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

Saturday, April 5, 2025

atTayyabaatu (الطَّيِّبَاتُ) vs alKhabais (الْخَبَائِثَ)

Pure vs Impure 

The Light (24:26)

ٱلْخَبِيثَـٰتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَٱلْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَـٰتِ ۖ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ ۖ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَرِزْقٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ ٢٦

Corrupt women are for corrupt men, and corrupt men for corrupt women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women. They are innocent of the calumnies people utter.1 There shall be forgiveness for them and a generous provision.

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

[1]This verse enunciates a fundamental principle. Impure men are a fit match for impure women and pious men are a fit match for pious women. It never happens that a man is good in all other aspects but is addicted to a solitary vice. As a matter of fact, his very habits, manners and demeanor, all contain a number of evil traits, which sustain and nourish that single vice. It is impossible that a man develops a vice all of a sudden without having any trace of its existence in his demeanor and way of life. This is a psychological truth which everybody experiences in the daily lives of the people. How is it then possible that a man who has all along lived a pure and morally clean life, will put up and continue to live for years in love with a wife who is adulterous? Can a woman be imagined who is an adulteress, but she does not manifest her evil character through her talk, gait, manners and deportment? Is it possible for a virtuous man of high character to live happily with a woman of this type? What is being suggested here is that people in future should not credulously put their belief in any rumor that reaches them. They should carefully see as to who is being accused and on what account and whether the accusation fairly sticks on the person or not. And when there exists no trace of evidence to support the accusation, people cannot believe it just because a foolish or wicked person has uttered it.

Women impure are for men impure, and men impure for women impure and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable.

— A. Yusuf Ali

Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). Good statements are for good people (or good women for good men) and good people for good statements (or good men for good women): such (good people) are innocent of (every) bad statement which they say; for them is Forgiveness, and Rizqun Karîm (generous provision i.e. Paradise).

— Al-Hilali & Khan

خبیث عورتیں خبیث مردوں کے لیے ہیں اور خبیث مرد خبیث عورتوں کے لیے۔ پاکیزہ عورتیں پاکیزہ مردوں کے لیے ہیں اور پاکیزہ مرد پاکیزہ عورتوں کے لیے۔ ان کا دامن پاک ہے اُن باتوں سے جو بنانے والے بناتے ہیں، 1 ان کے لیے مغفرت ہے اور رزقِ کریم

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1] اس  آیت میں ایک اصولی بات سمجھائی گئی ہے کہ خبیثوں کا جوڑ خبیثوں ہی سے لگتا ہے ،  اور پاکیزہ لوگ پاکیزہ لوگوں ہی سے طبعی مناسبت رکھتے ہیں۔ ایک بد کار آدمی صرف  ایک ہی برائی نہیں کیا کرتا ہے کہ اور تو سب حیثیتوں سے وہ بالکل ٹھیک ہو مگر بس  ایک برائی میں مبتلا ہو۔ اس کے تو اطوار، عادات، خصائل ہر چیز میں بہت سی برائیاں ہوتی  ہیں جو اس کی ایک بڑی برائی کو سہارا دیتی اور پرورش کرتی ہیں۔ یہ کسی طرح ممکن  نہیں ہے کہ ایک آدمی میں یکایک کوئی ایک برائی کسی از غیبی گولے کی طرح پھٹ پڑے جس  کی کوئی علامت اس کے چال چلن میں اور اس کے رنگ ڈھنگ میں نہ پائی جاتی ہو، یہ ایک  نفسیاتی حقیقت ہے جس کا تم ہر وقت انسانی زندگیوں میں مشاہدہ کرتے رہتے ہو۔ اب کس  طرح تمہاری سمجھ میں یہ بات آتی ہے کہ ایک پاکیزہ انسان جس کی ساری زندگی سے تم  واقف ہو، کسی ایسی عورت سے نباہ کر لے اور برسوں نہایت محبت کے ساتھ نباہ کیے چلا  جاتا رہے جو زنا کار ہو۔ کیا تم تصور کر سکتے ہو کہ کوئی عورت ایسی بھی ہو سکتی ہے  جو بد کار بھی ہو اور پھر اس کی رفتار ، گفتار، انداز، اطوار ، کسی چیز سے بھی اس  کے برے لچھن ظاہر  نہ ہوتے ہوں ؟ یا ایک  شخص پاکیزہ نفس اور بلند اخلاق بھی ہو اور پھر ایسی عورت وے خوش بھی رہے جس کے یہ  لچھن ہوں ؟ یہ بات یہاں اس لیے سمجھائی جا رہی ہے کہ آئندہ اگر کسی پر کوئی الزام  لگایا جائے تو لوگ اندھوں کی طرح اسے بس سنتے ہی نہ مان لیا کریں بلکہ آنکھیں کھول  کر دیکھیں کہ کس پر الزام لگایا جا رہا ہے ، کیا الزام لگایا جا رہا ہے ، اور وہ  کسی طرح وہاں چسپاں بھی ہو تا ہے یا نہیں ؟ بات لگتی ہوئی ہو تو آدمی ایک حد تک اسے  مان سکتا ہے ، یا کم از کم ممکن اور متوقع سمجھ سکتا ہے۔ مگر ایک انوکھی بات جس کی  صداقت کی تائید کرنے والے آثار کہیں نہ پائے جاتے ہوں صرف اس لیے کیسے مان لی جائے  کہ کسی احمق یا خبیث نے اسے منہ سے خارج کر دیا ہے۔ 

        بعض  مفسرین نے اس آیت کا یہ مطلب بھی بیان کیا ہے کہ بری باتیں برے لوگوں کے لیے ہیں (یعنی  وہ ان کے مستحق ہیں ) اور بھلی باتیں بھلے لوگوں کے لیے ہیں اور بھلے لوگ اس سے پاک  ہیں کہ وہ باتیں ان پر چسپاں ہوں جو بد گو اشخاص ان کے بارے میں کہتے ہیں۔ بعض  دوسرے لوگوں نے اس کا مطلب یہ لیا ہے کہ برے اعمال برے ہی لوگوں کے کرنے کی ہیں اور  بھلے لوگ بھلی باتیں ہی کیا کرتے ہیں۔ بھلے لوگ اس سے پاک ہیں کہ وہ اس طرح کی  باتیں کریں جیسی یہ افترا پرواز لوگ کر رہے ہیں۔ آیت کے الفاظ میں ان سب تفسیروں کی  گنجائش ہے۔ لین ان الفاظ کو پڑھ کر پہلا مفہوم جو ذہن میں آتا ہے وہ وہی ہے جو ہم  پہلے بیان کر چکے ہیں اور موقع و محل کے لحاظ سے بھی جو معنویت اس میں ہے وہ ان  دوسرے مفہومات میں نہیں ہے۔


خبیث عورتیں خبیث مردوں کے ليے ہیں اور خبیث مرد خبیث عورتوں کے لیے ہیں  اور پاکیزہ عورتیں پاکیزہ مردوں کے ليے ہیں اور پاکیزہ مرد پاکیزہ عورتوں کے ليے وہ لوگ بَری ہیں ان باتوں سے جو یہ کہتے ہیں  ان کے ليے بخشش ہے اور عزت کی روزی ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

https://quran.com/24/26


The Quran uses the terms 'Tayyab' and 'khabees'. 

Tayyab generally translates to pure, good, clean, pleasant, suitable, ... 

Khabees generally translates to impure, bad, unclean, evil, unsuitable, ... 

It refers to people who are 'Tayyab', food that is 'Tayyab', land that is 'Tayyab', soil that is 'Tayyab', spoils of war that are 'Tayyab', rizq that is 'Tayyab', statement that is 'Tayyab', wealth that is 'Tayyab', speech that is 'Tayyab', earning that is 'Tayyab', offspring that is 'Tayyab', and home that is 'Tayyab': [list of ayaat]. 

Similarly, the root خ ب ث is used to describe land, wealth, people, statements, actions: [list of ayaat].

In this world, we see that there seems to be a mixture of khabees and Tayyab. The good news is that Allah will not leave the believers in such a state: 

Family of Imran (3:178-179)

3:178

وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِثْمًۭا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ ١٧٨

And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.

— Saheeh International

And let not the disbelievers think that Our postponing of their punishment is good for them. We postpone the punishment only so that they may increase in sinfulness. And for them is a disgracing torment.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

اور جو لوگ کفر کر رہے ہیں ، وہ یہ خیال نہ کریں کہ ہم جو ان کو مہلت دے رہے ہیں یہ ان کے حق میں بہتر ہے ہم تو بس اس ليے مہلت دے رہے ہیں کہ وہ جرم میں اور بڑھ جائیں اور ان کے ليے ذلیل کرنے والا عذاب ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

3:179

مَّا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْغَيْبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَجْتَبِى مِن رُّسُلِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌۭ ١٧٩

Allāh would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allāh reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allāh chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allāh and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.

— Saheeh International

Allâh will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. Nor will Allâh disclose to you the secrets of the Ghaib (unseen), but Allâh chooses of His Messengers whom He wills. So believe in Allâh and His Messengers. And if you believe and fear Allâh, then for you there is a great reward.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

اللہ ايسا نہیں کہ وه مومنوں کواس حالت پر چھوڑ دے جس پر کہ تم اب ہو جب تک کہ وہ ناپاک کو پاک سے جدا نہ کرلے اور اللہ ايسا نہیں کہ وه تم کو غیب سے باخبر کردے بلکہ اللہ چن لیتا ہے اپنے رسولوں میں سے جس کو چاہتا ہے پس تم ایمان لاؤ اللہ پر اور اس کے رسولوں پر اور اگر تم ایمان لاؤ اور پرہیزگاری اختیار کرو تو تمھارے ليے بڑا اجر ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

https://quran.com/3/178-179


Meanwhile, in this world, the Believers must strive to reform themselves and their society. The Deen of Allah, and the Shariah revealed by Him, should be the Law of the Land. The Messenger of Allah came with the Truth: 

The Heights (7:157)

ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَـٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَـٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ ١٥٧

“˹They are˺ the ones who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whose description they find in their Torah and the Gospel.[1] He commands them to do good and forbids them from evil, permits for them what is lawful and forbids to them what is impure, and relieves them from their burdens and the shackles that bound them. ˹Only˺ those who believe in him, honour and support him, and follow the light sent down to him will be successful.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

[1] Some Muslim scholars cite Deuteronomy 18:15-18 and 33:2, Isaiah 42, and John 14:16 as examples of the description of Prophet Muḥammad in the Bible. However, Bible scholars interpret these verses differently. The name of Prophet Muḥammad () appears several times in the Gospel of Barnabas, which is deemed apocryphal by Christian authorities.

those who follow the Messenger, the Ummiyy (unlettered) prophet whom they find written with them in the Torah and the Injīl , and who bids them what is fair and forbids what is unfair, and makes lawful for them good things, and makes unlawful for them impure things, and relieves them of their burden, and of the shackles that were upon them. So, those who believe in him and support him, and help him and follow the light sent down with him, - those are the ones who are successful.”

— T. Usmani

Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful.

— M. Pickthall

وہ لوگ جو پیروی کرتے ہیں اس رسول کی جو نبی امی ہے [1] کہ جس کو پاتے ہیں لکھا ہوا اپنے پاس توریت اور انجیل میں [2] وہ حکم کرتا ہے ان کو نیک کام کا اور منع کرتا ہے برے کام سے اور حلال کرتا ہے انکے لئے سب پاک چیزیں اور حرام کرتا ہے ان پر ناپاک چیزیں اور اتارتا ہے ان پر سے ان کے بوجھ اور وہ قیدیں جو ان پر تھیں [3] سو جو لوگ اس پر ایمان لائے اور اسکی رفاقت کی اور اس کی مدد کی اور تابع ہوئے اس نور کے جو اسکے ساتھ اترا ہے [4] وہی لوگ پہنچے اپنی مراد کو

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]لفظ اُمّی کی تشریح:امی یا تو ام (بمعنی والدہ) کی طرف منسوب ہے۔ جس طرح بچہ ماں کے پیٹ سے پیدا ہوتا ہے اور کسی کا شاگرد نہیں ہوتا نبی کریم ﷺ نے ساری عمر کسی مخلوق کے سامنے زانوئے تملذ تہ نہیں کیا۔ اس پر کمال یہ ہے کہ جن علوم و معارف اور حقائق و اسرار کا آپ نے افاضہ فرمایا۔ کسی مخلوق کا حوصلہ نہیں کہ اس کا عشر عشیر پیش کر سکے۔ پس 'نبی امی' کا لقب اس حیثیت سے آپ کے لئے مایہ صد افتخار ہے اور یا امی کی نسبت  'ام القریٰ' کی طرف ہو جو مکہ معظمہ کا لقب ہے جو آپ کا مولد شریف تھا۔

[2]تورات و انجیل میں آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا تذکرہ:یعنی آپ کی تشریف آوری کی بشارات اور نعوت و صفات کتب سماویہ سابقہ  میں مذکور ہیں۔ حتٰی کہ اس وقت سے لے کر آج تک ساڑھے تیرہ سو برس کی کاٹ چھانٹ کے بعد بھی موجودہ بائبل میں بہت سی بشارات و اشارات پائے جاتے ہیں۔ جن کو ہر زمانہ کے علماء بحوالہ کتب دکھلاتے چلے آئے ہیں۔ وللہ الحمد علیٰ ذلک۔

[3]نور سے مراد وحی ہے متلو ہو یا غیر متلو۔ یعنی قرآن و سنت۔

[4]آنحضرت کا دین آسان ہے:یعنی یہود پر جو سخت احکام تھے اور کھانے کی چیزوں میں ان کی شرارتوں کی وجہ سے تنگی تھی فَبِظُلۡمٍ مِّنَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہَادُوۡا حَرَّمۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ طَیِّبٰتٍ اُحِلَّتۡ لَہُمۡ (نساء۔۱۶۰) اس دین میں وہ سب چیزیں آسان ہوئیں اور جو ناپاک چیزیں مثلاً لحم خنزیر  یا گندی باتیں مثلًا سود خوری وغیرہ انہوں نے حلال کر رکھی تھیں۔ ان کی حرمت اس پیغمبر  نے ظاہر فرمائیں۔ غرض ان سے بہت سے بوجھ ہلکے کر دیے اور بہت سی قیدیں اٹھا دی گئیں۔ جیسا کہ حدیث میں فرمایا۔ بعثت بالحنیفَۃِ السَّمْحَۃِ

https://quran.com/7/157


Surah azZumar is about sincerity to Allah's Deen. Among the concluding ayaat is a scene from the Day of Qiyamah. Regarding the Companions of the Gardens, it states: 

The Troops (39:73)

وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَـٰلِدِينَ ٧٣

And those who were mindful of their Lord will be led to Paradise in ˹successive˺ groups. When they arrive at its ˹already˺ open gates, its keepers will say, “Peace be upon you! You have done well, so come in, to stay forever.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, "Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein," [they will enter].[1]

— Saheeh International

[1]In such honor and joy that is beyond description - thus, the omission of this conclusion in the Arabic text.

And those who used to fear their Lord will be led towards Jannah (Paradise) in groups, until when they reach it, while its gates will be (already) opened (for them), and its keepers will say to them, “Salāmun-’alaikum (peace be on you). How good are you! So, enter it to live here forever.”

— T. Usmani

اور لے جایا جائے گا ان لوگوں کو جنت کی طرف جو اپنے رب کا تقویٰ اختیار کیے رہے تھے گروہ در گروہ یہاں تک کہ جب وہ وہاں پہنچیں گے اور اس کے دروازے (پہلے ہی) کھولے جا چکے ہوں گے اور اس کے داروغہ ان سے کہیں گے : آپ پر سلام ہو آپ لوگ کتنے پاکباز ہیں اب داخل ہوجائیے اس میں ہمیشہ ہمیش رہنے کے لیے

 (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

https://quran.com/39/73


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Also Read: 

Monotheism & Legal Reforms 

Major Sins & True Repentance 

Maroof & Munkar 

Generating The Evidence 

Salaam, The Significance of the Spoken Word! 


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Friday, April 19, 2019

The Devils among The Angels & The Khilafat of Adam

Abstract 
The lessons in the story of Iblis, Harut and Marut, as regards the challenges Adam & his progeny are confronted with in the trials of this life.   


Full Text 

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

That (is) the book no doubt in it, a Guidance for the God-conscious.
[Al-Quran 2:2]


The first surah of The Quran is a prayer. The following surah begins with the statement that there is no doubt in The Book which is a guidance for those who keep their duty (لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ). A few ayaat later, it introduces us to the concept of corrupters who think they are doing acts of reform (Q2:11-12). A little later, it informs us of the angels' potential of trying to hide some thing or some information from Allah. In popular Muslim belief, it is thought that angels are perfectly obedient to Allah. However, in the first narration of the story of Adam, we come to know that they questioned the reason why Allah was appointing a khalifa (خَلِيفَةً), and so Allah proved to them: (1) Adam's superiority in knowledge over them, and (2) Allah's complete knowledge of all things, regardless of whether the angels revealed it or hid it: 


قَالَ يَا آدَمُ أَنبِئْهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ فَلَمَّا أَنبَأَهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

He said: O Adam! Communicate to them their names. So then, when he communicated to them their names, He said: Did I not say to you: Truly, I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you show and what you had been keeping back.
And mention when We said to the angels: Prostrate yourselves to Adam! They, then, prostrated themselves but Iblis. He refused and grew arrogant. He had been among the ones who are ungrateful.
[Al-Quran 2:33-34, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar]


Moreover, we also learn that in spite of all the knowledge that Allah had bestowed on Adam, Iblis was able to tempt him into disobedience and make him slip. Adam subsequently repented, but there are many humans from the progeny of Adam who are either tempted into making the wrong choices or they deliberately choose to disobey; in either case ultimately wronging their own Nafs. Some realise and repent, others don't... 



Allah is Greater 
Allah is greater than everyone and everything, a declaration oft-repeated by Muslims as (الله أكبر). From the narrations of Adam and Iblis' story across The Quran, we come to learn that Iblis was an angel (مَلَكٌ) who was arrogant and an ungrateful rejector of Allah's commands (وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ). In commanding the angels to prostrate to Adam (Q2:34, Q7:11, Q15:29Q17:61, Q18:50, Q20:116, Q38:75), Adam's status has been elevated by Allah over the angels. When a human calls upon another deity for help, he rejects not only Allah's sublime status over all His creations, but he also lowers his own status, thereby satiating Iblis' arrogance and envy.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالْفُلْكَ تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِ وَيُمْسِكُ السَّمَاءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Hast thou not considered that God caused to be subservient to you what is in and on the earth? And the boats run through the sea by His command. And He holds back the heaven so that it not fall on the earth, but by His permission. Truly, to humanity God is Gentle, Compassionate.
[Al-Quran 22:65, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 


أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يُجَادِلُ فِي اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَلَا هُدًى وَلَا كِتَابٍ مُّنِيرٍ

Consider you not that God caused to become subservient to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in and on the earth and lavished on you His divine blessing, that which is manifest and that which is inward and yet most of humanity is he who disputes about God without knowledge and with no guidance and without an illuminating Book.
[Al-Quran 31:20, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 



Good vs Evil 
In Surah al-Momineen, we are directed repel evil with good, and to pray for protection from the satans (الشَّيَاطِينِ): 

ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ
لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ كَلَّا إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا وَمِن وَرَائِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

Drive thou back evil deeds with what is fairer. We are greater in knowledge of what they allege.

And say: My Lord! I take refuge with Thee from the evil suggestions of the satans.
And my Lord, I take refuge with Thee so that they not attend me.

Until when death drew near one of them, he said: My Lord! Return me
so that perhaps I will do as one in accord with morality in what I left behind. No indeed! Truly, it is only a word that one who converses says. And ahead of them is a barrier until the Day they are raised up.
[Al-Quran 23:96-100, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 

The regret of those who have not done well in this life will be that they would have done an act of reform (أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا) Interestingly, this phrase has been translated variously as:  

  • Muhammad Asad   so that I might act righteously in whatever I have failed [aforetime]!
  • M. M. Pickthall   That I may do right in that which I have left behind! 
  • Yusuf Ali (1938)   "In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." 
  • Shakir   Haply I may do good in that which I have left. 
  • Wahiduddin Khan   so that I may do good works in the world I have left behind. 
  • Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   so that perhaps I will do as one in accord with morality in what I left behind. 
  • T.B.Irving   so I may act honorably with anything I may have left behind"
  • ... 
(Excerpts from and link to 50+ English translations)



The Khilafat & The Trust 
The Quran states that the purpose of this temporal life is to test each one of us. A series of trials decreed by Allah. And so, it terms the suffering of the Bani Israel at the hands of the Pharaoh as a great trial from Allah; it terms their going astray along with Samiri also a trail from Allah; and then, during the Kingdom of Solomon, Harut and Marut openly declare that they are a trial and people should not seek knowledge from them, as what they were offering required kufr, that is, ingratitude and rejection of truth!

In the capacity of Khalifa (خَلِيفَةً) that Adam and his descendants have been honoured and entrusted with, each one is under a covenant with Allah to do good and repel evil with whatever resources they have been provided with, especially what one owns, so that the purpose of this life is achieved, and there is no regret upon death. The Gardens of Eternity are promised as an inheritance, and the purpose of this life is defined in the last two ayaat of Surah al-Ahzaab: 

إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا 
لِّيُعَذِّبَ اللَّهُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ وَالْمُشْرِكَاتِ وَيَتُوبَ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Truly, We presented the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to carry it and were apprehensive of it. But the human being carried it. Truly, he had been wrongdoing, very ignorant. 
God punishes the males, ones who are hypocrites and the females, ones who are hypocrites and the males, ones who are polytheists and the females, ones who are polytheists and God will turn to forgiveness toward the males, ones who believe and the females, ones who believe. And God had been Forgiving, Compassionate. 
[Al-Quran 33:72-73, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 


Apparently, The Human volunteered to undertake The Trust which The Mountains and The Earth and even The Skies were afraid to undertake! Do we even realise the enormity of this Trust and all it entails??? The Quran states that everyone and everything in the skies and earth prostrates to Allah willingly or unwillingly, and many humans also, but on many other humans the punishment has been proven to be deserved (Q22:18). The Quran also mentions that to Allah belong the forces of heavens and earth (Q48:4Q48:7); and it does declare (Q9:33Q48:28Q61:9) that Allah has sent His Messenger so that Allah's Deen prevails over all other deens (religions/laws). Q42:13 is quite clear that it is the same Deen given to all prophets to establish. However, in this worldly life, the right to choose is given to everyone, and thus there is no compulsion in Deen (Q2:256). In fact, the purpose of this earth and sky is to hurl the truth against the falsehood so as to destroy its head and make it vanish! (Q21:18

The Quran warn us that Iblis and his progeny are our sworn enemies:

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
مَّا أَشْهَدتُّهُمْ خَلْقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَا خَلْقَ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ الْمُضِلِّينَ عَضُدًا

And mention when We said to the angels: Prostrate yourselves to Adam! So they prostrated themselves but Iblis. He had been among the jinn and he disobeyed the command of His Lord. Will you, then, take him to yourselves and his offspring to be protectors other than Me while they are an enemy to you? Miserable was it to give in place ones who are unjust! 
I called them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth nor to their own creation of themselves their nafs nor took I to myself the ones who are led astray as assistants.  
[Al-Quran 18:50-51, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar (edited in italics to retain the word nafs)] 

Iblis attempts to tempt us into violating Allah's Deen, just as he tempted Adam into violating it. We must ground ourselves in the tenets of The Deen and hold fast to Allah's guidance, seeking His help and protection, and keep praying for His forgiveness.  



The Deen-e-Qayimah (الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ)


إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

[Al-Quran 9:36]


مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

[Al-Quran 12:40]


فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

[Al-Quran 30:30]


فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ الْقَيِّمِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصَّدَّعُونَ
مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمْ يَمْهَدُونَ
لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِن فَضْلِهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ

[Al-Quran 30:43-45]


وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ

[Al-Quran 98:5]

The Deen-e-Qayimah (الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ) has been discussed in The Right Religion (Deen) and other posts.



Magic in Solomon's Kingdom  
In Surah al-Baqarah, the second surah, we also learn about the evil angels (الشَّيَاطِينُ) who rejected truth (كَفَرُوا) and taught people magic, even though they warned people that they were a trial for them:     

وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَانُ وَلَٰكِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ كَفَرُوا يُعَلِّمُونَ النَّاسَ السِّحْرَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَى الْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوتَ وَمَارُوتَ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِ وَمَا هُم بِضَارِّينَ بِهِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا لَمَنِ اشْتَرَاهُ مَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا بِهِ أَنفُسَهُمْ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

And they followed what the satans recount during the dominion of Solomon. And Solomon was not ungrateful, except the satans were ungrateful. They teach humanity sorcery, and what was caused to descend to the two angels at Babylon—Harut and Marut. But neither of these two teach anyone unless they say: We are only a test, so be not ungrateful. And they learn from these two that by it they separate and divide between a man and his spouse. And they were not ones who injured anyone with it, but by the permission of God. And they learn what hurts them and profits them not. And, certainly, they knew that whoever bought it, for him in the world to come was not any apportionment. And miserable was that for which they sold themselves their Nafs. Would that they had been knowing! 
[Al-Quran 2:102, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar (edited in italics to retain the word Nafs)] 


People learnt from Harut and Marut the magic which caused separation and divide between man and wife. The basic family union of man and wife is a sacred duty and trust, and the cornerstone on which a pure and honourable society is built upon. Destroying the unity and peace at home leaves open the door for evil to tempt whosoever can be tempted. The Bible and The Quran lay down strict punishments for adultery, and specify who is or isn't permissible for marriage. Allah has appointed mates through which He multiplies His creations (Q42:11). The people who will suffer clear loss will be the ones who lose their families and their Nafs on the Day of Resurrection (Q39:15). The Quran exhorts sincerity in Deen if one desires a good eternal life (Q30:43-45, Q39, Q98:5). 



Magic in Ancient Times 
Harut and Marut appeared among the Bani Israel long after The Torah had been revealed. Prior to the Exodus, the Bani Israel dwelt in ancient Egypt where magic was practiced, patronised and rewarded: 


يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ
وَجَاءَ السَّحَرَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ قَالُوا إِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجْرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْغَالِبِينَ
قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ لَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

Let them approach thee with every knowing sorcerer.
And the ones who are sorcerers drew near to Pharaoh. They said: Truly, would we have compensation if we had been the ones who are victors?
Pharaoh said: Yes! And, truly, you will be of the ones who are brought near to me.
[Al-Quran 7:112-114, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar]



إِنَّا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّنَا لِيَغْفِرَ لَنَا خَطَايَانَا وَمَا أَكْرَهْتَنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ السِّحْرِ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ

For us, truly, we believed in our Lord that He forgive us our transgressions and what thou hadst compelled us to do because of the sorcery. And God is Best of one who endures. 
[Al-Quran 20:73, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 



The Messengers' Way & Other Ways  
All messengers preached keeping duty to Allah and obeying the messenger, as stated in many ayaat across The Quran, and oft-quoted in Surah ash-Shua`ra (فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ [Q26:108, 126, 144, 163, 179]). After relating the stories of several messengers, the Surah then poses the question:

أَوَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُمْ آيَةً أَن يَعْلَمَهُ عُلَمَاءُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ

Would it not be a sign for them that is known to the knowing among the Children of Israel?
 [Al-Quran 26:197, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 


In Surah Taha, we read that Pharaoh considered the divine signs brought by Moses as sorcery; the sorcerers of the Pharaoh tried to replicate the miracle of the stick coming alive, but whatever they were able to conjure was eaten up by the miracle shown through Moses; then, after the Exodus, we read about the Samiri among the Bani Israel who saw something that others couldn't see, and so he used that to lead others astray. In doing so, he cast away some of the Messenger's أَثَرِ, translated by some as footprints, and by some as teachings, and also as trace. We  are told that it was decreed for Samiri to say: Don't Touch (لَا مِسَاسَ [Q20:96]) and that the god he was devoted to would be destroyed (burnt and cast into the al-Yam (الْيَمِّ). Translations of al-Yam (الْيَمِّ) vary between river and sea, but it is most probably referring to the Red Sea. Earlier, the helpless baby Moses was cast into the الْيَمِّ, and saved; whereas during the Exodus, the powerful Pharaoh and his forces were drowned in the الْيَمِّ, while Moses and the Bani Israel were delivered safely across it. What stands out in all this is that Allah is the only true God, while those that the sorcerers are devoted to are indeed false deities. Just like Samiri's god was to be (لَنَنسِفَنَّهُ فِي الْيَمِّ نَسْفًا  [Q20:97]), so will Allah scatter the mountains into particles (يَنسِفُهَا رَبِّي نَسْفًا [Q20:105]). The God who constantly sees, hears, and is with His chosen ones will cast away and expose everything, even if its hidden within a rock in a mountain or a pyramid, a mighty relic of ancient Egypt. In fact, pyramids of the polytheists have been discovered all over the world. The cube system of the Lord of the Kaaba, the Deen of Allah, must and will replace all false systems. The Messengers of Allah show us the way, the sirat-e-mustaqeem, the worship of the one and only true deity. It is their way and their teachings which lead to success.



The Evil of Magic & Its Price 
Allah alone deserves worship. Worship of Allah alone is thus extremely vital to the safety and prosperity of every worshipper. Worship of anyone else always causes loss. The Messengers of Allah show us the way to worship Allah. It is their way that one needs to follow, so as to not to go astray like Samiri and the people who followed him into idol-worship. People who seek out sorcerers or call upon creatures who may have some abilities to conjure illusions only cause harm to themselves in the long-run. So, it is stated:

قَالَ مُوسَىٰ أَتَقُولُونَ لِلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَكُمْ أَسِحْرٌ هَٰذَا وَلَا يُفْلِحُ السَّاحِرُونَ

Moses said: Say you this about The Truth when it drew near you? Is this sorcery? And the ones who are sorcerers will not prosper. 
[Al-Quran 10:77, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar]


فَلَمَّا أَلْقَوْا قَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئْتُم بِهِ السِّحْرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيُبْطِلُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

Then, when they cast Moses said: What you brought about is sorcery. Truly, God will render it untrue. Truly, God makes not right the actions of the ones who make corruption.
[Al-Quran 10:81, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 


وَأَلْقِ مَا فِي يَمِينِكَ تَلْقَفْ مَا صَنَعُوا إِنَّمَا صَنَعُوا كَيْدُ سَاحِرٍ وَلَا يُفْلِحُ السَّاحِرُ حَيْثُ أَتَىٰ

And cast what is in thy right hand. It will swallow what they crafted. What they crafted is not but the cunning of one who is a sorcerer. And the one who is a sorcerer will not prosper in whatever he approached. 
[Al-Quran 20:69, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 



By The Power Of 
It is interesting to note the difference between Iblis and the magician of the Pharaoh: the arrogant angel invokes the power of Allah to lead mankind astray, while these humans invoked the power of Pharaoh against Moses, the Messenger of Allah:

فَأَلْقَوْا حِبَالَهُمْ وَعِصِيَّهُمْ وَقَالُوا بِعِزَّةِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الْغَالِبُونَ
فَأَلْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ
فَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سَاجِدِينَ
قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ 

So they cast their ropes and their staffs and said: By the vainglory of Pharaoh, we, we will, surely, be the ones who are victors!
Then, Moses cast down his staff. That is when it swallows what they faked.
The ones who are sorcerers were cast down, ones who prostrate themselves.
They said: We believed in the Lord of the worlds,
the Lord of Moses and Aaron.
[Al-Quran 26:44-48, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 



قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

Iblis said: By Thy Great Glory, then, I will certainly lead them one and all into error,
[Al-Quran 38:82, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 

Prayers have been enjoined at fixed times on the believers. In prayer, we acknowledge Allah and His Power and Glory. 



On Whom Descend the Shayateen 
In Surah ash-Shu`ara`, we learn that:

هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ الشَّيَاطِينُ
تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ
يُلْقُونَ السَّمْعَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ كَاذِبُونَ

Will I tell you in whom the satans come forth?
They come forth in every sinful false one 
who gives listen, but most of them are ones who lie.
[Al-Quran 26:221-223, Translator: Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar] 

While invoking Allah for His supreme protection, we must actively refrain from lying and committing sins, and if we err, to immediately repent and seek forgiveness, lest Allah permits the satans to descend upon us. May Allah protect us from such dangerous trials and temptations. Aameen.





Last edited on: May 2, 2019