Messages

241

General Discussions / concept of life!

« on: April 18, 2013, 01:05:23 AM »

According to the concept of life given by the Holy Quran, man is comprised of his body and his self. The objective of life is the growth and development of self so that it could be able to pass through further evolutionary stages.  Its growth and development can be possible by respecting and following those permanent values which Quran presents as permanent values.   At present, the growth of life and development of human self can be achieved by living within the body.   Therefore, growth and development of human body is also absolutely essential.   Its growth and development are accomplished by fulfilling its physical demands.  Based on this, it is quite necessary for the worldly life of man to be of good quality.   

At this stage, the teachings of the Holy Quran emerges as different and distinguished from those of other religions of the world which regard the world and its attractions as hateful, and consider that the secret of ‘human salvation’ lies in giving them up.  The Quran regards the needs and requirements of worldly life as a pivotal part of its program, and considers their fulfillment necessary.   However, it happens that there might be a mutual clash between the demands of worldly life and permanent values.  And when this happens, the physical demands should be sacrificed for the preservation of permanent values so that growth and development of human self may not get stopped and thereby his life in the hereafter may not get destroyed.   In the words of the Holy Quran, this is called a comparison of ‘the worldly life’ and the ‘life in the hereafter’.   These are places where it says that the worldly life and its value are relatively very small. Those who prefer the worldly material and negate permanent values (the interests of their self) are at a great loss because they prefer immediate benefit over permanent benefit.   Immediate benefit (i.e. the material for growth and development of physical life) can be achieved through physical laws, and there is a no distinction between a Momin and an unbeliever.   Whoever acts in accordance with these laws he will get those benefits.  But the person who makes these benefits as the only aim of life without caring for permanent values (or the life in the Hereafter), his future life gets destroyed.                 
             
Therefore according to the Quran, the objective of human life is to act according to physical laws and to conquer the natural forces and to utilize them as per the permanent values.   Based on this, there are three categories of people;

(a)  Those who get worldly materials by acting according to physical laws and use them as per permanent values.  Their worldly life will be glittering and their life in the hereafter also will be shining. They will be called Momin.

(b) Those who obtain worldly material by acting according to physical laws but do not care for permanent values, they will harvest worldly benefits, but their life in the hereafter will remain dark.  They are called unbelievers, i.e. the rejecters of permanent values.

(c) Those who do not work according to physical laws, and as a result, they do not possess material for their worldly life, therefore, their worldly life will be dark.  And since they do not get material for life, then the question of spending it according to permanent values does not arise at all. Therefore their life in the hereafter will also be dark. These are the people who regard the worldly life as hateful.

242

General Discussions / Re: Ayah 59:70

« on: April 17, 2013, 05:23:49 PM »

Assalamu Alaikum,

According to Quran, ‘saleh’ deeds are acts which develop one’s capabilities. The verse means, if someone/ group of people repent, make amendments, keep away from evil deeds, reform,  and work to develop their capabilities, Allah’s law will bring positive changes in them and this will transform their evil deeds into good deeds and thus give them protection from the deficiencies created from their wrong deeds.

Regards,
Optimist

243

General Discussions / Re: Cracked moon and the Quran

« on: April 12, 2013, 02:39:00 PM »

Ok
Regards,
Optimist

244

General Discussions / Re: Cracked moon and the Quran

« on: April 11, 2013, 12:29:18 PM »

Hello Optimist,

Can you post a rebuttal to the following comments from brother joseph islam from his following article.  I respectfully submit I have  a different view for 54:1 but I do completely agree with his comments explaining 54:2.

There is no need for a rebuttal since there is no tension between my understanding and brother Joseph's article.  If I'm not misunderstanding his view, he states the first two verses are not tied together whereas I see a connection.  Maybe suggesting  the possibility of a lunar eclipse at the right time is my justification to ease the tension created from the assumption of lunar cracking.  Otherwise, as do millions believe, I have to come up with the conclusion that God caused the moon split for a short time to appease His prophet who has been challenged to produce a miracle.

We are presented with ayatullah in the nature all the time.  The problem comes when we do not recognize it as ayat and disregard its source.

Kindly consider if it is possible for prophet to show a lunar eclipse to people as a sign of his prophet-hood and people rejected it saying it is just a magic/ sorcery (as if the people lived there never knew or saw how a lunar eclipse look like) and also, do you think we can reconcile the words "the hour has come near" (if it would mean end of world), with a particular 'Lunar eclipse' happened during prophet' time, since several lunar eclipses have happened in the world thereafter.   And also it would be strange to show the people a lunar eclipse and to tell them the “the moon has split”.  The people would not have said "magic/sorcery", instead, they would have told the prophet not to make them fools.

I believe if we go for literal interpretation of verse 54:1 and try to link it with 54:2 we will have to believe, as do millions believe, God caused the moon split into two separate parts, which goes against other Quranic verses.  Kindly go through the same article of brother joseph islam, the first part.

I have no other points to make.  Thank you and take care.

Assa'lamu alaikum

Regards
Optimist

245

General Discussions / Re: Cracked moon and the Quran

« on: April 10, 2013, 02:43:54 PM »

Peace Optimist,

People usually experience stress when challenged with  new information that is contradictory to their long held beliefs.  Ego uses different defense mechanisms like rejection, avoidance, rationalization, to protect itself from threatening feelings or perceptions .  In the instance of the splitting of the moon, there certainly is a tension in the hearts/minds of the pagans.  I was pointing out that it is very natural for people to explain away the event as magical spell to neutralize the tension.  We all do that in one way or another, sometimes or often.  It is the human nature that we need to recognize and work on it.

Peace to you!

Firstly  I appreciate you statement "We all do that in one way or another, sometimes or often".

Well,  I expect from you a rational analysis instead of simply stating splitting of the moon created tension in the hearts/minds of the pagans.   Can you post a rebuttal to the following comments from brother joseph islam from his following article.  I respectfully submit I have  a different view for 54:1 but I do completely agree with his comments explaining 54:2.

http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/prophet's%20miracles%20FM3.htm

With regards the moon split, we further read:

054.002
And if they see a sign, they turn away, and say, "transient magic." And they denied (Arabic: wa-kadhabu) and follow their desires but every matter has its appointed time"

It is significant to note that the word 'kadhab' in Arabic means to give a lie to, to falsely invent something or say something which is not factual, implying that they denied what was being alleged.

Therefore, if the traditional position from Islamic secondary sources  is to be accepted, then the denial would amount to a rejection of the sign that was shown to them (i.e. the alleged splitting of the moon). On the contrary, this could be a reference to a general denial of the truth when it reaches them.

If one is to assume the traditional position, i.e. that the denial was of the sign shown to them (splitting of the moon), then we have an immediate problem as this would infer that Noah's people also denied the same sign.

054:009
"The people of Noah denied before them (Arabic: kadhabat qablahum) and they denied Our slave and said: A madman; and he was repelled"

Please note that there are two denials in this verse.

                (1) A similar denial to the one made by Muhammad's (pbuh) community (kadhabat qablahum), and
                (2) A denial of God's slave (fakadhabu abdha - they denied our servant).

The first denial cannot be a reference to the alleged moon splitting event as Prophet Noah's community were not privy to the specific event that traditions hold to be experienced by Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) community alone. Therefore, this denial most likely refers to a general denial of the truth once it reached them.

We further note, the people of Aad also denied in a similar manner to both Noah's (pbuh) and Muhammad's (pbuh) community.

054.018
"The 'Ad (people) also denied (Arabic: kadhabat): then how terrible was My penalty and My warning"

Similarly, this cannot be a denial of the sign of splitting the moon but a general denial of the truth and the warnings when it reached them. This is further confirmed in the example of Thamud a few verses later.

054:023
"Thamud denied (Arabic: kadhabat) the warnings"

Furthermore, we read that the people of Lot denied the warnings (54:33) and Pharaoh's people also denied the warnings (54:41-2). None of these 'denials' refer to the alleged splitting of the moon.

If all the verses of the Surah (chapter) are analysed as a theme and holistically, it is clear that the sign that the people of Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) community rejected was not the splitting of the moon but a general denial of the truth when it reached them. This no different from the communities of the other messengers mentioned by the Surah.

Regards,
Optimist

246

General Discussions / Re: Cracked moon and the Quran

« on: April 10, 2013, 12:03:10 PM »

Rationalization is one way of the defense system of the nafs.  In this sura we see the people use the 'sihr' as an explanation to remove the tension

Salam alaikum,

Can you elaborate which tension?

Thanks

Optimist

247

General Discussions / Re: Cracked moon and the Quran

« on: April 09, 2013, 11:57:13 PM »

Salaam all,

This verse is not easy for me.  54:2 indicates to me that a phenomenon has happened that led the people to disregard it as magic/sorcery. Maybe there was a lunar eclipse as it will happen again when the time comes,  the moon and the sun will be brought together 75:9

Didn't the pagans have a moon god?  Powerful image to witness a cracking god !

Peace   

Assa'lamu alaikum,

Yes, a powerful image to 'witness' a cracking god that they revered.   54:1 is nothing but good news to Muslims about the collapse of the power and might of the kuffar and their flag carrying the insignia of the moon going to be torn into pieces.   The time mentioned need not necessarily connected to end of world as generally explained, it could be related to end of their rule and collapse of their power.  Here is couple of verses that could be relevant in such an understanding.
 
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ

And every nation hath its term, and when its term cometh, they cannot put it off an hour nor yet advance (it). (7:34)

Say, 'I have no power over any harm or benefit for myself save that which God wills. For every people there is an appointed term. When their term is come, they cannot remain behind a single moment, nor can they get ahead of it.' (10:49)

And verse 54:2 only stating the nature of disbelievers who reject the message of Allah consistently, in spite of clear proof of its truthfulness, stating "An ever-recurring delusion!", إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُبِينٌ repeated at several places in Quran; for instances, 'And if you sayest, 'You shall surely be raised after death,' those who disbelieve will certainly say, 'This is naught but clear deception" (11:7);  the Unbelievers say of the Truth when it comes to them, "This is nothing but evident magic!" (34:43) ;   But when the Truth came to them, they said: "This is sorcery, and we do reject it (43:30)"; And when Our clear Signs are recited unto them, those who disbelieve say of the truth when it comes to them, 'This is manifest sorcery (46:7)"; And said: This is naught else than magic from of old, This is naught else than speech of mortal man (74:24-25).   The subsequent verses that comes after 54:2, the discussion of Noah and rejection of him by his people saying "He is a madman" in 54:9 and the discussion of Aad people in 54:18 and their rejection of the prophet further confirms that it is the rejection of the message that is discussed in 54:2 even after proof of its its truthfulness has come to them.   The verse 54:17 further confirms the point.  "And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?"

Regards,
Optimist

248

General Discussions / Re: Magic or Tricks ?

« on: April 08, 2013, 03:05:03 PM »

Assalamu alaikum

I believe it is magic associated with shirk that is prohibited in Quran.   It is interesting to note what prophet Moses told "the Magicians" in 20:61,  "Woe to you! Forge not ye a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you (at once) utterly by chastisement: the forger must suffer frustration!". 

A magician who does the tricks just for entertaining the people stating that they are only tricks any person can learn (without claiming he has any super natural powers and also not misleading the people) can not be committing any sin and it is not against Quran.   I  can give an example of such a magician, Gopinath Muthukad.

Lashing the evil with the magic batton:-

http://magicweekly.blogspot.ae/2008/06/yukti-jaalam-inspires-youngsters.html

Divineness’ behind the pet demonstrations of certain God men were trembled down, when Gopinath Muthukad’s Yukti Jaalam logically proved that such ‘miracles’ are nothing more than pure magic tricks. If you have the will to practice magic, you can do these ‘God men’ specials with much ease. “I do these tricks to entertain you, whereas so called God men do it for fulfilling their selfish motives”, a confident magician explained to the keen young bloods.

When Mr. Muthukad pulled out statuettes from his mouth, unmasked was one of the popular supernatural demonstrations of certain human Gods. More of such pet performances by the social thieves, were exposed as clear legerdemain. This include producing secretions from photos and idols, catching holy ash from air and making predictions on one’s life. Yukti Jaalam proved each and every miracles performed by so called God men as magic that could be learned by anyone who has a will to practice.

By the way, those who like to get entertained may type his name in youtube to watch some of his wonderful magics

Regards,
Optimist

249

General Discussions / Re: Rationalizing the sorry state of Ummah by the Quran

« on: April 04, 2013, 08:04:44 PM »

Nice way of rationalizing azaab like conditions and giving them a religious twist to make people feel better!!

Wa' alaikumussalam,

This is what happens when Muslims consider the Quran just as a "religious book".  Here is a verse from Quran; Muhammed Asad translation.

"God has promised those of you who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds (‘saleh’ deeds) that, of a certainty, He will cause them to accede to power on earth, even as He caused [some of] those who lived before them to accede to it; and that, of a certainty, He will firmly establish for them the religion which He has been pleased to bestow on them; and that, of a certainty, He will cause their erstwhile state of fear to be replaced by a sense of security – [seeing that] they worship Me [alone], not ascribing divine powers to aught beside Me. But all who, after [having understood] this, choose to deny the truth – it is they, they who are truly iniquitous! (24:55). 

‘saleh’ deeds mentioned in bracket mine.   Here is another similar verse;

"And We have already written in the Book of David, after the reminder, that My righteous servants (saleheen) shall inherit the Land (21:105). 

It is the law of Allah that the saleheen are the most capable people who can rule and inherit the earth over and above all other people.   It is a pity, that the term ‘saleheen’ --- and subsequently, terms like ‘saleh’ deeds  have been misinterpreted by traditional people to mean something very close to the English terms pious, piety, etc.  But, in the Quranic sense, ‘saleheen’ are people who have the ability and capability to perform a particular task; ‘saleh’ deeds are acts which develop one’s capabilities. Therefore, ‘saleheen’ inheriting the control of the Earth refers to people who have the double-edged ability of establishing a sovereign state, and maintaining it to establish the Quranic  society (a heaven on earth) for mankind. When a group of people have the physical qualities required, they can establish sovereign states --- but minus the Quran, they can be only ruthless like those of the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt or even the present-day materialistic empires of the world.   

In the verse quoted by brother Joseph Islam 38.035, the prayer of Solomon,   "He said: My Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any after me. ", and here it does not mean prophet Solomon just prayed and sat idle and the Kingdom came to him without any effort.   One has to work for it to achieve the goal.  The power of rule on earth can be received only as a result of one’s deeds (24:55).   By praying to God (by calling out to Him) Solamon wanted to arouse the qualities within himself that will help him attain his goal.  The words in his praryer shows his passion to build a nation no one can build ever.  He set a great dream in front of him and worked to achieve the goal.  Here is one comment from Iqbal, the poet and a great thinker from one of his works about the power of prayer;

"Prayer, then, does not change the order of things, but it changes people and people change things. As Sura Ra’d 13:12 states “Verily God will not change the condition of men, till they change what is in themselves.” [59] Prayer purifies, enlightens and at last transforms those who submit themselves to it.[60]“Such prayer - prayer which changes both the man who prayes and the world he lives in - is not achieved without concentrated effort.”[61] But once a human being has made this effort and attained spiritual perfection, then he/she is asked - even by God - what he/she desires as his/her destiny."

[59] The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, p. 12.
[60] Underhill, E, Worship, London, 1941. p. 18.
[61] Herman, E, Creative Prayer, p. 38.

Regards,
Optimist

250

Prophets and Messengers / Re: Did the blessed Nabi had knowledge of future events?

« on: April 03, 2013, 06:33:05 PM »

Aa' ssalamu alaikum dear brother joseph islam,

Since I did not clear some points earlier in one of our earlier discussions  let me post a few comments.  I do not want to get into further discussion or arguments with you on this issue.  You may post, if you deem proper to do so, your comments to clarify your position.  I shall not be making any further comments.   

Firstly, I would appreciate your kind attention to the complete "inspiration" given to the mother of Moses.

"And We inspired the mother of Musa: ”“Suckle him (Musa), but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily, We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of the Messengers

This is an inspiration detailing many facts and circumstance and I do not think it can be linked to just putting a thought, 'showing' something or in some way 'aided', etc.   We had discussed the issue earlier and when I told you there is the possibility of a messenger conveying the instructions and the news, you had asked me to name the messenger who conveyed inspiration to the mother of Moses.  I did not directly answer this question at that stage.  We do not know and  maybe it is not mentioned in the Quran  who was the messenger because it is not important.   As you know, Prophet Shoaib was a messenger sent during that period and many scholars believe the father-in-law of Moses was  prophet Shoaib.   And may be there could be another messenger at that time whose name is not mentioned in the Quran. The possibility of a messenger conveying the good news is confirmed by the fact that Quran also using the same language “And behold! I inspired the disciples to have faith in me” (5:111).  Here it is clear that the disciples of Jesus were inspired through Jesus.

Moreover, in the verse it says “awhayna” to the mother of Moses.   If you link the term “awhayna”  with the incident prophet involved,  it would mean there is CLEAR AND OBVIOUS Wahi outside the Quran to prophet which is not correct.   The Quran does not support any outside revelation to prophet other than what is mentioned in the Quran. 

This is the only thing I want to state on this issue.  The question of whether prophet had received any other revelation outside the Quran we shall discuss at some other stage under a different post. 

Regards,
Optimist

251

General Discussions / Re: verse 16:63 , why Allah himself says 'By Allah' in it ?

« on: August 21, 2012, 09:14:04 PM »

16:63 (Sahih international translation)
"By Allah , We did certainly send [messengers] to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds attractive to them. And he is the disbelievers' ally today [as well], and they will have a painful punishment.

Please will you explain me why Allah used the words 'By Allah' himself in 16:63 ? Looks strange.

I don't think it looks strange....the verse is specifically addressed to the prophet  (though the message is for all) and prophet is directly in touch with Allah through wahi  and in order to confirm the fact of the message Allah swears by Himself....to stress the point that no one should have any doubt about what is being stated.

252

General Discussions / Re: On Surah Al-Tahrim Verse 3

« on: August 21, 2012, 01:38:38 PM »

Salamun Alaikum brother Joseph Islam,

I will make a final comment later, since I feel like our discussion is going in a circle.....Insha Allah.

Well, I came across the following hadith.  It is true that hadiths can not be a source of guidance due to human effort in the collection and basically not sanctioned by Allah and his messenger.  But the collection of hadith contains many truths no one can deny.  Here is one hadith attributed to Ali (r);

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 283:

Narrated Abu Juhaifa:  I asked Ali, "Do you have the knowledge of any Divine Inspiration besides what is in Allah's Book?"  'Ali replied, "No, by Him Who splits the grain of corn and creates the soul. I don't think we have such knowledge, but we have the ability of understanding which Allah may endow a person with, so that he may understand the Qur'an, and we have what is written in this paper as well." I asked, "What is written in this paper?" He replied, "(The regulations of) blood-money, the freeing of captives, and the judgment that no Muslim should be killed for killing an infidel."

http://www.muslimaccess.com/sunnah/hadeeth/bukhari/052.html

Any thoughts?

With immense respect to you always.

Optimist

253

General Discussions / Re: On Surah Al-Tahrim Verse 3

« on: August 21, 2012, 02:07:48 AM »

Let me humbly repeat, verse 2:118 does not patently disprove that God does not speak to man directly. All it proves is that ignorant folks always have asked for God to speak to them (How is not defined). Verse 42:51 clearly elaborates how God interacts with potentially any human (li-basharin) and one of the methods is via wahi (inspiration - of all kinds).  You are restricting this ‘wahi’ to prophetic wahi which is not warranted by the text and then imposing this interpolation on to your understanding of verse 2:118.

Peace brother Joseph,

I did not restrict li-basharin  in 42:51 to refer to wahi received by prophets only.   Such an assumption is unwarranted.  This was what I said.   Bashar includes both oridinay people and prophets (prophets are also human beings like us).   The first two modes of communication mentioned in the verse refer to Allah's speech to prophets (being basher) and the third one mentioned  in the verse refers to Allah's speech to ordinary people.   It need not necessarily mean all the modes of communication  should be applicable for all types of bashar at same time since the language used is "or",  and therefore, even if one is applicable to ordinary people the verse will not be contradicted (for example, we know our prophet did not receive a communication like a voice being heard from behind a curtain as happened in the case of prophet Moses)

Let me quote 42:51 again, the highligted in blue refers to communication to prophets and the highlighted in red refers to communication to oridinary people.

It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak    يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by the sending of a messenger to reveal, with Allah's permission, what Allah wills: for He is Most High, Most Wise.(yousuf Ali) (42:51)

Here comes the relevance of 2:118, the complaint of ignorant people as to “why God does not speak يُكَلِّمُنَا اللَّهُ to them?”.   If Allah had used to speak to ordinary bashar directly without a messenger sending to them as you claim based on 42:51,  it would not have been mentioned about such people as completely ignorant people following the footsteps of ingnorant people of the past.  Your comment that this verse “does not patently disprove that God does not speak to man directly” goes against the verbal meaning of the verse.  You are trying to interpolate the verse to conform to your view.   To say that it is possible for ordinary people to receive wahi and it is possible Allah speaking to them like a voice heard from behind a curtain, etc is a dangerous interpolation which is a major diversion and corruption in Islam all along.  You are indirectly (without intention) promoting such corruption.

So I ask you the first question (of two) once again:

(1) Please can you provide clear unequivocal evidence that God does not inspire His servants directly in whatever way if He so wishes without any interpolations.
Please brother, a simple straight forward answer will suffice.

The following verse is the unequivocal proof for God does not inspire ordinary people directly (except through a messenger); 

"He [alone] knows that which is beyond the reach of a created being's perception, and to none does He disclose aught of the mysteries of His Own unfathomable knowledge unless it be to an apostle whom He has been pleased to elect [therefor]" (72:27) - Mohammed Asad

Kind regards

Optimist

254

General Discussions / Re: On Surah Al-Tahrim Verse 3

« on: August 20, 2012, 08:21:33 PM »

I feel your use of 5:111 to support your understanding of 20:38 is wholly misplaced. The Quran does not say that the disciples were inspired 'through' Prophet Jesus. I find that you are interpolating comments into the Arabic which do not exist

Salam,

While  I await comments for my earlier post, one more point.  Sorry my comments are given in three seperate posts.

Suppose if we say, “what has been revealed unto those who believe” آمِنُوا بِالَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا  in verse 3:72 means what has been revealed to the believers through prophet muhammed in Quran, will we be interpolating comments into the Arabic which do not exist?  Quran does not say here 'through' Prophet Muhammed.

Kind regards,

Optimist

255

General Discussions / Re: On Surah Al-Tahrim Verse 3

« on: August 20, 2012, 06:19:23 PM »

Just to continue from my previous post, in addition to verse 2:118, kindly refer to the following verse;

He [alone] knows that which is beyond the reach of a created being's perception, and to none does He disclose aught of the mysteries of His Own unfathomable knowledge unless it be to an apostle whom He has been pleased to elect [therefor] (72:27) - Mohammed Asad

He (alone) knows the Unseen, nor does He make any one acquainted with His Mysteries,-"Except a messenger whom He has chosen (72:27) – Yousuf Ali

He is the Knower of the unseen; and He reveals not His secrets to anyone, Except to a Messenger of His whom He chooses. (72:27) – Sher Ali

Only He knows the future; and He does not divulge His secrets to anyone else; (except that) Through Wahi, He tells the person who is chosen as His Rasool, only what He wants (to tell).(72:27) - Parwez

I would like your comments also for the above verse.

Kind regards

Abdul Samad