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[The most beloved deeds to Allah's are the most regular and constant even though it were little" [Narrated by Al Bukhari]]

As Salam Alaykum,

The following hadith resonates with me greatly.
The most beloved deeds to Allah's are the most regular and constant even though it were little" [Narrated by Al Bukhari]

I was just wandering if a Quranic argument can be put forth to support a similar notion ?

Thanks

Regards,
Ahmad.

They say religious folk are motivated to do good solely to attain paradise and to be saved from Hell. Compare this to an atheist who does good motivated by arguably an pure innate drive for morality. And you have a comparison where one who believes in no divine entity is more righteous than those who do . But is it really the case ?

On the surface it might seem so. But if we dig a little deeper. Everything changes.
In my humble opinion, it all comes down to the process of belief itself. Those who believe after tremendous internal battles and reach certainty with pure conviction. Are not equal to those who were handed their beliefs by their forefathers without critical enquiry or any internal struggle. One journey is full of humbleness and self purification while the other is one of false pride and blind following.

You see when a true believer does good to attain paradise or to be saved from hell. He is not doing it based on dogmatic terms like many do. He is doing so with real genuine conviction. A conviction that can only be reached by sheer amount of moral effort.

But our friend the atheist, compared to a true believer is not actually acting on high moral grounds. Instead, he is acting on human biology to do good. We are actually rewarded chemically in the brain when we do selfless acts. Who is more righteous then, he who acts on chemicals, or he who is motivated by a back-breaking moral deposit ?

As salam Alaykum,

What would be the Arabic equivalent of the term "Quran centric" ?
I can't think of the right term.
Any ideas ?

Regards,
Ahmad.

Dear brother Joseph,

Thank you for your post. You have shared a very valuable summary. May God reward you for your efforts.

Thank you.

It may be unfortunate that one has to ask such a question. But after deep contemplation,  it's hard to get a clear cut answer. Really wanted to know your thoughts on this issue and would love to learn from your experiences.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Ahmad.

Has the task of purifying the Bible according to the Quran's teaching ever been undertaken. I mean a systematic attempt where all verses of the Bible were addressed. Not just a select number of verses. The result would arguably be a version of the Bible that is authorized by the Quran. Have believing people of the book ever undertaken this task ?

Thank you

Regards,
Ahmad.

As salam Alaykum,

Just wanted to wish everyone a blessed and happy Eid. 
May God accept our endeavours and forgive us, indeed he is the most merciful.

Regards,
Ahmad.

[They are] eight mates]

Dear Student,

The number 8 seems to be referring to the livestock mentioned in [6:143], [6:144]. (According to some Tafsirs). However I have not yet fully grasped the incident that the verse is addressing.

[6:143]
[They are] eight mates - of the sheep, two and of the goats, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Inform me with knowledge, if you should be truthful."

[6:144]
And of the camels, two and of the cattle, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah charged you with this? Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah to mislead the people by [something] other than knowledge? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people."




The Term "Anzala" (sent down) is also used in the following verses:

[7:26]
'O Children of Adam! We have certainly sent down to you garments to cover your nakedness, and for adornment. Yet the garment of Godwariness—that is the best.' That is [one] of Allah's signs, so that they may take admonition.

[48:4]
It is He who sent down tranquillity into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allah Knowing and Wise.

[57:25]
We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.

In my humble opinion the term may mean literally sent down. For example when God talks about sending down guidance or water from the sky. But It can also mean "bestowment" as in the example of clothing and tranquility. Some argue that term Anzal was used for Iron because it was literally sent down from outer space.

Regards,
Ahmad.

[And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers.]

Dear sister Iman,

As I am sure you already know, believing in the existence of God is not synonymous with being a Muslim.

Most People of the book believed in God but were deemed disbeliever for disbelieving in the Quran.

[3:70]
O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allah while you witness [to their truth]?
[3:71]
O People of the Scripture, why do you confuse the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know [it]?

The Mushrkeen used to believe in God but had taken up idols as intercessors.

10:18
"They serve, besides God, things that hurt them not nor profit them, and they say: "These are our intercessors with God." Say: "Do ye indeed inform God of something He knows not, in the heavens or on earth? Glory to Him! and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!""

Even the descendants of prophets were critisized and threatened for following their desires and abandoning prayer

[19:59]
But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil -


Not judging by what God has revealed can amount to disbelieve. The addressees of this verse are those who have received scripture. Hence believe in God.

[5:44]
Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers.


Believing in parts of the book and disbelieving in parts can lead to the most extreme of punishments. If so then what is the state of an individual who has rejected all the book. Or has taken religion in a selective manner.

[2:85]
Then, you are those [same ones who are] killing one another and evicting a party of your people from their homes, cooperating against them in sin and aggression. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although their eviction was forbidden to you. So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.


Therefore, in my humble opinion being decent and of a good family is one thing. But believing and accepting islam is quite another. If she accepts the whole "islamic package" willingly not out any external pressure then I believe then, it would be acceptable.

And let us remember the verse Brother Duster shared:

[2:221]
And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you. And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may remember.

So yes I share your concern and I believe it is a valid one indeed.

Hope this helps in a small way
Regards,
Ahmad.


References:

[1] Idolatry according to the Quran
http://quransmessage.com/articles/idolatry%20according%20to%20the%20quran%20FM3.htm

Salam miracle114

Thank you for sharing the link. Interesting read.

Regards,
Ahmad.

As Salam Alaykum,

I came across a video that talks about the Hanafi principles of testing hadith. I think they are somewhat similar to the Quran centric approach. But it seems that these principles are no longer widely practiced today. Its mentioned in the video that even followers of the Hanafi school adopt the shafi'i school of testing hadith (which gave rise to Bukhari's collection).

Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlkEm3lri6U

If anybody has read about this topic please do share your input.

Regards,
Ahmad.

Wa alaykum al salam,

Eid Mubarak to you too and everyone on the forum insha'allah. 

Dear Brother Jospeh,

Regarding

any expectation of recompense should come in the same spirit as we note in verse 58:12 where private consultations with the prophet (that went beyond general preaching) were twinned with a genuine/kind gesture of some sort of charity, if possible. This was considered the better approach.

Do you mean that charity was given to the prophet for himself or so that he can distribute it to the needy ?

Thank you.

Wa alaykum al salam,

In my humble opinion, the best way to look at the situation is through a logical lens. You see, obstacles can be interpreted in opposing ways. So if for example you were going to a mosque and you find an obstacle blocking your way. You could probably assume that God is testing your will of wanting to go to pray. ie: will you find an alternative way to reach it or will you just give up. Arguably in this case the obstacle can be regarded as a test of will power. However, if for any reason one was on his way to a bar. And then God puts an obstacle in his way. Then one can probably assume that this is God giving a second chance for one to think about his actions. In this case it would be wise to back off.

What I am mean is, an obstacle, or lack thereof, is no indication on its own of whether one should proceed unto a matter or not. But only when these obstacles are placed on a foundation of logic (like the two examples above) could they infer a deeper meaning.

In your case, the best thing to do is to determine whether this women is a suitable match or not. And accordingly those obstacles could be interpreted as warning signs or as a test of persistence.

Hope this helps in a small way.

Regards,
Ahmad.