[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].

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 

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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 

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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 

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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:

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Screenshot from Lane's Lexicon 

Usury [Wikipedia] 

 

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