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

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Water scarcity in ancient times

 Floods and Droughts 


إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلَّتِى تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍۢ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍۢ وَتَصْرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْقِلُونَ ١٦٤

Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.

[Al-Quran 2:164, Translation: A. Yusuf Ali]

Allah عزوجل has not only created the skies and earth, He has also placed water upon and within earth, as well as sent water from the skies, and He continues to do that, to sustain life on earth. 

Water scarcity has been an issue since ancient times. It seems that there is a link between the sins of humans and the blessings of Allah  , such that some blessings get withheld when sins increase beyond a certain level. Even then, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ sends His Messengers to allow people the opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness. 



Noah (Nuh عليه السلام) is quoted advising his people:  

فَقُلْتُ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفَّارًۭا ١٠

"Saying, 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving;

يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًۭا ١١

"'He will send rain to you in abundance;

وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍۢ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَـٰرًۭا ١٢

"'Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water).

مَّا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّهِ وَقَارًۭا ١٣

"'What is the matter with you, that ye place not your hope for kindness and long-suffering in Allah,-

وَقَدْ خَلَقَكُمْ أَطْوَارًا ١٤

"'Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse stages?

أَلَمْ تَرَوْا۟ كَيْفَ خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ١٥

"'See ye not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another,

وَجَعَلَ ٱلْقَمَرَ فِيهِنَّ نُورًۭا وَجَعَلَ ٱلشَّمْسَ سِرَاجًۭا ١٦

"'And made the moon a light in their midst, and made the sun as a (Glorious) Lamp?

وَٱللَّهُ أَنۢبَتَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ نَبَاتًۭا ١٧

"'And Allah has produced you from the earth growing (gradually),

ثُمَّ يُعِيدُكُمْ فِيهَا وَيُخْرِجُكُمْ إِخْرَاجًۭا ١٨

"'And in the End He will return you into the (earth), and raise you forth (again at the Resurrection)?

وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ بِسَاطًۭا ١٩

"'And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out),

لِّتَسْلُكُوا۟ مِنْهَا سُبُلًۭا فِجَاجًۭا ٢٠

"'That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads.'"

قَالَ نُوحٌۭ رَّبِّ إِنَّهُمْ عَصَوْنِى وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَن لَّمْ يَزِدْهُ مَالُهُۥ وَوَلَدُهُۥٓ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا ٢١

Noah said: "O my Lord! They have disobeyed me, but they follow (men) whose wealth and children give them no increase but only Loss.

وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًۭا كُبَّارًۭا ٢٢

"And they have devised a tremendous Plot.

وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّۭا وَلَا سُوَاعًۭا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسْرًۭا ٢٣

"And they have said (to each other), 'Abandon not your gods: Abandon neither Wadd nor Suwa', neither Yaguth nor Ya'uq, nor Nasr';-

وَقَدْ أَضَلُّوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا ۖ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا ضَلَـٰلًۭا ٢٤

"They have already misled many; and grant Thou no increase to the wrong-doers but in straying (from their mark)."

مِّمَّا خَطِيٓـَٔـٰتِهِمْ أُغْرِقُوا۟ فَأُدْخِلُوا۟ نَارًۭا فَلَمْ يَجِدُوا۟ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَنصَارًۭا ٢٥

Because of their sins they were drowned (in the flood), and were made to enter the Fire (of Punishment): and they found- in lieu of Allah- none to help them.

وَقَالَ نُوحٌۭ رَّبِّ لَا تَذَرْ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ دَيَّارًا ٢٦

And Noah, said: "O my Lord! Leave not of the Unbelievers, a single one on earth!

إِنَّكَ إِن تَذَرْهُمْ يُضِلُّوا۟ عِبَادَكَ وَلَا يَلِدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا فَاجِرًۭا كَفَّارًۭا ٢٧

"For, if Thou dost leave (any of) them, they will but mislead Thy devotees, and they will breed none but wicked ungrateful ones.

رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِىَ مُؤْمِنًۭا وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارًۢا ٢٨

"O my Lord! Forgive me, my parents, all who enter my house in Faith, and (all) believing men and believing women: and to the wrong-doers grant Thou no increase but in perdition!"

[Al-Quran 71:10-28, Translator: Yusuf Ali]



The people of Aad are delighted when they see the dark clouds

۞ وَٱذْكُرْ أَخَا عَادٍ إِذْ أَنذَرَ قَوْمَهُۥ بِٱلْأَحْقَافِ وَقَدْ خَلَتِ ٱلنُّذُرُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦٓ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ٢١

Mention (Hud) one of 'Ad's (own) brethren: Behold, he warned his people about the winding Sand-tracts: but there have been warners before him and after him: "Worship ye none other than Allah: Truly I fear for you the Penalty of a Mighty Day."

قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا لِتَأْفِكَنَا عَنْ ءَالِهَتِنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ٢٢

They said: "Hast thou come in order to turn us aside from our gods? Then bring upon us the (calamity) with which thou dost threaten us, if thou art telling the truth?"

قَالَ إِنَّمَا ٱلْعِلْمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَأُبَلِّغُكُم مَّآ أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰكُمْ قَوْمًۭا تَجْهَلُونَ ٢٣

He said: "The Knowledge (of when it will come) is only with Allah: I proclaim to you the mission on which I have been sent: But I see that ye are a people in ignorance!"..

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ عَارِضًۭا مُّسْتَقْبِلَ أَوْدِيَتِهِمْ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا عَارِضٌۭ مُّمْطِرُنَا ۚ بَلْ هُوَ مَا ٱسْتَعْجَلْتُم بِهِۦ ۖ رِيحٌۭ فِيهَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ ٢٤

Then, when they saw the (Penalty in the shape of) a cloud traversing the sky, coming to meet their valleys, they said, "This cloud will give us rain!" "Nay, it is the (Calamity) ye were asking to be hastened!- A wind wherein is a Grievous Penalty!

تُدَمِّرُ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۭ بِأَمْرِ رَبِّهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ لَا يُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَسَـٰكِنُهُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ ٢٥

"Everything will it destroy by the command of its Lord!" Then by the morning they - nothing was to be seen but (the ruins of) their houses! thus do We recompense those given to sin!

وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّـٰهُمْ فِيمَآ إِن مَّكَّنَّـٰكُمْ فِيهِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ سَمْعًۭا وَأَبْصَـٰرًۭا وَأَفْـِٔدَةًۭ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَلَآ أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ وَلَآ أَفْـِٔدَتُهُم مِّن شَىْءٍ إِذْ كَانُوا۟ يَجْحَدُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ ٢٦

And We had firmly established them in a (prosperity and) power which We have not given to you (ye Quraish!) and We had endowed them with (faculties of) hearing, seeing, heart and intellect: but of no profit to them were their (faculties of) hearing, sight, and heart and intellect, when they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah; and they were (completely) encircled by that which they used to mock at!

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَصَرَّفْنَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ ٢٧

We destroyed aforetime populations round about you; and We have shown the Signs in various ways, that they may turn (to Us).

فَلَوْلَا نَصَرَهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ قُرْبَانًا ءَالِهَةًۢ ۖ بَلْ ضَلُّوا۟ عَنْهُمْ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ إِفْكُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ ٢٨

Why then was no help forthcoming to them from those whom they worshipped as gods, besides Allah, as a means of access (to Allah)? Nay, they left them in the lurch: but that was their falsehood and their invention.

[Al-Quran 46:21-28, Translator: A. Yusuf Ali]


 

The Thamud must allow the pregnant she-camel to feed freely, and share the water with her, each turn fixed

۞ وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًۭا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌۭ مُّجِيبٌۭ ٦١

To the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him. It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer."

قَالُوا۟ يَـٰصَـٰلِحُ قَدْ كُنتَ فِينَا مَرْجُوًّۭا قَبْلَ هَـٰذَآ ۖ أَتَنْهَىٰنَآ أَن نَّعْبُدَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَإِنَّنَا لَفِى شَكٍّۢ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَآ إِلَيْهِ مُرِيبٍۢ ٦٢

They said: "O Salih! thou hast been of us! a centre of our hopes hitherto! dost thou (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers worshipped? But we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which thou invitest us."

قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّى وَءَاتَىٰنِى مِنْهُ رَحْمَةًۭ فَمَن يَنصُرُنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ عَصَيْتُهُۥ ۖ فَمَا تَزِيدُونَنِى غَيْرَ تَخْسِيرٍۢ ٦٣

He said: "O my people! do ye see? if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself,- who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?

وَيَـٰقَوْمِ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةًۭ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌۭ قَرِيبٌۭ ٦٤

"And O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a symbol to you: leave her to feed on Allah's (free) earth, and inflict no harm on her, or a swift penalty will seize you!"

فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ فِى دَارِكُمْ ثَلَـٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍۢ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ وَعْدٌ غَيْرُ مَكْذُوبٍۢ ٦٥

But they did ham-string her. So he said: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days: (Then will be your ruin): (Behold) there a promise not to be belied!"

فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَـٰلِحًۭا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٦٦

When Our Decree issued, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves - and from the Ignominy of that day. For thy Lord - He is the Strong One, and able to enforce His Will.

وَأَخَذَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دِيَـٰرِهِمْ جَـٰثِمِينَ ٦٧

The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning,-

كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا۟ فِيهَآ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ثَمُودَا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًۭا لِّثَمُودَ ٦٨

As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were the Thamud!

[Al-Quran 11:61-68, Translator: A. Yusuf Ali]


In Surah Shua'ra, we read: 

كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ١٤١

The Thamud (people) rejected the messengers.

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ صَـٰلِحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ١٤٢

Behold, their brother Salih said to them: "Will you not fear (Allah)?

إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ ١٤٣

"I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ١٤٤

"So fear Allah, and obey me.

وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ١٤٥

"No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.

أَتُتْرَكُونَ فِى مَا هَـٰهُنَآ ءَامِنِينَ ١٤٦

"Will ye be left secure, in (the enjoyment of) all that ye have here?-

فِى جَنَّـٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ ١٤٧

"Gardens and Springs,

وَزُرُوعٍۢ وَنَخْلٍۢ طَلْعُهَا هَضِيمٌۭ ١٤٨

"And corn-fields and date-palms with spathes near breaking (with the weight of fruit)?

وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًۭا فَـٰرِهِينَ ١٤٩

"And ye carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill.

فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ١٥٠

"But fear Allah and obey me;

وَلَا تُطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ١٥١

"And follow not the bidding of those who are extravagant,-

ٱلَّذِينَ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ ١٥٢

"Who make mischief in the land, and mend not (their ways)."

قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ ١٥٣

They said: "Thou art only one of those bewitched!

مَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُنَا فَأْتِ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ١٥٤

"Thou art no more than a mortal like us: then bring us a Sign, if thou tellest the truth!"

قَالَ هَـٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةٌۭ لَّهَا شِرْبٌۭ وَلَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ ١٥٥

He said: "Here is a she-camel: she has a right of watering, and ye have a right of watering, (severally) on a day appointed.

وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ١٥٦

"Touch her not with harm, lest the Penalty of a Great Day seize you."

فَعَقَرُوهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ نَـٰدِمِينَ ١٥٧

But they ham-strung her: then did they become full of regrets.

فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ١٥٨

But the Penalty seized them. Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١٥٩

And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.

 [Al-Quran 26:141-159, Translator: A. Yusuf Ali]



...

Water has always been, and continues to be, essential for a flourishing and thriving economy. The Pharaoh of ancient Egypt also boasted about waters beneath him ... There is also some evidence of ancient canal networks, and dams, etc. pointing towards the efforts to manage water resources across the ages. Rivers have disappeared, and continue to disappear from the face of the earth. ... 

In Surah Al-Noor, we read: 

وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍۭ بِقِيعَةٍۢ يَحْسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمْـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُۥ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْـًۭٔا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ فَوَفَّىٰهُ حِسَابَهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ ٣٩

But the Unbelievers,- their deeds are like a mirage in sandy deserts, which the man parched with thirst mistakes for water; until when he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing: But he finds Allah (ever) with him, and Allah will pay him his account: and Allah is swift in taking account.

أَوْ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍۢ فِى بَحْرٍۢ لُّجِّىٍّۢ يَغْشَىٰهُ مَوْجٌۭ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ مَوْجٌۭ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ سَحَابٌۭ ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتٌۢ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَآ أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُۥ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَىٰهَا ۗ وَمَن لَّمْ يَجْعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ نُورًۭا فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن نُّورٍ ٤٠

Or (the Unbelievers' state) is like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean, overwhelmed with billow topped by billow, topped by (dark) clouds: depths of darkness, one above another: if a man stretches out his hands, he can hardly see it! for any to whom Allah giveth not light, there is no light!

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلطَّيْرُ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍۢ ۖ كُلٌّۭ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُۥ وَتَسْبِيحَهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ ٤١

Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.

وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ٤٢

Yea, to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah is the final goal (of all).

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُزْجِى سَحَابًۭا ثُمَّ يُؤَلِّفُ بَيْنَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُۥ رُكَامًۭا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن جِبَالٍۢ فِيهَا مِنۢ بَرَدٍۢ فَيُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَصْرِفُهُۥ عَن مَّن يَشَآءُ ۖ يَكَادُ سَنَا بَرْقِهِۦ يَذْهَبُ بِٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ ٤٣

Seest thou not that Allah makes the clouds move gently, then joins them together, then makes them into a heap? - then wilt thou see rain issue forth from their midst. And He sends down from the sky mountain masses (of clouds) wherein is hail: He strikes therewith whom He pleases and He turns it away from whom He pleases, the vivid flash of His lightning well-nigh blinds the sight.

يُقَلِّبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةًۭ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ ٤٤

It is Allah Who alternates the Night and the Day: verily in these things is an instructive example for those who have vision!

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَآبَّةٍۢ مِّن مَّآءٍۢ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰ بَطْنِهِۦ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰ رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰٓ أَرْبَعٍۢ ۚ يَخْلُقُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ ٤٥

And Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills for verily Allah has power over all things.

لَّقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ ءَايَـٰتٍۢ مُّبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ ٤٦

We have indeed sent down signs that make things manifest: and Allah guides whom He wills to a way that is straight.

[Al-Quran 24:39-46, Translator: A. Yusuf Ali]

Water is a precious resource. 

Water was sent from the sky

There is news of hailstones having fallen from cloudless skies. 

The Quran foretells the heating of the seas, and when the seas will be set on fire

Just like the ancients, modern humans are also technologically advancing, and going secular, at the same time. The moderns seem to be repeating the mistakes of the ancients, and the time is not far when this civilisation also starts wronging the nafs. May Allah protect us and keep us on His Deen and under His Protection and Mercy.  




Links to posts about Water 

...

 

Friday, May 10, 2024

The Potential in The Ordinary

DRAFT



كِتٰبٌ اَنۡزَلۡنٰهُ اِلَيۡكَ مُبٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوۡۤا اٰيٰتِهٖ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ اُولُوا الۡاَلۡبَابِ‏ ٢٩

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.

[Al-Quran 38:29, Translation: Saheeh International] 

Prophet Muhammad  was given a Book, and through it Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ granted faith and guidance to billions of people all over the world. 



Moses (Musa عليه السلام)’ staff

وَمَا تِلۡكَ بِيَمِيۡنِكَ يٰمُوۡسٰى‏ ١٧ قَالَ هِىَ عَصَاىَ​ۚ اَتَوَكَّؤُا عَلَيۡهَا وَاَهُشُّ بِهَا عَلٰى غَـنَمِىۡ وَلِىَ فِيۡهَا مَاٰرِبُ اُخۡرٰى‏ ١٨ قَالَ اَلۡقِهَا يٰمُوۡسٰى‏ ١٩

And what is that in your right hand, O Moses?" He said, "It is my staff; I lean upon it, and I bring down leaves for my sheep and I have therein other uses." [Allāh] said, "Throw it down, O Moses."

[Al-Quran 20:17-19, Translation: Saheeh International] 

Moses (Musa عليه السلام)’ staff was an ordinary daily use item, and through it Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ performed many miracles. 

First, it was turned into a snake, and then returned to its former condition. 

Moses (Musa عليه السلام) was sent to The Pharaoh equipped with just his staff, and it turned into a serpent. The serpent ate up the magic, and the great sorcerers prostrated to Moses (Musa عليه السلام)’ God, submitting to the true religion, and immediately abandoned their sorcery. They didn’t even use their sorcery to try to escape the Pharaoh’s cruel punishment. 

… 

During the Exodus, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ asked Moses (Musa عليه السلام) to strike the sea with his staff, and Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ parted it, paving the way for the Bani Israel to cross the sea, and to drown the mighty Pharaoh and his army. 



David (Daud عليه السلام) sling

وَلَمَّا بَرَزُوۡا لِجَـالُوۡتَ وَجُنُوۡدِهٖ قَالُوۡا رَبَّنَآ اَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرًا وَّثَبِّتۡ اَقۡدَامَنَا وَانۡصُرۡنَا عَلَى الۡقَوۡمِ الۡکٰفِرِيۡنَؕ‏ ٢٥٠ فَهَزَمُوۡهُمۡ بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰهِ ۙ وَقَتَلَ دَاوٗدُ جَالُوۡتَ وَاٰتٰٮهُ اللّٰهُ الۡمُلۡكَ وَالۡحِکۡمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهٗ مِمَّا يَشَآءُ ​ؕ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ اللّٰهِ النَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُمۡ بِبَعۡضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الۡاَرۡضُ وَلٰـکِنَّ اللّٰهَ ذُوۡ فَضۡلٍ عَلَى الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏ ٢٥١ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ اللّٰهِ نَـتۡلُوۡهَا عَلَيۡكَ بِالۡحَـقِّ​ؕ وَاِنَّكَ لَمِنَ الۡمُرۡسَلِيۡنَ‏ ٢٥٢

And when they went forth to [face] Goliath and his soldiers, they said, "Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people." So they defeated them by permission of Allāh, and David killed Goliath, and Allāh gave him the kingship and wisdom [i.e., prophethood] and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allāh checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the worlds. These are the verses of Allāh which We recite to you, [O Muḥammad], in truth. And indeed, you are from among the messengers.

[Al-Quran 2:250-252, Translation: Saheeh International] 

49 David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, and hurled it with his sling. It struck the P’lishti in his forehead and buried itself in his forehead, so that he fell face down on the ground. 50 Thus David defeated the P’lishti with a sling and a stone, striking the P’lishti and killing him; but David had no sword in his hand. 51 Then David ran and stood over the P’lishti, took his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and finished killing him, cutting off his head with it.

[The Bible, 1 Samuel 17 CJB]

To defeat the giant Goliath (Jalut), all that David (Daud عليه السلام) needed was a sling and a stone.  



Jonah (Yunus عليه السلام)'s single sentence

فَلَوۡلَا كَانَتۡ قَرۡيَةٌ اٰمَنَتۡ فَنَفَعَهَاۤ اِيۡمَانُهَاۤ اِلَّا قَوۡمَ يُوۡنُسَ ۚؕ لَمَّاۤ اٰمَنُوۡا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡهُمۡ عَذَابَ الۡخِزۡىِ فِى الۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا وَمَتَّعۡنٰهُمۡ اِلٰى حِيۡنٍ‏ ٩٨

Then has there not been a [single] city that believed so its faith benefited it except the people of Jonah? When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time.

[Al-Quran 10:98, Translation: Saheeh International] 

The word of Adonai came to Yonah a second time: 2 “Set out for the great city of Ninveh, and proclaim to it the message I will give you.” 3 So Yonah set out and went to Ninveh, as Adonai had said. Now Ninveh was such a large city that it took three days just to cross it. 4 Yonah began his entry into the city and had finished only his first day of proclaiming, ‘In forty days Ninveh will be overthrown,’ 5 when the people of Ninveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. 6 When the news reached the king of Ninveh, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 He then had this proclamation made throughout Ninveh: “By decree of the king and his nobles, no person or animal, herd or flock, is to put anything in his mouth; they are neither to eat nor drink water. 8 They must be covered with sackcloth, both people and animals; and they are to cry out to God with all their might — let each of them turn from his evil way and from the violence they practice. 9 Who knows? Maybe God will change his mind, relent and turn from his fierce anger; and then we won’t perish.”

10 When God saw by their deeds that they had turned from their evil way, he relented and did not bring on them the punishment he had threatened.
[The Bible, Jonah 3 CJB]

To save the sinful city of that era, all that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ gave Jonah (Yunus عليه السلام) was a sentence. He preached and they repented immediately, all of them, and thus were saved from annihilation. 



Job (Ayub عليه السلام)'s cool bath and drink

وَاذۡكُرۡ عَبۡدَنَاۤ اَيُّوۡبَۘ اِذۡ نَادٰى رَبَّهٗۤ اَنِّىۡ مَسَّنِىَ الشَّيۡطٰنُ بِنُصۡبٍ وَّعَذَابٍؕ‏ ٤١ اُرۡكُضۡ بِرِجۡلِكَ​ ۚ هٰذَا مُغۡتَسَلٌ ۢ بَارِدٌ وَّشَرَابٌ‏ ٤٢

And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment." [So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for a] cool bath and drink."

[Al-Quran 38:41-42, Translation: Saheeh International] 

All that was needed to cure Job (Ayub عليه السلام) was something very cold to bathe with, and to drink. 



Adam عليه السلام eating from a forbidden tree

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَاۤ اَنۡفُسَنَا وَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَـنَكُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِيۡنَ‏ ٢٣ قَالَ اهۡبِطُوۡا بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَـعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ​ ۚ وَلَـكُمۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرٌّ وَّمَتَاعٌ اِلٰى حِيۡنٍ‏ ٢٤ قَالَ فِيۡهَا تَحۡيَوۡنَ وَفِيۡهَا تَمُوۡتُوۡنَ وَمِنۡهَا تُخۡرَجُوۡنَ‏ ٢٥ يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ قَدۡ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسًا يُّوَارِىۡ سَوۡاٰتِكُمۡ وَرِيۡشًا​ ؕ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقۡوٰى ۙ ذٰ لِكَ خَيۡرٌ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ مِنۡ اٰيٰتِ اللّٰهِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُوۡنَ‏ ٢٦ يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ لَا يَفۡتِنَـنَّكُمُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ كَمَاۤ اَخۡرَجَ اَبَوَيۡكُمۡ مِّنَ الۡجَـنَّةِ يَنۡزِعُ عَنۡهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوۡءاٰتِهِمَا ؕ اِنَّهٗ يَرٰٮكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيۡلُهٗ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَهُمۡ​ ؕ اِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا الشَّيٰطِيۡنَ اَوۡلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِيۡنَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ ٢٧

They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers." [Allāh] said, "Descend, being to one another enemies. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time." He said, "Therein you will live, and therein you will die, and from it you will be brought forth." O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allāh that perhaps they will remember. O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.

[Al-Quran 7:23-27, Translation: Saheeh International] 

All that was needed to harm Adam عليه السلام was to eat from a certain forbidden tree. As soon as they both ate from it, they harmed their soul, and their body. They lost their natural cover. Their clothes were stripped off. 



Desires & Deception 

۞ يَسۡـــَٔلُوۡنَكَ عَنِ الۡخَمۡرِ وَالۡمَيۡسِرِ​ؕ قُلۡ فِيۡهِمَآ اِثۡمٌ کَبِيۡرٌ وَّمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَاِثۡمُهُمَآ اَکۡبَرُ مِنۡ نَّفۡعِهِمَا ؕ وَيَسۡـــَٔلُوۡنَكَ مَاذَا يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ   قُلِ الۡعَفۡوَ​ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّٰهُ لَـكُمُ الۡاٰيٰتِ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُوۡنَۙ‏ ٢١٩ فِى الدُّنۡيَا وَالۡاٰخِرَةِؕ وَيَسۡـــَٔلُوۡنَكَ عَنِ الۡيَتٰمٰىؕ قُلۡ اِصۡلَاحٌ لَّهُمۡ خَيۡرٌ ؕ وَاِنۡ تُخَالِطُوۡهُمۡ فَاِخۡوَانُكُمۡ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ يَعۡلَمُ الۡمُفۡسِدَ مِنَ الۡمُصۡلِحِ​ؕ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَاَعۡنَتَكُمۡؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَزِيۡزٌ حَكِيۡمٌ‏ ٢٢٠

They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allāh makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought To this world and the Hereafter. And they ask you about orphans. Say, "Improvement for them is best. And if you mix your affairs with theirs - they are your brothers. And Allāh knows the corrupter from the amender. And if Allāh had willed, He could have put you in difficulty. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise."

[Al-Quran 2:219-220, Translation: Saheeh International] 

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنَّمَا الۡخَمۡرُ وَالۡمَيۡسِرُ وَالۡاَنۡصَابُ وَالۡاَزۡلَامُ رِجۡسٌ مِّنۡ عَمَلِ الشَّيۡطٰنِ فَاجۡتَنِبُوۡهُ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ‏  ٩٠ اِنَّمَا يُرِيۡدُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ اَنۡ يُّوۡقِعَ بَيۡنَكُمُ الۡعَدَاوَةَ وَالۡبَغۡضَآءَ فِى الۡخَمۡرِ وَالۡمَيۡسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمۡ عَنۡ ذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلٰوةِ​ ۚ فَهَلۡ اَنۡـتُمۡ مُّنۡتَهُوۡنَ‏ ٩١

O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allāh], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allāh and from prayer. So will you not desist?

[Al-Quran 5:90-91, Translation: Saheeh International] 

All that the devil needs to arouse sinful desires is for humans to consume some intoxicants. 
Our wealth is something that we will be made accountable for on the Day of Judgement. Wasteful spending earns sins. ... 



Mosquitoes 

۞ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَسۡتَحۡـىٖۤ اَنۡ يَّضۡرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوۡضَةً فَمَا فَوۡقَهَا ​ؕ فَاَمَّا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا فَيَعۡلَمُوۡنَ اَنَّهُ الۡحَـقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّهِمۡ​ۚ وَاَمَّا الَّذِيۡنَ ڪَفَرُوۡا فَيَقُوۡلُوۡنَ مَاذَآ اَرَادَ اللّٰهُ بِهٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهٖ ڪَثِيۡرًا وَّيَهۡدِىۡ بِهٖ كَثِيۡرًا ​ؕ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهٖۤ اِلَّا الۡفٰسِقِيۡنَۙ ٢٦ الَّذِيۡنَ يَنۡقُضُوۡنَ عَهۡدَ اللّٰهِ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مِيۡثَاقِهٖ وَيَقۡطَعُوۡنَ مَآ اَمَرَ اللّٰهُ بِهٖۤ اَنۡ يُّوۡصَلَ وَيُفۡسِدُوۡنَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ​ؕ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الۡخٰسِرُوۡنَ‏ ٢٧
Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allāh intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient, Who break the covenant of Allāh after contracting it and sever that which Allāh has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers.
[Al-Quran 2:26-27, Translation: Saheeh International] 

A tiny, female mosquito, going from human to human, foraging for a blood meal, is all it takes to spread dangerous diseases. Mosquitoes have been known to bring diseases to humans since thousands of years.  … 



Noah's ark 

فَفَتَحۡنَاۤ اَبۡوَابَ السَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍ مُّنۡهَمِرٍ ۖ‏ ١١ وَّفَجَّرۡنَا الۡاَرۡضَ عُيُوۡنًا فَالۡتَقَى الۡمَآءُ عَلٰٓى اَمۡرٍ قَدۡ قُدِرَ​ۚ‏ ١٢ وَحَمَلۡنٰهُ عَلٰى ذَاتِ اَلۡوَاحٍ وَّدُسُرٍۙ‏ ١٣ تَجۡرِىۡ بِاَعۡيُنِنَا​ۚ جَزَآءً لِّمَنۡ كَانَ كُفِرَ‏ ١٤ وَلَقَدْ تَّرَكۡنٰهَاۤ اٰيَةً فَهَلۡ مِنۡ مُّدَّكِرٍ‏ ١٥ فَكَيۡفَ كَانَ عَذَابِىۡ وَنُذُرِ‏ ١٦ وَلَقَدۡ يَسَّرۡنَا الۡقُرۡاٰنَ لِلذِّكۡرِ فَهَلۡ مِنۡ مُّدَّكِرٍ‏ ١٧ 

Then We opened the gates of the heaven with rain pouring down And caused the earth to burst with springs, and the waters met for a matter already predestined. And We carried him on a [construction of] planks and nails, Sailing under Our observation as reward for he who had been denied. And We left it as a sign, so is there any who will remember? And how [severe] were My punishment and warning. And We have certainly made the Qur’ān easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? 

[Al-Quran 54:11-17, Translation: Saheeh International]  

A simple construction of planks and nails was used to save the few who believed Noah (Nuh عليه السلام). 

… 



Repentance 

اَفَمِنۡ هٰذَا الۡحَدِيۡثِ تَعۡجَبُوۡنَۙ‏ ٥٩ وَتَضۡحَكُوۡنَ وَلَا تَبۡكُوۡنَۙ‏ ٦٠ وَاَنۡتُمۡ سٰمِدُوۡنَ‏ ٦١ فَاسۡجُدُوۡا لِلّٰهِ وَاعۡبُدُوۡا ۩ ٦٢

Then at this statement do you wonder? And you laugh and do not weep While you are proudly sporting? So prostrate to Allāh and worship [Him].

[Al-Quran 53:59-62, Translation: Saheeh International] 

To be forgiven, all that's needed is sincere repentance: weeping and shedding tears in front of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 



… 

… 

To defeat the USA and their allies, all that the Afghanis needed was unwavering faith and trust in Allah عزوجل . While the world struggled with Covid-19 disease, the Afghanis fearlessly continued their resistance till eventually the invading troops had to withdraw. 



Related Posts:

a blessed Book 

The Qur’an: a Revelation 

The Torah & The Quran 

Explained in Detail 

Moses (Musa عليه السلام)’ staff 

The Serpent & The Snake: a Clear Sign 

No ilah but Allah لا إله إلا الله

David (Daud عليه السلام) sling 

... 

Jonah (Yunus عليه السلام)'s single sentence

Anger, Anguish & The Repentance 

Job (Ayub عليه السلام)'s cool bath and drink 

Affliction, Cure, and The Roman Cult 

Adversity: Fatigue and Torment 

Adam عليه السلام eating from a forbidden tree

Natural Clothing 

Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation 

Adam's Covenant & Expulsion: an overview 

Humans & The Human Condition 

Desires & Deception 

Satan's Enmity: Origin & Objective 

Adam & Job 

Mosquitoes 

The Example of The Mosquito 


Honey Bee 


Pairs of Glaciers 

Noah's ark 

Noah's Ark 

The Flood 

Repentance 

Tears of Joy 

... if you slip 

Last updated on: May 12, 2024



Thursday, January 16, 2020

... if you slip

… Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. [12:40]
Mission of the Messengers-XXXV 


Abstract 
Surah al-Baqarah begins with the fact that the Book is a guidance for the pious: those who fear Allah and try to keep their duty. Surah Saad begins with the mention of powerful people who reject the reminder. It also lists powerful men who were outstandingly excellent, pious believers. In between the two extremes, it relates some details about three powerful men who repeatedly turned back to Allah.
We may keep faltering and failing, but if we hold on to the rope of Allah, taking guidance from The Quran, repenting and reforming, we have hope of a beautiful return, Allah willing. 

Or should We treat those who believe and do reformative deeds like those who spread corruption in the earth? Or should We treat the pious like the wicked?
[Al-Quran 38:28; typos & translation edited]


Full Text 


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

فَإِن زَلَلْتُم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ۚ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ

O you who believe[d]! Enter in submission/Islam completely, and (do) not follow footsteps (of) the Shaitaan. Indeed, he (is) for you an enemy open.
Then if you slip from after [what] came to you (from) the clear proofs, then know that Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Are they waiting [except] that comes to them Allah in (the) shadows of [the] clouds, and the Angels, and is decreed the matter? And to Allah return (all) the matters.
[Al-Quran 2:208-210]


Surah al-Baqarah begins with the fact that the Book is a guidance for the pious: those who fear Allah and try to keep their duty (هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ). The surah narrates to us some of Adam's story which include him being taught all the names by Allah Himself, all angels except Iblis, the Shatiaan, prostrating to Adam, the Khalifah of the Earth, and then:  

وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

And We said, "O Adam! Dwell you and your spouse (in) Paradise, and [you both] eat from it freely (from) wherever you [both] wish. But do not [you two] approach this [the] tree, lest you [both] be of the wrongdoers."
Then made [both of] them slip the Shaitaan from it, and he got [both of] them out from what they [both] were in [it]. And We said, "Go down (all of you), some of you to others (as) enemy; and for you in the earth (is) a dwelling place and a provision for a period."
Then received Adam from his Lord words, So (his Lord) turned towards him. Indeed He! He (is) the Oft-returning, the Most Merciful.
[Al-Quran 2:35-37; typos edited from translation]



The Deen & Universal Peace 
Surah al-Ara`f and Surah Taha inform us that Adam had disobeyed Allah in pursuit of a desire. The Shaitaan had tempted him with the desire:
  • to become angels or immortals (Surah al-Ara`f)
  • for immortality and a kingdom that never decays (Surah Taha) 
Surah ar-Rum warns us that there should be no change in the creation of Allah:

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]

Allah creates and governs perfectly. To retain the perfection, it is essential to maintain everything as is, free of corruption. There are so many aspects of our life: biological, financial, familial, social, political, legal, etc. where we face choices between what Allah has commanded and other ways of doing things. Submitting to Allah's legislation and commands is essential for any hope to return to The Gardens of Eternity. Our temporal life now is but a test and an opportunity to repent and reform, turning back to Allah in submission. Those who repent and submit can look forward to Immortality and A Kingdom that Never Decays, while those who insist upon their crimes and evil ways will eventually be contained forever in Hell.  The Quran defines the three laws (الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ):


Universal Peace can only be achieved when all criminals are contained, and all acquitted are reformed, and the Deen is entirely Allah's, the True King.



Turning Back to Allah  

ص ۚ وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ

بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ

كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ

Saad. By the Quran full (of) reminder.
Nay, those who disbelieve (are) in self-glory and opposition.
How many We destroyed before them of a generation, then they called out when there (was) no longer time (for) escape.
[Al-Quran 38:1-3]

...


قُلْ مَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُ بَعْدَ حِينٍ

Say, "Not I ask you for it any payment, and not I am of the ones who pretend.
Not it (is) except a Reminder to the worlds.
And surely you will know its information after a time."
[Al-Quran 38:86-88]

Surah Saad begins with the mention of powerful people who reject the reminder. It reminds the reader of powerful leaders of magnificent nations who rejected their messengers and were destroyed. It also cites a list of powerful men who were outstandingly excellent, pious believers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul-Kifl. The former strove only for this dunya, while the latter group's focus was on the remembrance of the permanent home in the Hereafter!

In between the two extremes, it also relates some details about three powerful men who repeatedly turned back to Allah: David, Solomon and Job. The surah concludes with the story of Adam and Iblis, and his being granted permission to mislead for a limited time:


قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ

إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ

قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ

قَالَ فَالْحَقُّ وَالْحَقَّ أَقُولُ

لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكَ وَمِمَّن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

He said, "My Lord! Then give me until (the) Day they are resurrected."
He said, "Then indeed, you (are) of those given respite,
Until (the) Day (of) the time well-known."
He said, 'Then by Thy might I will surely mislead them all.
Except Your slaves among them the chosen ones."
He said, "Then (it is) the truth and the truth I say,
Surely I will fill Hell with you and those who follow you among them all."
[Al-Quran 38:79-85]

The wonderful news is that the chosen ones are those who are able to overcome the tricks of Satan and are able to repent and reform while there is still time! The focus of the narratives is on their earnest repentance and Allah's acceptance of it.


The Responsibility of Khilafat 
The Quran (38:20) mentions David's Kingdom, wisdom and decisive speech (وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ). He was asked to judge (Q38:22) between two brothers, one of whom was outwitting the other with his speech (وَعَزَّنِي فِي الْخِطَابِ). David realised that actually it was he who was being tried. Other sources narrate some details, but The Quran is silent on the background of this. However, very eloquently, The Quran informs us that David realised the lesson there was in it for him and he repented:

قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الْخُلَطَاءِ لَيَبْغِي بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ ۩

فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

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

He said, "Certainly, he has wronged you by demanding your ewe to his ewes. And indeed, many of the partners certainly oppress some of them [on] another except those who believe and do righteous deeds and few (are) they." And became certain Dawood that We (had) tried him, and he asked forgiveness (of) his Lord and fell down bowing and turned in repentance.
So We forgave for him that. And indeed, for him with Us surely is a near access and a good place of return.
"O Dawood! Indeed, We [We] have made you a vicegerent in the earth, so judge between [the] men in truth and (do) not follow the desire, for it will lead you astray from (the) way (of) Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from (the) way (of) Allah, for them (is) a punishment severe because they forgot (the) Day (of) Account."
[Al-Quran 38:24-26]


Priority of Allah over Everything Else 

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ ۚ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ

فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ

رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ

وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ

وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ

هَـٰذَا عَطَاؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

And We gave to Dawood Sulaiman, an excellent slave. Indeed, he (was) one who repeatedly turned
When were displayed to him in the afternoon excellent bred steeds.
And he said, "Indeed, I [I] preferred (the) love (of) the good over (the) remembrance (of) my Lord." Until they were hidden in the veil;
"Return them to me." Then he began (to) pass (his hand) over the legs and the necks.
And certainly We tried Sulaiman, and We placed on his throne a body; then he turned.
He said, "O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingdom, not (will) belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You [You] (are) the Bestower."
Then We subjected to him the wind to flow by his command, gently, wherever he directed,
And the devils, every builder and diver,
And others bound in chains.
"This (is) Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."
And indeed, for him with Us surely is a near access and a good place of return.
[Al-Quran 38:30-40; typos edited]


Even though an excellent slave of Allah, Solomon was negligent in performing his contact prayers on time, and the love of the good that Allah had bestowed upon him was dearer to him than the timely remembrance of Allah. In spite of realising his negligence, he continued doing what he was doing, till he almost lost his kingdom! It was then that he realised the seriousness and repented, and his Lord bestowed upon him much more than what he was going to lose.


Enduring Suffering with Patience
In the story of Prophet Job, we read his prayer that:


وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ

ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِب بِّهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."
[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."
And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.
[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah ].
[Al-Quran 38:41-44, Translation: Sahih International]

The Bible relates to us that Shaitaan had taken express permission from God to inflict immense suffering upon Job, with permission for everything except to kill him. The Bible informs us that Job was very upright and grateful, and this suffering was not a consequence of any sin committed by Job, but rather to see if he would continue to remain grateful and upright even when experiencing extreme suffering and loss. The Quran informs us that Job endured patiently and he repeatedly turned back to Allah. He was eventually granted a cure and given more than the loss that he had suffered during this trial.  


In David, Solomon, and Job, we have inspirational examples of hope in the Mercy of Allah! We may keep faltering and failing, but if we hold on to the rope of Allah, taking guidance from The Quran and prior scriptures, repenting and reforming, we have hope of a beautiful return, Allah willing.

 وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ

أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

And not We created the heaven and the earth and whatever (is) between them without purpose. That (is the) assumption (of) those who disbelieve. So woe to those who disbelieve, from the Fire.
Or should We treat those who believe and do reformative deeds like those who spread corruption in the earth? Or should We treat the pious like the wicked?
(This is) a Book We have revealed it to you, blessed (flourishing with knowledge and guidance), that they may ponder (over) its ayaat and may be reminded those of understanding.
[Al-Quran 38:27-29; typos & translation edited]




Credits
Arabic text copied from: https://www.searchtruth.com/
Translation copied from: https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/ 


Last updated on:  January 23, 2020

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Generating The Evidence

… Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. [12:40]
And when I am ill, then He cures me, [Al-Quran 26:80]

Mission of the Messengers-XXXIV
Disease & Cure - X

Abstract
Our story begins with Allah teaching Adam knowledge (Q2:31) and repentance (Q2:37). Allah, in His Absolute Knowledge, knows who is a believer and who isn't. People are free to choose. The Quran details Allah's guidance. Allah is watching everyone constantly, as well as causing everything to be recorded. Moreover, Allah never errs nor does He ever forget. On the Day of Judgment, just and legal, and permanent recompense is to be expected from The Most Just of All Judges, The Real King.



Full Text




فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُولُو بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا أُتْرِفُوا فِيهِ وَكَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ

وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ

وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً ۖ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ

إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ ۚ وَلِذَ‌ٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ ۗ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ ۚ وَجَاءَكَ فِي هَـٰذِهِ الْحَقُّ وَمَوْعِظَةٌ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ اعْمَلُوا عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنَّا عَامِلُونَ

وَانتَظِرُوا إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ

وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ الْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُ فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

So why were there not among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth - except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.
And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.
And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ.
Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them. But the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and men all together."
And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.
And say to those who do not believe, "Work according to your position; indeed, we are working.
And wait, indeed, we are waiting."
And to Allah belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it, so worship Him and rely upon Him. And your Lord is not unaware of that which you do.
[Al-Quran 11:116-123, Translation: Saheeh International]


Backdrop
Our story begins with Allah teaching Adam knowledge (Q2:31) and repentance (Q2:37). The role of Iblis as a misleader is made amply clear across the text. After teaching Adam repentance, it was proclaimed:

قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."
[Al-Quran 2:38-39, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah al-Ara`f further informs us that the descendants of Adam were made witness over their nafs (Q7:172).  We learn from other ayaat of The Quran that the greatest losers will be those who will lose their nafs on The Day of Judgment. Surah al-Mudathir informs us:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ رَهِينَةٌ

Every soul nafs, for what it has earned, will be retained
[Al-Quran 74:38, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]



Free Will & The Opportunity to Sin

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion (الدِّينِ). The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light (النُّورِ). And those who disbelieve - their allies are Taghut. They take them out of the light (النُّورِ) into darknesses. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.
[Al-Quran 2:256, Translation: Saheeh International, edited to retain Arabic text]

Allah, in His Absolute Knowledge, knows who is a believer and who isn't. The Quran and prior scriptures have been revealed for the guidance of those who wish to keep their duty. There is no compulsion on anyone. People are free to choose. The choices they make and the deeds they do generate the evidence for or against themselves:

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ

أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا ۚ سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

مَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ أَجَلَ اللَّهِ لَآتٍ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

وَمَن جَاهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
...
وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?
But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.
Or do those who do evil deeds think they can outrun Us? Evil is what they judge.
Whoever should hope for the meeting with Allah - indeed, the term decreed by Allah is coming. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
And whoever strives only strives for [the benefit of] himself his nafs. Indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.
...
And Allah will surely make evident those who believe, and He will surely make evident the hypocrites.
[Al-Quran 29:2-6, ... 11, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]


People who wish to keep their duty can abide by the scriptures to reform themselves and lead a pious life, and people who choose otherwise can do what they want to. Surah al-Fussilat clarifies:

مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ

Whoever does righteousness - it is for his [own] soul nafs; and whoever does evil [does so] against it. And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants.
[Al-Quran 41:46, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]



The Standing Law of Recompense 
The Quran details Allah's guidance. It exhorts the good and forbids the bad. It encourages the Believers to act upon the guidance, and to become people who exhort the good and forbid the bad. It also defines the three laws of recompense, al-deen al-qayimah, generally translated as the correct religion:


On the Day of Judgment, just and legal, and permanent recompense is to be expected from The Most Just of All Judges, The Real King.

In Adam's story, we read about the loss he suffered, an inherited rare disorder we witness daily on our body: no natural clothing! Surah at-Teen reminds us of our condition:




Innocent Until Proven Guilty 
As mentioned in Surah al-Isra`, Surah Qaf and Surah al-Infitar, everything we say and do is being constantly recorded in our neck. Whatever we say or do therefore becomes evidence for or against us. To quote from Surah Yasin and Surah alFussilat:

فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌۭ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

إِنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى شُغُلٍۢ فَـٰكِهُونَ

هُمْ وَأَزْوَ‌ٰجُهُمْ فِى ظِلَـٰلٍ عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ مُتَّكِـُٔونَ

لَهُمْ فِيهَا فَـٰكِهَةٌۭ وَلَهُم مَّا يَدَّعُونَ

سَلَـٰمٌۭ قَوْلًۭا مِّن رَّبٍّۢ رَّحِيمٍۢ

وَٱمْتَـٰزُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

 ۞ أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

وَأَنِ ٱعْبُدُونِى ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَ‌ٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنكُمْ جِبِلًّۭا كَثِيرًا ۖ أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْقِلُونَ

هَـٰذِهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

ٱصْلَوْهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

ٱلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰٓ أَفْوَ‌ٰهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

So today no soul nafs will be wronged at all, and you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do.
Indeed the companions of Paradise, that Day, will be amused in [joyful] occupation -
They and their spouses - in shade, reclining on adorned couches.
For them therein is fruit, and for them is whatever they request [or wish]
[And] "Peace," a word from a Merciful Lord.
[Then He will say], "But stand apart today, you criminals.
Did I not enjoin upon you, O children of Adam, that you not worship Satan - [for] indeed, he is to you a clear enemy -
And that you worship [only] Me? This is a straight path.
And he had already led astray from among you much of creation, so did you not use reason?
This is the Hellfire which you were promised.
[Enter to] burn therein today for what you used to deny."
That Day, We will seal over their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn.
[Al-Quran 36:54-65, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]



وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

وَقَالُوا۟ لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنطَقَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ أَن يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَآ أَبْصَـٰرُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن ظَنَنتُمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَثِيرًۭا مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

وَذَ‌ٰلِكُمْ ظَنُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى ظَنَنتُم بِرَبِّكُمْ أَرْدَىٰكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ

فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًۭى لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ

And [mention, O Muhammad], the Day when the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire while they are [driven] assembled in rows,
Until, when they reach it, their hearing and their eyes and their skins will testify against them of what they used to do.
And they will say to their skins, "Why have you testified against us?" They will say, "We were made to speak by Allah, who has made everything speak; and He created you the first time, and to Him you are returned.
And you were not covering yourselves, lest your hearing testify against you or your sight or your skins, but you assumed that Allah does not know much of what you do.
And that was your assumption which you assumed about your Lord. It has brought you to ruin, and you have become among the losers."
So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allah], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease.
[Al-Quran 41:19-24, Translation: Saheeh International]




Conviction & Containment

قَالَ عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي فِي كِتَابٍ ۖ لَّا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلَا يَنسَى

[Moses] said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets."
[Al-Quran 20:52, Translation: Saheeh International]

Allah is watching everyone constantly, as well as causing everything to be recorded. Moreover, Allah never errs nor does He ever forget. Therefore, on the Day of Judgment, all cases will be judged with absolute justice and no one will be wronged in the least.

In this world, the believers, the hypocrites and the disbelievers have to deal with each other: nationally, socially and at times, even domestically. The Day of Judgement is the Day of Separation when the good and the bad will be permanently sorted and separated from each other.


إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ

لِيَمِيزَ اللَّهُ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ وَيَجْعَلَ الْخَبِيثَ بَعْضَهُ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَيَرْكُمَهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَجْعَلَهُ فِي جَهَنَّمَ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِن يَنتَهُوا يُغْفَرْ لَهُم مَّا قَدْ سَلَفَ وَإِن يَعُودُوا فَقَدْ مَضَتْ سُنَّتُ الْأَوَّلِينَ

وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ كُلُّهُ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah. So they will spend it; then it will be for them a [source of] regret; then they will be overcome. And those who have disbelieved - unto Hell they will be gathered.
[This is] so that Allah may distinguish the wicked from the good and place the wicked some of them upon others and heap them all together and put them into Hell. It is those who are the losers.
Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.
And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease - then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.
[Al-Quran 8:36-37, Translation: Saheeh International]


يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ الْجَمْعِ ۖ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ يَوْمُ التَّغَابُنِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly - that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allah and does righteousness - He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.
But the ones who disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of the Fire, abiding eternally therein; and wretched is the destination.
[Al-Quran 64:9-10, Translation: Saheeh International]




Prayers for Protection from The Fire
Allah, in His infinite Mercy, has caused angels to constantly pray for our forgiveness. We must make best use of this life: this opportunity to seek Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy. 





Sincere Repentance 
Surah al-Furqan reminds us that it is Allah who causes to flourish, and then goes on to describe The Most Merciful's servants, concluding with a beautiful message of hope for those who repent sincerely:

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ فِي السَّمَاءِ بُرُوجًا وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا سِرَاجًا وَقَمَرًا مُّنِيرًا

وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةً لِّمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُورًا

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا

إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا

يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَتَابًا

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

أُولَـٰئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا

قُلْ مَا يَعْبَأُ بِكُمْ رَبِّي لَوْلَا دُعَاؤُكُمْ ۖ فَقَدْ كَذَّبْتُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَكُونُ لِزَامًا

Blessed is Causes to flourish He who has placed in the sky great stars and placed therein a [burning] lamp and luminous moon.
And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,
And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]
And those who say, "Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering;
Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence."
And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate
And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated -
Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance.
And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.
And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind.
And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous."
Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace.
Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence.
Say, "What would my Lord care for you if not for your supplication?" For you [disbelievers] have denied, so your denial is going to be adherent.
[Al-Quran 25:61-77, Translation: Saheeh International; edited in italics]



Last updated on: January 23, 2020