Messages

181

Prophets and Messengers / Re: Sending salutations to the Messenger/s or Help his/their mission

« on: November 08, 2011, 05:44:13 AM »

Thanks for your comments Visionary. You said:

"..Although the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is no longer with us, by virtue of 37.79 and others, I feel that out of respect for him and all the other prophets and messengers that came before him, we should ask God to 'bless/ send peace' upon them...."

Just wondering the logic behind this directive. We know that Allah's noble and exalted Messengers who have passed on are blessed and in peace. Allah testifies to that. Since they have passed on just wondering why are we asked to pray for those blessed and in peace already?? As against other believers and our dead parents we are not to ask for forgiveness for them just ask for peace and blessings on them.

Once we understand the logic or reason for a directive, we feel more enthusiasm in in following it (rather than a robot)!! That is why Allah tells us to do X to achieve Y (in case, for example for Salat and Saum).

Regards,

182

Discussions / Previous Scriptures and the Qur'an

« on: November 08, 2011, 01:21:22 AM »

Dear Br Joe and friends,

With respect to life to come, after giving good news to those who believe and do good and bad news to those that do not, we read in the Qur'an:

"87:18 Verily, [all] this has indeed been [said] in the earlier revelations" (87:19) the revelations/scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

What is the concept of life in the hereafter in the Bible and particularly the scriptures of Moses? Do we read verses in it that speak of an after life with consequences? Do those scriptures speak of a Day of Judgement and accountability?

Seems from the above that Abraham was also recipient of a scripture. Does the Bible speak about it?

While speaking of earlier scriptures, we are told in the Qur'an that Allah gave "Injeel" to Jesus. Does that mean it was in the same form as the Qur'an where Allah speaks directly to man or does that refer to "inspiration" which Jesus conveyed orally to his people? In the New Testament Books we find stories about Jesus written down by men but not a Qur'an-like Book where Allah talks directly to His Messenger and his audience?

Thanks.

183

Prophets and Messengers / Sending salutations to the Messenger/s or Help his/their mission

« on: November 08, 2011, 01:04:10 AM »

Peace Br Joe and all forum friends!!

We read in the Qur'an that Allah bestows peace upon Messengers who are no longer with us and were no longer alive when the Qur'an was revealed:"and We left him thus to be remembered among later generations:" (27:78)  'Peace be upon Noah throughout all the worlds!' (37:79)

Is the above an indication of how to remember those noble Messengers of Allah are to be remembered by believer (by invoking a short prayer for them)?

Does that mean, to show respect and our appreciation,  whenever the name of a Messenger is mentioned, it must be followed by "Upon him be peace"? What if  during a discussion his name comes up repeatedly?


I read the following at your website:

".....033.056  'Indeed, God and His angels send blessings (Arabic: Yusalluna) on the Prophet: O you that believe! Send blessings on him and greet him with respect / greetings'

1. Although you have pointed out that to make exclusions for Muhammad (PBUH) is not the way to go, you did not provide an alternate translation !

2. What is the meaning of Yasulluna? Does it mean blessings alone or does it also include help, support, acknowledge, encourage, salute, cheer on?

3. If the above (33:056) is to be done (send blessings by uttering a short prayer), how can it be done for a Messenger who is no longer with us?

To help us with the discussion, allow me to share the following concerning Salawat and "Durood" that I read recently:

The word DAROOD is not Arabic. The word SALAWAAT is Arabic. It is usually believed that if we read SALAWAAT on Muhammad [s.a.] for a certain number of times, our sins will be forgiven, so on and so forth.
If we see the Quran, we come to know that it is not only human beings who are to do SALAWAAT but Allah, His angels as well as the prophet [s.a.] also do SALAWAAT on human beings.

Please see the following:

Allah's SALAWAAT on human beings

2:156 When a calamity befalls them, they do not waver. Rather, they say, "We are for Allah, dedicated to His Cause and every step of ours will advance in the Direction shown by Him."
2:157 It is they on whom is SALAWAAT from their Lord [i.e. whom their Lord supports] and blesses with His Grace. And it is they, they who are guided to the most desirable destination.

The above verse clearly indicates that SALAWAAT can also be on human beings from Allah. Now does this mean that Allah reads for a certain time SALAWAAT on people? It does not make sense.
 

Rasool's SALAWAAT for human beings
 

9:103 Accept their contribution for the community. Purify their thoughts with proper education and training so that their "Self" may grow. SALLI ALAIHIM [i.e. commend/appreciate them!] Your SALAWAAT [i.e. commendation/appreciation] is a great source of peace in their hearts. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
 

In the above verse Allah has ordered Muhammad [s.a.] to do SALAWAAT on human beings. Does this mean that Muhammad [s.a.] reads SALAWAAT on people for a certain number of times? It does not make sense.
 

Allah's and His Angels' SALAWAAT on human beings

33:43 He it is Who bestows His blessings upon you, and supports you [YUSALLI ALAIKUM], and His angels, that He may bring you forth from darkness into the Light. And Merciful is He, indeed, to those who attain belief.
 

In the above verse Allah and His angles do SALAWAAT on momineen. Does this mean that Allah and His angels reads SALAWAAT on people for a certain number of times? It does not make sense.
 

SALAWAT of human beings for the RASOOL
 

9:99 And among the Bedouins are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and consider their spending as a means towards Allah and a means of SALAWAAT-E-RASOOL [i.e. commendation/appreciation/moral support of the Messenger]. This will raise their ranks with Allah. Allah will embrace them with His Mercy. Verily, Allah is Forgiving, Gracious.
 

The above verse explains the concept of SALAWAAT by describing "Spending" as a means of "getting appreciation".


Now see the most commonly referred verse according to which momineen should do SALAWAAT on Muhammad [s.a.]
 

33:56 Verily, Allah and His angels bless the Messenger and commend/support his Mission [YUSALLOONA]. O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Commend/Support his Mission [SALOO ALAIHI] in total submission.

Consider all the above verses and decide yourself.
Is SALAWAAT just from Momineen for Muhammad [a.s.]?
The answer is no.
The SALAWAAT is also from Allah to human beings.
The SALAWAAT is also from the Messenger [a.s.] for human beings.

So when Allah does SALAWAAT on human beings, Does He read something for a certain number of times on human beings?

SALAWAAT is not reading something for a certain number of times but practically doing something i.e. commending and supporting the mission of the Messenger [a.s.]  by whatever means we can.

SALAWAAT is not something that should be a bone of contention whether there should be a SALAWAAT before adhan (i.e. the call for the prayer) or not. It has an utterly different meaning and objective.

Thanks

Mubashir