الۡمُرۡسَلِيۡنَۙ‏ ٨٠ وَاٰتَيۡنٰهُمۡ اٰيٰتِنَا فَكَانُوۡا عَنۡهَا مُعۡرِضِيۡنَۙ‏ ٨١ وَكَانُوۡا يَنۡحِتُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡجِبَالِ بُيُوۡتًا اٰمِنِيۡنَ‏ ٨٢ فَاَخَذَتۡهُمُ الصَّيۡحَةُ مُصۡبِحِيۡنَۙ‏ ٨٣ فَمَاۤ اَغۡنٰى عَنۡهُمۡ مَّا كَانُوۡا يَكۡسِبُوۡنَؕ‏ ٨٤ وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَاۤ اِلَّا بِالۡحَـقِّ​ ؕ وَاِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَاٰتِيَةٌ​ فَاصۡفَحِ الصَّفۡحَ الۡجَمِيۡلَ‏ ٨٥

And certainly did the companions of al-Ḥijr [i.e., the Thamūd] deny the messengers. And We gave them Our signs, but from them they were turning away. And they used to carve from the mountains, houses, feeling secure. But the shriek seized them at early morning, So nothing availed them [from] what they used to earn. And We have not created the heavens and earth and that between them except in truth. And indeed, the Hour is coming; so forgive with gracious forgiveness. 

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عَمَّا كَانُوۡا يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏ ٩٣ فَاصۡدَعۡ بِمَا تُؤۡمَرُ وَ اَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡمُشۡرِكِيۡنَ‏ ٩٤ اِنَّا كَفَيۡنٰكَ الۡمُسۡتَهۡزِءِيۡنَۙ‏ ٩٥ الَّذِيۡنَ يَجۡعَلُوۡنَ مَعَ اللّٰهِ اِلٰهًا اٰخَرَ​ۚ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏  ٩٦ وَلَـقَدۡ نَـعۡلَمُ اَنَّكَ يَضِيۡقُ صَدۡرُكَ بِمَا يَقُوۡلُوۡنَۙ‏ ٩٧ فَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنۡ مِّنَ السّٰجِدِيۡنَۙ‏ ٩٨ وَاعۡبُدۡ رَبَّكَ حَتّٰى يَاۡتِيَكَ الۡيَـقِيۡنُ‏ ٩٩

About what they used to do. Then declare what you are commanded and turn away from the polytheists. Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers Who make [equal] with Allāh another deity. But they are going to know. And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say. So exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him]. And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty [i.e., death]. 

[Al-Quran 15:1-4, 80-85, 93-99, Translation: Saheeh International]


Surah al-Hijr mentions the companions of al-Ḥijr (اَصۡحٰبُ الۡحِجۡرِ) who denied their messengers. They were skilled in carving houses in mountains, feeling secure. When their time was up, they were punished. 

Surah al-Fajr begins with a series of oaths, then states that these oaths are sufficient for who possesses hijr  (ذِي حِجْرٍ).  

Are the Arabs who own that land being warned? 

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Excerpt from: AlUla 

Assuming that AlUla that the Pharaoh is asking about in The Quran is the Valley of AlUla in the Arabian Peninsula, ... the local arabs believe that the Al-Hijr (الْحِجْرِ) mentioned in The Quran is the city of Hegra in the Valley of AlUla, where the Messenger Saleh preached. They famously used to carve buildings in rocks. The Thamud refused to heed to their Messenger Saleh, and were eventually destroyed for their crimes. May be the Thamud and the Companions of Al-Hijr (أَصْحَابُ الْحِجْرِ ) are the same, or may be they were two distinct civilisations. The Thamud (ثَمُودُ) are mentioned in twenty-one surahs across The Quran, while the Companions of Al-Hijr (أَصْحَابُ الْحِجْرِ ) are mentioned only once, in Surah alHijr (Q15:80).   

The following maps are of the region of AlUla: 


  

Google Maps red outline: AlUla County, KSA

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Excerpt from: The Possessors of The Stone & Hijr-e-Ismail

After the Oaths, ... 

Surah alFajr begins with a series of oaths, and then states:

هَلْ فِي ذَٰلِكَ قَسَمٌ لِّذِي حِجْرٍ

Is there [not] in [all] that an oath [sufficient] for one of حِجْرٍ
[Al-Quran 89:5, Translation: Sahih International; edited] 

Surah alFajr then goes on to mention the mighty ancient nations who built amazing buildings, who transgressed in the lands, and caused much corruption. They were destroyed due to their sins. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is building great buildings all across the land. Alongside, many laws are also being changed to make the society and culture more liberal. It is generally moving away from the fundamentalist observance of religion towards the secularist ideals. Also worrying is the inclination of some rich Arabs towards atheism and paganism, especially Hinduism.  

As their society is opening up, the news and images coming out of modern KSA are alarming. Though such liberalism has been practiced since many years in other Muslim-majority countries, the Muslim world generally looked up to KSA as the practical example of the implementation of the Shariah, and its effectiveness in maintaining law and order, and the morality of the society.   

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Also read

The Oaths in Surah alFajr 

Stonemasons & Freemasons 

 











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Saturday, January 27, 2024

Shifa, explained in detail

DRAFT


حٰمٓ​ ۚ‏ ١

تَنۡزِيۡلٌ مِّنَ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ​ۚ‏ ٢

كِتٰبٌ فُصِّلَتۡ اٰيٰتُهٗ قُرۡاٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوۡمٍ يَّعۡلَمُوۡنَۙ‏ ٣

بَشِيۡرًا وَّنَذِيۡرًا​ ۚ فَاَعۡرَضَ اَكۡثَرُهُمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُوۡنَ‏  ٤

[Al-Quran, Surah Fussilat, Ayaat 1-4 of 54]


Ha Meem. Sent by arRahman (Extremely Merciful) arRaheem (Continuously Merciful). A command, explained in detail are its signs, an Arabic recitation, for a people who know. … 

Adhere to the Deen, understand and obey the law sincerely, and seek forgiveness. Pay zakat. Those who believe and do acts of reform (اٰمَنُوۡا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ), for them is a never ending reward. 

All is being witnessed by your hearing, your vision, and in your skin, ... 

Who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah, undertaking public acts of reform (مِّمَّنۡ دَعَاۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا), and says that I am indeed of those who submit (وَّقَالَ اِنَّنِىۡ مِنَ الۡمُسۡلِمِيۡنَ‏ (to Islam, the Deen of Allah))? Repel the sayaiaat with the hasanaat. If Shaitaan tries to sow discord by whispering evil, seek Allah's protection. 

The Quran is shifa (cure) and hidayat (guidance) for the believers. 

Certainly Moses (Musa) was given the Book, ... 

Knowledge of the Hour (alMasih Isa ibn Maryam (الۡمَسِيۡحُ عِيۡسَى ابۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ)) is with Allah. Moreover, no fruit blossoms, neither does any female conceives nor she delivers, but its knowledge is with Him. 

We will show the ayaat, in the horizons, and in their nafs, till they know it is the truth. Is it not enough that Allah is a witness over everything. Actually, they doubt the meeting with their Lord. Actually, He has encompassed everything. 

...

Surah Fussilat, an outline:  

Q41:1 Ha Meem 

Q41:2 tanzeel (a successive sending down) by arRahman (Extremely Merciful) arRaheem (Continuously Merciful)

Q41:3 Kitabun (commands) explained in detail, a Quran (recitation) in Arabic for a people (nation) who know   

Q41:4 good news and warning, but most of them avoid it, so they do not hear 

Q41:5 they say: our hearts are veiled from what you are inviting us to, and in our ears deafness, and between us and you is a veil; so do whatever you want, so shall we  

Q41:6 Say, I'm only a bashr like you, and it has been revealed to me that your God is One Godfastaqeemu (so take the straight way towards Him / be upright for him / stand for Him), wastaqferuhu  (and seek His forgiveness); and wail (woe) to the mushrikeen  

Q41:6 fastaqeemu and Q30:30 fa`aqim 

Q41:6 wastaqferuhu 

Q41:6 and wail (woe) to the mushrikeen, Q41:7 those who do not pay zakat and are disbelievers in the Hereafter 

Q41:8 those who believe and do (personal) acts of reform, for them is a never-ending reward 

Q41:9-12 <creation detail>

Q41:9 created the Earth in two days

Q41:10 appointed rawasea (...), and made them flourish; and determined its aqwateha (sustenance ||  food || energy), in four days, equal for all those who ask  

Q41:13-18 <punishment detail> ... and we saved those who believed and practiced taqwa 

Q41:19- <day of judgment scene> 

Q41:20-23 <signs in your nafs>

cover your hearing, vision, skin ?

record in yourself 

Q41:30 istaqaamoo on Rabbon Allaho and Q41:6 and Q30:30 

Q41:30 angels descend with the message: do not fear nor grieve, and receive good news of The Garden promised  

Q41:31 angels helping friends (auliya) in the life of the world and in the hereafter 

Q41:32 angels sent from Ghafoorin Raheem 

Q41:33 who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah, undertaking major acts of reform for the Deen (amalun salaihun), and says that I am indeed of those who submit (to Islam (Deen of Allah)? 

Q41:34 hasanat and sayaiat not equal; repel sayaiaat with hasanaat: then you will see your enemy become your helping companion 

Q41:35 and nobody reaches it except the patient and those who possess great fortune (are very blessed)

Q41:36 if shaitaan whispers evil, seek Allah's protection. He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing 

Q41:37-39 <Signs in the Aafaaq>

Q41:38 ...,  those near Allah do tasbeeh night and day, and do not grow weary 

Q41:39 Allah revives the dead; give life through water 

Q41:40 those who yulhidona our ayaat are not hidden from us; is he who is cast in the fire better or the one who comes secure on the Day of Qiyamah; do what you will, Allah is all-seeing of what you do.

Q41:41 Indeed those who reject the reminder after it has come to them; Indeed this is a mighty Book 

Q41:42 no baatil can approach it from before or behind (see Q41:40 yulhiduna), sent down from Hakeem (Wise), Hameed (Praiseworthy). 

Q41:43 Nothing is said to you except what was said to the messengers before you: indeed your Rabb  certainly possesses magfirah (covering of sayaiaat), and possesses painful retribution 

Q41:44 an Arabic Quran for an Arab audience, so they cannot say why not are made clear its ayaat; for the believers huddan wa shifa, for those who don't believe: deafness in their ears, and blindness (as if) being called from a distant place

Q41:45 and certainly We gave Moses the Book but differences arose regarding what was in it; and had not a Word preceded from your Lord, it would have been decided between them, and indeed, they are in doubt about what's in it, perplexed. 

Q41:46 whoever does amala sahilun, its for (the benefit of) his own nafs, and whoever asaaha (...), its upon it (the nafs); and your Rabb doesn't place darkness (zalaamun) for His servants (abeed) 

Q41:47 To Him returns ilm us saata (knowledge of the Hour: Messiah Jesus ((الۡمَسِيۡحُ عِيۡسَى ابۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ) Q43:61, Q43:85)); no fruit blossoms, nor any female conceives or delivers, but its knowledge is with Him. On the Day He will call them: where are my partners? They will announce no one of us bears witness to that 

Q41:48 and lost to them will be what they used to invoke earlier, and they will know that there is no escape 

Q41:49 al-Insaan (The Humans) do not grow weary of calling out for khair (good); but when they are touched by some shar (evil), they become hopeless, desperate 

Q41:50 when he tastes mercy after adversity, he claims it as from himself, and thinks that the Hour will never be established, and if it is established, he will receive the best. Then, most certainly, those who have rejected will be shown what they did, and We will make them taste a stern/massive punishment

Q41:51 and when We bestow favour upon alInsaam, he turns away and distances himself. And when shar touches him, he has lengthy supplications 

Q41:52 Say, see if this is really from Allah, and yet you rejected it; then who is more astray than he who has gone far in opposition? 

Q41:53 We will show ayaat them the ayaat on the horizons, and in their nafs, till they know that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a witness over all things.

Q41:54 Know that they are in doubt about the meeting with their Lord, and know that he has encompassed everything   

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Related posts: 

The Right Religion (Deen) 

The Same Religion (الدِّينِ) 

The Deen & he who belies it 

Gratitude & Its Manifestation 

Affliction, Cure, and The Roman Cult 

Adversity: Fatigue and Torment 

AlUla  

Nine Groups corrupting the Earth 

What they did to the She-Camel 

Pregnancies mentioned in The Quran 

Injeel, Isa عليه السلام and the Ruh-ul-Quds 

Jesus (عليه السلام) – Ascension & Return 

Virgin Birth 

Guarding the Womb 

The Example of The Mosquito  

Smoke from the Sky 


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Last updated on: January 29, 2024


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Friday, January 19, 2024

Enmity & Wars

DRAFT

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فَاَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيۡطٰنُ عَنۡهَا فَاَخۡرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيۡهِ​ وَقُلۡنَا اهۡبِطُوۡا بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۚ وَلَـكُمۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرٌّ وَّمَتَاعٌ اِلٰى حِيۡنٍ‏ ٣٦

But Satan deceived them—leading to their fall from the ˹blissful˺ state they were in, and We said, “Descend from the heavens ˹to the earth˺ as enemies to each other. You will find in the earth a residence and provision for your appointed stay.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Yet Satan made them slip therefrom, so he brought them out of what they were in. Then We said, “Descend , as enemies to one another, for in the earth you have a place of settlement and enjoyment for a while.”

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

Satan did not stop whispering to them, trying to trick them, until he made them slip and fall by eating from the tree which Allah had told them not to. For this Allah sent them out of the Garden, telling them and Satan to go down to the earth, some of them enemies to others, where they would stay and live, enjoying the good things there until their lifespan, and until the Final Hour arrived.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, "Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time."

— Saheeh International

Then, Satan caused them to slip from it, and brought them out of where they had been. And We said, "Go down, you all, some of you enemies of some; and on the earth there will be for you a dwelling place and enjoyment for a time."

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 2:36]


Satan (Iblis) is a sworn enemy of mankind. His enmity was exposed when he refused Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's command to prostrate to Adam عليه السلام , and then deceived Adam عليه السلام and his wife into disobeying Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and consequently harming themselves, and being sent to this Earth. 

On this Earth, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ has granted permission to Satan to mislead whoever he can, and we humans have the freewill to choose who to believe and what to follow. The scriptures are very, very clear about Satan's enmity and his relentless efforts to lead everyone to Hell. 

Satan wants to destroy the progeny of Adam عليه السلام . One of the means of mass-scale destruction and suffering is war. People lose their lives or family member(s), married women become widows, children become orphans, many people are maimed, others scarred for life, and so on. The horrors of war are endless. The captives become slaves, dispossessed of their wealth and status, and so on. History is replete with wars that testify to the horrors they bring. 

Satan and his forces must be repelled. They wish to dominate and take over the control of this world. They wish to extinguish the Light (Nur) of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى . They want to establish a system of laws that defy the moral code given by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى . They wish to replace Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's Laws (Deen) with their own man-made and/or Satan-inspired laws. They wish corruption of the Earth and all upon it, and they relentlessly strive to achieve their purpose. 

The Deen is defined in Q9:36, Q12:40 and Q30:30. These cover the sacred months, the fighting prohibition, and conditional permission; no authorisation of the names and worship of false gods; worship and command only for Allah, the only true God; and the 'fitrat' of Allah upon which He has 'fatara' humans. Q30:30 also commands that there should be no change in the creation of Allah. 

The following is a study of the root word 'ح ر ب' translated as war (6 times) || prayer chamber (5 times), in the order they appear across The Quran: 


اَلَّذِيۡنَ يَاۡكُلُوۡنَ الرِّبٰوا لَا يَقُوۡمُوۡنَ اِلَّا كَمَا يَقُوۡمُ الَّذِىۡ يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ مِنَ الۡمَسِّ​ؕ ذٰ لِكَ بِاَنَّهُمۡ قَالُوۡۤا اِنَّمَا الۡبَيۡعُ مِثۡلُ الرِّبٰوا​ ۘ​ وَاَحَلَّ اللّٰهُ الۡبَيۡعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبٰوا​ ؕ فَمَنۡ جَآءَهٗ مَوۡعِظَةٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّهٖ فَانۡتَهٰى فَلَهٗ مَا سَلَفَؕ وَاَمۡرُهٗۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ​ؕ وَمَنۡ عَادَ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ​ۚ هُمۡ فِيۡهَا خٰلِدُوۡنَ‏  ٢٧٥

يَمۡحَقُ اللّٰهُ الرِّبٰوا وَيُرۡبِى الصَّدَقٰتِ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ اَثِيۡمٍ‏ ٢٧٦

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَاَقَامُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتَوُا الزَّكٰوةَ لَهُمۡ اَجۡرُهُمۡ عِنۡدَ رَبِّهِمۡ​ۚ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُوۡنَ‏ ٢٧٧

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَذَرُوۡا مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ الرِّبٰٓوا اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ‏ ٢٧٨

فَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلُوۡا فَاۡذَنُوۡا بِحَرۡبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَرَسُوۡلِهٖ​ۚ وَاِنۡ تُبۡتُمۡ فَلَـكُمۡ رُءُوۡسُ اَمۡوَالِكُمۡ​ۚ لَا تَظۡلِمُوۡنَ وَلَا تُظۡلَمُوۡنَ‏  ٢٧٩

Those who consume interest will stand ˹on Judgment Day˺ like those driven to madness by Satan’s touch. That is because they say, “Trade is no different than interest.” But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest. Whoever refrains—after having received warning from their Lord—may keep their previous gains, and their case is left to Allah. As for those who persist, it is they who will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever.

Allah has made interest fruitless and charity fruitful. And Allah does not like any ungrateful evildoer.

Indeed, those who believe, do good, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax will receive their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.

O believers! Fear Allah, and give up outstanding interest if you are ˹true˺ believers.

If you do not, then beware of a war with Allah and His Messenger! But if you repent, you may retain your principal—neither inflicting nor suffering harm.

[Al-Quran 2:275-279 ..., Translation: Dr Mustafa Khattab]  

Allah  has warned the consumers of Riba (الرِّبٰوا) of a war with Allah  and His Messengers. Interest / Usury extract wealth from the poor and make the rich richer. Eventually, there is a great imbalance of wealth in society, and it leads to more exploitation and slavery. 

Almost all religions have condemned  usury / interest as an immoral act of taking advantage of a person. Many religions have forbidden the charging of interest, and some have restricted it. 

Muhammad  abolished Riba. We await the return of Jesus (Isa عليه السلام). We also await a war between the Believers led by Imam Mahdi against the Anti-Christ (Dajjal). It is foretold that only Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) will be able to kill the Anti-Christ (Dajjal), and establish Allah's Deen. Thus,  Riba (الرِّبٰوا) will be abolished.  

As regards the Deen and its final consequences, the definition of the Deen in Q30:30 commands that there should be no change in the creation of Allah. Q30:39 further explains [translation: Dr Mustafa Khattab]: 'Whatever loans you give, ˹only˺ seeking interest at the expense of people’s wealth will not increase with Allah. But whatever charity you give, ˹only˺ seeking the pleasure of Allah—it is they whose reward will be multiplied.' 

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فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُوۡلٍ حَسَنٍ وَّاَنۡۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا ۙ وَّكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ​ؕ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيۡهَا زَكَرِيَّا الۡمِحۡرَابَۙ وَجَدَ عِنۡدَهَا رِزۡقًا ​ۚ​ قَالَ يٰمَرۡيَمُ اَنّٰى لَـكِ هٰذَا ؕ​ قَالَتۡ هُوَ مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰهِ​ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَرۡزُقُ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ‏ ٣٧

Her Lord graciously accepted her and caused her to grow in a good manner, and entrusted her to the care of Zachariah. Every time Zachariah entered her prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, where did this come from?” She said, “It is from Allah, for Allah provides for whom He wills without measure.”

— Ruwwad Center

Her Lord accepted her in a handsome manner and caused her to grow like a lovely plant, and told Zachariah to take care of her. Every time Zachariah entered the shrine to [see] her, he found she had already been supplied with food. He said: "Mary, how can this be meant for you?" She said: "It comes from Allah (God), for Allah (God) provides for anyone He wishes without any reckoning."

— Dr. T. B. Irving

So her Lord (Allâh) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariyâ (Zachariya). Every time he entered Al-Mihrâb to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Maryam (Mary)! From where have you got this?" She said, "This is from Allâh." Verily, Allâh provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit."

— Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Her Lord graciously accepted her and made her grow in goodness and entrusted her to the care of Zachariah. Every time Zachariah visited her in her chamber he found some provision with her. He asked, ‘Mary, where did this provision come from?’ She replied, ‘This is from God. God provides for whoever He wills without measure.’

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[Al-Quran 3:37 

The next occurrence of the root word 'ح ر ب'  is Al-Mihrâb (الۡمِحۡرَابَۙ), variously translated as chamber, private chamber, prayer chamber. In Lane's Lexicon page 541, last column, it is also said to refer to: "The places of worship of the Children of Israel ... as though they sat therein to consult respecting war." 

The above ayat (Q3:37) is a scene from before the conception of Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) and John, the Baptist (Yahya عليه السلام). In the next ayat (Q3:38), we read about Zachariah (Zakariyâ عليه السلام) praying for a good offspring. He receives the response while still standing in prayer: 

فَنَادَتۡهُ الۡمَلٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآٮِٕمٌ يُّصَلِّىۡ فِى الۡمِحۡرَابِۙ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحۡيٰى مُصَدِّقًۢا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَّحَصُوۡرًا وَّنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏ ٣٩

The angels called out to him while he was standing in the chamber praying, “Allah gives you glad tidings of John, who will believe in the Word of Allah and will be honorable, abstinent [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous.”

— Ruwwad Center

The angels called him while he was standing praying in the shrine: "Allah (God) gives you news of Yahya (John), who will confirm word from Allah (God), masterful yet circumspect, and a prophet [chosen] from among honorable people."

— Dr. T. B. Irving

Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrâb (a praying place or a private room), (saying): "Allâh gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John), confirming (believing in) the word from Allâh [i.e. the creation of ‘Îsâ (Jesus) عليه السلام, the Word from Allâh ("Be!" - and he was!)], noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous."

— Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan

As he stood praying in the chamber, the angels called out to him, saying, ‘God gives you the good news of John, who shall confirm the Word from God, and [shall be] outstanding among men, and utterly chaste, and a prophet from among the righteous.’

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[Al-Quran 3:39 

...

The Quran informs us that the Bani Israel refused to fight when Moses (Musa عليه السلام) asked them to. The Quran also informs us that one son of Adam عليه السلام murdered another. In that backdrop, we read in Q5:32, translation: Saheeh International, that: 'Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And Our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors.' After that, the next ayat clarifies: 

اِنَّمَا جَزٰٓؤُا الَّذِيۡنَ يُحَارِبُوۡنَ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ وَيَسۡعَوۡنَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَسَادًا اَنۡ يُّقَتَّلُوۡۤا اَوۡ يُصَلَّبُوۡۤا اَوۡ تُقَطَّعَ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَاَرۡجُلُهُمۡ مِّنۡ خِلَافٍ اَوۡ يُنۡفَوۡا مِنَ الۡاَرۡضِ​ؕ ذٰ لِكَ لَهُمۡ خِزۡىٌ فِى الدُّنۡيَا​ وَ لَهُمۡ فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيۡمٌ ۙ‏ ٣٣

Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread mischief in the land is death, crucifixion, cutting off their hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile from the land. This ˹penalty˺ is a disgrace for them in this world, and they will suffer a tremendous punishment in the Hereafter.1

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Indeed, the punishment for those who fight Allah and His Messenger and rush about in the land spreading corruption is that they be relentlessly killed or crucified or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides or be banished from the land. That is a disgrace for them in the Earlier(Life) , and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment—

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and who challenge them by spreading corruption on earth though killing, looting and creating fear on the roads, is that they be killed, or crucified, or that they have their alternate hands and feet cut off, and if the offence is repeated the left hands and right feet are to be cut off, or they are to be exiled. Such punishment is a disgrace for them in the world; and in the Afterlife, they will receive a great punishment –

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allāh and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment,

— Saheeh International

Those who fight against Allah and His Messenger and run about trying to spread disorder in the earth, their punishment is nothing but that they shall be killed off or be crucified or their hands and legs be cut apart from different sides or they be kept away from the land (they live in). That is a humiliation for them in this world, and for them in the Hereafter there is a great punishment;

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 5:33 

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وَقَالَتِ الۡيَهُوۡدُ يَدُ اللّٰهِ مَغۡلُوۡلَةٌ​ ؕ غُلَّتۡ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَلُعِنُوۡا بِمَا قَالُوۡا​ ۘ بَلۡ يَدٰهُ مَبۡسُوۡطَتٰنِ ۙ يُنۡفِقُ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُ​ ؕ وَلَيَزِيۡدَنَّ كَثِيۡرًا مِّنۡهُمۡ مَّاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَيۡكَ مِنۡ رَّبِّكَ طُغۡيَانًا وَّكُفۡرًا​ ؕ وَاَ لۡقَيۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمُ الۡعَدَاوَةَ وَالۡبَغۡضَآءَ اِلٰى يَوۡمِ الۡقِيٰمَةِ​ ؕ كُلَّمَاۤ اَوۡقَدُوۡا نَارًا لِّلۡحَرۡبِ اَطۡفَاَهَا اللّٰهُ​ ۙ وَيَسۡعَوۡنَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَسَادًا​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الۡمُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏ ٦٤

˹Some among˺ the Jews said, “Allah is tight-fisted.”1 May their fists be tied and they be condemned for what they said. Rather, He is open-handed, giving freely as He pleases. That which has been revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ from your Lord will only cause many of them to increase in wickedness and disbelief. We have stirred among them hostility and hatred until the Day of Judgment. Whenever they kindle the fire of war, Allah puts it out. And they strive to spread corruption in the land. And Allah does not like corruptors.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And the Jews said, “Allah’s hand is shackled.” Shackled are their hands, and they were cursed for what they said! Rather, both His hands are outstretched; He spends as He wills. And most surely, what was sent down to yousg from your Lord will increase many of them in exceeding all limits and in denial. And We cast between them enmity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Whenever they kindle a fire of war, Allah extinguishes it. And they rush about in the land spreading corruption, and Allah does not love corrupters.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

When the Jews were faced with difficulty and drought, they said, ‘Allah’s Hand is restrained from giving goodness and gifts. He is holding back from us what He has’. Their hands were restrained from doing goodness and they were removed from Allah’s mercy because of this statement of theirs. But in fact Allah’s Hands are wide open in goodness and generosity. He spends as He wills. He gives and He withholds. No one can stop Him or force Him. That which has been revealed to you, O Messenger, only increases the Jews in disobedience and disbelief because of their envy. He placed enmity and hatred between the various groups of the Jews. Whenever they gather to conspire for war and made preparation for it, Allah broke their unity and took away their strength. They continuously strive to do that which causes corruption in the earth by their attempts to wipe out Islam and by their plots against it.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

And the Jews say, "The hand of Allāh is chained."1 Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. And We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war [against you], Allāh extinguished it. And they strive throughout the land [causing] corruption, and Allāh does not like corrupters.

— Saheeh International

And the Jews said, "Allah's hand is fettered." Fettered are their own hands, and cursed are they for what they said. In fact, His hands are well-extended. He gives as He wills. And what has been sent down to you from your Lord shall certainly increase many of them in re-bellion and disbelief. And We have put enmity and hatred amongst them lasting to the Day of Doom. Whenever they lit the flame of war, Allah puts it out. And they run about on the earth spreading mischief. And Allah does not like the mischief-makers.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 5:64 

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Surah al-Anfal directs regarding those who have made treaties with Muslims, and regularly keep violating their covenants: 

فَاِمَّا تَثۡقَفَنَّهُمۡ فِى الۡحَـرۡبِ فَشَرِّدۡ بِهِمۡ مَّنۡ خَلۡفَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُوۡنَ‏ ٥٧

If you ever encounter them in battle, make a fearsome example of them, so perhaps those who would follow them may be deterred.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

So if you confront them in battle, then make of them a fearsome example for those who follow them, that they may constantly remember.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

If you, O Messenger, face in battle these people who break their pledges, then make a harsh example of them so that others hear about it, take a lesson from that and become afraid of fighting you and supporting your enemies against you.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

So if you, [O Muḥammad], gain dominance over them in war, disperse by [means of] them those behind them that perhaps they will be reminded.1

— Saheeh International

So, if you find them in war, make them an example (deterrent) for those behind them, so that they take a lesson.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 8:57 

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وَالَّذِيۡنَ اتَّخَذُوۡا مَسۡجِدًا ضِرَارًا وَّكُفۡرًا وَّتَفۡرِيۡقًۢا بَيۡنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ وَاِرۡصَادًا لِّمَنۡ حَارَبَ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ​ؕ وَلَيَحۡلِفُنَّ اِنۡ اَرَدۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡحُسۡنٰى​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ يَشۡهَدُ اِنَّهُمۡ لَـكٰذِبُوۡنَ‏ ١٠٧

There are those [hypocrites] who built a mosque to cause harm, promote disbelief and create division among the believers, and as a base for those who had previously fought against Allah and His Messenger. They will surely swear, “We intend nothing but good,” but Allah testifies that they are indeed liars.

— Ruwwad Center

Those [hypocrites] who adopt a mosque for [working] mischief and disbelief, as well as disunion among believers and as an outpost for anyone who has already warred on Allah (God) and His messenger, [the hypocrites] will swear: "We only wanted to be kind!" Allah (God) witnesses what sort of liars they are,

— Dr. T. B. Irving

And as for those who put up a mosque by way of harm and disbelief and to disunite the believers and as an outpost for those who warred against Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) aforetime, they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allâh bears witness that they are certainly liars.

— Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Then there are those who built a mosque to cause harm, to spread apostasy and disunity among the believers—as an outpost for those who from the outset warred on God and His Messenger. They swear, ‘Our intentions were nothing but good,’ but God bears witness that they are lying.

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[Al-Quran 9:107 

...

Surah Maryam begins with the narration about Zachariah (Zakariyâ عليه السلام) praying for a good offspring as he had grown very old, and he feared the people after him. As a sign, he was not able to speak for three nights with the people, and so he signalled them thus: 

فَخَرَجَ عَلٰى قَوۡمِهٖ مِنَ الۡمِحۡرَابِ فَاَوۡحٰٓى اِلَيۡهِمۡ اَنۡ سَبِّحُوۡا بُكۡرَةً وَّعَشِيًّا‏ ١١

So he came out to his people from the sanctuary, signalling to them to glorify ˹Allah˺ morning and evening.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

So he came out to his people from the sanctuary and signaled to them to exalt(God) , morning and evening.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

Then Zechariah came out to his people from his place of prayer, and indicated to them without speaking to glorify Allah at the beginning and end of the day.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

So he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt [Allāh] in the morning and afternoon.

— Saheeh International

Then he came out to his people from the place of prayer and directed them by gestures to proclaim the purity of Allah at morning and evening.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 19:11 

...

Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) inherited from his father Prophet-King David (Daud عليه السلام). They both undertook many major reforms, cleansing the lands of worship of false gods, and establishing equitable justice. The devil jinns were placed under Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام)'s command: 

يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ لَهٗ مَا يَشَآءُ مِنۡ مَّحَارِيۡبَ وَتَمَاثِيۡلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالۡجَـوَابِ وَقُدُوۡرٍ رّٰسِيٰتٍ ؕ اِعۡمَلُوۡۤا اٰلَ دَاوٗدَ شُكۡرًا ؕ وَقَلِيۡلٌ مِّنۡ عِبَادِىَ الشَّكُوۡرُ‏ ١٣

They made for him whatever he desired of sanctuaries, statues,1 basins as large as reservoirs, and cooking pots fixed ˹into the ground˺. ˹We ordered:˺ “Work gratefully, O  family of David!” ˹Only˺ a few of My servants are ˹truly˺ grateful.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

They would make for him whatever he wished of sanctuaries, and statues, and bowls like pools, and heavy cauldrons. “O David’s folk, work in thankfulness.” But few of My servants are constantly thankful.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

They made for him what he willed of elevated chambers, statues, bowls like reservoirs, and stationary kettles. [We said], "Work, O family of David, in gratitude." And few of My servants are grateful.

— Saheeh International

These Jinn constructed for him whatever he wanted from places of worship, palaces, lofty structures. And I said to them: O the family of David! Be grateful for the blessings I have bestowed upon you, because very few of My servants are grateful to Me for the blessings I grant them.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

They used to make for him whatever he wished of castles, images, basins as (large as) tanks and big cook-wares fixed (in their places). " Do good, 0 family of Dawud, in thankfulness. And few from My slaves are thankful."

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 34:13 

...

Surah Saad is about rich, powerful men who made mistakes. Some repented, others didn't. Prophet-King David (Daud عليه السلام) was appointed Khalifa of the Earth. When he needed a reminder, two people were sent to his Al-Mihrâb (الۡمِحۡرَابَۙ) requesting him to judge between them: 

۞ وَهَلۡ اَتٰٮكَ نَبَؤُا الۡخَصۡمِ​ۘ اِذۡ تَسَوَّرُوا الۡمِحۡرَابَۙ‏ ٢١

Has the story of the two plaintiffs, who scaled the ˹wall of David’s˺ sanctuary, reached you ˹O Prophet˺?

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And has the tiding of the disputants reached you , as they climbed the sanctuary

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

O Messenger, has the news of the two disputants come to you, when they climbed upon the place of worship of David (peace be upon him)?

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

And has there come to you the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber -

— Saheeh International

And has there come to you the story of the litigants, when they entered the sanctuary by climbing over the wall?

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 38:21]  

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فَاِذَا لَقِيۡتُمُ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا فَضَرۡبَ الرِّقَابِ ؕ حَتّٰٓى اِذَاۤ اَثۡخَنۡتُمُوۡهُمۡ فَشُدُّوۡا الۡوَثَاقَ ۙ فَاِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعۡدُ وَاِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتّٰى تَضَعَ الۡحَـرۡبُ اَوۡزَارَهَا ۛۚ ذٰ لِكَ ​ۛؕ وَلَوۡ يَشَآءُ اللّٰهُ لَانْـتَصَرَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَلٰـكِنۡ لِّيَبۡلُوَا۟ بَعۡضَكُمۡ بِبَعۡضٍ​ؕ وَالَّذِيۡنَ قُتِلُوۡا فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ فَلَنۡ يُّضِلَّ اَعۡمَالَهُمۡ‏ ٤

So when you meet the disbelievers ˹in battle˺, strike ˹their˺ necks until you have thoroughly subdued them, then bind them firmly. Later ˹free them either as˺ an act of grace or by ransom until the war comes to an end. So will it be. Had Allah willed, He ˹Himself˺ could have inflicted punishment on them. But He does ˹this only to˺ test some of you by means of others. And those who are martyred in the cause of Allah, He will never render their deeds void.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Thus, when you encounter those who have denied, strike at their necks. Then when you have subjugated them, bind them firmly. Then either release them by grace or by ransom until war lays down its burdens. Had Allah willed, He could have defeated them Himself, but He thus tests some of you by means of others. As for those who were killed in the way of Allah, He will not let their deeds go to waste.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure [their] bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allāh - never will He waste their deeds.

— Saheeh International

When you, O believers, face those disbelievers who wage war against you then strike their necks with your swords, and persist in fighting them until you subdue them and eradicate their power. Once you have subdue them, tie the chains of the captives. When you capture them you have the option, as per the demand of interests, of being graceful to them by releasing them for no ransom, ransoming them for wealth or something else, killing them, or enslaving them. Continue fighting and capturing them until the war ends by the disbelievers’ accepting Islam or by your entering into a treaty with them. The mentioned trial of the believers with the disbelievers, the alternation of fortunes and the victory of one over the other, is Allah’s decision. If Allah willed to defeat the disbelievers without a fight, He would have done so, but He ordained striving in His path to test some of you with others. He tests who of the believers fights and who doesn’t. He tests the disbeliever with the believer: If the believer is killed he enters Paradise and if the believer kills him he enters the fire. Those who are killed in Allah’s path, Allah will never nullify their deeds.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

So, when you encounter those who disbelieve, then (aim at) smiting the necks, until when you have broken their strength thoroughly, then tie fast the bond, (by making them captives). Then choose (to set them free) either (as) a favour, or (after receiving) ransom, until the war throws down its load of arms…That (is the law). And if Allah willed, He would have (Himself) taken vengeance upon them, but (Allah ordered you to fight,) so that He may test some of you through some others. And those who are killed in Allah's way, He will never let their deeds go in vain.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 47:4]  

Surah Muhammad is the forty-seventh surah in The Quran. Prophet Muhammad  and his companions رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ fought many wars till finally the Deen of Allah  was established all over Arabia, and beyond. 









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Slides from Surah alBaqarah QnA


Also read:

Satan's Enmity: Origin & Objective 

Wronging the Nafs - II (The Forbidden & The Sacred) 

Text and Translations in Quran.com

Search in The Quranic Arabic Corpus:

ع د و

ق ت ل

ح ر ب

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Screenshot from Lane's Lexicon 

Usury [Wikipedia] 

 

Thursday, January 11, 2024

The Death of The Soul

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۞ قُلۡ يَتَوَفّٰٮكُمۡ مَّلَكُ الۡمَوۡتِ الَّذِىۡ وُكِّلَ بِكُمۡ ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّكُمۡ تُرۡجَعُوۡنَ‏ ١١

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Your soul will be taken by the Angel of Death, who is in charge of you. Then to your Lord you will ˹all˺ be returned.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Say , “The angel of death put in charge of you takes you, then to your Lord you are returned .”

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

Say, "The angel of death who has been entrusted with you will take you. Then to your Lord you will be returned."

— Saheeh International

Say, "The angel of death who has been assigned for you will take you in full, then you will be brought back to your Lord."

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 32:11]


We live and we will die. The body disintegrates and becomes dust. Religious people believe they have a soul. Some believe the soul lives on. The Quran is very clear that all created souls must die. It is decreed. The Arabic word used is nafs (نَفۡسٍ):  

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ اَنۡ تَمُوۡتَ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰهِ كِتٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ؕ وَ مَنۡ يُّرِدۡ ثَوَابَ الدُّنۡيَا نُؤۡتِهٖ مِنۡهَا ​ۚ وَمَنۡ يُّرِدۡ ثَوَابَ الۡاٰخِرَةِ نُؤۡتِهٖ مِنۡهَا ​ؕ وَسَنَجۡزِى الشّٰكِرِيۡنَ‏ ١٤٥

No soul can ever die without Allah’s Will at the destined time. Those who desire worldly gain, We will let them have it, and those who desire heavenly reward, We will grant it to them. And We will reward those who are grateful.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

For never was it for anyone to die except by Allah’s leave at a predetermined time. So whoever wants the recompense of the Earlier(Life) , We bring him of it. And whoever wants the recompense of the Hereafter, We bring him of it. And We will repay the thankful ones.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.

— Saheeh International

And it is not the choice of a person to die without the will of Allah, death being a time-bound destiny. And whoever seeks the return in this world, We shall give him out of it, and whoever seeks the return in the Hereafter, We shall give him out of it. And We shall soon reward the grateful.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 3:145]


Some people die a natural death, others are killed. The Quran informs us that we should not say that those who have been killed are dead, particularly those killed battling in the way of Allah. They are alive, but we have no idea about their existence:

وَلَا تَقُوۡلُوۡا لِمَنۡ يُّقۡتَلُ فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ اَمۡوَاتٌ ؕ بَلۡ اَحۡيَآءٌ وَّلٰـكِنۡ لَّا تَشۡعُرُوۡنَ‏ ١٥٤

Never say that those martyred in the cause of Allah are dead—in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And do not say of anyone who is killed in the way of Allah, “(They are) dead.” Rather,(they are) alive, but you are unaware.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allāh, "They are dead." Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.

— Saheeh International

And do not say of those who are slain in the way of Allah that they are dead. Instead, they are alive, but you perceive not.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 2:154]


The loss of a nafs is not the same as the death of a nafs: 

وَلَـنَبۡلُوَنَّكُمۡ بِشَىۡءٍ مِّنَ الۡخَـوۡفِ وَالۡجُـوۡعِ وَنَقۡصٍ مِّنَ الۡاَمۡوَالِ وَالۡاَنۡفُسِ وَالثَّمَرٰتِؕ وَبَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَۙ‏ ١٥٥

We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure—

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger and shortage of wealths and lives and products. Thus give glad tidings to the patient ones:

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,

— Saheeh International

And surely We will test you with a bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits. And give good tidings to the patient who,

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 2:155]


The nafs cannot be killed before its time. What we humans call death is the body ceasing to live. The nafs dies at its appointed time. It is given death by the angel of death. 

The body ceases to exist as an organism. The cells cannot retain the water they need for them to function. More on this at: Non-Living & Living.

There is also the concept of Ruh. We have been given very little knowledge about the Ruh. I understand Ruh to be Allah's command to breathe. More on this at: Human: Body or Soul? || Ruh / رُوحُ   

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The Quran states that the greatest loss that a person can suffer is the loss of its soul (nafs) in the hereafter. To flourish in the Gardens of Eternity, we need Allah to restore our Nafs in our body, and to reform whatever loss we and our souls have suffered, through all the human misadventures that have been inflicted, because of our disobedience to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's commands and prohibitions. 

For example, when Adam عليه السلام prayed after eating from the forbidden tree, he used the word ظَلَمۡنَاۤ which is generally translated as 'wronged', and literally translates to 'darkened': 

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَاۤ اَنۡفُسَنَا وَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَـنَكُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِيۡنَ‏ ٢٣

They replied, “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be losers.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Theydl said, “Our Lord, we have been unjust to ourselves. And unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be of the losers.”

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

Adam and Eve said: 'O our Lord! We have wronged ourselves by doing what You forbade us from, and surely If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us we will be amongst the losers, losing our share of the worldly life and Hereafter.'

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

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, and if You do not forgive us and do not bless us with mercy, we shall, indeed, be among the losers."

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 7:23]

In their dua, they literally state that they (Adam and his wife) have darkened their nafs (as opposed to being in illumination ( النُّوۡرِ​)? Cross reference: Q2:257). Related post: Adam's Covenant & Expulsion: an overview


Adam عليه السلام was tempted to disobey Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in pursuit of Satan's false promises of immortality (Q7:20, Q2:120), of becoming an angel (Q7:20), of a kingdom (body?) that never decays (Q20:120); believing Satan made Adam عليه السلام suffer loss of original, natural clothing

The Quran further draws attention to clothes bestowed upon Adam عليه السلام 's progeny as being a Sign of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and warns of not allowing Satan to remove our cover:

يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ لَا يَفۡتِنَـنَّكُمُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ كَمَاۤ اَخۡرَجَ اَبَوَيۡكُمۡ مِّنَ الۡجَـنَّةِ يَنۡزِعُ عَنۡهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوۡءاٰتِهِمَا ؕ اِنَّهٗ يَرٰٮكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيۡلُهٗ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَهُمۡ​ ؕ اِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا الشَّيٰطِيۡنَ اَوۡلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِيۡنَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ ٢٧

O children of Adam! Do not let Satan deceive you as he tempted your parents out of Paradise and caused their cover to be removed in order to expose their nakedness. Surely he and his soldiers watch you from where you cannot see them. We have made the devils allies of those who disbelieve.
— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

O Children of Adam, never let Satan lure you like he brought your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their garments to show them their private parts. He surely sees you, He and his clan, from where you cannot see them. Indeed, We have made the Satans allies of those who do not believe.
— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

O children of Adam, do not let Satan deceive you by making disobedience look beautiful to you, making you leave covering your nakedness with clothing, or leave the clothing of Mindfulness. Do not be deceived as he tricked your parents, making eating from the tree seem good to them, and the result of that was that he got them expelled from Paradise, and their nakedness became clear to them. Satan and his tribe watch and see you, and you cannot see or watch them, so always be on your guard against him and his tribe. Allah made the satans friends and helpers of those who do not have faith in Allah. As for those who have faith and do good, the satans have no way against them.
— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.
— Saheeh International

O children of 'Adam, "Do not let Satan put you in trouble the way he had your parents expelled from Paradise, having their dress removed from them, so that he could show them their shame. Indeed, he sees you - he and his company - from where you do not see them. Surely, We have made the satans friends for those who do not believe.
— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 7:27]

Adam was a bashr (بَشَرٌ), not a malak (مَلَكٌ), nor was any of his descendants. The Quran is quite clear that immortality is not granted to any bashr (بَشَرٌ). Every bashr (بَشَرٌ) must die: 

وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِكَ الۡخُـلۡدَ​ ؕ اَفَا۟ٮِٕن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الۡخٰـلِدُوۡنَ‏ ٣٤

We have not granted immortality to any human before you ˹O Prophet˺: so if you die, will they live forever?
— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And never did We grant immortality to any human being before yousg . Should you die, are they then the immortal?
— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

O Messenger, I have not given eternity in this life to any human before you. So if your life comes to an end in this life and you pass away, will they live forever after you? Never.
— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?
— Saheeh International

And We did not assign immortality to any human (even) before you. So, if you die, will they then live forever?
— Maarif-ul-Quran
[Al-Quran 21:34]


Efforts to achieve immortality in this life are futile, and result in failure. Immortality is decreed for the Hereafter. Please read: Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays || ... and Join Me with The Reformed || Families are Forever

The Quran also informs us that whatever we suffer is due to our own Nafs. More on this at: DRAFT: Nafs || Disease. Since the nafs is removed when we sleep, so it is not surprising that the body heals better when we are asleep. ... 

The Quran informs us that every sin is an act against our own Nafs. So, with every sin, we further darken our own Nafs. 

Modern science now knows that all 'living' things are a set of instructions, and that the information generated cannot be destroyed. It exists forever. So, every word we say, and every act we perform, all is recorded forever. Also read: Generating The Evidence || Our Record in Our Neck.

Abrahamic scriptures in general, and The Quran in particular, promise a bodily resurrection, and judgement, while non-Abrahamic religions focus on the liberation of the soul from the body. Abrahamic scriptures insist on the worship of the one, true God, while non-Abrahamic religions are mostly polytheistic with a pantheon of deities. Abrahamic scriptures enjoin prayers ordained at fixed times to establish contact with God; polytheistic religions have their own modes of worship to establish contact with those they worship. Abrahamic scriptures invite to the house of peace, to dwell in there forever, while non-Abrahamic religions promise eternal liberation from a body as the purpose to pursue. Also read: Salaam, The Significance of the Spoken Word! || as-Salaat vs Yoga || Spirits and spirituality || The Cursed Tree || The Same Religion (الدِّينِ)

As our knowledge advances, and we are able to affect changes in our Nafs, we risk devolution and/or  divine punishment. More on this at: Wronging the Nafs || Secular Science vs Creation Faith || Faith vs Science.

Our gullet, and our nafs, are in pledge (Q52:21, Q74:38). We, the progeny of the sons of Adam, were made witness to our nafs (cross reference: Q7:172-174). Also read: The Nafs of The Insaan || Corruption of Creation || The Sustainer of the Worlds (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ) || Humans: Extinct & Extant

In this temporary life, every person is offered willing submission to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Deen, that is, a chance to willingly become law-abiding slaves of Allah. However, those who reject or doubt are also permitted to be willingly become lawless criminals. There is no compulsion on the individual. 

We will be judged by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى according to His Deen (Laws of Recompense). The Deen is defined and detailed across The Quran. Surah az-Zumar emphasises the sincerity to The Deen of Allah. Q39:53-59 offers hope to all who have transgressed against their souls to not lose hope of forgiveness from Allah  سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , and urgently turn towards Allah  سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, submitting to His Deen, and following the best of what has been revealed. Also read: Creation of Space & Time, and The Deen ||  No ilah but Allah لا إله إلا الله || To Forget the Meeting with Allah || Hired for Khilafat.  

The greatest loss that a person can suffer is the permanent loss of their soul in the Hereafter (Q39:15-20). Such people will consciously suffer in Hell, neither living nor dying (Q35:36). 

The souls that are satisfied with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى will be reinstated in their bodies on the Day of Judgement:

يٰۤاَيَّتُهَا النَّفۡسُ الۡمُطۡمَٮِٕنَّةُ  ۖ‏ ٢٧ ارۡجِعِىۡۤ اِلٰى رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرۡضِيَّةً​ ۚ‏ ٢٨ فَادۡخُلِىۡ فِىۡ عِبٰدِىۙ‏ ٢٩ وَادۡخُلِىۡ جَنَّتِى‏ ٣٠

(As for an obedient man, it will be said to him,) “O content soul, come back to your Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing. So, enter among My (special) servants, and enter My Paradise.” 

[Al-Quran 89:27-30, Translation: Mufti Taqi Usmani]

The above quoted ayaat are variously translated. As per my understanding of The Quran, it is speaking about the reinstating of the soul (nafs) in its own body, resurrected with the original dust it was created with in this life.  


Related posts: 

Links to posts about Nafs .

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The Case against the Bani Israel 

Protection from (fear of) ar-Rahab 

The Serpent & The Snake: a Clear Sign 




Last updated on: January 18, 2024