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

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Creation Narrative & the Natural World

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اَلَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا وَصَدُّوۡا عَنۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ اَضَلَّ اَعۡمَالَهُمۡ‏  ١
Those who disbelieve and avert [people] from the way of Allāh - He will waste their deeds.
وَالَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَاٰمَنُوۡا بِمَا نُزِّلَ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّهُوَ الۡحَقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّهِمۡ​ۙ كَفَّرَ عَنۡهُمۡ سَيِّاٰتِهِمۡ وَاَصۡلَحَ بَالَهُمۡ‏ ٢
And those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in what has been sent down upon Muḥammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He will remove from them their misdeeds and amend their condition.
ذٰ لِكَ بِاَنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا اتَّبَعُوا الۡبَاطِلَ وَاَنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّبَعُوا الۡحَقَّ مِنۡ رَّبِّهِمۡ​ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ اللّٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ اَمۡثَالَهُمۡ‏ ٣
That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood, and those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does Allāh present to the people their comparisons.
[Al-Quran 47:1-3, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah Muhammad emphasises that believing in The Quran that has been sent down upon Muhammad  ﷺ  is believing in the truth, as opposed to dismissing scriptural truths and following falsehood...  

There is a great difference between Quranic facts, and the beliefs of mythology and science. 

The Quran's creation narrative describes that the earth and the skies have been purposefully created by a Creator in six days. The moon and the sun, the evenings and the mornings, the graceful transition of the night into the day, and the day into the night, chasing each other rapidly, without overtaking, are all flawless systems created by the Creator. The day reveals the sun, while the night conceals it. 

According to The Torah, the night and day came into existence since the beginning of creation, on the first day, while the two great luminaries (sun and moon) were created on the fourth day, for determining time. 

The Earth was made before the sky, and then they were commanded to come together, and then separated. After the separation of the earth from the sky, and the layering of the sky into seven skies, the Creator rose upon the Throne, and  decreed to each sky its commands. 

Every living thing has been created from water. Water was sent to the Earth from the sky. 

Plants and animals in the natural world were purposefully designed and they emerge into existence at the time and place they are supposed emerge. Not a leaf falls without the Creator's knowledge. The forehead / forelock of each creature is in the grip of the Creator. Not a thing in the skies or earth is hidden from the Creator. 

The Creator is also our Sustainer. He feeds and nourishes our soul, and provides food, and everything, and everyone else we need and want. The Creator appoints our lineages and families. 

The Creator grants death and life. The life of this world is time-bound. Plants, animals, and humans, come into existence, grow, flourish, wilt and die. The Creator will resurrect when the time comes. 

The purpose of resurrection is reckoning, and the eventual eternal existence in either the Gardens of Eternity, or the Fires of Hell. 

Our souls and our guts are in pledge for our deeds.  


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Last updated on: April 6, 2024

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Thursday, January 21, 2021

Adam and Joseph

Purpose 

To understand the story of Adam through the story of Joseph 


Full Text 


12:1  الر تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِين

Alif Laam Ra. These (are the) Verses (of) the Book [the] clear.

12:2  إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُون

Indeed, We, We have sent it down, (as) a Quran in Arabic so that you may understand.

12:3  نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِين

We relate to you the best of the narrations in what We have revealed to you (of) this the Quran, although you were, from before it, surely among the unaware.

12:4  إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِين

When said Yusuf to his father, "O my father! Indeed, I I saw one ten (i.e eleven) star(s) and the sun and the moon; I saw them to me prostrating."

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12:111  لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُون

Verily, (there) is in their stories a lesson for men (of) understanding. Not (it) is a narration invented, but a confirmation (of that) which (from) between his hands and a detailed explanation (of) all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
[Al-Quran 12:1-4, ... 111]

The Quran, Surah Yusuf (Joseph) 

Surah Yusuf claims that it is the best of narrations [Q12:3], and a detailed explanation of all things [Q12:111]. This last ayat of the surah also includes the phrase [تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ]. The word يَدَيْ is alternately translated as before and hands.   


Confirmation of ... Between His Hands 

قَالَ يَا إِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ الْعَالِين

He said, "O Iblis! What prevented you that you (should) prostrate to (one) whom I created with My Hands? Are you arrogant or are you of the exalted ones."
[Al-Quran 38:75]

Allah created Adam with His Hands. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are all descendants of Adam. Comparing the narratives of Joseph and Adam, there are many parallels and overlaps, lending a clearer perspective. 

The story of Adam is mentioned in several places across The Quran (Q2:30-39, Q3:33, Q3:59, Q7:11-33, Q15:28-50, Q17:61-65, Q18:50-51, Q20:115-124, Q38:71-88). The first narrative begins in Surah Al-Baqarah at Q2:30. So, starting at the very beginning with the purpose of responsibility: 

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُون

And when said your Lord to the angels, "Indeed, I (am) going to place in the earth a vicegerent, they said, "Will You place in it (one) who will spread corruption in it and will shed [the] blood[s], while we, [we] glorify (You) with Your praises and we sanctify [to] You." He said, "Indeed, [I] know what not you know."
[Al-Quran 2:30]

وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم

And thus will choose you your Lord and will teach you of (the) interpretation (of) the narratives and complete His Favor on you and on (the) family (of) Yaqub as He completed it on your two forefathers from before - Ibrahim and Ishaq. Indeed, your Lord (is) All-Knower, All-Wise."
[Al-Quran 12:6]

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The following links study the ayaat about Adam across The Quran, comparing them with the ayaat in Surah Yusuf 

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Surah Yusuf concludes thus: 

12:105  وَكَأَيِّن مِّنْ آيَةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُون

And how many of a Sign in the heavens and the earth they pass over it, while they (are) from them the ones who turn away.

12:106  وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُون

And not believe most of them in Allah except while they associate partners with Him.

12:107  أَفَأَمِنُوا أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَاشِيَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُون

Do they then feel secure (against) that comes to them an overwhelming [of] punishment (of) Allah, or comes to them the Hour suddenly while they (do) not perceive?

12:108  قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِين

Say, "This (is) my way; I invite to Allah, with insight, I and whoever follows me. And Glory be (to) Allah and not I am of the polytheists."

12:109  وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُون

And not We sent from before you, but men We revealed to them from (among) (the) people (of) the townships. So have not they traveled in the earth and seen how was (the) end (of) those who (were) from before them? And surely the home (of) the Hereafter (is) best for those who fear Allah. Then will not you use reason?

12:110  حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا جَاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَاءُ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِين

Until when gave up hope the Messengers, and thought that they certainly were denied, then came to them Our help, and was saved whom We willed. And not (can) be repelled Our punishment from the people (who are) criminals.

12:111  لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُون

Verily, (there) is in their stories a lesson for men (of) understanding. Not (it) is a narration invented, but a confirmation (of that) which (from) between his hands and a detailed explanation (of) all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
[Al-Quran 12:105-111]

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List of comparison   

  1. Allah created Adam before, and Joseph is from his descendants 
  2. Allah created Adam with both His Hands to appoint Adam Khalifa of the Earth  
  3. Joseph was destined to be appointed in charge of the storehouse of the earth in the Kingdom of Egypt 
  4. Allah taught knowledge Himself to Adam
  5. Joseph was given judgment and knowledge when he reached maturity 
  6. All angels were ordered to prostrate to Adam
  7. Allah showed a dream to Joseph in which the Sun, the Moon and eleven planets were prostrating to Joseph
  8. Jacob interpreted the vision that Allah will choose Joseph to complete His Favour upon him 
  9. All angels prostrated to Adam except Iblis 
  10. Iblis thought Allah was in error, as he considered himself better than Adam
  11. Joseph's brothers thought their father Jacob was in error, and sought their father's face 
  12. Allah warned Adam of Iblis' jealousy and enmity 
  13. Jacob warned Joseph to not to share the dream with his brothers, lest they plot against him, and he warned him also of Iblis' enmity 
  14. Iblis deceived Adam into disobeying Allah
  15. Aziz's wife was not able to get Joseph to sin 
  16. Iblis plotted against Adam, and continues to plot against his progeny 
  17. Joseph's brothers plotted against Joseph 
  18. Iblis' deception caused Adam to be removed from Allah's presence 
  19. Joseph's brothers caused him to be removed from his father's presence 
  20. Adam realised his fault, Allah granted Adam words to repent, and Adam repented [Q2:37; Q7:23; Q20:122] 
  21. Allah promised to send revelation for guidance ... 
  22. Joseph was given a revelation when he was thrown in the well [Q12:15] 
  23. Adam was sent down from The Garden to this Earth
  24. Joseph was brought from Canaan to Egypt 
  25. Joseph kept his duty to Allah, and the trust of his lord, and did not let himself be seduced [Q12:23]
  26. Aziz' wife caused Joseph to be imprisoned 
  27. Allah made Adam the Khalifa of this Earth
  28. Joseph was made in charge of the storehouses of the Earth in the Kingdom of Egypt 
  29. Adam died on this Earth and is buried here 
  30. Joseph died in Egypt and requested his bones to be taken to Canaan when Allah liberates the Bani Israel from the Pharaoh (which they did)
  31. The Garden is promised as inheritance to all believers who do reform 
  32. The land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants who kept their covenant  
  33. The meek will inherit the Earth in the Days of Allah 



Last updated on: April 24, 2022 


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Sunday, July 5, 2020

Dhul-Qarnayn [two horns, two generations, or both]


Purpose 
To learn what the word قَرْنٍ  means in The Hebrew and Aramaic Bible, and The Arabic Quran. 


Full Text  

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَن ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ قُلْ سَأَتْلُو عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا

And they ask thee of Zul Qarnain. Say thou: shall recite unto you of him some mention.
[Al-Quran 18:83, Translation: Daryabadi]
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قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا

`They said: O Zul-Qarnain verily Yajuj and Majuj are working corruption in the land; shall we then pay thee tribute on condition that thou place between us and them a barrier!
[Al-Quran 18:94, Translation: Daryabadi]


The last story in Surah al-Kahf mentions a person ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ in response to a question. 

The Quran uses the word قَرْنٍ to generally mean generations. Variations of the root ق ر ن also lend meaning to words for companion, bound together, capable, accompanying. Of the 23 times it is used as the noun qarn (قَرْن), twenty are translated as generation(s), and thrice is it used for the name of the person ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ mentioned in Surah al-Kahf (Q18:83, 86, 94).   

The name or title of this legendary person is important in the context of end times prophecies, especially as regards to Yajuj Majuj, the corrupters (Q18:93-94) who were contained by him behind a metallic wall, and are supposed to be released during the end times (Q18:98-99 || Q21:95-96).

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

He said: this is a mercy from my Lord; then when the promise of my Lord cometh, He shall make it powder, and the promise of my Lord is ever true.
And We shall leave them on that day surging one against anot her and the trumpet shall be blown, and then We shall assemble them together.
[Al-Quran 18:98-99, Translation: Daryabadi]


وَحَرَامٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ

And a ban is laid on every town which We have destroyed, that they Shall not return.
Until when Ya'juj and Ma'juj are let out, and from every mound they are trickling down.
[Al-Quran 21:95-96, Translation: Daryabadi]



And it is binding on a town which We destroy that they shall not return.
Even when Gog and Magog are let loose and they shall break forth from every elevated place.
[Al-Quran 21:95-96, Translation: Shakir]


In an earlier post, I have identified two of the three places he travels to as the North and South polar regions respectively. Imran Hossein, in his YouTube lectures, insists that his name represents two generations. The Bible uses the same word Qaran || Qeren in Hebrew || Aramaic respectively. The Aramaic version occurs ten times in the Book of Daniel, for example: 
24 'As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings.
Daniel, a noble Jew, and later a prophet, was exiled to Babylon after the first destruction of the Temple of Solomon, to serve the King. According to the Book of Daniel, he serves under the Babylonians, the Medians and the Persians. 

Daniel has a series of visions, in which he is shown creatures with horns. In an overview of the Book of Daniel, Chapter 7, it reads: 
 24 And the ten horns of the same kingdom, shall be ten kings: and another shall rise up after them, and he shall be mightier than the former, and he shall bring down three kings. 25 And he shall speak words against the High One, and shall crush the saints of the most High: and he shall think himself able to change times and laws, and they shall be delivered into his hand until a time, and times, and half a time. 

So, it appears that the ten horns in that vision represent the ten generations of that dynasty.    



References


Bible / Bible Studies links: 


Quran search links: 


Wikipedia: Book of Daniel 

YouTube: 


Last updated on: July 6, 2020

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Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Our Record in Our Neck

Abstract 
Surah al-Isra clearly mentions that all humans have their fate tied to their neck. The Bible also mentions the neck and the lowering of the horns in humility and submission. There exists a bone in the neck which is not joined directly with the rest of the skeleton, but is held in place by muscles. It is involved in many key functions. It also contains two pairs of horns. 


Full Text 

وَكُلَّ إِنسَانٍ أَلْزَمْنَاهُ طَائِرَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كِتَابًا يَلْقَاهُ مَنشُورًا
اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا 

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. 
[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is your nafs against you this Day as accountant." 
[Al-Quran 17:13-14, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word nafs in italics)] 

The Quran repeatedly reminds us that our eternal life will be in accordance with our faith and deeds. The ayaat quoted above from Surah al-Isra clearly mentions that all humans have their fate tied to their neck, recording in detail, and will be produced for us to read on the Day of Resurrection.

Some important points made in these ayaat are: 

  • all humans have their fate with them 
  • its tied to their necks 
  • the root letters of the word for fate shares its root with the word for birds 
  • this will be taken out on the Day of Resurrection 
  • it will be readable on that Day 
  • we will be commanded to read it 
  • our Nafs will itself be sufficient to take account of our deeds 

In Surah Qaf, we read:

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ
إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى الْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
وَجَاءَتْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ

And certainly We created man and We know what whispers to him his nafs, and We (are) nearer to him than (his) habli alwareedi.
When receive the two receivers on the right and on the left seated.
Not he utters any word but with him (is) an observer ready.
And will come (the) stupor (of) death in truth, "That (is) what you were [from it] avoiding."

[Al-Quran 50:16-19, first translation at link (edited to retain arabic words in italics)] 
[Note on habli alwareedi at bottom of this post] 


In Surah al-Waqiah, we read

تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
أَفَبِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ
وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ
فَلَوْلَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ
وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنظُرُونَ
وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ
فَلَوْلَا إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ
تَرْجِعُونَهَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

A Revelation from (the) Lord (of) the worlds.
Then is it to this statement that you (are) indifferent?
And you make your provision that you deny.
Then why not when it reaches the throat,
And you (at) that time look on,
And We (are) nearer to him than you but you (do) not see,
Then why not, if you are not to be recompensed,
Bring it back, if you are truthful.
[Al-Quran 56:80-87]


It seems that this record is removed at the time of death. In Surah al-Hajj, The Quran challenges the unbeliever of trying to cut off to see if it removes what enrages him:

مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ اللَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ لْيَقْطَعْ فَلْيَنظُرْ هَلْ يُذْهِبَنَّ كَيْدُهُ مَا يَغِيظُ

[Al-Quran 22:15] 
Variously translated as: 
[Muhammad Asad] If anyone thinks that God will not succour him in this world and in the life to come, let him reach out unto heaven by any [other] means and [thus try to] make headway: and then let him see whether this scheme of his will indeed do away with the cause of his anguish.
[Abdul Majid Daryabadi] Whosoever hath been imagining that Allah shall not make him victorious in the world and the Hereafter, let him stretch a cord up to the heaven and let him cut it, and let him look if his stratagem can do away that whereat he enrageth.  
[Sahih International] Whoever should think that Allah will not support [Prophet Muhammad] in this world and the Hereafter - let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath], and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?    

The Bible also mentions the neck and the lowering of the horns in humility and submission.

There exists a bone in the neck which is not joined directly with the rest of the skeleton, but is held in place by muscles. It is involved in many key functions. It also contains two pairs of horns. Interestingly, variations in its shape and size are being noted in emerging studies.



Hanging around The Neck
The Bible teaches to bind good around the neck:

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
[Proverbs 3:3, Translation: New American Standard Bible]


My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;  Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.
[Proverbs 6:20-21, Translation: New American Standard Bible]


Of course, the heart does enjoy a central place in the scriptures. We also know that its muscle is shaped like a double helix, as discussed in another post. 



Horns in The Neck 
The Bible refers to the horns in the neck, commanding that humans keep it lowered:

Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.'"
[Psalm 75:5, Translation: New American Standard Bible]

And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.
[Psalm 75:10, Translation: New American Standard Bible]



The Hyoid Bone in the Human Neck 
Anatomography [CC BY-SA 2.1 jp]

According to a study published in 2016: 
The hyoid bone plays an important role in the functions of speaking, swallowing, prevention of regurgitation, and airway maintenance [1, 2]. Deviations in its position relative to the mandible or larynx, or in its angle of placement, can have significant ramifications for these important functions [2, 3]. The hyoid bone changes its position relative to the vertebrae during normal growth and development. In infancy, the hyoid bone lies just anteriorly to the second and third cervical vertebrae, and eventually lowers to the level of the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae in adults [3]. Hyoid bone descent occurs concurrently with descent of functionally related structures, namely the larynx and epiglottis [4]. The only bone in the body that is free-floating, the hyoid bone maintains attachment with the mandible, tongue, styloid processes, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, clavicles, and sternum by ligament and muscle attachments [1]. Hyoid bone anatomy and physiology have been well documented due to the diverse nature of the muscle attachment sites as well as the multiple important functions that the hyoid bone supports. However, the precise nature and timing of hyoid bone fusion during the course of development has been less documented. ...  


As can be seen in the animation below, the Hyoid is not connected directly with the rest of the skeleton. 



The following shows how the hyoid bone is tied in place with muscles: 

Hyoid Bone & Muscles in the Neck
Page URL
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain]

Shape and Size Details
Interestingly, emerging studies are reporting variations in the shape and size of the Hyoid bone. Though the focus of the researches are variations based on gender, height, weight, etc., however, to cite from a 2018 report: 
Given the significance of being able to do this, a relatively complex categorization system has been developed for various known shapes of the hyoid. Remarkably, it has been noted that 60% of hyoid bones still do not fit into one of these commonly described categories  


Note on habli alwareedi

 وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ

And certainly We created man and We know what whispers to him his nafs, and We (are) nearer to him than (his) habli alwareedi.
[Al-Quran 50:16, first translation at link (edited to retain arabic words in italics)] 
The phrase habli alwareedi is generally translated as jugular vein, but as can be seen in page 2936 of Lane's Lexicon (screenshot below), the phrase has been variously understood.  
However, if it is treated as two separate words, and not a phrase, then: 
Habl is generally translated as rope, and among the shades of meaning employed by the root wāw rā dāl (و ر د) are passing over, rose-coloured, came or led, etc. as can be seen in the screenshots below. 

Looking at how the Hyoid Bone is tied in place by the muscles (above) and the colour of the muscles, and/or the proximity of the carotid artery and jugular vein to the Hyoid Bone (below), all three meanings point towards the same bone. 




Veins in the Neck 
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain] 


Arteries in the Neck
Page URL
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain] 
By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Book" section below)Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 513, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=559527


 Screenshot from corpus.quran.com  
Screenshot from corpus.quran.com 

 Screenshot from Lane's Lexicon 



Hadith Nabwi ﷺ  


Hadith 11

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

عَلَيْكَ بِحُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ وَطُولِ الصَّمْتِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ مَا عَمِلَ الْخَلائِقُ عَمَلا أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْهُمَا

You must have good character and observe long periods of silence. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, no one can behave with deeds more beloved to Allah than these two.

Source: Shu’ab al-Imān 4591, Grade: Hasan


Hadith 21

‘Amr ibn ‘Absah reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is Islam?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

أَنْ يُسْلِمَ قَلْبُكَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَأَنْ يَسْلَمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِكَ وَيَدِكَ

That you surrender your heart to Allah and that Muslims are safe from your tongue and hand.

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 17027, Grade: Sahih 




Last updated on: August 13, 2022
 

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Tuesday, December 18, 2018

The Lord is my Rock

 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 Surah al-Ikhlas]


Abstract
Strictly staying within the confines of Surah al-Ikhlas, this is a humble attempt to understand the physical description of God in The Bible and The Quran.   


Full Text 

 Preamble
Monotheists believe in One Deity, while polytheists have a pantheon of deities, a family of gods. Muslims believe that there is nothing like Allah, the arabic word for God. The Jews also believe in One God. The Christians, while they believe in the Supreme God of The Torah/Bible, they also believe Jesus to be the begotten son of God. The Quran clearly declares that there is no god except Allah  ﷻ 

The Bible and The Quran present insights about God. I believe that each statement in the scriptures have been revealed by God for a definite purpose. Moreover, I believe the scriptures are meant to be studied literally. I also believe that the original Arabic text of The Quran is preserved in pristine condition, and is unedited. Therefore, staying strictly within the confines of Surah al-Ikhlas, that Allah  ﷻ is One and Only, Allah  ﷻ is Eternal and Self-Sufficient, that there is nothing like Allah  ﷻ, and that Allah  ﷻ neither begets nor is begotten, the following is a humble attempt to understand the description of God in The Bible and The Quran.   


The Rock
In the Bible, it states: 

הַצּוּר֙ תָּמִ֣ים פָּֽעֳל֔וֹ כִּ֥י כָל־דְּרָכָ֖יו מִשְׁפָּ֑ט אֵ֤ל אֱמוּנָה֙ וְאֵ֣ין עָ֔וֶל צַדִּ֥יק וְיָשָׁ֖ר הֽוּא

The deeds of the [Mighty] Rock are perfect, for all His ways are just; a faithful God, without injustice He is righteous and upright. 
[Deuteronomy 32:4, Jewish Translation]

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. 
[Deuteronomy 32:4, Christian Translation]


Like a Planet 
Surah anNur describes Allah as: 

اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ
الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ 
يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a pillar on which is a lamp. The lamp is within a glass.
The glass is like a brilliant planet,
fueled by a blessed tree, an olive tree, neither eastern nor western. Its oil would almost illuminate, even if no fire has touched it. Light upon Light. God guides to His light whomever He wills. God thus cites the parables for the people. God is cognizant of everything.
[Al-Quran 24:35; Translation: Talal A. Itani (new translation)]

Though in most translations of Q24:35 we find كَوْكَبٌ translated as star, The Quran uses the word نَّجْمُ for star. According to my understanding, it is more correct to translate كَوْكَبٌ as planet.


Omnipresent
The Bible uses the word 'Rock', and The Quran gives the example of a glass which is like a brilliant planet. It is important to emphasise on the word 'like', as when Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was being shown the kingdom of the heavens and the earth:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُرِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِينَ
فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ رَأَىٰ كَوْكَبًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَا أُحِبُّ الْآفِلِينَ
فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِي رَبِّي لَأَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الضَّالِّينَ
فَلَمَّا رَأَى الشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي هَٰذَا أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّا أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ
إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain [in faith]
So when the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star planet He said, "This is my lord." But when it set disappeared, he said, "I like not those that disappear."
And when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my lord." But when it set disappeared, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray."
And when he saw the sun rising, he said, "This is my lord; this is greater." But when it set disappeared, he said, "O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah .
Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created separated the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah ."
[Al-Quran 6:75-79, Translation: Sahih International, edited in italics]

The Quran uses the triliteral root hamza fā lām (أ ف ل) four times, only in the ayaat quoted above. According to Lane's Lexicon, it means to become hidden, absent or concealed. The Quran informs us that Allah  ﷻ  is omnipresent:

وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

And for Allah (is) the east and the west, so wherever you turn [so] there (is the) face (of) Allah. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.
[Al-Quran 2:115] 

The Quran speaks of the Face of Allah ﷻ , the Hand of Allah ﷻ , and so on. We may do well to remember that we ourselves are made of dust, made of the same material as of planet Earth, yet, we have a definite shape, hands, face, heads and hearts. Moreover, we are breathing, living beings. However, it is important to remember that the Earth and its materials were created by Allah ﷻ ; that is, Allah ﷻ  is not made of the matter that He ﷻ  created to invent the Universe.


Allah ﷻ  is The Greatest 
Allah ﷻ  is the King of the heavens and earth. Mankind has a meeting scheduled with Allah ﷻ . Many ayaat of The Quran tell us that Allah ﷻ is the Most Great, the Most High. Perhaps the ayat which presents the most vivid concept of the relative size of Allah ﷻ  as compared to His creation is in Surah azZumar, ayat 67: 
 
وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
And not they appraised Allah (with) true appraisal, while the earth entirely (will be) in His Grip (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection, and the heavens (will be) folded in His Right Hand. Glory be to Him! And High is He above what they associate (with Him). 
[Al-Quran 39:67]



Those Who Were Given Knowledge Before  
Surah al-Isra concludes with the following ayaat: 

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ تِسْعَ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ فَاسْأَلْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ مَسْحُورًا

And We had certainly given Moses nine evident signs, so ask the Children of Israel [about] when he came to them and Pharaoh said to him, "Indeed I think, O Moses, that you are affected by magic."

قَالَ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا أَنزَلَ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ بَصَائِرَ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَا فِرْعَوْنُ مَثْبُورًا

[Moses] said, "You have already known that none has sent down these [signs] except the Lord of the heavens and the earth as evidence, and indeed I think, O Pharaoh, that you are destroyed."

فَأَرَادَ أَن يَسْتَفِزَّهُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ فَأَغْرَقْنَاهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُ جَمِيعًا

So he intended to drive them from the land, but We drowned him and those with him all together.

وَقُلْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اسْكُنُوا الْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ الْآخِرَةِ جِئْنَا بِكُمْ لَفِيفًا

And We said after Pharaoh to the Children of Israel, "Dwell in the land, and when there comes the promise of the Hereafter, We will bring you forth in [one] gathering."

وَبِالْحَقِّ أَنزَلْنَاهُ وَبِالْحَقِّ نَزَلَ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا

And with the truth We have sent the Qur'an down, and with the truth it has descended. And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.

وَقُرْآنًا فَرَقْنَاهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ عَلَىٰ مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَاهُ تَنزِيلًا

And [it is] a Qur'an which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period. And We have sent it down progressively.

قُلْ آمِنُوا بِهِ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهِ إِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا

Say, "Believe in it or do not believe. Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it - when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration,

وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِن كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا

And they say, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, the promise of our Lord has been fulfilled."

وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ يَبْكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ خُشُوعًا

And they fall upon their faces weeping, and the Qur'an increases them in humble submission.

قُلِ ادْعُوا اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُوا الرَّحْمَٰنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا فَلَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا

Say, "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.

وَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ وَلِيٌّ مِّنَ الذُّلِّ وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا

And say, "Praise to Allah , who has not taken a son and has had no partner in [His] dominion and has no [need of a] protector out of weakness; and glorify Him with [great] glorification."
[Al-Quran 17:101-111, Translation: Sahih International]





Last updated on November 17, 2022

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Sunday, August 12, 2018

جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn)

Abstract
The Quran uses the same word جَانٌّ variously translated as snake and jinn, according to context.
The description of the material with which الْجَانَّ are made implies that it does not possess the capability to produce heat. The snakes rely on external sources of temperature to regulate their body temperature.
The Quran informs us that الْجِنِّ have religious beliefs, and the Muslims among them believe in The Torah and from The Quran. Moreover, they also have a resurrection and judgement awaiting them.



Full Text
The Quran uses the word جَانٌّ while describing what Moses' stick became like (translated as snake) when it came alive, and it uses the same word when mentioning the creature created from fire (translated as jinn), as can be seen in the screenshot below:  

Excerpt from corpus.quran.com



Speed & Force 
Quote from the article in BBC titled Almost all snakes have the same, mindboggling superpower: 
'When a snake strikes, it moves so fast it could hit you four times within the space of one eyeblink. If a human moved that fast they would lose consciousness... '
'But one particular aspect of snake attacks is even more baffling. Because they attack in such a short space of time, snakes have to withstand extraordinary forces on their bodies: forces that would completely incapacitate virtually any other animal.
Penning found that snakes experience forces of up to 30G – 30 times the force of gravity – when accelerating towards their prey.
In contrast, even the most highly-trained fighter pilots lose control of their limbs at 8G, when performing extreme manoeuvres for short periods of time. Any more than 10G, and they quickly lose consciousness.' 


Made from Fire 
The Quran mentions that the جَانٌّ were created from Fire (Q15:27 & Q55:15).

وَالْجَانَّ خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ السَّمُومِ
And the jinn We created it before from fire scorching.
[Al-Quran 15:27]

وَخَلَقَ الْجَانَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ مِّن نَّارٍ
And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire.
[Al-Quran 55:15]

Fire is an oxidising chemical reaction, that is a combinations of various gases, chemical reactions, light and heat.. The chemistry of each type of fire is different.

 نَارِ السَّمُومِ is generally translated as a scorching fire: http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=smm#(15:27:7)

مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ is generally taken to mean smokeless fire, even though the other words from the same root vary in meaning: http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=mrj#(55:15:4)

A smokeless fire is quite possible as demonstrated in this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F04uaMZbLVw 

I wonder what the exact meaning of نَارِ السَّمُومِ and مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ might be, as what is noteworthy is that fire consumes the fuel and the product and by-products of the process are 'not combustible'! So, the material with which the الْجَانَّ is made does not possess the capability to produce heat. 

So: 
1) it should not be possible to burn them, 
2) nor should it be possible for them to generate body heat. 

As for (1), there are reports that forest fires do not diminish reptile populations, for example: 
Does fire affect amphibians and reptiles in eastern U.S. oak forests? 
Effects of Fire on Reptiles and Amphibians 


As for (2), here’s a bit about Thermoregulation: 

Thermoregulation 
Snakes are ectotherms while humans are endotherms!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoregulation:
Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very different. A thermoconforming organism, by contrast, simply adopts the surrounding temperature as its own body temperature, thus avoiding the need for internal thermoregulation.  ...
Thermoregulation in organisms runs along a spectrum from endothermy to ectothermy. Endotherms create most of their heat via metabolic processes, and are colloquially referred to as warm-blooded. ...  Ectotherms use external sources of temperature to regulate their body temperatures. They are colloquially referred to as cold-blooded despite the fact that body temperatures often stay within the same temperature ranges as warm-blooded animals. Ectotherms are the opposite of endotherms when it comes to regulating internal temperatures. In ectotherms, the internal physiological sources of heat are of negligible importance; the biggest factor that enables them to maintain adequate body temperatures is due to environmental influences.

Thermographic image of a snake around an arm
Attribution: By Arno / Coen - www.nutscode.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1062101


Moreover, an ayat describes the human fetus using the same root: ج ن ن


الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَاسِعُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنفُسَكُمْ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ
Those who avoid great sins and the immoralities except the small faults; indeed, your Lord (is) vast (in) forgiveness. He (is) most knowing about you when He produced you from the earth and when you (were) fetuses in (the) wombs (of) your mothers. So (do) not ascribe purity (to) yourselves. He knows best (he) who fears.
[Al-Quran 53:32]


So, it is not surprising to learn that fetal temperature is maternally dependent until birth. Thermoregulation in babies starts after birth, though its still immature in neonates and infants.


Reptiles 

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ
وَالْجَانَّ خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ السَّمُومِ


And verily, We created humankind (out) of sounding clay from black mud altered.
And the jinn We created it before from fire scorching.
[Al-Quran 15:26-27]

Humans are classified as mammals, and snakes are classified as reptiles. According to fossil records, reptiles appeared before mammals on Earth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile:
Reptiles are tetrapod animals in the class Reptilia, comprising today's turtles, crocodilians, snakes, amphisbaenians, lizards, tuatara, and their extinct relatives. ... The earliest known proto-reptiles originated around 312 million years ago during the Carboniferous period, having evolved from advanced reptiliomorph tetrapods that became increasingly adapted to life on dry land. 

Snakes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake
Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. ...
Living snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica, and on most smaller land masses; exceptions include some large islands, such as Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, the Hawaiian archipelago, and the islands of New Zealand, and many small islands of the Atlantic and central Pacific oceans. Additionally, sea snakes are widespread throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. More than 20 families are currently recognized, comprising about 520 genera and about 3,600 species. They range in size from the tiny, 10.4 cm (4.1 in)-long thread snake to the reticulated python of 6.95 meters (22.8 ft) in length. The fossil species Titanoboa cerrejonensis was 12.8 meters (42 ft) long. ...
Most species are nonvenomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans. Nonvenomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction. 


Firewood 

وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا رَشَدًا
وَأَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًا
وَأَن لَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا
And that we, among us (are) Muslims and among us (are) unjust. And whoever submits, then those have sought (the) right path.
And as for the unjust, they will be, for Hell, firewood."
And that if they had remained on the Way, surely We (would) have given them to drink water (in) abundance,
[Al-Quran 72:14-16]


Upon resurrection, Surah alJinn states that the unjust jinns will be the firewood of hell. Allah produces fire from green trees:

الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الشَّجَرِ الْأَخْضَرِ نَارًا فَإِذَا أَنتُم مِّنْهُ تُوقِدُونَ
The One Who made for you from the tree [the] green - fire, and behold! You from it ignite.
[Al-Quran 36:80] 

Trees generally grow in gardens. Curiously, the word for snakes and jinns shares the same root letters with gardens: http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=jnn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewood#Heating_value:
The moisture content of firewood determines how it burns and how much heat is released. ... The energy content of a measure of wood depends on the tree species. ... The higher the moisture content, the more energy that must be used to evaporate (boil) the water in the wood before it will burn. Dry wood delivers more energy for heating than green wood of the same species. 


Religion of الْجِنِّ 
The Quran informs us that there are among the الْجِنِّ Muslims (those who submit to the will and guidance of Allah), and those who are unjust:  


وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا رَشَدًا
وَأَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًا
وَأَن لَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا
And that we, among us (are) Muslims and among us (are) unjust. And whoever submits, then those have sought (the) right path.
And as for the unjust, they will be, for Hell, firewood."
And that if they had remained on the Way, surely We (would) have given them to drink water (in) abundance,
[Al-Quran 72:14-16]


The Torah & The Quran   
The Quran informs us at two places about when a group of the الْجِنِّ heard The Quran, and their response to it:  


وَإِذْ صَرَفْنَا إِلَيْكَ نَفَرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقُرْآنَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرُوهُ قَالُوا أَنصِتُوا فَلَمَّا قُضِيَ وَلَّوْا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِم مُّنذِرِينَ
قَالُوا يَا قَوْمَنَا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتَابًا أُنزِلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ وَإِلَىٰ طَرِيقٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
يَا قَوْمَنَا أَجِيبُوا دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ وَآمِنُوا بِهِ يَغْفِرْ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُجِرْكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
وَمَن لَّا يُجِبْ دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُعْجِزٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْيَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَادِرٍ عَلَىٰ أَن يُحْيِيَ الْمَوْتَىٰ بَلَىٰ إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
And [mention, O Muhammad], when We directed to you a few of the jinn, listening to the Qur'an. And when they attended it, they said, "Listen quietly." And when it was concluded, they went back to their people as warners.
They said, "O our people, indeed we have heard a [recited] Book revealed after Moses confirming what was before it which guides to the truth and to a straight path.
O our people, respond to the Messenger of Allah and believe in him; Allah will forgive for you your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.
But he who does not respond to the Caller of Allah will not cause failure [to Him] upon earth, and he will not have besides Him any protectors. Those are in manifest error."
Do they not see that Allah , who created the heavens and earth and did not fail in their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes. Indeed, He is over all things competent.
[Al-Quran 46:29-33, Translation: Sahih International]

Surah alJinn: 

قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا
يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَلَن نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا
وَأَنَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ جَدُّ رَبِّنَا مَا اتَّخَذَ صَاحِبَةً وَلَا وَلَدًا
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ شَطَطًا
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن تَقُولَ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا
وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا كَمَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ أَحَدًا
وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا السَّمَاءَ فَوَجَدْنَاهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَاعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ الْآنَ يَجِدْ لَهُ شِهَابًا رَّصَدًا
وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِي أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَائِقَ قِدَدًا
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن نُّعْجِزَ اللَّهَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَن نُّعْجِزَهُ هَرَبًا
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا الْهُدَىٰ آمَنَّا بِهِ فَمَن يُؤْمِن بِرَبِّهِ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا رَشَدًا
Say, [O Muhammad], "It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, 'Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur'an.
It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone.
And [it teaches] that exalted is the nobleness of our Lord; He has not taken a wife or a son
And that our foolish one has been saying about Allah an excessive transgression.
And we had thought that mankind and the jinn would never speak about Allah a lie.
And there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn, so they [only] increased them in burden.
And they had thought, as you thought, that Allah would never send anyone [as a messenger].
And we have sought [to reach] the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards and burning flames.
And we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.
And we do not know [therefore] whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them a right course.
And among us are the righteous, and among us are [others] not so; we were [of] divided ways.
And we have become certain that we will never cause failure to Allah upon earth, nor can we escape Him by flight.
And when we heard the guidance, we believed in it. And whoever believes in his Lord will not fear deprivation or burden.
And among us are Muslims [in submission to Allah ], and among us are the unjust. And whoever has become Muslim - those have sought out the right course.
[Al-Quran 72:1-14, Translation: Sahih International]




For more, please read Satan's Enmity: Origin & Objective 



Last updated on: October 07, 2024

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