[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 Iron. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iron. Show all posts

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Natural Clothing

Abstract 
We humans do not have a natural cover. Scriptures inform us that we have inherited this loss.  However, Allah has kindly provided us with clothes and other objects to help us cope with our present condition. 



Full Text 

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا

وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ 

ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ

O Children (of) Adam! Verily We have sent down to you clothing, it covers your shame and (as) an adornment
But the clothing (of) التَّقْوَىٰ - that (is) best. 
That (is) from (the) Signs of Allah so that they may remember.
[Al-Quran 7:26


Almost all creatures are clothed in fur, feather, shell, or some other form of natural clothing. In the plant kingdom also, we find natural protection and beautification. We humans do not have a natural cover. Scriptures inform us that Adam and his wife lost it when they ate from the Forbidden Tree in The Garden. We have inherited this loss! However, Allah has kindly provided us with clothes and other objects to help us cope with our present condition.


Comfort & Protection 
Q7:26 informs us that the external clothes that we humans have been provided with are meant to perform two functions: cover our naked skin, and beautify us! The clothing (of) التَّقْوَىٰ was meant to be much more. To meet our other needs, we have been provided with external sources, such as  cattle and iron:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَا أَنْعَامًا فَهُمْ لَهَا مَالِكُونَ 
وَذَلَّلْنَاهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ
وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ

Do not they see that We [We] created for them from what have made Our hands, cattle, then they [for them] (are the) owners?
And We have tamed them for them, so some of them - they ride them, and some of them they eat.
And for them therein (are) benefits and drinks, so (will) not they give thanks?
[Al-Quran 36:71-73]


Cattle are clothed in their natural clothing. We employ their natural clothing to serve a variety of functions, using it for shelter, comfort and protection:

وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن بُيُوتِكُمْ سَكَنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ الْأَنْعَامِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا أَثَاثًا وَمَتَاعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَالًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْجِبَالِ أَكْنَانًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَابِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ الْحَرَّ وَسَرَابِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأْسَكُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ

And Allah (has) made for you [from] your homes a resting place, and made for you from the hides (of) the cattle tents, which you find light (on) the day (of) your travel and the day (of) your encampment; and from their wool and their fur and their hair (is) furnishing and a provision for a time.
And Allah (has) made for you from what He created, shades and (has) made for you from the mountains, shelters and (has) made for you garments to protect you (from) the heat and garments to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus He completes His Favor upon you so that you may submit.
[Al-Quran 16:80-81]


Iron is also a substance that has been sent to Earth:

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

Certainly We sent Our Messengers with clear proofs and We sent down with them the Scripture and the Balance that may establish the people justice. And We sent down [the] iron, wherein (is) power mighty and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident (he) who helps Him and His Messengers, unseen. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Strong All-Mighty.
[Al-Quran 57:25]

Iron was made pliable for the Prophet-King David. The coats of armour that he made from iron are specially mentioned:

وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ صَنْعَةَ لَبُوسٍ لَّكُمْ لِتُحْصِنَكُم مِّن بَأْسِكُمْ فَهَلْ أَنتُمْ شَاكِرُونَ

And We taught him (the) making (of) coats of armor for you to protect you from your battle. Then will you (be) grateful?
[Al-Quran 21:80

May Allah grant us the piety to submit willingly with gratitude; and may Allah accept our repentance and restore for us the beautiful clothing promised to The People of The Gardens in The Hereafter. 


Thursday, October 5, 2017

Iron Age

Abstract
The Quran states that Iron was made pliable for Prophet-King David. According to archaeological and scriptural sources, the time when iron became pliable approximately matches the period of his reign.   


Full Text
The following are some ayaat about Prophet-King David in the Quran:  

وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ صَنْعَةَ لَبُوسٍ لَّكُمْ لِتُحْصِنَكُم مِّن بَأْسِكُمْ فَهَلْ أَنتُمْ شَاكِرُونَ

And We taught him (the) making (of) coats of armor for you to protect you from your battle. Then will you (be) grateful? 
[Al-Quran, 21:80

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا 
يَا جِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُ وَالطَّيْرَ
 وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ أَنِ اعْمَلْ سَابِغَاتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِي السَّرْدِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا
إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

And certainly, We gave Dawood from Us Bounty. 
"O mountains! Repeat praises with him, and the birds." 
And We made pliable for him [the] iron, That make full coats of mail and measure precisely [of] the links (of armor), and work righteousness
Indeed, I Am of what you do All-Seer. 
[Al-Quran, 34:10-11

يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ 
فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ

"O Dawood! Indeed, We [We] have made you a vicegerent in the earth
so judge between [the] men in truth and (do) not follow the desire, for it will lead you astray from (the) way (of) Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from (the) way (of) Allah, for them (is) a punishment severe because they forgot (the) Day (of) Account."
[Al-Quran 38:26

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ 
وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ 
وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ 
إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

Certainly We sent Our Messengers with clear proofs and We sent down with them the Scripture and the Balance that may establish the people justice
And We sent down [the] iron, wherein (is) power mighty and benefits for the people, 
and so that Allah may make evident (he) who helps Him and His Messengers, unseen
Indeed, Allah (is) All-Strong All-Mighty. 
[Al-Quran 57:25

Prophet-King David was appointed ‘Khalifa’. Q34:11 describes the reason for making iron pliable as so that he is able to do  waiAAmaloo salihan.  Though almost all translators translate it as ‘work righteousness’, Q7:56 uses the same root for reform and contrasts it with corruption: 

وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
And (do) not cause corruption in the earth after its reformation. And call Him (in) fear and hope. Indeed, (the) Mercy of Allah (is) near for the good-doers.
[Al-Quran 7:56

As I understand it, all bani Adam have inherited the responsibility of being khalifas of the Earth, each given the task of reform as per those he/she has been made in charge of, be it just his/her family, or society, or on a national or international level. Especially, divinely ordained khalifas, prophets and messengers are given the task of major reforms, as per inspired divine guidance. Both Adam and David were divinely-ordained khalifas. As khalifa, David was charged with removing corruption and bringing in reforms internationally. This meant he had to declare war against corruption, thus the need for military might.      

According to archaeological and scriptural sources, the time when iron became pliable approximately matches the period of Prophet-King David's reign.    

Iron Age
According to Wikipedia:
The Iron Age is an archaeological era, referring to a period of time in the prehistory and protohistory of the Old World (Afro-Eurasia) when the dominant toolmaking material was iron. It is commonly preceded by the Bronze Age in Europe and Asia and the Stone Age in Africa, with exceptions. Meteoric iron has been used by humans since at least 3200 BC. Ancient iron production did not become widespread until the ability to smelt iron ore, remove impurities and regulate the amount of carbon in the alloy were developed. The start of the Iron Age proper is considered by many to fall between around 1200 BC and 600 BC, depending on the region.

King David

The Tel Dan Stele
The Tel Dan Stele, an inscribed stone erected by a king of Damascus in the late 9th/early 8th centuries BCE to commemorate his victory over two enemy kings, contains the phrase ביתדוד‎, bytdwd, which most scholars translate as "House of David". Other scholars, such as Anson Rainey have challenged this reading, but it is likely that this is a reference to a dynasty of the Kingdom of Judah which traced its ancestry to a founder named David. The Mesha Stele from Moab, dating from approximately the same period, may also contain the name David in two places, although this is less certain than the mention in the Tel Dan inscription. 


The Tel Dan Stele on display at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem
By Oren Rozen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47055869  

Chronology
Many alternative chronologies have been suggested, and there is no ultimate consensus between the different factions and scholarly disciplines concerned with this period, as to when it began or when it ended.
Most historians follow either of the older chronologies established by William F. Albright or Edwin R. Thiele, or the newer chronology of Gershon Galil, all of which are shown below. …
Albright/Thiele dates
Galil dates
Common/Biblical name
Regnal Name and style
Notes
c. 1000–962
c. 1008–970
Dawidh ben Yishai, Melekh Ysra’el
Son-in-law of Saul, brother-in-law of Ish-boseth



Iron Implements of the Ancients
As regards the use of iron by the ancients, we read in Genesis about the descendants of Cain, in the eighth generation since Adam:
And Zillah, she also bore Tubal-cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
[The Bible, Genesis 4:22]



Last updated on November 15, 2017


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Setting of the Stars

Related posts:

Abstract
Qur’an chapter 56 links the Inevitable Event to the ‘setting’ of the stars [end stage of stellar evolution?] with the statement that, if we understood, we would realise it is a great oath! Qur’an verses 17:49-51 state that even if humans became stones or iron, or anything harder that humans can imagine, yet they will be resurrected. 

Current theory of Stellar Evolution postulates that the end stage of a massive star’s life is when silicon is burnt into iron. Beyond this, according to the theory, no further burning is possible.



Full Text

فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ   وَإِنَّهُ لَقَسَمٌ لَّوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ 
[Al-Qur’an 56:75-76, translator: Sahih International] Then I swear by the setting of the stars, And indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great. 

Chapter 56 of the Quran informs us of the Inevitable Event: resurrection and segregation of humans into three groups, and how each group will be eternally recompensed for their performance in the temporal life on Earth. Verses 60-62 go on to state that it will be an alternate, unknown form of creation, drawing our attention to the forms of creation we already know on Earth. In the latter part of the chapter, an oath is taken of the ‘setting’ of the stars [end stage of stellar evolution?] with the statement that, if we understood, we would realise it is a great oath! Qur’an verses 17:49-51 state that even if humans became stones or iron, or anything harder that humans can imagine, yet they will be resurrected. 

Root (و ق ع) and its Usage in the Quran 
An Arabic word may have a range of meanings depending on context. Does the ‘setting’ of the stars in 56:75 refer to the end stage of stellar evolution? Quran 53:1 takes an oath by the star when it ’setteth’ and Quran 77:8 takes the oath by when the stars are ‘put out’ 

  فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ 


[Al-Qur’an 56:75, translator: Sahih International] Then I swear by the setting of the stars,

12 times as the form I verb waqaʿa (وَقَعَ) 
used as: incumbent/has fallen/so was established/fell/(it had) occurred/then fall down/it falls/(is) fulfilled/And (will be) fulfilled/then fall down/occurs/will occur
once as the form IV verb yūqiʿa (يُوقِعَ) 
used as: cause
once as the noun mawāqiʿ (مَوَٰقِع) 
used as: by the setting 
once as the noun waqʿat (وَقْعَت) 
used as: at its occurrence 
six times as the active participle wāqiʿ (وَاقِع)  
used as: fall/befall/surely to occur/(will) surely occur/will surely occur/bound to happen
twice as the active participle wāqiʿat (وَاقِعَة): 
used as: the Event/the Occurrence 
once as the form III active participle muwāqiʿū (مُّوَاقِعُو): 
used as: are to fall in it

End Products of Stellar Evolution
[Al-Qur’an Chapter 17:49-51, Translator: Pickthall] And they say: When we are bones and fragments, shall we forsooth, be raised up as a new creation? Say: Be ye stones or iron Or some created thing that is yet greater in your thoughts! Then they will say: Who shall bring us back (to life). Say: He Who created you at the first. Then will they shake their heads at thee, and say: When will it be? Say: It will perhaps be soon;

Theory of Stellar Evolution informs us that the end stage of a massive star’s life is when silicon is burnt into iron. Beyond this, according to the theory, no further burning is possible.

‘Silicon (Si), a nonmetallic chemical element in the carbon family (Group 14 [IVa] of the periodic table). Silicon makes up 27.7 percent of Earth’s crust; it is the second most abundant element in the crust, being surpassed only by oxygen. The name silicon derives from the Latin silex or silicis, meaning “flint” or “hard stone.” … ’ 

‘Stars greater than 25 solar masses undergo a more violent end to their lives. Carbon core burning lasts for 600 years for a star of this size. Neon burning for 1 year, oxygen burning about 6 months (i.e. very fast on astronomical timescales). At 3 billion degrees, the core can fuse silicon nuclei into iron and the entire core supply is used up in one day.’ 



Some Hereafter Concepts in the Qur’an:

Another Creation  

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 29:20, Translator: Shakir] Say: Travel in the earth and see how He makes the first creation, then Allah creates the latter creation; surely Allah has power over all things.

Destruction & Re-creation of the Heaven [singular]:  
[Al-Qur’an Chapter 21:104, Translator: Sahih International] The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.

Destruction & Re-creation of the Heavens [plural]:
[Al-Qur’an Chapter 39:67, Translator: Sahih International] They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 14:48, Translator: Sahih International] [It will be] on the Day the earth will be replaced by another earth, and the heavens [as well], and all creatures will come out before Allah , the One, the Prevailing.  

Edge of the Heaven   
[Al-Qur’an 19:68-72, translator: Sahih International] So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees. Then We will surely extract from every sect those of them who were worst against the Most Merciful in insolence. Then, surely it is We who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein. And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed. Then We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees. 

[Al-Qur’an 15:41-44, translator: Sahih International] [Allah] said, "This is a path [of return] to Me [that is] straight. Indeed, My servants - no authority will you have over them, except those who follow you of the deviators. And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates; for every gate is of them a portion designated.”  

Wormhole [Safe Passage]  
[Al-Qur’an 57:12-13, translator: Sahih International] On the Day you see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], "Your good tidings today are [of] gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally." That is what is the great attainment. On the [same] Day the hypocrite men and hypocrite women will say to those who believed, "Wait for us that we may acquire some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you and seek light." And a wall will be placed between them with a door, its interior containing mercy, but on the outside of it is torment

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 15:14, Translator: Sahih International] And [even] if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they continued therein to ascend, 

[Al-Qur’an 70:3 Translator: Shakir] From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 

Size of the Garden 
The reward will vary in accordance with the quality of faith and actions of each individual, as indicated in the size of the gardens mentioned in 57:21 and 3:133, and as stated in 8:4 below. For those who believe and seek forgiveness for their sins, God will grace them with a garden as extensive as heaven [singular] and the earth, while those who also keep their duty to God, the pious, the reward will be greater: as extensive as the heavens [plural] and the earth. 

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 57:21, Translator: Shakir] Hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and to a garden the extensiveness of which is as the extensiveness of the heaven and the earth; it is prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers; that is the grace of Allah: He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 3:133, Translator: Shakir] And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden, the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for those who guard (against evil)

[Al-Qur’an Chapter 8:4, Translator: Shakir] These are the believers in truth; they shall have from their Lord exalted grades and forgiveness and an honorable sustenance.


References

Periodic Table

Stellar Evolution



Monday, May 12, 2014

Rust Upon Their Hearts

Related post:

Al-Quran, Surah:83 Ayat:14
كَلَّا ۖ بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِم مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ
Pickthal 14:  Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts 

Interpretation

Generally, ayaat which speak of the heart are taken to be symbolic. This ayat speaks of rust of a person’s deeds upon that person’s heart.  The outcome is denial of the Day of Judgement.

In Q38:26, Prophet David is warned against following desires as they mislead from God’s path, due to the fact that one forgets the Day of Judgement.

In Q2:7, it says that there is a covering over the hearts of those who reject, and in Q2:10, it says that there is a disease in the hearts of the hypocrites. 

Is there a physical ‘rust upon the heart’?
Iron deposits in the body are well-documented, especially in cases of patients requiring frequent blood transfusions. Iron has an affinity for cardiac tissue and in excess, causes damage to the heart muscle. Iron toxicity also leads to a variety of symptoms including hostility and anger[1]
The cardiovascular system[2] is the longest system in the body, and the heart is the organ which does the largest amount of work.
Fat-like deposits called plaque made of cholesterol and other substances can build up in the walls of these vessels.[3] Scientists term plaque formation as ‘biological rust’. "Coronary fatty streaks are rare before 10 years of age," noted Dr. Valentin Fuster, of the cardiovascular research center at Harvard University. "However, they become more frequent in the second decade of life and are nearly always present after 20 years of age." [4] 

Can the process of rusting be reversed?
In studies on plaque regression, there is evidence to support that it is a reversible process. Cholesterol and fat particles are deposited inside the blood vessel walls by means of biological adhesives. "Teflon"-like agents can prevent this stickiness. The amino acids lysine and proline are nature’s "Teflon" agents. Together with vitamin C, they help reverse existing deposits naturally.[5]

How can the rust of ‘which they have earned’ be reversed?
For spiritual plaque regression, we are repeatedly advised to continuously seek help through prayer and patience, as those things which are good annul those that are bad[6].    

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Hadith Nabwi ﷺ

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا أَخْطَأَ خَطِيئَةً نُكِتَتْ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ فَإِذَا هُوَ نَزَعَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ وَتَابَ سُقِلَ قَلْبُهُ وَإِنْ عَادَ زِيدَ فِيهَا حَتَّى تَعْلُوَ قَلْبَهُ وَهُوَ الرَّانُ الَّذِي ذَكَرَ اللَّهُ كَلَّا بَلْ رَانَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

Verily, when the servant commits a sin, a black mark appears upon his heart. If he abandons the sin, seeks forgiveness, and repents, then his heart will be polished. If he returns to the sin, the blackness will be increased until it overcomes his heart. It is the covering that Allah has mentioned: No, rather a covering is over their hearts from what they have earned. (83:14)

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3334, Grade: Sahih




[2] http://www.familyhealthnews.com/articles-heart-artery.html
Be aware of the size and function of your cardiovascular system. Your blood vessel pipeline system measures 60,000 miles and is the largest organ in your body. Your heart pumps 100,000 times every day, performing the greatest amount of work of all organs.