Messages

Salaam Br. Wakas,

You asked "how you'd determine when those months are"

Do you think the following article provide accurate analysis in determining the Hajj months?

http://www.quranaloneislam.net/the-4-sacred-months-of-hajj

Regards and

[Yusala]

Salaamun Alayka,
Dear Sir Joseph,

What is Yusala in 13:21? Most interpret it as joining family ties/kinship, are they correct? If not what's your understanding? This one being Amrullah and twinned with God's covenant, I'm wondering if there's more or perhaps something completely different?

Thank you so much, and Jazak Allah Khair dear Sir Joseph for taking time to address my queries. I'm ever grateful 
Rabbana Taqabbal dua to Br. Iker's dua too 

[Miqat as a time]

Salaamun Alaykum,
All,

Thanks and gratitude to brother Athman for giving your perspective and quoting the relevant biblical references. The extra 10 nights test making Bani Israel impatient sounds logical too, Wallahu Alam. Jazak Allah Khair indeed.

Sir Joseph,

Thank you so much for the clarification, God bless you. Now, it make sense to understand Miqat as a time of 40 nights of seclusion (7:142) and Miqat as a meeting place (7:143). That was my main confusion. The nights here means nights only and not days was a brilliant bonus point, Mashallah 

One last question on this event, I'm assuming all this happened after the drowning of Fir'oun and his armies.
Also, contrary to Biblical and Muslim popular thought of this Miqat as Mountain Tur/Sina, the verse 7:143 seems to be a place from where Musa AS can see the distant mountain pointed out by God.
Please correct me if I'm wrong on above two assumptions.

Walekum salaam,
Br. Athman,

Thanks and Jazak Allah Khair for sharing the dictionary definition and pulling all the relevant verses together 

In my humble view this event is no ordinary, and these 30+10 nights has some bearing I reckon. This is in the biblical literature too, so I'm requesting Sir Joseph to share his view, time permitting inshallah.

[Miqat]

Salaamun Alayka,
Sir Joseph,

What is Miqat in the ayah 7:142 - I'm having trouble grasping it, appointed 40 (30+10) nights and then 7:143 begins saying when Musa AS came to the appointed time (40 nights??).
Was he instructed to

• worship in solitude for 40 nights before the meeting
• or was he with God for 40 nights
• or something else?

Your explanation is greatly appreciated.

[imperative command]

Thank you so very much Sir. Sorry for bothering you, the reason I solicit your input is because of your command on the Arabic grammar among many other things  and although many times the other respected members share their opinions correctly (as in this case sister Seraphina) I wouldn't know the basis of their argument.  So, for this question and in this ayah 24:32 the imperative command (وَأَنْكِحُوا) does not cover all believers who are financially able? God went on to cover/solace the poor saying He will enrich them (implying: so they get married). Grammatically looking at it I see no room for remaining single life long - am I wrong? Is God telling believers to practice self-restraint (4:25) and extend it to life-long if they want/able to maintain their chastity?

Does 3:39 (and 57:27) lends support to remaining celibate if one wants/choose or inclined naturally to? I see celibate as one of the meaning of Hasura for Prophet Yahya AS.

https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/roots/Haa-Sad-Ra.html

Kindly elaborate.

Thank you and Jazak Allah Khairan.

Salaamun Alaykum,

Ramadan Mubarak to all.

I've searched the whole forum (and articles) but couldn't find a thread involving Sir Joseph Islam view/thought on someone raising or addressing this question:

Is marriage enjoined on adult (able and potent) believers by the Quran in the ayah 24:32?

I find these two threads raising exact same question but no input from Sir Joseph:

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1487.msg6787#msg6787

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1250.msg5801#msg5801

Sir Joseph,

I really appreciate if you could spare few minutes and share your thoughts on this question?

[The total number of the word "God" or "Allah" in the Quran is 2698]

Br. Niaz,
Salaam,

Just so you know, the Ultimate Mathematics author does not believe in and therefore deletes 2 ayahs from the present Quran to support his/Rashad Khalifa's number system:

The total number of the word "God" or "Allah" in the Quran is 2698. The
frequency of occurrence of every word in the Quran is mathematically generated
and positioned in the specific sura or verse according to the generators in chapter
two of this book. These parameters are based on sura 9 having 127 verses. We
will see in this book that the mathematics described in chapter two of this book
does not generate verses 9:128 and 9:129, and points to sura 9 having 127 verses
only. (pg. 25)

This is mathematically refuted in this attempt:

http://kaheel7.com/Book/Marvels_BookSeven.pdf (see page 11-12)

The word (الله), meaning "God", is repeated 2699 times across the Qur'an, not 2698
times, and it is quite peculiar how he was only one word short of the right number! 
The number 2699 is in fact a prime number; that is, it is only divisible by itself and 1,
and in this, perhaps, is an interesting reference to the uniqueness and Oneness of
God Almighty.

And this: http://www.quranaloneislam.net/miracle-of-19

As you can see, the Majestic Quran do have numbers and convey powerful and meaningful message that is beneficial to mankind in general and believers in particular.

[New Approach to the Study of the Qur'an]

Salaamun Alayka,
Sir Joseph,

Hope you're keeping well, inshallah 

I came across the book, New Approach to the Study of the Qur'an, By: Dr. Hasanuddin Ahmed, I.A.S.

http://www.netnavigate.com/hasan/newapproach/ch5.html

Point #11 of chapter 5 (in the above link) basically challenges your understanding and interpretation of 3:7 (and so your article: Are Mutashabih Verses Allegorical?) and presented cogent and diametrically opposite to your view, in my humble opinion. I've read all your posts related to 3:7 on the forum and nowhere anyone raised this aspect/possibility of interpreting 3:7 which the author of the book has presented.

The question the author (Dr. Ahmed) raised answer to exact same question sought from you also but went unanswered in one of the relevant thread:

Assuming your explanation, pursuing mutashabihat verses is prohibited according to Quran is true, it will create another issue.  It will create a need to have a list of mutashabihat verses to avoid committing a wrong and disobeying Allah's command.   Is there any list mutashabihat verses as such?

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=762.msg2834#msg2834

So, I would request (greatly respecting your time) your counter argument in refuting his interpretation in defense of your article. Kindly give due consideration as you yourself subscribe to this division of Quran which means that part of the Quran is/has been kept off limits and not knowing clearly which (subjective) is even more distressing.

with warm regards,

Salaamun Alayka,
Sir Joseph/Moderators,

Has any one rendered your articles into Urdu? If you're aware of any such please share their links.

Best wishes.

Thanks Hamzeh. waw=i.e., (that is to say) as you cited I've been applying to many verses where conjunction "and" doesn't make sense at all. However, my inquiry is digging a little deeper. Really appreciate your help, Jazak Allah Khair 

Sir Joseph?
Br. Wakas?

[و]

Salaamun Alaykum,

May I request the respected Arabic speaking members and/or those who are well versed in Arabic language to provide all possible meaning(s) of the letter waw و ? I heard in one of the Nouman Ali Khan's discourse that the letter و "waw" carries at least 21 meanings. Any reference(s) would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Walekum salaam

Thanks for looking into this. I'll bring it to your attention if/when I come across such.

Regards,

[spend]

Salaamun Alayka,
Sir Joseph,

I immensely respect your time and commitments, and would greatly appreciate your explanation for the questions arising below.

The following Quran verses commands believers to spend and it is in imperative mood meaning it is a duty believers must oblige and take it as an obligatory act:

And spend [freely] in God's cause, and let not your own hands throw you into destruction; and persevere in doing good: behold, God loves the doers of good. (2:195)

O YOU who have attained to faith! Spend [in Our way] out of what We have granted you as sustenance ere there come a Day when there will be no bargaining, and no friendship, and no intercession. And they who deny the truth -it is they who are evildoers! (2:254)

O you who have attained to faith! Spend on others out of the good things which you may have acquired, and out of that which We bring forth for you from the earth; and choose not for your spending the bad things which you yourselves would not accept without averting your eyes in disdain. And know that God is self-sufficient, ever to be praised. (2:267)

Thus, when they are told, "Spend on others out of what God has provided for you as sustenance," those who are bent on denying the truth say unto those who believe, "Shall we feed anyone whom, if [your] God had so willed, He could have fed [Himself]? Clearly, you are but lost in error!" (36:47)

BELIEVE in God and His Apostle, and spend on others out of that of which He has made you trustees: for, those of you who have attained to faith and who spend freely [in God's cause] shall have a great reward. (57:7)

The following two verses you listed them under the benefits of Sadaqah.

And spend on others out of what We have provided for you as sustenance, ere there come a time when death approaches any of you, and he then says, "O my Sustainer! If only Thou wouldst grant me a delay for a short while, so that I could give in charity and be among the righteous!" (63:10)

Remain, then, conscious of God as best you can, and listen [to Him], and pay heed. And spend in charity for the good of your own selves: for, such as from their own covetousness are saved – it is they, they that shall attain to a happy state! (64:16)

The Infaq/Spend in the above verses is referring to Zakat or something in addition to Zakat as you ruled Sadaqah out as an obligation?
Why a voluntary act is expected of disbelievers and presented as an argument and a case against them (36:47)?
Why would missing on a voluntary act becomes a source of eternal regret so much so a second life is pleaded (63:10)?
Why would people missing on voluntary act aren't part of successful ones and presumably party of losers (64:16)?

On Zakat article you wrote:

If the state is an Islamic state, then the payment of Zakat will be to that particular state. The rate will be appropriately levied by those in governance given their circumstances. If one abides in another land, then a duty of responsibility and obligation is due to that particular community and state as responsible citizens.

This is the case for entire Ummah for almost its entire life (stateless with no Zakat governing body) and so as a Quran follower I see a general guiding principle in 2:219 (alongside others such as 8:41 & 17:29), to which you don't agree so may I ask

wherever you live, how are you discharging your zakat duties?
What shall be my zakat in the US (after federal+state taxes)? Doesn't this come from my surplus? Or federal+state taxes is my zakat? If so, with what charity name tag and category do I answer the call of set of ayaats listed at the top?

On Sadaqah:
you said the word faridah in 9:60 applies only to apportionment and does not include the Sadaqah itself - is there a language rule or grammar that is governing this restriction? Kindly elaborate.

Lastly, why is Allah swt severely rebuking and threatening the newly emerging Muslim community with their replacement for something that is not part of their obligatory duty to discharge in the first place (remember there's no Zakat mentioned in the following Ayah)?

Behold, [O believers,] it is you who are called upon to spend freely in God's cause: but [even] among you are such as turn out to be niggardly! And yet, he who acts niggardly [in God's cause] is but niggardly towards his own self: for God is indeed self-sufficient, whereas you stand in need [of Him]; and if you turn away [from Him], He will cause other people to take your place, and they will not be the likes of you! (47:38)

All these make me strongly think there is something on top of Zakat as an obligation a believer is expected to spend, failure is not an option. Kindly provide your insight sir.

with a sincere request and warm regards to you as ever