[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].

Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Garments of Skin

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يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًۭا يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَٰتِكُمْ وَرِيشًۭا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ٢٦

O Children of Adam! We have revealed unto you raiment to conceal your shame, and splendid vesture, but the raiment of restraint from evil, that is best. This is of the revelations of Allah, that they may remember.

— M. Pickthall

O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment; and the raiment of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, that they may remember (i.e. leave falsehood and follow truth[1]).

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[1](V.26) It is said that the pagan Arabs in the Pre-Islâmic Period of Ignorance used to do Tawâf (going round) of the Ka‘bah in a naked state. So when Islâm became victorious and Makkah was conquered, the pagans and the polytheists were forbidden to enter Makkah, and none was allowed to do Tawâf of the Ka‘bah in a naked state.


يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ كَمَآ أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْءَٰتِهِمَآ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ يَرَىٰكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُۥ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ٢٧

O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that he might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not.

— M. Pickthall

O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitân (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwâ’ (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabîluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayâtin (devils) Auliyâ’ (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran 7:26-27

The Quran, Surah al-A'raf recounts the arrogance and deception of Satan with which he persuaded Adam and his wife to fall into sin. Then it informs us that clothing was bestowed upon the children of Adam, and the purpose of it. Then it warns the children of Adam to not to let Satan deceive us as he deceived our parents, 'ripping off' their clothing... 

Surah Ta Ha (Q20:118) informs us that Adam and his spouse were not naked originally. There was plenty in the Garden for them to never go naked or hungry. The Bible informs us that when their eyes opened (Genesis 3 7), they realised that they were naked. The Bible (Genesis 3 21) informs us that after their fall, Adam and his wife were provided with skin to cover their body. 

Surah al-Baqarah (Q2:36) informs us that Satan made Adam and his wife 'slip out' of what they were in. In an earlier post, I've explored the example of snails and slugs to understand what 'slipping out' means. Snails have a shell that they live in, attached to their bodies through muscles. Slugs are devolved snails, without shells, and covered with skin. 

Surah al-A'raf (Q7:23) informs us that they cried to their Rabb (Lord-Sustainer) that they had put their nafs in darkness, and prayed to be covered and for mercy (وَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا). 

So, what happened? Did they lose consciousness when they ate the forbidden fruit? During their unconsciousness, Satan ripped off their clothing? Was this clothing removable to begin with, like we have now, or was it growing upon the body, like a shell? When they regained consciousness, their natural clothing (لِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ) had been ripped off and they were in a terrible state, their hidden parts exposed? They started dressing their wounds, with the leaves of the tree? Then Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ covered them with skin, in response to their prayer for cover and mercy? They are granted skins to cover them? The skin that encloses our body is a sign of our devolution as a specie? From a highly advanced specie, we have devolved into very weak and vulnerable creatures? From 'اَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيۡمٍ‏' , we have become 'اَسۡفَلَ سَافِلِيۡنَۙ‏' (Q95:4-5)?  


The Quran uses the word julood (جُلُودُ) to describe the skin on the body. The triliteral root jīm lām dāl (ج ل د) occurs 13 times in the Quran. ...  Of these, nine times as the noun julūd (جُلُود)

Screenshot from: corpus.quran.com


Regarding the Hereafter, the people who disbelieve / reject, it is stated: 

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًۭا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًۭا ٥٦

Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.

— Saheeh International

Lo! Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.

— M. Pickthall

[Al-Quran 4:56]


Regarding the skins of cattle, we read: 

وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِكُمْ سَكَنًۭا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ بُيُوتًۭا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْ ۙ وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَآ أَثَـٰثًۭا وَمَتَـٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍۢ ٨٠

And Allāh has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you from the hides of the animals tents which you find light on your day of travel and your day of encampment; and from their wool, fur and hair is furnishing and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time.

— Saheeh International

And Allah hath given you in your houses an abode, and hath given you (also), of the hides of cattle, houses which ye find light (to carry) on the day of migration and on the day of pitching camp; and of their wool and their fur and their hair, caparison and comfort for a while.

— M. Pickthall

[Al-Quran 16:80]


Regarding the disbelievers, again it is stated in Surah al-Hajj: 

۞ هَـٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌۭ مِّن نَّارٍۢ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ ١٩

These[1] are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water

[1]i.e., the believers and the disbelievers.

يُصْهَرُ بِهِۦ مَا فِى بُطُونِهِمْ وَٱلْجُلُودُ ٢٠

By which is melted that within their bellies and [their] skins.

وَلَهُم مَّقَـٰمِعُ مِنْ حَدِيدٍۢ ٢١

And for [striking] them are maces of iron.

كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ ٢٢

Every time they want to get out of it [i.e., Hellfire] from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"

[Al-Quran 22:19-22, Translation:Saheeh International]


Regarding The Quran, in Surah az-Zumar, it is stated:

ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَـٰبًۭا مُّتَشَـٰبِهًۭا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ ٢٣

˹It is˺ Allah ˹Who˺ has sent down the best message—a Book of perfect consistency and repeated lessons—which causes the skin ˹and hearts˺ of those who fear their Lord to tremble, then their skin and hearts soften at the mention of ˹the mercy of˺ Allah. That is the guidance of Allah, through which He guides whoever He wills. But whoever Allah leaves to stray will be left with no guide.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Allâh has sent down the Best Statement, a Book (this Qur’ân), its parts resembling each other (in goodness and truth) (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allâh. That is the guidance of Allâh. He Guides therewith whom He wills; and whomever Allâh sends astray, for him there is no guide.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجْهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ ٢٤

Are those who will only have their ˹bare˺ faces to shield themselves from the awful torment on Judgment Day ˹better than those in Paradise˺? It will ˹then˺ be said to the wrongdoers: “Reap what you sowed!”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Is he then, who will confront with his face the awful torment on the Day of Resurrection (as he who enters peacefully in Paradise)? And it will be said to the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers): "Taste what you used to earn!"

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran 39:23-24]


Regarding the Day of Judgement, it is foretold: 

وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ ١٩

˹Consider˺ the Day ˹when˺ the enemies of Allah will be gathered for the Fire, all driven in ranks.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And (remember) the Day that the enemies of Allâh will be gathered to the Fire, then they will be driven [(to the Fire), former ones being withheld till their later ones will join them].

— Al-Hilali & Khan

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٢٠

When they reach it, their ears, eyes, and skin will testify against what they used to do.[1]

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

[1] It is reported in Ibn Kathîr’s commentary that, on the Day of Judgment, the wicked will deny the evil deeds in their records—as a desperate attempt to escape the horrible punishment in Hell. They will be asked if they accept Allah, the angels, or even their own families and neighbours as witnesses, but they will refuse. So Allah will make their organs testify against them.

Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

وَقَالُوا۟ لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنطَقَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ٢١

They will ask their skin ˹furiously˺, “Why have you testified against us?” It will say, “We have been made to speak by Allah, Who causes all things to speak. He ˹is the One Who˺ created you the first time, and to Him you were bound to return.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And they will say to their skins, "Why do you testify against us?" They will say: "Allâh has caused us to speak as He causes all things to speak: and He created you the first time, and to Him you are made to return."

— Al-Hilali & Khan

وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ أَن يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَآ أَبْصَـٰرُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن ظَنَنتُمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَثِيرًۭا مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ ٢٢

You did not ˹bother to˺ hide yourselves from your ears, eyes, and skin to prevent them from testifying against you. Rather, you assumed that Allah did not know much of what you used to do.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And you have not been hiding yourselves (in the world), lest your ears, and your eyes, and your skins should testify against you; but you thought that Allâh knew not much of what you were doing.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

وَذَٰلِكُمْ ظَنُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى ظَنَنتُم بِرَبِّكُمْ أَرْدَىٰكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٢٣

It was that ˹false˺ assumption you entertained about your Lord that has brought about your doom, so you have become losers.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And that thought of yours which you thought about your Lord, has brought you to destruction; and you have become (this Day) of those utterly lost!

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran 41:19-23]


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DRAFT

From 'اَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيۡمٍ‏' , to 'اَسۡفَلَ سَافِلِيۡنَۙ‏' (Q95:4-5)?  

The triliteral root ḥā sīn nūn (ح س ن) occurs 194 times in the Quran, in 12 derived forms

... 

The triliteral root sīn fā lām (س ف ل) occurs 10 times in the Quran, in three derived forms:

six times as the nominal asfal (أَسْفَل)

once as the noun suf'lā (سُّفْلَىٰ)

three times as the active participle sāfil (سَافِل) 



Screenshot from corpus.quran.com

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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. For his arrogance, he gets expelled, degraded. 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 (their original natural clothing, 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

Common Theme

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 ruling class / chieftains / leaders (الۡمَلَاُ) of the nation rejected the message. Most of the people followed their leaders and adhered to their false religion. Very few hearkened to the 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).  

Said the leaders who disbelieved from his people, If you follow Shoaib, you will surely be losers. 

So, seized them the earthquake, so they became in their homes, fallen prone. Those who had falsified Shoaib were wiped out as if they had never flourished there, those who had falsified Shoaib, they were the losers. 

So he turned away from them, and said, O my people, I had certainly conveyed to you the messages of my Lord, and advised you, so how can I grieve for a disbelieving people. 




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Messenger Moses, the Pharaoh  & his chiefs (Q7:103-136)

Then, after them, We resurrected/ raised/ appointed/ sent (بَعَثۡنَا) Moses with Our Signs, towards Pharaoh and his religious rulers/ leaders (مَلَا۟ئِهٖ), but they dealt with Our Signs unjustly/ darkly (فَظَلَمُوۡا بِهَا​), so look how was the end/ penalty/ fate (عَاقِبَةُ) of the corrupters (الۡمُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏). 

And Moses said, O Pharaoh, indeed I am a Messenger from the Lord-Sustainer of all the worlds. Obligated to say nothing about Allah except the truth, I have brought to you with clear evidence from your Lord-Sustainer, so send with me Bani Israel. 

He said, if you have brought a sign, then bring it forth, if you are of those who speak the truth. 

So, he threw his staff, and it became a serpent, evident. 

And he drew out his hand, so it was white for all to see. 

Said the chiefs of the people of Pharaoh, indeed this is a magician/ sorcerer, learned/ knowledgable. 

Who seeks to evict you from your land. So what do you instruct? 

They said, postpone/ delay him and his brother, and send in all the cities, gatherers 

To bring you every magician/ sorcerer, learned/ knowledgable. 

And came all the magicians/ sorcerers to Pharaoh, they said, indeed for us a reward if we overcome? 

He replied, Yes, and certainly you will be among those closest to me. 

They asked, O Moses, either you throw, or shall we be the first throwers? 

He said, throw. So when they threw, they enchanted the eyes of the people, and struck them with awe, and brought a magic (spell), mighty

Then We inspired Moses that throw your staff, so it it devoured that which they were faking.  

So was established reality, and vanished what they were doing. 

So they were overcome there, and returned degraded.  

And threw themselves down the magicians/ sorcerers, in prostration

They said, we believe in the Lord-Sustainer of the worlds

Lord-Sustainer of Moses and Aaron

Said Pharaoh, you believed in Him before I gave you permission! this is a plan which you have planned in the city, to evict those who live in it, so soon you will know.

Certainly I will cut-off your hands and feet, from opposite sides, then I will crucify you all. 

They said, Surely to our Lord-Sustainer we will return 

and not you take vengeance on us except that we have believed in the signs of our Lord-Sustainer when they came to us, Our Lord-Sustainer, pour upon us patience, and cause us to die Muslims.  




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Messenger Moses & the Bani Israel post-Exodus (Q7:137-171)










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The Witnessing by the Bani Adam (Q7:172-174)









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The First Humans (Q7:189-190)








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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, May 7, 2024

Dust & Ribs, same root (ت ر ب)

Matching, Ribs, & Dust 



Matching
 

The Quran uses the root (ت ر ب) to describe the spouses in the Gardens of Eternity in Q38:52, Q56:37, and Q78:33. These can be translated as well-matched or equals. So, the delightful pleasure that is being described will be compatible to the very basic ingredient: the dust that essentially each person is created from. Well-matched and equals. 


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Ribs 

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Famously, we have heard that Adam's spouse was created from his rib, while Adam عليه السلام was in the Garden.  Genesis 2 21-25 mentions this. The Quran Q86:7 uses the same root (ت ر ب) to mention the ribs (التَّرَائِبِ) of humans. So, putting both of them together, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ made the perfect match for Adam عليه السلام by using the dust of his rib to create his spouse. So, it seems that The Quran is endorsing the fact mentioned in The Torah / Old Testament. 


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Dust 


As can be seen from this screenshot, the root (ت ر ب) is used seventeen times for the word (تُرَاب) which means dust. The Quran repeatedly informs us that we have been created from dust. The word for ribs (التَّرَائِبِ) uses the same root, and the word for the future spouses (أَتْرَاب) of the Muttaqeen, who will dwell as Companions of the Gardens, for Eternity, also uses the same root.  


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Screenshots from corpus.quran.com








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Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Humans & The Human Condition

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يٰۤـاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوۡا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَكُمۡ مِّنۡ نَّفۡسٍ وَّاحِدَةٍ وَّخَلَقَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنۡهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيۡرًا وَّنِسَآءً​ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ الَّذِىۡ تَسَآءَلُوۡنَ بِهٖ وَالۡاَرۡحَامَ​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ رَقِيۡبًا‏ ١

O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allāh, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allāh is ever, over you, an Observer.

— Saheeh International

O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bore you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher over you.

— M. Pickthall

[Al-Quran 4:1]

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فَاَقِمۡ وَجۡهَكَ لِلدِّيۡنِ حَنِيۡفًا ​ؕ فِطۡرَتَ اللّٰهِ الَّتِىۡ فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيۡهَا ​ؕ لَا تَبۡدِيۡلَ لِخَـلۡقِ اللّٰهِ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ الدِّيۡنُ الۡقَيِّمُ ۙ  وَلٰـكِنَّ اَكۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ۙ ‏ ٣٠

So stand facing the Deen-e-Hanif; the Fitrat of Allah upon which He has separated / natured humans; no change in the creation of Allah; that is the standing Deen (religion / law of recompense), but most humans do not know. 

[Al-Quran 30:30]

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لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا الۡاِنۡسَانَ فِىۡۤ اَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيۡمٍ‏ ٤ ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنٰهُ اَسۡفَلَ سَافِلِيۡنَۙ‏ ٥

4 Certainly, we created the human in the best of standing 

5 Then, we returned him to the lowest of the low

[Al-Quran 98:4-5]

... 

My learnings from Genesis 1 26-28

Humans were created to rule over the creatures of the Earth 

Humans were created by God, in His Likeness, He created them male and female  

Humans were created by God on the sixth day, the last of the six days of creation  


My learnings from The Quran

Allah created the first humans from a single Nafs (soul), and from them many humans were created through the natural process of human procreation, in the wombs of the female humans (Q4:1) 

All good and bad is from Allah, but all bad is actually due to our nafs (Q4:78-79) 

Allah created humans after His Own Fitrat (nature || separation from other creatures?) (Q30:30) 

Allah created Adam with His Own Two Hands (Q38:75) 

Humans were created in the best of standing (Q98:4) 

Humans were returned to the lowest of the low (Q98:5) 

Adam and his wife were tried with the forbidden tree in The Garden (Q2:35, Q7:20, Q20:120) 

Adam and his wife admitted that they had done Zulm (wrong / darkness) on their nafs (Q7:22-23) 

Adam and his wife lost their external cover and clothing (Q2:36, 7:22, 7:27, Q20:121) 

Bani Adam have inherited this loss (we are not naturally covered or clothed the way almost all other creatures are) 

Bani Adam have been provided clothing to cover their nakedness, and to adorn them (Q7:26) 

Fahishatan (nakedness / immorality) is not part of Allah's decrees. Allah never commands it (Q7:28) 

Qist (equitable justice) has been ordered by Allah. He has commanded sincerity to the Deen, and that we will be created as we were created originally (Q7:29) 

Bani Adam are commanded to adorn themselves with what beautifies them at every masjid (place / time of prostration), without indulging in israaf (excessiveness / wastefulness) (Q7:31-32) 

We, and our souls, are in pledge for what we earn (Q52:21, Q74:38) 


What is critical for us to understand from the above is that the human condition that we find ourselves in, prone to diseases and many other troubles and travails, internal and external, are due to our fallen nature. Allah does not hold the progeny of Adam responsible for the sin and consequent fall of Adam, but He does want us to take responsibility for our own actions, and thus willingly adhere to the Deen (Law of Recompense), so that when we are recreated by Allah in our original forms, we are allowed to enter the Gardens promised by Allah to all those who believe and do acts of reform. May we not be of those criminals who will be tried with the Tree of Zaqqum, which grows from the bottom of Hell. May we not be of those permanently removed from Allah's Mercy. 




Previous Learnings: 

Until The Camel Passes Through The Eye Of The Needle 

Rust Upon Their Hearts 

Lying Sinful Forelock 

Teleology: A purpose-built Universe? 

Divine Will and Human Free Will  

The First Humans 

Orientation: Right or Left 

Fuel of Hell: Humans and Stones 

World Hunger & Slavery 

World History & Future Implications 

Virgin Birth 

Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation 

Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays 

Days of Allah 

Long Life – Reversed in Creation 

Guarding the Womb 

Wronging the Nafs 

The Right Religion (Deen) 

Human: Body or Soul? 

Adam Facts 

The Hajj 

Lessons in Surah al-Kahf 

Disease  

Cure 

Death & The Pursuit of Immortality 

Humans: Extinct & Extant  

The Cursed Tree 

Tears of Joy 

The Same Religion (الدِّينِ) 

Prayer & Remembrance of God 

The Creation & Emergence of Species 

Jinn-Human Hybrids 

The Evil of the الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ 

To Forget the Meeting with Allah 

Acknowledging the Perfection of our Lord 

Natural Clothing 

The Case against the Bani Israel 

The Hikmat (الْحِكْمَةَ) 

Seeking the Face of Allah 

When Allah Comes 

Fate, Deeds, Omens & The Mercy of Allah 

Our Record in Our Neck 

The Devils among The Angels & The Khilafat of Adam 

Signs of Allah 

Gratitude Reminders 

Non-Living & Living 

The Torah & The Quran 

Polytheism: The Sin committed by The First Human Couple 

The Night: A Sign! 

... and Join Me with The Reformed 

Prayers - The Need for Allah's Help 

Their Descendants from Their Backs 

The Quran: Shifa & Guidance for The Believers 

Nafs 

The Hardware & The Software 

Shackles in The Neck 

Joseph's قَمِيصَ (Shirt / Jacket) 

No ilah but Allah لا إله إلا الله 

Q2 30-39 || Q12 

Q7 10-36 || Q12 

Q18 50-51 || Q12 

The Nafs of The Insaan 

Major Sins & True Repentance 

Abortions & Family Planning 

The Clothing that Covers 

Human Devolution  

Natural Biology of Procreation 

Pregnancies mentioned in The Quran 

Gullet / امْرِئٍ  

Nafs / نَفْسُ 

Ruh / رُوحُ 

Body / بَدَنِ / جَسَدًا / سَوْءَةَ 

Snails, Slugs & The Devolution of Adam 

Act(s) of Reform (عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ and عَمِلَ صَالِحًا) 

Soul Mates 

With His Hands 

The Example of The Mosquito 

The Death of The Soul 

Adam & Job 


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Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Adam & Job

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وَاذۡكُرۡ عَبۡدَنَاۤ اَيُّوۡبَۘ اِذۡ نَادٰى رَبَّهٗۤ اَنِّىۡ مَسَّنِىَ الشَّيۡطٰنُ بِنُصۡبٍ وَّعَذَابٍؕ‏ ٤١ اُرۡكُضۡ بِرِجۡلِكَ​ ۚ هٰذَا مُغۡتَسَلٌ ۢ بَارِدٌ وَّشَرَابٌ‏ ٤٢ وَوَهَبۡنَا لَهٗۤ اَهۡلَهٗ وَمِثۡلَهُمۡ مَّعَهُمۡ رَحۡمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكۡرٰى لِاُولِى الۡاَلۡبَابِ‏ ٤٣ وَخُذۡ بِيَدِكَ ضِغۡثًا فَاضۡرِبْ بِّهٖ وَلَا تَحۡنَثۡ​ؕ اِنَّا وَجَدۡنٰهُ صَابِرًا​ ؕ نِعۡمَ الۡعَبۡدُ​ ؕ اِنَّـهٗۤ اَوَّابٌ‏ ٤٤

And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment." [So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for a] cool bath and drink." And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding. [We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allāh]. 

[Al-Quran 38:41-44, Translation: Saheeh International]

Prophet Job (Ayub عليه السلام) cried out that Satan had touched him with hardship and torment. 

We know from the story of Adam عليه السلام that Satan was the one who tempted Adam عليه السلام and his wife into disobeying Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and suffered as a consequence. 

We also know from Genesis 3 that Satan fooled Adam عليه السلام 's wife who in turn ate the forbidden fruit as well as fed it to her husband. 

We know from Job 2:9 that Satan used Job (Ayub عليه السلام) 's wife to tempt him to speak against the Lord. 

The Quran doesn't mention the wives' fault, nor does it blame them. They did suffer the consequences, but The Quran places the responsibility on the one who was under the covenant. 

In the ayaat quoted above, we find a reference to an oath. In the footnote of the translation, the translator writes: 

At a point during his illness, Job became angry with his wife and swore that if he recovered, he would punish her with one hundred lashes. According to Allāh's instruction, the oath was fulfilled by striking her once with one hundred blades of grass.


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The longest ayat in The Quran is towards the end of the longest surah. The ayat (Q2:283) is about debts, payments that will be made later. It instructs writing down and taking two men as witnesses. If that is not possible, then one man and two women whom you accept as witnesses. The reason for this being: 

 ... فَاِنۡ لَّمۡ يَكُوۡنَا رَجُلَيۡنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَّامۡرَاَتٰنِ مِمَّنۡ تَرۡضَوۡنَ مِنَ الشُّهَدَآءِ اَنۡ تَضِلَّ اِحۡدٰٮهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ اِحۡدٰٮهُمَا الۡاُخۡرٰى​ؕ ...

.... And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of them [i.e., the women] errs, then the other can remind her.  ...

[Al-Quran 2:283, Translation: Saheeh International]

Satan is a manifest, misleading enemy who is constantly trying to harm Adam and his family. Apparently, it is easier for women to be misled, a similarity we find in the trials of Adam and Job, where he works through the wives to harm the husbands.  



...

Also read:

... if you slip 

Affliction, Cure, and The Roman Cult 

The Devils among The Angels & The Khilafat of Adam 

Adversity: Fatigue and Torment 

Adam's Fall in Genesis 3 in the light of The Quran 

Female recall  

The Covenant & Its Ratification  





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.' 

...


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 

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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 

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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

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