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

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Ancient (الۡعَتِيۡقِ)

 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Say, "He (is) Allah, the One.
Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute.
Not He begets and not He is begotten.
And not is for Him equivalent any [one]."
[Al-Quran 112]

 

The Ancient House

ثُمَّ لۡيَـقۡضُوۡا تَفَثَهُمۡ وَلۡيُوۡفُوۡا نُذُوۡرَهُمۡ وَلۡيَطَّوَّفُوۡا بِالۡبَيۡتِ الۡعَتِيۡقِ‏ ٢٩

Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform ṭawāf around the ancient House."

...

لَـكُمۡ فِيۡهَا مَنَافِعُ اِلٰٓى اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَاۤ اِلَى الۡبَيۡتِ الۡعَتِيۡقِ‏ ٣٣

For you therein [i.e., the animals marked for sacrifice] are benefits for a specified term; then their place of sacrifice is at the ancient House.

[Al-Quran 22:29,..., 33, Translation: Saheeh International]


Searching across The Quran for the word 'الۡعَتِيۡقِ' , one realises that these are the only two ayaat where this word has been used, exclusively for Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's house, and is translated as ancient. The root letters are  ع ت ق .There are no other words with this root. The rest of the words translated as ancient are from other root words. Search results for ancient || old.

In Q2:125 (طَهِّرَا بَيۡتِىَ) and Q22:26 (طَهِّرۡ بَيۡتِىَ) we read that Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) is commanded by Allah to purify 'My House'. 



The Ancient of Days

In the Book of Daniel, we come across a term: the Ancient of Days. This phrase refers to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and is a composite of two words: Ancient (Atik) and Days (yom). To quote from a Christian study of the term:

... 

“The Ancient of Days” in its original linguistic form is Aramaic (Dan 2:4b – 7:28 are written in Aramaic), which is “atik yomin” with the Hebrew equivalent: עַתִּיק יֹומִין

There are two parts to this name: Ancient and Days

“Ancient” is an adjective meaning “advanced, aged”. (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon)

“Days” is a plural noun meaning “a duration of time”. (BDB)

...

Daniel describes his vision of end times as when the thrones are set up and The Ancient of Days takes His Place, and a Judgement is made (Daniel 7:9, 7:13, 7:22). 

The Quran, in the ayaat concluding the twenty-fifth ruku (Q2:197-210), which is about pilgrimage to the ancient house, with a focus on the types of pilgrims, also questions thus:

هَلۡ يَنۡظُرُوۡنَ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ يَّاۡتِيَهُمُ اللّٰهُ فِىۡ ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الۡغَمَامِ وَالۡمَلٰٓٮِٕکَةُ وَقُضِىَ الۡاَمۡرُ​ؕ وَاِلَى اللّٰهِ تُرۡجَعُ الۡاُمُوۡرُ‏ ٢١٠

Do they await but that Allāh should come to them in covers of clouds and the angels [as well] and the matter is [then] decided? And to Allāh [all] matters are returned.

[Al-Quran 2:210, Translation: Saheeh International]



Days, the concept of

The Quran and The Bible, both inform us that Allah created the earth and skies in six days

Regarding end times also, we read about 'The Day ... '. 

Moreover, in Q9:36, we read that the months of the year are twelve since the day Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎  created the skies and earth, of which four are sacred. ...  so the years and months are a system of measurement in this created world, while the concept of day is ancient to the calendar, and also ancient to the creation of the skies and earth. 



...



Related Posts 

The Ancient House 

Length of a Day: variable or fixed? 

Wronging the Nafs - III (The Calendar) 

Creation of Space & Time, and The Deen 

The Kingdom & The Throne 

When Allah Comes 


Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Stonemasons & Freemasons

Abstract 
The world is dotted with the ruins of pyramids, obelisks, palaces, fortresses, megaliths, ... mighty feats of construction by civilisations who are no more; clear evidence of the truth of the scriptures! The magnificent buildings were built by masons. In medieval ages, the Stonemasons built many magnificent buildings. The Freemasonry movement claims to take its inspiration from the building of the Temple of Solomon and its Chief Architect. Its a secret organisation, so there are many theories about it. Some also associate it with secret magic. Solomon was granted a kingdom the world hasn't seen since. The angels Harut and Marut taught magic in the Kingdom of Solomon, yet warned them that they had been sent as a trial, and the people should desist from learning magic. There is a city that was destroyed, but will return when Gog and Magog are released: I understand the ancient city that will return is Babylon. 
We can work in gratitude, or we can work in defiance and opposition. Allah is watching us all. He is testing us. He expects gratitude. The satisfied nafs is promised salvation and eternal bliss.  



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

هَلْ فِي ذَٰلِكَ قَسَمٌ لِّذِي حِجْرٍ

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

The ذِي indicates possession or ownership of the noun which follows, and the word حِجْرٍ shares its root with the word for stone (حجر), and is itself variously translated as: 


...
Screenshot from corpus.quran.com

Google translates  لِّذِي حِجْرٍ as 'Have a stone':


If we take it to indicate belonging, then the people who belong to stone workmanship are the stonemasons, one of the most ancient professions in the world, or the freemasons, which is the modern version of the ancient stonemason guild.  

The surah then continues thus: 

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ
إِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ
الَّتِي لَمْ يُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِي الْبِلَادِ
وَثَمُودَ الَّذِينَ جَابُوا الصَّخْرَ بِالْوَادِ
وَفِرْعَوْنَ ذِي الْأَوْتَادِ
الَّذِينَ طَغَوْا فِي الْبِلَادِ
فَأَكْثَرُوا فِيهَا الْفَسَادَ
فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّكَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ

Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with 'Aad -
[With] Iram - who had lofty pillars,
The likes of whom had never been created in the land?
And [with] Thamud, who carved out the rocks in the valley?
And [with] Pharaoh, owner of the stakes? -
[All of] whom oppressed within the lands
And increased therein the corruption.
So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment.
Indeed, your Lord is in observation.
[Al-Quran 89:6-14, Translation: Sahih International] 


Prophet Hud said to his people Aad:

أَتَبْنُونَ بِكُلِّ رِيعٍ آيَةً تَعْبَثُونَ
وَتَتَّخِذُونَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ
Do you construct on every elevation a sign, amusing yourselves, 
And take for yourselves palaces and fortresses that you might abide eternally? 
[Al-Quran 26:128-129, Translation: Sahih International]


Prophet Saleh asked his people Thamud:

وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا فَارِهِينَ
And you carve out of the mountains, homes, with skill. 
[Al-Quran 26:149, Translation: Sahih International]


Pharaoh is mentioned by the stakes in Q89:10 quoted above, an in this ayat as well: 

كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَعَادٌ وَفِرْعَوْنُ ذُو الْأَوْتَادِ

Denied before them (the) people (of) Nuh and Aad and Firaun, (the) owner (of) the stakes
[Al-Quran 38:12]

Another ayat of The Quran mentions that the mountains are set upon the  earth as stakes (Q78:7). Though pyramids have been found all over the world, and more continue to be discovered, the most famous pyramids are those of Ancient Egypt. The pyramids of Egypt are more mountain-like than the Mesopotamian ziggurats or the Nubian pyramids. The Pyramids of Giza, a marvel of ancient Egypt, are still looked upon in awe and wonder. In fact, the more learned a person is in his field of study, the more he marvels at the wondrous nature of the pyramids' construction.   

Moreover, Pharaoh commanded Haman to build something to access the skies: 

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلَأُ مَا عَلِمْتُ لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرِي فَأَوْقِدْ لِي يَا هَامَانُ عَلَى الطِّينِ فَاجْعَل لِّي صَرْحًا لَّعَلِّي أَطَّلِعُ إِلَىٰ إِلَٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّهُ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

And Pharaoh said, "O eminent ones, I have not known you to have a god other than me. Then ignite for me, O Haman, [a fire] upon the clay and make for me a tower that I may look at the God of Moses. And indeed, I do think he is among the liars."
[Al-Quran 28:38, Translator: Sahih International]


وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَا هَامَانُ ابْنِ لِي صَرْحًا لَّعَلِّي أَبْلُغُ الْأَسْبَابَ
أَسْبَابَ السَّمَاوَاتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَىٰ إِلَٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّهُ كَاذِبًا وَكَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ وَصُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِي تَبَابٍ

And Firon said: O Haman! build for me a tower that I may attain the means of access, 
The means of access to the heavens, then reach the god of Musa, and I surely think him to be a liar. And thus the evil of his deed was made fairseeming to Firon, and he was turned away from the way; and the struggle of Firon was not (to end) in aught but destruction.
[Al-Quran 40:36-37, Translator: Shakir] 

Haman was commanded to build with bricks. An interesting write-up titled '
Were Burnt Bricks Used In Ancient Egypt In The Time of Moses?' concludes that: 
Although rare, baked bricks were manufactured in ancient Egypt but their use did not become common until the Roman period. In fact, that the scholars of Egyptology have concluded that burnt brick production was known in Egypt at all periods. Specifically, when durability was required, burnt bricks were able to provide a qualitative advantage as compared to their mud brick counterparts, and it was in this setting that the burnt brick was used. It is also important to note that the ancient Egyptians were not ignorant behind the processes and specific manufacturing requirements in the production of burnt bricks, however, it would appear that the cost of fuel for firing was prohibitive and this could be one of the reasons for the preference of unfired soil architecture.


The world is dotted with the ruins of pyramids, obelisks, palaces, fortresses, megaliths, ... mighty feats of construction by civilisations who are no more; clear evidence of the truth of the scriptures! 

The magnificent buildings were built by masons. One of the most ancient professions in human history seems to be masonry. For example, the Göbekli Tepe, is thought to be 8000 years old, is simply marvellous and astonishing in the details. 

In medieval ages, the Stonemasons built many magnificent buildings, such as Cathedrals, etc. 

The Freemasonry movement claims to take its inspiration from the building of the Temple of Solomon and its Chief Architect. Its a secret organisation, so there are many theories about it. Some also associate it with secret magic.   

Magic is mentioned in The Quran negatively. Pharaoh had the learned magicians duel with Moses. When the learned magicians realised the truth of Moses, they immediately abandoned their magic, and submitted to the Lord of Moses. The angels Harut and Marut taught magic in the Kingdom of Solomon, yet warned them that they had been sent as a trial, and the people should desist from learning magic.  

On the other hand, we also read about the mighty constructions built by Muslim leaders, Solomon and Dhu al Qarnayn, which are mentioned in The Quran. Surah alIsra informs us that the Masjid built by Solomon was destroyed twice: 

إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ الْآخِرَةِ لِيَسُوءُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُوا الْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَلِيُتَبِّرُوا مَا عَلَوْا تَتْبِيرًا
[And said], "If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to yourselves." Then when the final promise came, [We sent your enemies] to sadden your faces and to enter the temple in Jerusalem, as they entered it the first time, and to destroy what they had taken over with [total] destruction.
[Al-Quran 17:7, Translation: Sahih International]

We believe that Dhu al Qarnayn built a permanent iron wall to contain the earth-corrupting forces of Yajuj Majuj (Gog & Magog). This wall will only be destroyed during the end times:

آتُونِي زُبَرَ الْحَدِيدِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ الصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ انفُخُوا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَعَلَهُ نَارًا قَالَ آتُونِي أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا
فَمَا اسْطَاعُوا أَن يَظْهَرُوهُ وَمَا اسْتَطَاعُوا لَهُ نَقْبًا
قَالَ هَٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّي فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي جَعَلَهُ دَكَّاءَ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي حَقًّا
وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِي بَعْضٍ وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَاهُمْ جَمْعًا
Bring me sheets of iron" - until, when he had leveled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said, "Blow [with bellows]," until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, "Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper."
So Gog and Magog were unable to pass over it, nor were they able [to effect] in it any penetration.
[Dhul-Qarnayn] said, "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes, He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true."
And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and [then] the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly.
[Al-Quran 18:96-99, Translation: Sahih International]


There is a city that was destroyed, but will return when Gog and Magog are released: 
 
وَحَرَامٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ
وَاقْتَرَبَ الْوَعْدُ الْحَقُّ فَإِذَا هِيَ شَاخِصَةٌ أَبْصَارُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا قَدْ كُنَّا فِي غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ هَٰذَا بَلْ كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ

إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمْ لَهَا وَارِدُونَ

And there is prohibition upon [the people of] a city which We have destroyed that they will [ever] return
Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend
And [when] the true promise has approached; then suddenly the eyes of those who disbelieved will be staring [in horror, while they say], "O woe to us; we had been unmindful of this; rather, we were wrongdoers."

Indeed, you [disbelievers] and what you worship other than Allah are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to [enter] it.
[Al-Quran 21:95-98, Translation: Sahih International]


I understand the ancient city that will return is Babylon.  

The ancient cities that were destroyed were worshipping that which will become the firewood of Hell, that is the jinns, as mentioned in Surah alJinn, and explored in the post جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn)

Coming back to the Prophet-King Solomon and his father Prophet-King David, we read that both were given mighty gifts to support their mission; Solomon was granted a kingdom the world hasn't seen since. His workforce included the jinns who constructed mighty things: 

أَفَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِن نَّشَأْ نَخْسِفْ بِهِمُ الْأَرْضَ أَوْ نُسْقِطْ عَلَيْهِمْ كِسَفًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّكُلِّ عَبْدٍ مُّنِيبٍ
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
وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ
يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ
فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَوْتِهِ إِلَّا دَابَّةُ الْأَرْضِ تَأْكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ الْجِنُّ أَن لَّوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ الْغَيْبَ مَا لَبِثُوا فِي الْعَذَابِ الْمُهِينِ

Then, do they not look at what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and earth? If We should will, We could cause the earth to swallow them or [could] let fall upon them fragments from the sky. Indeed in that is a sign for every servant turning back [to Allah ].
And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], "O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well]." And We made pliable for him iron,
[Commanding him], "Make full coats of mail and calculate [precisely] the links, and work [all of you] righteousness. Indeed I, of what you do, am Seeing."
And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind - its morning [journey was that of] a month - and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month, and We made flow for him a spring of [liquid] copper. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our command - We will make him taste of the punishment of the Blaze.
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.
And when We decreed for Solomon death, nothing indicated to the jinn his death except a creature of the earth eating his staff. But when he fell, it became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in humiliating punishment.
[Al-Quran 34:9-14, Translation: Sahih International]


Another note-worthy mighty feat of construction in the ancient world was the Dam of Saba. The Quran states about it: 

لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ كُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ

فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَاهُم بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَيْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَيْءٍ مِّن سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِمَا كَفَرُوا وَهَلْ نُجَازِي إِلَّا الْكَفُورَ 

Certainly there was a sign for Saba in their abode; two gardens on the right and the left; eat of the sustenance of your Lord and give thanks to Hima good land and a Forgiving Lord!

But they turned aside, so We sent upon them a torrent of which the rush could not be withstood, and in place of their two gardens We gave to them two gardens yielding bitter fruit and (growing) tamarisk and a few lote-trees.

This We requited them with because they disbelieved; and We do not punish any but the ungrateful.
[Al-Quran 34:15-17, Translation: Shakir]


We can work in gratitude, or we can work in defiance and opposition. Allah is watching us all. He is testing us. He expects gratitude. The satisfied nafs is promised salvation and eternal bliss. 
    

....

Stonemasons
The following was copied from Wikipedia on September 28, 2022: 
Stonemasonry or stonecraft is the creation of buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone as the primary material. It is one of the oldest activities and professions in human history. Many of the long-lasting, ancient shelters, temples, monuments, artifacts, fortifications, roads, bridges, and entire cities were built of stone. Famous works of stonemasonry include the Egyptian pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Cusco's Incan Wall, Easter Island's statues, Angkor Wat, Borobudur, Tihuanaco, Tenochtitlan, Persepolis, the Parthenon, Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China, and Chartres Cathedral. 
Freemasons 
The following is copied from Wikipedia on September 28, 2022: 
Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients.  ... The degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Entered Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. The candidate of these three degrees is progressively taught the meanings of the symbols of Freemasonry and entrusted with grips, signs, and words to signify to other members that he has been so initiated. The degrees are part allegorical morality play and part lecture. 
On Wikipedia's page on Masonic ritual and symbolism, its written (as on September 28, 2022)
Solomon's Temple is a central symbol of Freemasonry which holds that the first three Grand Masters were King Solomon, King Hiram I of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff—the craftsman/architect who built the temple. Masonic initiation rites include the reenactment of a scene set on the Temple Mount while it was under construction. Every Masonic lodge, therefore, is symbolically the Temple for the duration of the degree and possesses ritual objects representing the architecture of the Temple. These may either be built into the hall or be portable. Among the most prominent are replicas of the pillars Boaz and Jachin through which every initiate has to pass.
...

In an article about Freemasons, published online on 15 September 2014, titled 'The Freemasons, the Temple, and the Lost Ark', number 7 reads: 

While other British crafts had linked their rituals and related lore to legends of patron saints, early Masons liked to refer to the building of the Tower of Babel, the first land structure mentioned in Genesis. However, it must have sunk in that the Lord did not look with favour on Babel, so their interest began to shift to the building of Solomon’s Temple, the Bible’s most significant structure. Since 1717, when Freemasonry took its modern form, this has remained its central legend.



References & Links for Further Reading

Third Temple (Wikipedia) 


In this blog

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Last updated on: May 7, 2023 

Friday, October 12, 2018

Snake Symbols

Abstract 
Snakes feature in all belief systems and are prominently visible in a number of religious, regal, medical, maritime, and other state, organisational and professional symbols, both ancient and modern, across the world
Snakes are jinns. Iblis was a jinn. and The Quran clearly informs us that Iblis and his progeny are the enemy, and warns us to not take them as protectors instead of Allah.  


Full Text 

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِي وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ بِئْسَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ بَدَلًا

And when We said to the Angels, "Prostrate to Adam," so they prostrated except Iblis. (He) was of the jinn, and he rebelled against the Command (of) his Lord. Will you then take him and his offspring (as) protectors other than Me, while they (are) to you enemies? Wretched for the wrongdoers (is) the exchange.
[Al-Quran 18:50]

The Quran repeatedly warns us of Iblis and his progeny, who are the sworn enemies of Adam and his progeny. Surah alKahf informs us that Iblis was of the jinn. As discussed in جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn), jinns are snakes! Snakes feature in all belief systems and are prominently visible in a number of religious, regal, medical, maritime, and other state, organisational and professional symbols, both ancient and modern, across the worldMany mythologies falsely attribute relationships between God and the snakes. In the ayaat following the passage about Iblis in Surah alKahf, it goes on to state: 

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ أَكْثَرَ شَيْءٍ جَدَلًا

And certainly, We have explained in this the Quran for mankind of every example. But is the man (in) most things quarrelsome.
[Al-Quran 18:54

Among the closing ayaat of Surah alKahf, we read:

أَفَحَسِبَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَن يَتَّخِذُوا عِبَادِي مِن دُونِي أَوْلِيَاءَ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ نُزُلًا
قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالًا
الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَائِهِ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَزْنًا
ذَٰلِكَ جَزَاؤُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُوا وَاتَّخَذُوا آيَاتِي وَرُسُلِي هُزُوًا

Do then think those who disbelieve that they (can) take My servants besides Me (as) protectors? Indeed, We - We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers (as) a lodging.
Say, "Shall We inform you of the greatest losers (as to their) deeds?
Those - is lost their effort in the life (of) the world, while they think that they (were) acquiring good (in) work."
Those (are) the ones who disbelieve in the Verses (of) their Lord, and the meeting (with) Him. So (are) vain their deeds, so not We will assign for them (on) the Day (of) the Resurrection any weight.
That (is) their recompense - Hell - because they disbelieved, and took My Verses and My Messengers (in) ridicule.
[Al-Quran 18:102-106]

Surah alKahf begins with praising Allah for giving us a clear book with no عِوَجًا (ambiguity, distortion or  deviation). It warns of terrible punishment and gives glad tidings of a never-ending reward. It is also a warning for those who attribute a son to Allah. Surah alKahf concludes with:

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

Say, "Only I (am) a man like you. Has been revealed to me that your God (is) God One. So whoever is hoping (for the) meeting (with) his Lord, let him do deeds righteous and not associate in (the) worship (of) his Lord anyone."
[Al-Quran 18:110]


Many mighty civilisations have passed away into oblivion, while their ruins remain as evidence.
Surah anNaml grants us a variety of insights into the history of jinns vis-à-vis humans: 
  • Change of State: Moses' staff started moving like a snake, and reverted back into a staff when Moses held it again, as a sign from Allah for Pharaoh, in whose religion snakes and serpents feature prominently.  
  • Subservience of Jinns: Snakes came under the command of the righteous King Solomon to serve in his army; other surahs in The Quran inform us that they were serving Solomon under compulsion, not free-will; the jinns were being guarded and compelled to do the work assigned. 
  • from EverythingThe grand throne of Saba and its mighty kingdom are mentioned in particular. They had been given from everything! Satan (the jinn Iblis) had made Sun-worship fair-seeming to this mighty civilisation.   
  • Instantaneous Transportation: The jinn-courtier of Solomon had the ability to transport things across great distances in a short period of time; however, the person who had been given knowledge from The Book could transport things almost instantaneously!   
  • Advanced Technology: When the Queen of Saba saw the level of advancement of Solomon's kingdom, in particular the glass-flooring of his palace, she came to realise that she had been wronging her own Nafs by worshipping the Sun instead of Allah, the actual Sustainer of the Worlds. 
All of the above are topics being pursued in the frontiers of science even today! 

  • The Womb: Surah anNaml also goes on to mention the crimes of the disbelieving Thamud and people of Messenger Lut vis-à-vis the womb: the former rendered it barren, while the latter were indulging in homosexuality, and/or corrupting creation by cross-breeding with the males of the worlds. Surah anNisa` warns us to guard the womb, and of Satan's plots against it!   

Once again, science has advanced to a stage where the womb is being experimented with; and that also with the legal protection of the state!  


  • Surah anNaml foretells that a creature from the Earth will be brought forth because people did not believe in the ayaat/signs.  


Jinns: Abilities & Limitations  
Surah Saba and Surah Saad give us further insights into the abilities and limitations of the jinns:

وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ
يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ
فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَوْتِهِ إِلَّا دَابَّةُ الْأَرْضِ تَأْكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ الْجِنُّ أَن لَّوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ الْغَيْبَ مَا لَبِثُوا فِي الْعَذَابِ الْمُهِينِ

And to Sulaiman, the wind - its morning course (was) a month and its afternoon course (was) a month, and We caused to flow for him a spring (of) molten copper. And [of] the jinn who worked before him by the permission (of) his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our Command, We will make him of (the) punishment (of) the Blaze.
They worked for him what he willed of elevated chambers and statues and bowls like reservoirs and cooking-pots fixed. "Work, O family (of) Dawood! (in) gratitude." But few of My slaves (are) grateful.
Then when We decreed for him the death, not indicated to them [on] his death except a creature (of) the earth eating his staff. But when he fell down, became clear (to) the jinn that if they had known the unseen, not they (would have) remained in the punishment humiliating.
[Al-Quran 34:12-14


وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ
وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ

And the devils, every builder and diver,
And others bound in chains.
[Al-Quran 38:37-38


Seeking Protection 
Surah alMominun advises the believers to repel evil with what is best, and to seek Allah's protection: 

ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ

Repel by that which (is) best - the evil. We know best of what they attribute.
And say, "My Lord! I seek refuge in You from (the) suggestions (of) the evil ones,
And I seek refuge in You, My Lord! Lest they be present with me."
[Al-Quran 23:96-98


Duly Warned 
On the Day of Judgment, Allah will say to the criminals : 

وَامْتَازُوا الْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا الْمُجْرِمُونَ
أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
وَأَنِ اعْبُدُونِي هَٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنكُمْ جِبِلًّا كَثِيرًا أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْقِلُونَ
هَٰذِهِ جَهَنَّمُ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
"But stand apart today O criminals!
Did not I enjoin upon you O Children of Adam! That (do) not worship the Shaitaan, indeed, he (is) for you an enemy clear,
And that you worship Me? This (is) a Path Straight.
And indeed, he led astray from you a multitude great. Then did not you use reason?
This (is) (the) Hell which you were promised.
[Al-Quran 36:59-63


Jinns: Protectors & Helpers? 
On the Day of Judgement, Allah will ask the angels:

وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ إِيَّاكُمْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِم بَلْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ الْجِنَّ أَكْثَرُهُم بِهِم مُّؤْمِنُونَ

And (the) Day He will gather them all, then He will say to the Angels, "Were these you they were worshipping?"
They will say, "Glory be to You (are) our Protector, not them. Nay, they used (to) worship the jinn, most of them in them (were) believers."
 [Al-Quran 34:40-41

Surah Yasin further informs us that when people seek help from other than Allah, they themselves become soldiers for those false gods:  

وَاتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ آلِهَةً لَّعَلَّهُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُمْ جُندٌ مُّحْضَرُونَ
فَلَا يَحْزُنكَ قَوْلُهُمْ إِنَّا نَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ

But they have taken besides Allah gods, that they may be helped.
Not they are able to help them, but they - for them (are) hosts (who will) be brought.
So (let) not grieve you their speech. Indeed, We [We] know what they conceal and what they declare.
[Al-Quran 36:74-76

Surah alJinn clearly tells us: 

وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا

And that (there) were men among mankind who sought refuge in (the) men from the jinn, so they increased them (in) burden.
[Al-Quran 72:6]










Related posts: 




Monday, September 24, 2018

Dams

Abstract 
Globally, there is a great debate over the construction of dams. The world is dotted with dams, dating from ancient times, all across the ages, to the present day. The world is already facing several ecological problems due to the damming of rivers. As rulers in the land (خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ), the free people of the world need to do more to ensure that Allah's gifts are used in a just manner, so that there is not only minimum damage to the Earth due to human activities, but reformative projects are also undertaken to undo the damages. The Earth and the Gardens of Paradise are promised as an inheritance. We have this life to prove we are worthy of such a grand inheritance! 


Full Text 


قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ الْقُرُونِ الْأُولَىٰ
قَالَ عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي فِي كِتَابٍ لَّا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلَا يَنسَى

الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ شَتَّىٰ

كُلُوا وَارْعَوْا أَنْعَامَكُمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي النُّهَىٰ
مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَىٰ 

(Pharaoh) said: "What then is the condition of previous generations?"
He replied: "The knowledge of that is with my Lord, duly recorded: my Lord never errs, nor forgets,-

"He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels); and has sent down water from the sky." With it have We produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others.

Eat (for yourselves) and pasture your cattle: verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.
From the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again. 


The People who Forbid (لِّأُولِي النُّهَىٰ
Q20:54 states that in it are signs for the لِّأُولِي النُّهَىٰ translated generally as people of reasoning, intellect, understanding, ... As can be seen from the translations of most words sharing the same root, the words lend to the meanings of forbid, desist, refrain, ...    

Screenshot from corpus.quran.com

Globally, there is a great debate over the construction of dams. Many people favour such projects in the hopes that it will solve the water and electricity shortages. There are a few who voice concern regarding the adverse ecological impact, the cost-effectiveness of mega-projects, and the potential of such massive bodies of water as weapons of mass destruction.

The Quran informs us that:
  • Allah has spread the Earth, made roads/channels, and sent down water from the sky (Q20:53)
  • Allah is the Sustainer of the Worlds (Q1:2)
  • We must not upset the Balance (Q55:7-9
  • The flood of the dam destroyed the ecology of the land (Q34:15-17

لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ جَنَّتَانِ عَن يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ كُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ

فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَاهُم بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَيْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَيْءٍ مِّن سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِمَا كَفَرُوا وَهَلْ نُجَازِي إِلَّا الْكَفُورَ 

Certainly there was a sign for Saba in their abode; two gardens on the right and the left; eat of the sustenance of your Lord and give thanks to Him: a good land and a Forgiving Lord!

But they turned aside, so We sent upon them a torrent of which the rush could not be withstood, and in place of their two gardens We gave to them two gardens yielding bitter fruit and (growing) tamarisk and a few lote-trees.

This We requited them with because they disbelieved; and We do not punish any but the ungrateful.
[Al-Quran 34:15-17, Translation: Shakir]


Q34:16 uses the term سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ translated mostly as the flood from the dam:
But they turned away (from God), and We sent against them the Flood (released) from the dams, and We converted their two garden (rows) into "gardens" producing bitter fruit, and tamarisks, and some few (stunted) Lote-trees.
[Al-Quran 34:16, Translation: Yusuf Ali]


The word الْعَرِمِ occurs only once in The Quran, so comparison of usage within the text is not possible. The root for سَيْلَ is used in the following forms: 


So, if الْعَرِمِ  has been translated correctly as dam, then we have a historic precedence of a good land being made almost barren due to the flooding caused by the dam. The reason for it is explained in Q34:17 as ingratitude to God. 

The world is dotted with dams, dating from ancient times, all across the ages, to the present day. According to Wikipedia:  
One of the engineering wonders of the ancient world was the Great Dam of Marib in Yemen. Initiated somewhere between 1750 and 1700 BC, it was made of packed earth – triangular in cross section, 580 m (1,900 ft) in length and originally 4 m (13 ft) high – running between two groups of rocks on either side, to which it was linked by substantial stonework. Repairs were carried out during various periods, most important around 750 BC, and 250 years later the dam height was increased to 7 m (23 ft). After the end of the Kingdom of Saba, the dam fell under the control of the Ḥimyarites (~115 BC) who undertook further improvements, creating a structure 14 m (46 ft) high, with five spillway channels, two masonry-reinforced sluices, a settling pond, and a 1,000 m (3,300 ft) canal to a distribution tank. These extensive works were not actually finalized until 325 AD and allowed the irrigation of 25,000 acres (100 km2).
Ruins of the Great Dam of Ma'rib 
Attribution: 
By H. Grobe [CC BY-SA 3.0  (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons


Q34:15 couples the good land with a Forgiving Lord! In Surah Fatir, we read about the promised eternal reward/punishment, and then:

وَهُمْ يَصْطَرِخُونَ فِيهَا رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا غَيْرَ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ أَوَلَمْ نُعَمِّرْكُم مَّا يَتَذَكَّرُ فِيهِ مَن تَذَكَّرَ وَجَاءَكُمُ النَّذِيرُ فَذُوقُوا فَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِن نَّصِيرٍ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَالِمُ غَيْبِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ
هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَمَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الْكَافِرِينَ كُفْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا مَقْتًا وَلَا يَزِيدُ الْكَافِرِينَ كُفْرُهُمْ إِلَّا خَسَارًا
قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ شُرَكَاءَكُمُ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقُوا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ أَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْكٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَمْ آتَيْنَاهُمْ كِتَابًا فَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَتٍ مِّنْهُ بَلْ إِن يَعِدُ الظَّالِمُونَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا إِلَّا غُرُورًا

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا وَلَئِن زَالَتَا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِهِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا

وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِن جَاءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ لَّيَكُونُنَّ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْ إِحْدَى الْأُمَمِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ نَذِيرٌ مَّا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّا نُفُورًا

اسْتِكْبَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَكْرَ السَّيِّئِ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا سُنَّتَ الْأَوَّلِينَ فَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَحْوِيلًا

أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَكَانُوا أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُ مِن شَيْءٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَلِيمًا قَدِيرًا

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَابَّةٍ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيرًا

And they shall cry therein for succour: O our Lord! take us out, we will do good deeds other than those which we used to do. Did We not preserve you alive long enough, so that he who would be mindful in it should mind? And there came to you the warner; therefore taste; because for the unjust, there is no helper.
Surely Allah is the Knower of what is unseen in the heavens and the earth; surely He is Cognizant of what is in the hearts.
He it is Who made you rulers in the land; therefore whoever disbelieves, his unbelief is against himself; and their unbelief does not increase the disbelievers with their Lord in anything except hatred; and their unbelief does not increase the disbelievers in anything except loss.
Say: Have you considered your associates which you call upon besides Allah? Show me what part of the earth they have created, or have they any share in the heavens; or, have We given them a book so that they follow a clear argument thereof? Nay, the unjust do not hold out promises one to another but only to deceive.

Surely Allah upholds the heavens and the earth lest they come to naught; and if they should come to naught, there Is none who can uphold them after Him; surely He is the Forbearing, the Forgiving.

And they swore by Allah with the strongest of their oaths that if there came to them a warner they would be better guided than any of the nations; but when there came to them a warner it increased them in naught but aversion.

(In) behaving proudly in the land and in planning evil; and the evil plans shall not beset any save the authors of it. Then should they wait for aught except the way of the former people? For you shall not find any alteration in the course of Allah; and you shall not find any change in the course of Allah.

Have they not travelled in the land and seen how was the end of those before them while they were stronger than these in power? And Allah is not such that any thing in the heavens or in the earth should escape Him; surely He is Knowing, Powerful.

And were Allah to punish men for what they earn, He would not leave on the back of it any creature, but He respites them till an appointed term; so when their doom shall come, then surely Allah is Seeing with respect to His servants. 
[Al-Quran 35:39-45, Translation: Shakir]

The world is already facing several ecological problems due to the damming of rivers. As rulers in the land (خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ), the free people of the world need to do more to ensure that Allah's gifts are used in a just manner, so that there is not only minimum damage to the Earth due to human activities, but reformative projects are also undertaken to undo the damages. Many species are already going extinct, and the planet is gradually dying already! As Surah arRum puts it:

ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ 
Corruption has appeared in the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have wrought, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, so that they may return. 
[Al-Quran 34:41, Translation: Shakir]

The Earth and the Gardens of Paradise are promised as an inheritance. We have this life to prove we are worthy of such a grand inheritance!    


وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِي الزَّبُورِ مِن بَعْدِ الذِّكْرِ أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِيَ الصَّالِحُونَ 

And certainly We wrote in the Book after the reminder that (as for) the land, My righteous servants shall inherit it. 
[Al-Quran 21:105, Translation: Shakir]

As خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ, hasn't the Earth also been given to us in trust? Surah alMuminoon lists keeping the trusts as one of the qualities of those who will inherit Paradise: 

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ

الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
And those who are keepers of their trusts and their covenant,
And those who keep a guard on their prayers;

These are they who are the heirs,

Who shall inherit the Paradise; they shall abide therein.
[Al-Quran 23:8-11, Translation: Shakir]



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Last updated on September 26, 2018

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Humans: Extinct & Extant

Fossils & Ruins; Last Glacial Period & Global Warming 
No change should there be in the creation of Allah [Quran 30:30] 

Abstract
The Earth has witnessed many generations of the genus Homo, most of whom are now extinct. Homo sapiens is the extant specie, which now dominates this planet.
The Earth has also experienced many glacial periods, as well as catastrophic events, wiping out entire populations, of whom the fossils and ruins remain.
Global warming is now pointing towards another major climate shift, which may mark the end of the Homo sapiens.
The Quran repeatedly warns us of a fixed hour, when everyone will die. More importantly, The Quran also informs us of a resurrection and warns of a reckoning that will follow it.


Full Text
عَمَّ يَتَسَاءَلُونَ
عَنِ النَّبَإِ الْعَظِيمِ
About what are they asking one another?
About the News the Great,
[Al-Quran 78:1-2]


أَلَمْ نُهْلِكِ الْأَوَّلِينَ 
ثُمَّ نُتْبِعُهُمُ الْآخِرِينَ
Did not We destroy the former (people)?
Then We follow them up (with) the later ones.
[Al-Quran 77:16-17]


The Quran uses very definitive and precise terms, for example: al-Insaan, an-Nas, Adam and bani Adam. Many religious people believe Adam to be the first human, yet neither The Bible nor The Quran makes any such assertion.

The Bible presents two genesis stories:

The Quran also discusses the creation of humans and the creation of Adam, independent of each other:
Humans: Q4:1, Q6:98, Q7:189, Q32:7, …  

Each story needs to be studied carefully, so that we are able to understand its importance and its significance to our past, present and future.


The bani Adam, the sons /progeny of Adam, are the descendants of the Adam mentioned in the Quran. According to scientists, almost all humans alive today can trace our descent/lineage from a common biological Adam, also known as the Most Recent Common Ancestor.  


وَرَبُّكَ الْغَنِيُّ ذُو الرَّحْمَةِ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفْ مِن بَعْدِكُم مَّا يَشَاءُ 
كَمَا أَنشَأَكُم مِّن ذُرِّيَّةِ قَوْمٍ آخَرِينَ
إِنَّ مَا تُوعَدُونَ لَآتٍ وَمَا أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ
And your Lord (is) the Self-Sufficient Owner of Mercy. If He wills He can take you away and grant succession after you (to) whom He wills. 
as He raised you from the descendants (of) other people.
Indeed, what you are promised (is) sure to come. And you (can) not escape (it).
[Al-Quran 6:133-134]

Many species of the genus homo are already extinct. When Moses was sent to Pharaoh, he asked Moses:

قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ الْقُرُونِ الْأُولَىٰ
He said, "Then what (is the) case (of) the generations (of) the former."
[Al-Quran 20:51]
Moses replied:

قَالَ عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي فِي كِتَابٍ لَّا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلَا يَنسَى
He said, "Its knowledge (is) with my Lord, in a Record. Not errs my Lord and not forgets."
[Al-Quran 20:52]  

When the Pharaoh and his people were drowned, al-Quran informs us that it was an exemplary punishment for the former (ancients) and the latter (modern):

فَأَخَذَهُ اللَّهُ نَكَالَ الْآخِرَةِ وَالْأُولَىٰ
So seized him Allah (with) an exemplary punishment (for) the last and the first.
[Al-Quran 79:25]

Most translators have taken الْآخِرَةِ and الْأُولَىٰ in the above ayat to mean Hereafter and this life; however usage of the nominal noun الْأُولَىٰ across the Quran, and the following ayaat make it clear that it’s a term describing the ancients: 

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا أَهْلَكْنَا الْقُرُونَ الْأُولَىٰ بَصَائِرَ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
After destroying the people of the ancient towns We gave the Book to Moses to be a source of knowledge, a guidance, and mercy for mankind so that perhaps they would take heed.
[Al-Quran 28:43, Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]

Thus, Moses’ era marks the transition from the ancient world to the modern. Moreover, Surah al-A`la also distinguishes between the ancient and the modern scriptures:


  إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَفِي الصُّحُفِ الْأُولَىٰ صُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ
This is what is written in the ancient heavenly Books, the Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.
 [Al-Quran 87:18-19, Translation: Muhammad Sarwar] 

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًا
How many generations living before them did We destroy? Do you find anyone of them around or do you even hear any word from them?
 [Al-Quran 19:98, Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]

وَحَرَامٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ  
The people whom We destroyed can never return to this world until Gog and Magog are let loose to rush down from the hills.
 [Al-Quran 21:95-96 Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ الْقُرُونِ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them?
 [Al-Quran 36:31, Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]


Fossil Evidence
The Quran informs us of the ancients and how they are unable to return.
There are fossil evidences of many ancient species of the genus Homo who were different from us. Those extinct species of our genus are thought to have lived millions of years ago.

Another curiosity are the more recent elongated skulls discovered in many ancient ruins across the world. These are dated to have lived around a few thousand years ago. Though skulls can be deliberately deformed to a certain extent, yet there is growing evidence that many of those were naturally elongated skull-forms by birth. 

The Quran also informs us that they were mightier and greater in number and in impression upon the Earth. The ruins testify to their physical and mental strength. The elongated skull fossils have a larger brain-case, that imply a larger brain, which probably means enhanced mental abilities. The Quran endorses this view, informing us that we haven’t been given a tenth of what they had. It also speaks of the mighty stature of some, particularly about the Aad. There is some archeological evidence that once mighty giants may have trod upon the Earth.   


وَلَوْ تَرَىٰ إِذْ فَزِعُوا فَلَا فَوْتَ وَأُخِذُوا مِن مَّكَانٍ قَرِيبٍ
وَقَالُوا آمَنَّا بِهِ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ التَّنَاوُشُ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ
وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا بِهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَيَقْذِفُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ
 وَحِيلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ مَا يَشْتَهُونَ كَمَا فُعِلَ بِأَشْيَاعِهِم مِّن قَبْلُ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا فِي شَكٍّ مُّرِيبٍ  
And if you (could) see when they will be terrified but (there will be) no escape, and they will be seized from a place near. And they will say, "We believe in it." But how for them (will be) the receiving from a place far off? And certainly, they disbelieved in it before. And they utter conjectures about the unseen from a place far off.
 And a barrier will be placed between them and between what they desire, as was done with their kind before. Indeed, they were in doubt disquieting. 
 [Al-Quran 34:51-54


وَمَا أَمْرُنَا إِلَّا وَاحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍ بِالْبَصَرِ
 وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا أَشْيَاعَكُمْ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ  
And not (is) Our Command but one, like the twinkling (of) the eye.
 And certainly We destroyed your kinds, so is (there) any who will receive admonition?


Each received Guidance

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ 
 إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ
And say those who disbelieved, "Why not has been sent down to him a sign from his Lord?" 
Only you (are) a warner, and for every people (is) a guide.
[Al-Quran 13:7]



According to the Quran, each extinct human civilization was destroyed when they wronged their NAFS and refused to repent, in spite of their messenger(s) guiding them with divinely inspired message. This further corroborates the theory that they were at an advanced level of technology. 


No change in the Sunnat of Allah

اسْتِكْبَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَكْرَ السَّيِّئِ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ
  فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا سُنَّتَ الْأَوَّلِينَ  
فَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَحْوِيلًا  
أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَكَانُوا أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً 
وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُ مِن شَيْءٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَلِيمًا قَدِيرًا

(Due to) arrogance in the land and plotting (of) the evil; but not encompasses the plot (of) the evil except its own people. 
Then do they wait except (the) way (of) the former (people)? 
But never you will find in (the) way (of) Allah any change, and never you will find in (the) way (of) Allah any alteration. 
Have they not traveled in the land and seen how was (the) end (of) those who (were) before them? And they were stronger than them (in) power. 
But not is Allah that can escape (from) Him any thing in the heavens and not in the earth. Indeed, He is All-Knower, All-Powerful.
[Al-Quran 35:43-44]

 Excerpt from The Mighty Ancients (presentation)



Earth Reset

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ بِأَمْرِهِ أَلَا لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالْأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ 
وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا 
وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ بُشْرًا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَحْمَتِهِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَقَلَّتْ سَحَابًا ثِقَالًا سُقْنَاهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَأَنزَلْنَا بِهِ الْمَاءَ فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ كَذَٰلِكَ نُخْرِجُ الْمَوْتَىٰ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ وَالْبَلَدُ الطَّيِّبُ يَخْرُجُ نَبَاتُهُ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ وَالَّذِي خَبُثَ لَا يَخْرُجُ إِلَّا نَكِدًا كَذَٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَشْكُرُونَ
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

Indeed, your Lord (is) Allah the One Who created the heavens and the earth in six epochs, then He ascended on the Throne. He covers the night (with) the day seeking it rapidly and the sun and the moon and the stars - subjected by His command. Unquestionably for Him (is) the creation and the command, blessed (is) Allah, Lord (of) the worlds.
Call upon your Lord humbly and privately. Indeed, He (does) not love the transgressors. 
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.
And He (is) the One Who sends the winds (as) glad tidings before His Mercy, until, when they have carried clouds - heavy, We drive them to a dead land then We send down from it the water then We bring forth from it all (kinds) of [the] fruits. Thus We will bring forth the dead so that you may take heed. And the land - [the] pure, comes forth its vegetation by (the) permission (of) its Lord, but which is bad - (does) not come forth except (with) difficulty. Thus We explain the Signs for a people who are grateful.
Certainly, We sent Nuh to his people and he said, "O my people! Worship Allah, not for you any god other than Him. Indeed, I [I] fear for you punishment (of the) Day Great."
[Al-Quran 7:54-59

After narrating the fate of the people to whom Messengers Hud, Saleh and Lut were sent, the Messenger Shoaib is quoted as warning his people:   

وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ 
وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا
ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

And to Madyan, his brother Shuaib. He said, "O my people! Worship Allah, not for you any god other than Him. Verily, has came to you a clear proof from your Lord. So give full [the] measure and the weight and (do) not deprive [the] people in their things 
and (do) not cause corruption in the earth after its reformation.
 That (is) better for you if you are believers.
[Al-Quran 7:85]

After relating their story, the overall lesson is recapped: 

Then We changed (in) place (of) the bad the good, until they increased and said, "Verily, (had) touched our forefathers the adversity and the ease." So We seized them suddenly, while they (did) not perceive.
And if [that] people (of) the cities (had) believed and feared Allah surely We (would have) opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth but they denied. So We seized them for what they used to earn.
Then did feel secure (the) people (of) the cities that comes to them Our punishment (at) night while they (were) asleep? Or felt secure (the) people (of) the cities that comes to them Our punishment (in) daylight while they (were) playing? Then did they feel secure (from the) plan (of) Allah? 
But not feel secure (from the) plan (of) Allah except the people (who are) the losers.
Would it not guide [for] those who inherit the land after its people that if We willed, We (could) afflict them for their sins and We put a seal over their hearts so they (do) not hear?
These (were) the cities - We relate to you of their news. And certainly came to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but not they were to believe in what they (had) denied before. Thus Allah put a seal on (the) hearts (of) the disbelievers. And not We found for most of them any covenant. But We found most of them certainly, defiantly disobedient. Then We sent after them Musa with Our Signs to Firaun and his chiefs, But they were unjust to them.
So see how was (the) end (of) the corrupters.
[Al-Quran 7:95-103]


أَوَلَمْ يَنظُرُوا فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ مِن شَيْءٍ  
وَأَنْ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمْ 
فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَهُ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Do not they look in (the) dominion (of) the heavens and the earth and what Allah has created of (every)thing  
and that perhaps [that] has verily come near - their term? 
So in what statement after this will they believe? 
[Al-Quran 7:185]


وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِم مَّا تَرَكَ عَلَيْهَا مِن دَابَّةٍ
وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى 
فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ 
لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ 

And if Allah were to seize the mankind for their wrongdoing not He (would) have left upon it any moving creature,  
but He defers them for a term appointed. 
Then when comes their terms 
not they (will) remain behind an hour and not they can advance (it).
[Al-Quran 16:61]


وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَابَّةٍ 
وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى 
فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ 
فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيرًا

And if Allah (were to) punish the people for what they have earned, not He would leave on its back any creature. 
But He gives them till a term appointed
And when comes their term
then indeed, Allah is of His slaves All-Seer.
[Al-Quran 35:45]


وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ 
أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيزَانِ 
وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ 

And the heaven, He raised it and He has set up the balance, 
That not you may transgress in the balance. 
And establish the weight in justice and (do) not make deficient the balance. 
[Al-Quran 55:7-9]

The last glacial period ended around 11,700 years ago. This event was part of a much larger Ice Age, estimated to have started about two million years ago and is still ongoing, with the polar regions of the Earth still under ice cover. The Quran predicts heating/overflowing of the seas, and thunderbolts like those which struck Aa`d and Samood. There is growing evidence of accelerated melt in the polar regions, and global warming is becoming more pronounced with the changes observed in the climate across the world. According to The Bible, the end times will be similar to the times of Noah and the times of Lot.


Reprieved for a Limited Time
Like all past people, archaic and ancient, our time is also limited. The scriptures warn of its approach, and The Quran specifically states that some of its conditions have already been met. When God spoke with Moses, He told him:

إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ آتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ
Indeed, the Hour (will be) coming. I almost [I] hide it that may be recompensed every soul for what it strives. 
[Al-Quran 20:15]


يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّ زَلْزَلَةَ السَّاعَةِ شَيْءٌ عَظِيمٌ 
يَوْمَ تَرَوْنَهَا تَذْهَلُ كُلُّ مُرْضِعَةٍ عَمَّا أَرْضَعَتْ وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمْلٍ حَمْلَهَا وَتَرَى النَّاسَ سُكَارَىٰ وَمَا هُم بِسُكَارَىٰ وَلَٰكِنَّ عَذَابَ اللَّهِ شَدِيدٌ
O mankind! Fear your Lord. Indeed, (the) convulsion (of) the Hour (is) a thing great. 
(The) Day you will see it, will forget every nursing mother that which she was nursing, and will deliver every pregnant woman her load, and you will see [the] mankind intoxicated, while not they (are) intoxicated; but (the) punishment (of) Allah (will be) severe.
[Al-Quran 22:1-2]


فَهَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا السَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً
  فَقَدْ جَاءَ أَشْرَاطُهَا
 فَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمْ إِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ ذِكْرَاهُمْ
Then do they wait but (for) the Hour that it should come to them suddenly?
But indeed, have come its indications.
Then how to them when has come to them their reminder.
[Al-Quran 47:18]


اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ
Has come near the Hour and has split the moon.
[Al-Quran 54:1]

[Related posts: Crime & Punishment]

 The Hour & The Day

وَحَرَامٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ
The people whom We destroyed can never return to this world until Gog and Magog are let loose to rush down from the hills.
 [Al-Quran 21:95-96 Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]

Dhu-al-Qarnayn had contained the corruption of Gog and Magog by building an unscalable and impenetrable  barrier. When its construction was complete, he said: 

قَالَ هَٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّي فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي جَعَلَهُ دَكَّاءَ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّي حَقًّا
وَتَرَكْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَمُوجُ فِي بَعْضٍ وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَجَمَعْنَاهُمْ جَمْعًا
Dhu l-Qarnayn said, "This barrier is a blessing from my Lord but when His promise comes to pass He will level it to the ground; His promise always comes true." And We (will) leave some of them (on) that Day to surge over others, and (will be) blown in the trumpet, then We (will) gather them all together.
 [Al-Quran 18:98-99 Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]


نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know. And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember? 
[Al-Qur’an 56:60-62, translator: Sahih International]

Surah al-Waqiah (Q56) makes special mention of the former and latter people, detailing the sorting of all into three categories in the Hereafter: those brought near; the people of the right; and the people of the left.  

وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِيَ خَلْقَهُ قَالَ  مَن يُحْيِي الْعِظَامَ وَهِيَ رَمِيمٌ
قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا الَّذِي أَنشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ
الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الشَّجَرِ الْأَخْضَرِ نَارًا فَإِذَا أَنتُم مِّنْهُ تُوقِدُونَ
أَوَلَيْسَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِقَادِرٍ عَلَىٰ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُم بَلَىٰ وَهُوَ الْخَلَّاقُ الْعَلِيمُ
إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ
فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ 
And he sets forth for Us an example and forgets his (own) creation. He says, "Who will give life (to) the bones while they (are) decomposed?"
Say, "He will give them life Who produced them (the) first time; and He (is) of every creation All-Knower."
The One Who made for you from the tree [the] green - fire, and behold! You from it ignite.
Is it not (He) Who created the heavens and the earth Able to [that] create (the) like of them. Yes, indeed! and He (is) the Supreme Creator, the All-Knower.
Only His Command when He intends a thing that He says to it, "Be," and it is.
So glory be (to) the in Whose hand is (the) dominion (of) all things, and to you will be returned. 
[Al-Qur’an 36:78-83]



Divine Advice


Satan threatens with temporal poverty, while Allah promises abundant, eternal rewards. The Quran repeatedly warns and give glad tidings to those who are sincere in deen:






يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ  
O you who believe! (Let) not divert you your wealth and not your children from (the) remembrance (of) Allah. And whoever does that, then those [they] (are) the losers.
And spend from what We have provided you before [that] comes (to) one of you the death and he says, "My Lord! Why not You delay me for a term near so I would give charity and be among the righteous."
But never will Allah delay a soul when has come its term. And Allah (is) All-Aware of what you do.           
[Al-Quran 63:9-11]


قُل لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَغْفِرُوا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ اللَّهِ لِيَجْزِيَ قَوْمًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ 
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ
Say to those who believe (to) forgive those who (do) not hope (for the) days (of) Allahthat He may recompense a people for what they used to earnWhoever does a righteous deed, then it is for his soul, and whoever does evil, then it (is) against itThen to your Lord you will be returned.
[Al Qur'an 45:14-15
[Related posts: Days of Allah]




May Allah forgive us before our death, have mercy on us in our death, not punish us after our death, and not make us account for our deeds on the Day when we will be resurrected and judged. May Allah be well-pleased with us, and may He grant us the inheritance of His Gardens of Eternity. Aameen.  





References & Links  

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Homo
Homo is the genus that encompasses the extant species Homo sapiens (modern humans), plus several extinct species classified as ancestral to or closely related to modern humans, most notably Homo erectus. The genus is between 2 and 3 million years old, taken to emerge with the appearance of Homo habilis[1] and possibly that of Homo gautengensis.[2]Homo is derived from the genus Australopithecus, which itself had previously split from the lineage of Pan, the chimpanzees.[3] Taxonomically, Homo is the only genus assigned to the subtribe Hominina which, with the subtribes Australopithecina and Panina, comprise the tribe Hominini (see evolutionary tree below). All species of the genus Homo plus those species of the australopithecines that arose after the split from Pan are called hominins.


Archaic humans  
A number of varieties of Homo are grouped into the broad category of archaic humans in the period beginning 500,000 years ago (or 500ka). It typically includes Homo neanderthalensis (40ka–250ka),[1] Homo rhodesiensis (125ka-300ka), Homo heidelbergensis (200ka-600ka), and may also include Homo antecessor (800ka-1200ka).[2] This category is contrasted with anatomically modern humans, which include the subspecies Homo sapiens sapiens and Homo sapiens idaltu.
Modern humans are theorized to have evolved from archaic humans, who in turn evolved from Homo erectus. Varieties of archaic humans are sometimes included under the binomial name "Homo sapiens" (Latin: "wise man") because their brain size is very similar to that of modern humans. Archaic humans had a brain size averaging 1200 to 1400 cubic centimeters, which overlaps with the range of modern humans. Archaics are distinguished from anatomically modern humans by having a thick skull, prominent supraorbital ridges (brow ridges) and the lack of a prominent chin.[2][3]
Anatomically modern humans appear from about 200,000 years ago and after 70,000 years ago (see Toba catastrophe theory), gradually supplanting the "archaic" human varieties. Non-modern varieties of Homo are certain to have survived until after 30,000 years ago, and perhaps until as recent as 10,000 years ago. Which of these, if any, are included under the term "archaic human" is a matter of definition and varies among authors. Nonetheless, according to recent genetic studiesmodern humans may have bred with "at least two groups" of ancient humans: Neanderthals and Denisovans.[4] Other studies have cast doubt on admixture being the source of the shared genetic markers between archaic and modern humans, pointing to an ancestral origin of the traits originating 500,000–800,000 years ago.[5][6][7]


Most recent common ancestor
“In organisms using sexual reproduction, the matrilinear MRCA and patrilinear MRCA are the MRCAs of a given population considering only matrilineal and patrilineal descent, respectively. The MRCA of a population by definition cannot be older than either its matrilinear or its patrilinear MRCA. In the case of Homo sapiens, the matrilinear and patrilinear MRCA are also known as "Mitochondrial Eve" (mt-MRCA) and "Y-chromosomal Adam" (Y-MRCA) respectively.
The age of the human MRCA is unknown. It is necessarily younger than the age of both Y-MRCA and mt-MRCA, estimated at around 200,000 years, and it may be as recent as some 3,000 years ago.[2]
The Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) is the most recent common ancestor of all current life on Earth, estimated to have lived some 3.5 to 3.8 billion years ago (in the Paleoarchean).[3]


List of human evolution fossils


Last glacial period
The last glacial period, popularly known as the Ice Age, was the most recent glacial period, which occurred from c. 110,000 – c. 11,700 years ago. This most recent glacial period is part of a larger pattern of glacial and interglacial periods known as the Quaternary glaciation (c. 2,588,000 years ago to present).[1] From this point of view, scientists consider this "ice age" to be merely the latest glaciation event in a much larger ice age, one that dates back over two million years and is still ongoing.
During this last glacial period, there were several changes between glacier advance and retreat. The Last Glacial Maximum, the maximum extent of glaciation within the last glacial period, was approximately 22,000 years ago. While the general pattern of global cooling and glacier advance was similar, local differences in the development of glacier advance and retreat make it difficult to compare the details from continent to continent (see picture of ice core data below for differences). Approximately 13,000 years ago, the Late Glacial Maximum began. Around 11,700 years ago marked the beginning of the Holocene geological epoch, which includes the Holocene glacial retreat.
From the point of view of human archaeology, it falls in the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. When the glaciation event started, Homo sapiens was confined to lower lattitudes and used tools comparable to those used by Neanderthals in western and central Eurasia and by Homo erectus in Asia. Near the end of the event, Homo sapiens invaded Eurasia and Australia. Archaeological and genetic data suggest that the source populations of Paleolithic humans survived the last glacial period in sparsely wooded areas and dispersed through areas of high primary productivity while avoiding dense forest cover.[2] The retreat of the glaciers 15,000 years ago allowed groups of humans from Asia to migrate to the Americas.





Last updated on April 2, 2018