Paradise & The Sky

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سَابِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ٢١

Compete each other in proceeding towards forgiveness from your Lord and to Paradise the width of which is like the width of the sky and the earth. It has been prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allah; He gives it to whomsoever He Wills and Allah is the Lord of the great bounty.

— T. Usmani

Race [i.e., compete] toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believed in Allāh and His messengers. That is the bounty of Allāh which He gives to whom He wills, and Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.

— Saheeh International

ایک دوسرے سے آگے بڑھنے کی کوشش کرو اپنے رب کی مغفرت اور اس جنت کی طرف جس کی وسعت آسمان اور زمین جیسی ہے۔ وہ تیار کی گئی ہے ان لوگوں کے لیے جو ایمان لائے اللہ پر اور اس کے رسولوں پر۔ یہ اللہ کا فضل ہے جس کو بھی وہ چاہے گا دے گا۔ اور اللہ بہت بڑے فضل والا ہے۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

دوڑواپنے رب کی معافی کی طرف اور ایسی جنت کی طرف جس کی وسعت آسمان اور زمین کی وسعت کے برابر ہے وہ ان لوگوں کے لیے تیار کی گئی ہے جو اللہ اور اس کے رسول پر ایمان لائیں ، یہ اللہ کا فضل ہےوہ اس کو دیتا ہے جسے وہ چاہتا ہے اور اللہ بڑا فضل والا ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/al-hadid/21]

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Green Carpet Hadith from Muhammad ﷺ

حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه – ‏‏{‏لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى‏}‏ قَالَ رَأَى رَفْرَفًا أَخْضَرَ سَدَّ أُفُقَ السَّمَاءِ‏.‏

Narrated `Abdullah: Regarding the Verse: "Indeed he (Muhammad) did see. Of the Signs of his Lord, The Greatest!" (53.18) That the Prophet (ﷺ) had seen a green carpet spread all over the horizon of the sky.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3233

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3233

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When Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ took Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the Night Journey and Ascension (al-Isra wa al-Mairaj), he ﷺ informs us that he ﷺ saw a green carpet all over the horizon of the sky. 

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The Quran informs us that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ has layered the sky into seven skies. In Surah Aal-e-Imran (The Family of Imran), we read about the size of a garden compared to the sky in plural (skies/heavens (ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ)):  

۞ وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ١٣٣

Race with one another towards Forgiveness from your Lord and towards a paradise the width of which spans the heavens and the earth. It has been prepared for the God-fearing,

— T. Usmani

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous

— Saheeh International

اور مسابقت کرو اپنے رب کی مغفرت کے حصول کے لیے اور اس جنت کو حاصل کرنے کے لیے جس کا پھیلاؤ آسمانوں اور زمین جتنا ہے وہ تیار کی گئی ہے (اور سنواری گئی ہے) اہل تقویٰ کے لیے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

اور دوڑو اپنے رب کی بخشش کی طرف اور اس جنت کی طر ف جس کی وسعت آسمانوں اور زمین جیسی ہے وہ تیار کی گئی ہے اللہ سے ڈرنے والوں کے ليے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/ali-imran/133]

Meeting People Hadith from Muhammad ﷺ 

حَدَّثَنَا هُدْبَةُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ،‏.‏ وَقَالَ لِي خَلِيفَةُ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، وَهِشَامٌ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ صَعْصَعَةَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ بَيْنَا أَنَا عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ بَيْنَ النَّائِمِ وَالْيَقْظَانِ ـ وَذَكَرَ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلَيْنِ ـ فَأُتِيتُ بِطَسْتٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ مُلِئَ حِكْمَةً وَإِيمَانًا، فَشُقَّ مِنَ النَّحْرِ إِلَى مَرَاقِّ الْبَطْنِ، ثُمَّ غُسِلَ الْبَطْنُ بِمَاءِ زَمْزَمَ، ثُمَّ مُلِئَ حِكْمَةً وَإِيمَانًا، وَأُتِيتُ بِدَابَّةٍ أَبْيَضَ دُونَ الْبَغْلِ وَفَوْقَ الْحِمَارِ الْبُرَاقُ، فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَ جِبْرِيلَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى آدَمَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنِ ابْنٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الثَّانِيَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى عِيسَى وَيَحْيَى فَقَالاَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الثَّالِثَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ يُوسُفَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، قَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الرَّابِعَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قِيلَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى إِدْرِيسَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الْخَامِسَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَمَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى هَارُونَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى مُوسَى، فَسَلَّمْتُ ‏{‏عَلَيْهِ‏}‏ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزْتُ بَكَى‏.‏ فَقِيلَ مَا أَبْكَاكَ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ، هَذَا الْغُلاَمُ الَّذِي بُعِثَ بَعْدِي يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِمَّا يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أُمَّتِي‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ السَّابِعَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنِ ابْنٍ وَنَبِيٍّ، فَرُفِعَ لِيَ الْبَيْتُ الْمَعْمُورُ، فَسَأَلْتُ جِبْرِيلَ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْبَيْتُ الْمَعْمُورُ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ، إِذَا خَرَجُوا لَمْ يَعُودُوا إِلَيْهِ آخِرَ مَا عَلَيْهِمْ، وَرُفِعَتْ لِي سِدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى فَإِذَا نَبِقُهَا كَأَنَّهُ قِلاَلُ هَجَرٍ، وَوَرَقُهَا كَأَنَّهُ آذَانُ الْفُيُولِ، فِي أَصْلِهَا أَرْبَعَةُ أَنْهَارٍ نَهْرَانِ بَاطِنَانِ وَنَهْرَانِ ظَاهِرَانِ، فَسَأَلْتُ جِبْرِيلَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الْبَاطِنَانِ فَفِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَانِ النِّيلُ وَالْفُرَاتُ، ثُمَّ فُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ خَمْسُونَ صَلاَةً، فَأَقْبَلْتُ حَتَّى جِئْتُ مُوسَى، فَقَالَ مَا صَنَعْتَ قُلْتُ فُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ خَمْسُونَ صَلاَةً‏.‏ قَالَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِالنَّاسِ مِنْكَ، عَالَجْتُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَشَدَّ الْمُعَالَجَةِ، وَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لاَ تُطِيقُ، فَارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ‏.‏ فَرَجَعْتُ فَسَأَلْتُهُ، فَجَعَلَهَا أَرْبَعِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ ثُمَّ ثَلاَثِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ فَجَعَلَ عِشْرِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ فَجَعَلَ عَشْرًا، فَأَتَيْتُ مُوسَى فَقَالَ مِثْلَهُ، فَجَعَلَهَا خَمْسًا، فَأَتَيْتُ مُوسَى فَقَالَ مَا صَنَعْتَ قُلْتُ جَعَلَهَا خَمْسًا، فَقَالَ مِثْلَهُ، قُلْتُ سَلَّمْتُ بِخَيْرٍ، فَنُودِيَ إِنِّي قَدْ أَمْضَيْتُ فَرِيضَتِي وَخَفَّفْتُ عَنْ عِبَادِي، وَأَجْزِي الْحَسَنَةَ عَشْرًا ‏"‏‏.‏ وَقَالَ هَمَّامٌ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ فِي الْبَيْتِ الْمَعْمُورِ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Malik bin Sasaa: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the `Abdomen and then my `Abdomen was washed with Zamzam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief. Al- Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Gabriel. When I reached the nearest heaven. Gabriel said to the heaven gate-keeper, 'Open the gate.' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' He said, 'Gabriel.' The gate-keeper,' Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' The gate-keeper said, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was said, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' He said, 'Yes.' It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!" Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Gabriel. 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet (ﷺ) added: ). There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!' Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, 'You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.' Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet". Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moses who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.' When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, 'O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.' Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Abraham who said, 'You are welcomed o son and a Prophet.' Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah's House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).' Then I was shown Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Gabriel about those rivers and he said, 'The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.' Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moses who asked me, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.' He said, 'I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.' I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moses) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moses who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five. When I came to Moses again, he said, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Allah has made it five only.' He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah's Final Order)'" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was addressed by Allah, "I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds."

Sahih al-Bukhari 3207

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3207

When Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ took Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the Night Journey and Ascension (al-Isra wa al-Mairaj), he ﷺ informs us that at first, prior to the journey, he ﷺ had to undergo a surgical procedure for purification, and then he ﷺ was taken on the journey. Once he ﷺ had crossed the first gate in the sky, he ﷺ met our father Adam عليه السلام , and on subsequent ascents into higher skies, he ﷺ met Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) & John (Yahya عليه السلام), Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام), Enoch (Idris عليه السلام), Aaron (Harun عليه السلام), Moses (Musa عليه السلام) & Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام).  

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Separation of Skies and Earth

The sky was raised, at the time of creation, and layered into seven skies. The waters of the Earth were raised up, tied in skin, and are being kept raised and separated by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , the Fatir (separator) of the skies and earth:

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا ۚ وَلَئِن زَالَتَآ إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا ٤١

Undoubtedly, Allah holds back the heavens and the earth from leaving their existing state, and if they were to leave, there is none who can hold them back, except Him. Surely He is Forbearing, Most-Forgiving.

— T. Usmani

Indeed, Allāh holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing[1] and Forgiving.

— Saheeh International

[1]Refer to footnote in 2:225.

یقینا اللہ ہی تھامے ہوئے ہے آسمانوں اور زمین کو کہ وہ (اپنے راستے سے) ہٹ نہ جائیں اور اگر وہ ہٹ جائیں تو کوئی نہیں جو ان کو تھام سکے اس کے بعد یقینا وہ بہت بردبار بہت بخشنے والا ہے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

بے شک اللہ ہی آسمانوں اور زمینوں کو تھامے ہوئے ہے کہ وہ ٹل نہ جائیں اور اگر وہ ٹل جائیں تو اس کے سوا کوئی اور ان کو تھام نہیں سکتابے شک وہ تحمل والا ہے، بخشنے والا ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/fatir/41]

So, according to my imagination, each layer of sky/heaven has a garden upon it, so seven earths, one here, and six above, one upon each sky/heaven:  

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًۢا ١٢

Allah is the One who has created seven skies, and their like from earth. The Command descends among them, so that you may know that Allah is powerful over every thing, and that Allah has encompassed every thing in knowledge.

— T. Usmani

It is Allāh who has created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them.[1] [His] command descends among them so you may know that Allāh is over all things competent and that Allāh has encompassed all things in knowledge.

— Saheeh International

[1]i.e., a similar number: seven.

اللہ وہ ہے جس نے سات آسمان بنائے ہیں اور زمین میں سے بھی انہی کی مانند۔ ان کے درمیان (اللہ کا) امر نازل ہوتا ہے تاکہ تم یقین رکھو کہ اللہ ہرچیز پر قادر ہے اور یہ کہ اللہ نے اپنے علم سے ہر شے کا احاطہ کیا ہوا ہے۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

اللہ ہی ہے جس نے بنائے سات آسمان اور انھیں کی طرح زمین بھی ان کے اندر اس کا حکم اترتا ہے،تاکہ تم جان لوکہ اللہ ہر چیز پر قادر ہےاور اللہ نے اپنے علم سے ہر چیز کا احاطہ کررکھا ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/at-talaq/12]

first imagined in Creation 

ayat reference 65:12 

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Paradise (ٱلْفِرْدَوْسَ) 

Al-Kahf (18:107-108)

18:107

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا ١٠٧

Surely those who believed and did righteous deeds, theirs are the Gardens of Firdaus as entertainment

— T. Usmani

بے شک جولوگ ایمان لائے اور انھوں نے نیک عمل کیاان کے ليے فردوس کے باغوں کی مہمانی ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

18:108

خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يَبْغُونَ عَنْهَا حِوَلًا ١٠٨

where they will live forever, and will not wish to move from there.”

— T. Usmani

اس میں وہ ہمیشہ رہیں گے وہ وہاں سے کبھی نکلنا نہ چاہیں گے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/al-kahf/107-108]

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Al-Mu'minun (23:1-11)

23:1

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ١

Success is really attained by the believers

— T. Usmani

یقیناً فلاح پائی ایمان والوں نے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:2

ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَاتِهِمْ خَـٰشِعُونَ ٢

who concentrate their attention in humbleness when offering Salāh (prayers)

— T. Usmani

جو اپنی نماز میں جھکنے والے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:3

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ ٣

and who keep themselves away from vain things,

— T. Usmani

اور جو لغو باتوں سے اعراض کرتے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:4

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَوٰةِ فَـٰعِلُونَ ٤

and who are performers of Zakāh ,

— T. Usmani

اور جو زکوٰۃ ادا کرنے والے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:5

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَـٰفِظُونَ ٥

and who guard their private parts

— T. Usmani

اور جو اپنی شرمگاہوں کی حفاظت کرنے والے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:6

إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ ٦

except from their wives or from those (bondwomen who are) owned by their hands, as they are not to be blamed.

— T. Usmani

سوا اپنی بیویوں کے اور ان عورتوں کے جو ان کی ملکِ یمین میں ہوں کہ ان پر وہ قابل ملامت نہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:7

فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ ٧

However, those who seek (sexual pleasure) beyond that are the transgressors

— T. Usmani

البتہ جو اس کے علاوہ چاہیں تو وہی لوگ زیادتی کرنے والے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:8

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَٰعُونَ ٨

- and (success is attained) by those who honestly look after their trusts and covenant,

— T. Usmani

اور جو اپنی امانتوں اور اپنے عہد کا خیال رکھنے والے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:9

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٰتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ٩

and who consistently observe their prayers.

— T. Usmani

اور جو اپنی نمازوں کی حفاظت کرتے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:10

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْوَٰرِثُونَ ١٠

Those are the inheritors

— T. Usmani

یہی لوگ وارث ہونے والے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

23:11

ٱلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ١١

who will inherit Firdaus (the Paradise). They will be there forever.

— T. Usmani

جو فردوس کی وراثت پائیں گےوہ اس میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/al-muminun/1-11]

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Paradise Hadith from Muhammad ﷺ 

وَعَن أنسٍ أَنَّ الرُّبَيِّعَ بِنْتَ الْبَرَاءِ وَهِيَ أَمُّ حَارِثَةَ بْنِ سُرَاقَةَ أَتَتِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَتْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلَا تُحَدِّثُنِي عنْ حَارِثَةَ وَكَانَ قُتِلَ يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ أَصَابَهُ سَهْمٌ غَرْبٌ فَإِنْ كَانَ فِي الْجَنَّةِ صَبَرْتُ وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ اجْتَهَدْتُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْبُكَاءِ فَقَالَ: «يَا أَمَّ حَارِثَةَ إِنَّهَا جِنَانٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَإِنَّ ابْنَكِ أَصَابَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ الْأَعْلَى» . رَوَاهُ البخاريُّ

Anas told that ar-Rubaiyi‘ daughter of al-Bara’, who was the mother of Haritha b. Suraqa, came to the Prophet and said, “Prophet of God, will you not tell me about Haritha? (He had been killed at the battle of Badr, being struck by a random arrow.) If he is in paradise I shall show endurance, but if he has met another fate I shall exert myself in weeping for him.” He replied, “Mother of Haritha, in paradise there are gardens, and your son has attained to al-Firdaus, the highest.”

Bukhari transmitted it.

Mishkat al-Masabih 3809

https://sunnah.com/mishkat:3809

...

حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ مَيْسَرَةَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، أَنَّ مُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ الْجَنَّةُ مِائَةُ دَرَجَةٍ كُلُّ دَرَجَةٍ مِنْهَا مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ وَإِنَّ أَعْلاَهَا الْفِرْدَوْسُ وَإِنَّ أَوْسَطَهَا الْفِرْدَوْسُ وَإِنَّ الْعَرْشَ عَلَى الْفِرْدَوْسِ مِنْهَا تُفَجَّرُ أَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ فَإِذَا مَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ فَسَلُوهُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Mu’adh bin Jabal said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Paradise has one hundred grades, each of which is as big as the distance between heaven and earth. The highest of them is Firdaws and the best of them is Firdaws. The Throne is above Firdaws and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise. If you ask of Allah, ask Him for Firdaws.’”

Sunan Ibn Majah 4331

https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:4331

Al-Firdous (ٱلْفِرْدَوْسَ) is the most exclusive, desired destination in the sky/heaven. 

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Last updated on: October 29, 2026

The Folding of The Sky

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وَهَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰٓ ٩

Has there come to you the story of Mūsā?

— T. Usmani

And has there come to you the story of Mûsâ (Moses)?

— Al-Hilali & Khan

إِذْ رَءَا نَارًۭا فَقَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ ٱمْكُثُوٓا۟ إِنِّىٓ ءَانَسْتُ نَارًۭا لَّعَلِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِقَبَسٍ أَوْ أَجِدُ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ هُدًۭى ١٠

When he saw a fire and said to his family, “Stay here. I have noticed a fire. Perhaps I can bring you an ember from it, or find some guidance by the fire.”

— T. Usmani

When he saw a fire, he said to his family: "Wait! Verily, I have seen a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire."

— Al-Hilali & Khan

فَلَمَّآ أَتَىٰهَا نُودِىَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ ١١

So when he came to it, he was called, “O Mūsā,

— T. Usmani

And when he came to it (the fire), he was called by name: "O Mûsâ (Moses)!

— Al-Hilali & Khan

إِنِّىٓ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكَ فَٱخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ بِٱلْوَادِ ٱلْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًۭى ١٢

it is Me, your Lord, so remove your shoes; you are in the sacred valley of Tuwā.

— T. Usmani

"Verily I am your Lord! So take off your shoes; you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

وَأَنَا ٱخْتَرْتُكَ فَٱسْتَمِعْ لِمَا يُوحَىٰٓ ١٣

I have chosen you (for prophet-hood), so listen to what is revealed:

— T. Usmani

"And I have chosen you. So listen to that which will be revealed (to you).

— Al-Hilali & Khan

إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ ١٤

Surely, I AM ALLAH. There is no god but Myself, so worship Me, and establish Salāh for My remembrance.

— T. Usmani

"Verily! I am Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) for My Remembrance.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran, Surah Ta Ha, ayaat 9-14]

In Surah Ta Ha, we find the first mention of Tuwa (طُوًۭى), triliteral root ṭā wāw yā (ط و ي) . This root occurs five times in The Quran. The command to worship Allah and establish prayer for His Remembrance is immediately followed by the statement: 

إِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ ١٥

Surely, the Hour (i.e. the Day of Judgment) has to come. I would keep it secret, so that everyone is given a return for the effort one makes.

— T. Usmani

"Verily, the Hour is coming - and I am almost hiding it from Myself - that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran, Surah Ta Ha, ayaat 15]

The Hour is coming. Allah chooses to keep it hidden. Nobody knows when it will suddenly occur. What is interesting is that the place where Moses (Musa عليه السلام) is meeting Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is the Holy Valley of Tuwa. The root is used for the folding of the sky, as if it is a sheet or a piece of fabric. So, in the next surah, Surah al-Anbya, we read: 

يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍۢ نُّعِيدُهُۥ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ ١٠٤

- the Day when We roll up the sky like a scroll rolls up the writings. Just as We originated the first creation, so We shall bring it back again - a promise (undertaken to be binding) on Us. We are sure to do it.

— T. Usmani

And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heaven like a scroll rolled up for books. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran, Surah al-Anbya, ayaat 104]

Scientists are theorising that information cannot be destroyed, and whatever whoever is doing, all that is happening, all the knowledge being generated is being stored. Every detail is preserved. We have a reckoning coming up. 

The Quran mention The Day when The Hour (ٱلسَّاعَةَ) will be established, and it mentions The Day of Qiyamah (يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ). 

Next, we find the mention of the folded skies (plural) in Surah az-Zumar:

وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًۭا قَبْضَتُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ مَطْوِيَّـٰتٌۢ بِيَمِينِهِۦ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ٦٧

They did not hold Allah in His true esteem. The whole earth will be in a single grip of His hand on the Day of Doom, and the heavens (will be) rolled up on his right hand. Pure is He, far too higher than what they associate with Him.

— T. Usmani

They made not a just estimate of Allâh such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand[1] and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand.Glorified be He, and High be He above all that they associate as partners with Him!

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[1](V.39:67) See the footnote of (35:41).

[Al-Quran, Surah az-Zumar, ayat 67] 

On the Day of Qiyamah all the skies will be rolled up in His Right Hand. 

In Surah an-Nazi'at, we again find mention of Moses (Musa عليه السلام) and the Valley of Tuwa:

هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰٓ ١٥

Has there come to you the narrative about Mūsā?

— T. Usmani

Has there come to you the story of Mûsâ (Moses)?

— Al-Hilali & Khan

إِذْ نَادَىٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ بِٱلْوَادِ ٱلْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى ١٦

(Recall) when his Lord called to him in the blessed valley of Tuwā:

— T. Usmani

When his Lord called him in the sacred valley of Tûwâ,

— Al-Hilali & Khan

ٱذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ ١٧

“Go to Fir‘aun (Pharaoh). Indeed, he has crossed all bounds.

— T. Usmani

Go to Fir‘aun (Pharaoh); verily he has transgressed all bounds (in crimes, sins, polytheism, disbelief).

— Al-Hilali & Khan

فَقُلْ هَل لَّكَ إِلَىٰٓ أَن تَزَكَّىٰ ١٨

And say (to him,) ‘Would you like to purify yourself,

— T. Usmani

And say to him: "Would you purify yourself (from the sin of disbelief by becoming a believer)?"

— Al-Hilali & Khan

وَأَهْدِيَكَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَتَخْشَىٰ ١٩

and that I should guide you to your Lord, so that you fear (Him)?’”

— T. Usmani

"And that I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him?"

— Al-Hilali & Khan

فَأَرَىٰهُ ٱلْـَٔايَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ ٢٠

So, he (Mūsā) showed him the biggest sign.

— T. Usmani

Then [Mûsâ (Moses)] showed him the great sign (miracles).

— Al-Hilali & Khan

فَكَذَّبَ وَعَصَىٰ ٢١

But he rejected and disobeyed,

— T. Usmani

But [Fir‘aun (Pharaoh)] belied and disobeyed.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ يَسْعَىٰ ٢٢

then he turned back, and tried hard (to refute the Messenger),

— T. Usmani

Then he turned his back, striving (against Allâh).

— Al-Hilali & Khan

فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ ٢٣

then he gathered (his people) and shouted

— T. Usmani

Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud,

— Al-Hilali & Khan

فَقَالَ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ ٢٤

and said, “I am your supreme lord.”

— T. Usmani

Saying: "I am your lord, most high."

— Al-Hilali & Khan

فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَٱلْأُولَىٰٓ ٢٥

So, Allah seized him for an exemplary punishment in the Hereafter and the present world.

— T. Usmani

So Allâh, seized him with punishment for his last and first transgression. [Tafsir At-Tabari]

— Al-Hilali & Khan

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةًۭ لِّمَن يَخْشَىٰٓ ٢٦

Indeed, there is a lesson for him who fears (Allah).

— T. Usmani

Verily, in this is an instructive admonition for whosoever fears Allâh.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

ءَأَنتُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَمِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ ۚ بَنَىٰهَا ٢٧

Is your creation more difficult or that of the sky? He has built it,

— T. Usmani

Are you more difficult to create or is the heaven that He constructed?

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[Al-Quran, Surah an-Nazi'at, ayaat 15-27]

...

Also read: 

The Oath by The Afterglow of Sunset 

Northern Lights 

Everything on Record 

Fabric of Spacetime 

The Oaths in Surah alFajr 

    Surah al-Fajr (lists of posts) 

...

...

 

Ignorant of The Law of Sacrifice

وَاِذۡ قَالَ مُوۡسٰى لِقَوۡمِهٖۤ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَاۡمُرُكُمۡ اَنۡ تَذۡبَحُوۡا بَقَرَةً ​ ؕ قَالُوۡآ اَتَتَّخِذُنَا هُزُوًۡا ​ؕ قَالَ اَعُوۡذُ بِاللّٰهِ اَنۡ اَكُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡجٰـهِلِيۡنَ‏ ٦٧

And [recall] when Moses said to his people, "Indeed, Allāh commands you to slaughter a cow." They said, "Do you take us in ridicule?" He said, "I seek refuge in Allāh from being among the ignorant."

[Al-Quran 2:67, Translation: Saheeh International]

The Bani Israel had sinned: they had taken a الۡعِجۡلَ (calf) for worship (Q2:51). They were commanded to kill their nafs (Q2:54); and then after thirteen ayaat, we read that they were commanded to slaughter a بَقَرَةً (cow / heifer) (Q2:67), probably as a sin offering. They thought Moses (Musa عليه السلام) was joking with them, to which Moses (Musa عليه السلام) responded with the invocation: 

اَعُوۡذُ بِاللّٰهِ اَنۡ اَكُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡجٰـهِلِيۡنَ‏ ...

... I seek refuge in Allāh from being among the ignorant

The Quran uses the triliteral root jīm hā lām (ج ه ل) twenty-four times. ... The words are generally translated as ignorant, ignorance, or synonyms of these words. 

The Torah was revealed to Moses (Musa عليه السلام), and The Injeel to Jesus (Isa عليه السلام), and The Quran to Muhammad ﷺ . Each revelation contains Allah ﷻ 's Laws: 

وَاَنۡزَلۡنَاۤ اِلَيۡكَ الۡكِتٰبَ بِالۡحَـقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ مِنَ الۡكِتٰبِ وَمُهَيۡمِنًا عَلَيۡهِ​ فَاحۡكُمۡ بَيۡنَهُمۡ بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ اَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ الۡحَـقِّ​ؕ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلۡنَا مِنۡكُمۡ شِرۡعَةً وَّمِنۡهَاجًا ​ؕ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَجَـعَلَـكُمۡ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً وَّلٰـكِنۡ لِّيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ فِىۡ مَاۤ اٰتٰٮكُمۡ فَاسۡتَبِقُوا الۡخَـيۡـرٰتِ​ؕ اِلَى اللّٰهِ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ جَمِيۡعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمۡ بِمَا كُنۡتُمۡ فِيۡهِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَۙ‏  ٤٨ 

وَاَنِ احۡكُمۡ بَيۡنَهُمۡ بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ اَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ وَاحۡذَرۡهُمۡ اَنۡ يَّفۡتِنُوۡكَ عَنۡۢ بَعۡضِ مَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ اِلَيۡكَ​ؕ فَاِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَاعۡلَمۡ اَنَّمَا يُرِيۡدُ اللّٰهُ اَنۡ يُّصِيۡبَهُمۡ بِبَـعۡضِ ذُنُوۡبِهِمۡ​ؕ وَاِنَّ كَثِيۡرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ لَفٰسِقُوۡنَ‏ ٤٩ 

اَفَحُكۡمَ الۡجَـاهِلِيَّةِ يَـبۡغُوۡنَ​ؕ وَمَنۡ اَحۡسَنُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ حُكۡمًا لِّـقَوۡمٍ يُّوۡقِنُوۡنَ‏ ٥٠

And We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allāh has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allāh willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allāh is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.

And judge, [O Muḥammad], between them by what Allāh has revealed and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allāh has revealed to you. And if they turn away - then know that Allāh only intends to afflict them with some of their [own] sins. And indeed, many among the people are defiantly disobedient.

Then is it the judgement of [the time of] ignorance they desire? But who is better than Allāh in judgement for a people who are certain [in faith].

[Al-Quran 5:48-50, Translation: Saheeh International]

Offering as a means of Nearness to Allah

The first animal sacrifice recorded in the scriptures is that offered by the two sons of Adam. It was accepted of one of them, and rejected from the other: 

۞ وَاتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَاَ ابۡنَىۡ اٰدَمَ بِالۡحَـقِّ​ۘ اِذۡ قَرَّبَا قُرۡبَانًا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنۡ اَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمۡ يُتَقَبَّلۡ مِنَ الۡاٰخَرِؕ قَالَ لَاَقۡتُلَـنَّكَ​ؕ قَالَ اِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الۡمُتَّقِيۡنَ‏ ٢٧

And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both made an offering [to Allāh], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], "I will surely kill you." Said [the former], "Indeed, Allāh only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].

[Al-Quran 5:27, Translation: Saheeh International]

The Quran does not go into the details of why they were offering the sacrifice, but it does indicate that it was meant as a source of nearness to Allah  ﷻ  by the word قَرَّبَا (come near?) before the word قُرۡبَانًا (means of nearness?). The triliteral root qāf rā bā (ق ر ب) occurs 96 times in the Quran, translated in terms of nearness, closeness, relationship, brought close, ...  such as spending in Q9:99

وَمِنَ الۡاَعۡرَابِ مَنۡ يُّؤۡمِنُ بِاللّٰهِ وَالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنۡفِقُ قُرُبٰتٍ عِنۡدَ اللّٰهِ وَصَلَوٰتِ الرَّسُوۡلِ​ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّهَا قُرۡبَةٌ لَّهُمۡ​ؕ سَيُدۡخِلُهُمُ اللّٰهُ فِىۡ رَحۡمَتِهٖ​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏  ٩٩

وَالسّٰبِقُوۡنَ الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُهٰجِرِيۡنَ وَالۡاَنۡصَارِ وَالَّذِيۡنَ اتَّبَعُوۡهُمۡ بِاِحۡسَانٍ ۙ رَّضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُوۡا عَنۡهُ وَاَعَدَّ لَهُمۡ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِىۡ تَحۡتَهَا الۡاَنۡهٰرُ خٰلِدِيۡنَ فِيۡهَاۤ اَبَدًا​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ الۡـفَوۡزُ الۡعَظِيۡمُ‏ ١٠٠

But among the bedouins are some who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allāh and of [obtaining] invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allāh will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhājireen and the Anṣār and those who followed them with good conduct - Allāh is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.

[Al-Quran 9:99-100, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah at-Taubah is about waging war along with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ against the Meccans who had persecuted them for their faith, and after two decades of invitation to accept Islam, they had been served notice of war. This required people to spend for the war preparations, as well as participating in the war, putting their lives in danger. 

However, common usage and understanding of the word Qurban(i) is the sacrifice of an animal. 

In Q5:27, we see a strange link between slaughtering an animal and the killing of a person: when the offering made by one brother is accepted, and not from the other, the other kills the brother whose offering was accepted. This narration about Adam's two sons is followed by the decree for the Bani Israel that:    

مِنۡ اَجۡلِ ذٰ لِكَ​ ۛ ۚ كَتَبۡنَا عَلٰى بَنِىۡۤ اِسۡرَآءِيۡلَ اَنَّهٗ مَنۡ قَتَلَ نَفۡسًۢا بِغَيۡرِ نَفۡسٍ اَوۡ فَسَادٍ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ فَكَاَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيۡعًا ؕ وَمَنۡ اَحۡيَاهَا فَكَاَنَّمَاۤ اَحۡيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيۡعًا ​ؕ وَلَـقَدۡ جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُنَا بِالۡبَيِّنٰتِ ثُمَّ اِنَّ كَثِيۡرًا مِّنۡهُمۡ بَعۡدَ ذٰ لِكَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ لَمُسۡرِفُوۡنَ‏ ٣٢

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.

[Al-Quran 5:32, Translation: Saheeh International]

Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) is the patriarch of Jews, Christians and Muslims (Q2:135, Q2:140, Q6:161, Q19:58, Q22:78). He was of the same religious beliefs (مِنۡ شِيۡعَتِهٖ) as Noah (Nuh عليه السلام) (Q37:83)

In the narrations about Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), we read about the roasted calf (Q11:69, Q51:26) he served the honoured guests, when they suddenly arrived, unannounced. This means that the roast had already been prepared...  

Prior to this visit, we read about his vision to sacrifice his son Ismael (Ismail عليه السلام), to which both father and son willingly submitted, and Allah  graciously substituted an animal just as he was about to slaughter his son: 

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعۡىَ قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰى فِى الۡمَنَامِ اَنِّىۡۤ اَذۡبَحُكَ فَانْظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرٰى​ؕ قَالَ يٰۤاَبَتِ افۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُ​ سَتَجِدُنِىۡۤ اِنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏ ١٠٢

فَلَمَّاۤ اَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهٗ لِلۡجَبِيۡنِ​ۚ‏ ١٠٣

وَنَادَيۡنٰهُ اَنۡ يّٰۤاِبۡرٰهِيۡمُۙ‏ ١٠٤

قَدۡ صَدَّقۡتَ الرُّءۡيَا ​ ​ۚ اِنَّا كَذٰلِكَ نَجۡزِى الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏ ١٠٥

اِنَّ هٰذَا لَهُوَ الۡبَلٰٓؤُا الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ ١٠٦

وَفَدَيۡنٰهُ بِذِبۡحٍ عَظِيۡمٍ‏ ١٠٧

And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast."

And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,

We called to him, "O Abraham,

You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

Indeed, this was the clear trial.

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,

[Al-Quran 37:102-107, Translation: Saheeh International]

So, there does seem to be a scriptural link between saving human lives, and slaughtering an animal as an offering instead. 

Symbolically, the putting down of the forehead on the ground, as in prayer, like Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), is a means of seeking  nearness to Allah ﷻ.   

Surah al-Alaq, which begins with the command to read (Q96:1), concludes with the command to not obey the person who forbids or prevents from praying (Q96:9-10), but rather prostrate and draw near (Q96:19):

اِقۡرَاۡ بِاسۡمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَ​ۚ‏ ١

Recite in the name of your Lord who created

...

كَلَّاؕ لَا تُطِعۡهُ وَاسۡجُدۡ وَاقۡتَرِبْ ١٩

No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allāh].

[Al-Quran 96, Translation: Saheeh International]

All thanks and praise to Allah عزوجل, muslims daily prostrate in prayers, and they also offer the annual sacrifice by slaughtering an animal, and sharing the meat. 

The jews stopped prostrating publicly, and sacrificing animals, after their temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. Their public prostration is limited to some annual occasion now, while few jews do prostrate in their private prayers, according to online search results. 

Revisiting Moses (Musa عليه السلام)'s invocation quoted in Q2:67, which is the first quoted dua in The Quran: 

اَعُوۡذُ بِاللّٰهِ اَنۡ اَكُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡجٰـهِلِيۡنَ‏ ...

... I seek refuge in Allāh from being among the ignorant

Moses (Musa عليه السلام) seeks refuge from being among the ignorant ones. So, there is an element of ignorance in not willing to slaughter for the sake of Allah. From the ayat that follow, we learn that the Bani Israel were unwilling to slaughter a cow, they kept asking questions to evade the command, yet eventually, they did slaughter the cow that was clearly identified to them.  

So, since the time of Adam's sons, there seems to exist some 'law' whereby there is a established tradition of seeking nearness to Allah through offering a sacrifice. Moreover, the piety or willing intention of the person is also a key factor in the acceptance of the offer.  

اَفَغَيۡرَ اللّٰهِ اَبۡتَغِىۡ حَكَمًا وَّهُوَ الَّذِىۡۤ اَنۡزَلَ اِلَيۡكُمُ الۡـكِتٰبَ مُفَصَّلاً​ ؕ وَالَّذِيۡنَ اٰتَيۡنٰهُمُ الۡـكِتٰبَ يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ اَنَّهٗ مُنَزَّلٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّكَ بِالۡحَـقِّ​ فَلَا تَكُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ الۡمُمۡتَرِيۡنَ‏ ١١٤

[Say], "Then is it other than Allāh I should seek as judge while it is He who has revealed to you the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] explained in detail?" And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture know that it is sent down from your Lord in truth, so never be among the doubters.

[Al-Quran 6:114, Translation: Saheeh International]

...

References & Links 

The Sin Offering (Chabad.org) 

Qurban (Islamic ritual sacrifice) (Wikipedia) 

Related post in this blog: Forehead , Thunderbolts , The Blessing of Cattle  

Last updated on: May 30, 2024

Protection from (fear of) ar-Rahab

 ...

[Al-Quran 28:32:14] 

The Bible and The Quran both mention Rahab. In The Quran, Surah al-Qasas, ayat 32, Moses (Musa عليه السلام) is given a means of protection from Rahab: 

Insert your hand into the opening of your garment; it will come out white, without disease. And draw in your arm close to you [as prevention] from fear, for those are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his establishment. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient."

[Al-Quran 28:32, Translator: Sahih International] 

Generally, in translations of The Quran, we find words formed from the root rā hā bā (ر ه ب) translated as fear, terrify, and monks. So, we don't realise that its informing us of a real monstrous creature, that is mentioned in the earlier scriptures, and which is expected to appear again during end times. 

The Bible mentions the Rahab (רהב) in Isaiah 51:9 

. . . Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?

Isaiah 51:9 

[quoted from Rahab and Monster]

Psalm 89:9-10 praises The Lord in these words: 

You rule the raging of the sea;

when its waves rise, you still them.

You crushed Rahab like a carcass;

you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

[quoted from Crushing Rahab: Does the Old Testament Borrow from Myth?]

In the Jewish Encyclopedia, it states about RAHAB [as on November 3, 2022]:

Originally a mythical name designating the abyss or the sea; subsequently applied to Egypt. Job ix. 13 and xxvi. 12 indicate that it is an alternative for "Tiamat," the Babylonian name of the dragon of darkness and chaos; Ps. lxxxix. 9 also indicates that "Rahab" is a name applied to the sea-monster, the dragon. According to a sentence preserved in the Talmud, "Rahab" is the name of the demon, the ruler of the sea ("Sar shel Yam"; B. B. 74b). It is used as a designation for Egypt in Ps. lxxxvii. 4 and Isa. xxx. 7. Similarly, in Isa. li. 9, which alludes to the exodus from Egypt, the destruction of Pharaoh is described as a smiting of the great sea-monster Rahab or the dragon Tannin. The juxtaposition of "Rahab" and "Tannin" in this passageexplains why "Rahab" was used as a designation for Egypt, which was otherwise called "Tannin" (see Ezek. xxix. 3, Hebr.). It must be noted that the Jewish exegetes deprived the word "Rahab" of its mythological character, and explained it as merely an equivalent for "arrogance," "noise," or "tumult"—applied both to the roaring of the sea and to the arrogant noisiness and proud boasting of the Egyptians (comp. Abraham ibn Ezra on Ps. lxxxvii. 4 and lxxxix. 9).

Quoting the following from Book of Job, someone asks what Rahab means: 

“God will not turn back his anger;

    beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab.

—Job 9:13 (ESV)

By his power he stilled the sea;

    by his understanding he shattered Rahab.

—Job 26:12 (ESV)  

[quoted from Who or what is Rahab in Job?]

It seems clear that Rahab is the name of an ancient sea monster, which an association with Ancient Egypt. The Bani Israel were aware of this monster, and so its not surprising that the very first ayat (Q2:40) addressing the Bani Israel in The Quran employs the same root: 

[Al-Quran 2:40:13] 

The first narrative about Adam's khilafat, and Iblis' arrogant refusal to accept it; the warning about Iblis after exposing his arrogance; Adam and his wife falling into Iblis' trap and suffering loss; Adam's repentance; being expelled from The Garden, temporarily, with the assurance of God's Guidance, and that those who heed it will not suffer, and those who disbelieve and belie the signs will be companions of the fire forever; is mentioned from Q2:31 through Q2:39. The very next ayat immediately addresses the Bani Israel, who were saved from Pharaoh, the sea was parted for them to cross safely, and after their Exodus from Egypt, they were granted The Torah, and God took a covenant from them:      

O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you and fulfill My covenant [upon you] that I will fulfill your covenant [from Me], and be afraid of [only] Me.

[Al-Quran 2:40, Translator: Sahih International] 

The Quran use of words is fascinating. There are other Arabic words in The Quran which are also translated as fear, so its amazing that God chose the word sharing the same root rā hā bā (ر ه ب) to remind the Bani Israel that God Almighty is the only one to be in awe of.  

So, across the scriptures, from The Torah to The Quran, we find Rahab mentioned.   

The Book of Daniel, Chapter 7, mentions four beasts rising from the sea: 

[from a Christian website]: 

Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts

7 

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.

2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

... 

[copied from Daniel 7 NIV, Biblegateway]

[from a Jewish website]:

...

 

[screenshots from Daniel 7, Ketuvim - Scriptures]

........................................

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?

[Al-Quran 21:30, Translator: Sahih International] 

........................................

In the NEWS

As the world is increasingly attracted to, and embracing polytheism, strange news from the sea are making the rounds. On the one hand, as evidence builds up for huge walls of water swallowing up entire ships, the other news is of photographs of 'faces' in huge waves: 

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keaZxhQX_Lo (video)
• https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-64797807 

References & Links 

Word Morphology 28:32:14 [The Quranic Arabic Corpus]

Quran Dictionary root word [The Quranic Arabic Corpus] 

Rahab and Monster 

Crushing Rahab: Does the Old Testament Borrow from Myth? 

RAHAB [Jewish Encyclopedia]

Rahab (term) [Wikipedia] 

Who or what is Rahab in Job? [Stack Exchange] 

Last updated on: September 10, 2024

Seventy Men & The Torah in Seventy Languages

Abstract 

The Quran mentions that Moses (Musa عليه السلام) chose seventy men from his people for The Appointment, after he had received the Tablets on which were inscribed guidance and mercy. It also reminds them about the covenant they ratified with Allah.

At the time of Moses (Musa عليه السلام), there existed seventy primary languages, of seventy nations, in the world. 

At the appointment with the seventy men, when Moses (Musa عليه السلام) prayed for mercy (Q7:155-156), these ayat recount the answer Allah gave him: ... 

In Devarim - Deuteronomy 18, Moses (Musa عليه السلام) informed them that from their brothers, Allah will set up a prophet like him. The Bani Israel trace their lineage to Isaac (Ishaque عليه السلام), the son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), while the Arabs trace their lineage to Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), the elder son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام). So, Muhammad ﷺ is from their brothers. 

Full Text 

 ۞ وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ لَن تَرَانِي وَلَـٰكِنِ انظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِي ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُ دَكًّا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًا ۚ فَلَمَّا أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

قَالَ يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالَاتِي وَبِكَلَامِي فَخُذْ مَا آتَيْتُكَ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَخُذْهَا بِقُوَّةٍ وَأْمُرْ قَوْمَكَ يَأْخُذُوا بِأَحْسَنِهَا ۚ سَأُرِيكُمْ دَارَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

And We appointed (for) Musa thirty nights and We completed them with ten (more), so was completed (the) set term (of) his Lord (of) forty night(s). And said Musa to his brother Harun, "Take my place in my people, and do right and (do) not follow (the) way (of) the corrupters."
And when came Musa to Our appointed place and spoke to him his Lord, he said, "O my Lord! Show me (that) I may look at You." He said, "Never you (can) see Me, but look at the mountain [then] if it remains in its place then you see Me." But when revealed (His) Glory his Lord to the mountain, He made it crumbled to dust and fell down Musa unconscious. And when he recovered he said, "Glory be to You! I turn (in repentance) to you, and I am (the) first (of) the believers."
He said, "O Musa! Indeed, I have chosen you over the people with My Messages and with My words. So take what I have given you and be among the grateful."

And We ordained (laws) for him in the tablets - of every thing, an instruction and explanation for every thing, "So take them with firmness and order your people (to) take (the) best of it. I will show you (the) home (of) the defiantly disobedient

[Al-Quran 7:142-145]

Backstory: Allah liberated the Bani Israel from the oppression they were suffering in Ancient Egypt. This event is famously known as the Exodus, in which Allah parted the sea, so that they could escape to the other side, while their enemy, pursuing them, were drowned in the same sea.  

While Moses (Musa عليه السلام) was away (Q7:142), his people took up the calf for worship (Q7:148). After Moses (Musa عليه السلام)' anger calmed (Q7:154), he chose seventy men for The Appointment (Q7:155). The ayat mentions that they were seized with an earthquake (الرَّجْفَةُ): 

وَلَمَّا سَكَتَ عَن مُّوسَى الْغَضَبُ أَخَذَ الْأَلْوَاحَ ۖ وَفِي نُسْخَتِهَا هُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِرَبِّهِمْ يَرْهَبُونَ

وَاخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَاتِنَا ۖ

 فَلَمَّا أَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّايَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَّا ۖ إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَاءُ وَتَهْدِي مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ

And when was calmed from Musa the anger, he took (up) the tablets and in their inscription (was) guidance and mercy for those who [they] of their Lord (are) fearful.

And chose Musa (from) his people seventy men for Our appointment. 

Then when seized them the earthquake he said, "O my Lord! If you (had) willed, You (could) have destroyed the from before and me. Would You destroy us for what did the foolish among us? Not it (was) but Your trial, You let go astray by it whom You will and You guide whom You will. You (are) our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You (are) Best (of) Forgivers.

[Al-Quran 154-155]

The Quran mentions that Moses (Musa عليه السلام) chose seventy men from his people for The Appointment, after he had received the Tablets on which were inscribed guidance and mercy. It also reminds them about the covenant they ratified with Allah:

وَقَطَّعْنَاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أُمَمًا ۖ مِّنْهُمُ الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنْهُمْ دُونَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ۖ وَبَلَوْنَاهُم بِالْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ وَرِثُوا الْكِتَابَ يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـٰذَا الْأَدْنَىٰ وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغْفَرُ لَنَا وَإِن يَأْتِهِمْ عَرَضٌ مِّثْلُهُ يَأْخُذُوهُ ۚ أَلَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِم مِّيثَاقُ الْكِتَابِ أَن لَّا يَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ وَدَرَسُوا مَا فِيهِ ۗ وَالدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

وَالَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُصْلِحِينَ

 ۞ وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا الْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

And We divided them in the earth (as) nations. Among them (are) the righteous and among them (are) other than that. And We tested them with the good and the bad, so that they may return.

Then succeeded from after them successors (who) inherited the Book taking goods (of) this the lower (life) and they say, "It will be forgiven for us." And if comes to them goods similar to it they will take it. Was not taken on them Covenant (of) the Book that not they will say about Allah except the truth while they studied what (is) in it? And the home (of) the Hereafter (is) better for those who fear Allah. So will not you use intellect?
And those who hold fast to the Book, and establish the prayer, indeed, We (will) not [We] let go waste (the) reward (of) the reformers.
And when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a canopy and they thought that it (would) fall upon them, (We said), "Take what We have given you with strength and remember what (is) in it so that you may fear Allah."
[Al-Quran 168-171]

The Ratified Covenant: Q2:40 exhorts the Bani Israel to uphold the covenant they made with Allah, so that Allah upholds His Covenant with them. Q2:63 goes on to mention the ratified covenant taken from them:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُون

And when We took your covenant and We raised over you the mount, "Hold what We have given you with strength, and remember what (is) in it, perhaps you (would become) righteous."
[Al-Quran 2:63]

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ

لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ 

فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ

And when Allah took a Covenant (from) those who were given the Book,
"You certainly make it clear to the mankind and (do) not conceal it.
Then they threw it behind their backs and they exchanged [with] it (for) a little price. And wretched (is) what they purchase.
[Al-Quran 3:187]

Q7:169 also reminds them of the covenant ratified with them, and Q7:171 reminds them of the raising of the mount over them. 
Related Post: The Covenant & Its Ratification 

The Torah on Seventy Men 

טזוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־משֶׁ֗ה אֶסְפָה־לִּ֞י שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִישׁ֘ מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָדַ֔עְתָּ כִּי־הֵ֛ם זִקְנֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם וְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יו וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤ אֹתָם֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְהִתְיַצְּב֥וּ שָׁ֖ם עִמָּֽךְ:

יזוְיָֽרַדְתִּ֗י וְדִבַּרְתִּ֣י עִמְּךָ֘ שָׁם֒ וְאָֽצַלְתִּ֗י מִן־הָר֛וּחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָלֶ֖יךָ וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְנָֽשְׂא֤וּ אִתְּךָ֙ בְּמַשָּׂ֣א הָעָ֔ם וְלֹֽא־תִשָּׂ֥א אַתָּ֖ה לְבַדֶּֽךָ:

16 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Assemble for Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the people's elders and officers, and you shall take them to the Tent of Meeting, and they shall stand there with You.  

17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will increase the spirit that is upon you and bestow it upon them. Then they will bear the burden of the people with you so that you need not bear it alone.
[The Torah, Bamidbar - Numbers - Chapter 11 16-17]

Though the narrative in Numbers 11 regarding what led up to the choosing of the seventy elders is different, yet both The Torah and The Quran are pointing towards the same event when seventy men were chosen from the Bani Israel. The purpose stated in Numbers 11 17 is so that they will share the burden along with Moses (Musa عليه السلام). 

The mission of Moses (Musa عليه السلام) was the proclamation that there is no god but Allah, the One and Only God, and the conveyance of The Torah which is a message from God containing detailed information, guidance and mercy. 

The Torah in Seventy Languages  

Summary of impressions from Jewish and Christian writings online: At the time of Moses (Musa عليه السلام), there existed seventy primary languages, of seventy nations, in the world. It is believed that these seventy languages originated at the Tower of Babel:

טעַל־כֵּ֞ן קָרָ֤א שְׁמָהּ֙ בָּבֶ֔ל כִּי־שָׁ֛ם בָּלַ֥ל יְהֹוָ֖ה שְׂפַ֣ת כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וּמִשָּׁם֙ הֱפִיצָ֣ם יְהֹוָ֔ה עַל־פְּנֵ֖י כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ:

Therefore, He named it Babel, for there the Lord confused the language of the entire earth, and from there the Lord scattered them upon the face of the entire earth.
[Bereishit - Genesis - Chapter 11:9]

They also believe that all the seventy languages were spoken in the Pharaoh's palace in ancient Egypt, which means that these were the extant languages then. Where in Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 1:5 Moses (Musa عليه السلام) spoke, it is believed that he gave them The Torah in all the seventy languages of the world:

הבְּעֵ֥בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֑ב הוֹאִ֣יל משֶׁ֔ה בֵּאֵ֛ר אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את לֵאמֹֽר:

On that side of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses commenced [and] explained this Law, saying,
[Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 1:8]

It is believed that the Devarim - Deuteronomy is one long sermon by Moses (Musa عليه السلام), a renewal of the covenant! He also commanded them to inscribe it all clearly on stones:

אוַיְצַ֤ו משֶׁה֙ וְזִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁמֹר֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם:

And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Observe all of the commandment that I command you this day.

...

חוְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עַל־הָֽאֲבָנִ֗ים אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בַּאֵ֥ר הֵיטֵֽב:   

You shall write upon the stones all the words of this Torah, very clearly.
[Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 27:1, ..., 8]

The Quran in Arabic Language

وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِّن شَيْءٍ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَىٰ نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنتُمْ وَلَا آبَاؤُكُمْ قُلِ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُون

وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُون

And (did) not they appraise Allah (with) true (his) appraisal, when they said, "Not revealed Allah on a human being [of] anything." Say, "Who revealed the Book which brought [it] Musa (as) a light and guidance for the people? You make it (into) parchments, you disclose (some of) it and you conceal much (of it). And you were taught what not knew you and not your forefathers." Say, "Allah (revealed it)." Then leave them in their discourse - playing.

And this (is) a Book, We have revealed it, blessed, confirming which (from) between his hands, so that you may warn (the) mother (of) the cities and who (are) around it. And those who believe in the Hereafter, they believe in it, and they, over their prayers (are) guarding.
[Al-Quran 6:91-92]

كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُون

A Book, are detailed its Verses, a Quran (in) Arabic for a people (who) know,
...

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُولَٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيد

 And if We (had) made it a Quran (in) a foreign (language), they (would have) said, "Why not are explained in detail its verses? (Is it) a foreign (language) and an Arab?" Say, "It (is) for those who believe, a guidance and a healing." And those who (do) not believe, in their ears (is) deafness, and it (is) for them blindness. Those are being called from a place far."
[Al-Quran 41:3, ..., 44]

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ الْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ فَرِيقٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِي السَّعِير

And thus We have revealed to you a Quran (in) Arabic, that you may warn (the) mother (of) the towns, and whoever (is) around it, and warn (of the) Day (of) Assembly, (there is) no doubt in it. A party (will be) in Paradise and a party in the Blazing Fire.
[Al-Quran 42:7]

وَمِن قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ مُوسَىٰ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّسَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّيُنذِرَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُحْسِنِين

And from before it (was the) Scripture (of) Musa (as) a guide and a mercy. And this (is) a Book confirming, (in) language Arabic to warn those who do wrong and glad tidings for the good-doers.
[Al-Quran 46:12]

The Quran informs us that it was revealed in the Arabic language to warn the mother of towns (أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ), i.e. Makkah (old name Bakkah), and those around it. Almost all of Middle East speaks Arabic, including Egypt.  

Related Posts: The Quran, the Pharaoh, Exodus and the Promised Day! || The Ancient House

Muhammad ﷺ : A Prophet like Moses

At the appointment with the seventy men, when Moses prayed for mercy (Q7:155-156), these ayat recount the answer Allah gave him:

 ۞ وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِي هَـٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَا إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ عَذَابِي أُصِيبُ بِهِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ ۖ وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ ۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِآيَاتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ ۙ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

And ordain for us in this [the] world, good and in the Hereafter. Indeed, we we have turned to You." He said, "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My Mercy encompasses every thing. So I will ordain it for those who (are) righteous and give zakah and those who [they] in Our Verses believe.
Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet, the unlettered, whom they find him written with them in the Taurat and the Injeel. He commands them to the right and forbids them from the wrong, and he makes lawful for them the pure things and makes unlawful for them the impure things and he relieves from them their burden and the fetters which were upon them. So those who believe in him and honor him, and help him and follow the light which has been sent down with him. Those (are) [they] the successful ones."
[Al-Quran 7:156-157]

In Surah al-Muzzamil, we read: 

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ رَسُولًا شَاهِدًا عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ رَسُولًا

فَعَصَىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ الرَّسُولَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُ أَخْذًا وَبِيلًا

فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِن كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًا

السَّمَاءُ مُنفَطِرٌ بِهِ ۚ كَانَ وَعْدُهُ مَفْعُولًا

إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِ تَذْكِرَةٌ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ سَبِيلًا

Indeed, We [We] have sent to you a Messenger (as) a witness upon you, as We sent to Firaun a Messenger.
But disobeyed Firaun the Messenger, so We seized him (with) a seizure ruinous.
Then how will you guard yourselves, if you disbelieve, a Day (that) will make the children gray-haired?
The heaven (will) break apart therefrom, is His Promise to be fulfilled.
Indeed, this (is) a Reminder, then whoever wills (let him) take to his Lord a way.
[Al-Quran 73:15-19]

In Devarim - Deuteronomy 18, Moses (Musa عليه السلام) informed them that from their brothers, Allah will set up a prophet like him. 

The Bani Israel trace their lineage to Isaac (Ishaque عليه السلام), the son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), while the Arabs trace their lineage to Ishmael (Ismail عليه السلام), the elder son of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام). So, Muhammad ﷺ is from their brothers: 

  טונָבִ֨יא מִקִּרְבְּךָ֤ מֵֽאַחֶ֨יךָ֙ כָּמֹ֔נִי יָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֵלָ֖יו תִּשְׁמָעֽוּן:

A prophet from among you, from your brothers, like me, the Lord, your God will set up for you; you shall hearken to him.
[Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 18 15]

The Devarim - Deuteronomy concludes thus: 

יוְלֹא־קָ֨ם נָבִ֥יא ע֛וֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כְּמשֶׁ֑ה אֲשֶׁר֙ יְדָע֣וֹ יְהֹוָ֔ה פָּנִ֖ים אֶל־פָּנִֽים:

And there was no other prophet who arose in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,

יאלְכָל־הָֽ֨אֹתֹ֜ת וְהַמּֽוֹפְתִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר שְׁלָחוֹ֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם לְפַרְעֹ֥ה וּלְכָל־עֲבָדָ֖יו וּלְכָל־אַרְצֽוֹ:

11as manifested by all the signs and wonders, which the Lord had sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and all his servants, and to all his land,  

יבוּלְכֹל֙ הַיָּ֣ד הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה וּלְכֹ֖ל הַמּוֹרָ֣א הַגָּד֑וֹל אֲשֶׁר֙ עָשָׂ֣ה משֶׁ֔ה לְעֵינֵ֖י כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:

12and all the strong hand, and all the great awe, which Moses performed before the eyes of all Israel. [Devarim - Deuteronomy - Chapter 34 10-12]

Related Posts: Muhammad ﷺ, the Messenger of Allah || Muhammad ﷺ – Ascension & Return 

Mistranslations & Misinterpretations 

This is a link to an audio why a not divinely-authorised Greek translation (a Greek Pharaoh of Egypt had commissioned the translation) was considered a tragedy of the same magnitude as the worship of the golden calf: Audio length 48:35 

Questions: 

• why did they translate another version when the original Greek translation given by Moses existed? 
• do the seventy original translations of The Torah still exist?  

With the translations of the ayaat of The Quran also, we notice that there are differences, even within the same language. Sometimes, almost none of the translations are literal, or partially literal. Therefore, it is imperative to quote the ayaat in the original language as well, even while many readers may be interested, or able to understand, only the translations.  

Note: Part of the reason for this blog is that I find what's written in the Arabic text seems different from popular understanding. However, I'm neither a man, nor a messenger of Allah, nor a prophet, nor a religious scholar. Am I doing a service by trying to understand, and share my learnings, or is this a disservice? Or exceeding the bounds defined for the female believer? May Allah guide us all, and improve our submission to Him, and accept us. 

Last updated on: November 14, 2022