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I hope you will help me to clear my confusion.
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We, Muslims, widely recite Sura 'Ikhlas in prayer, dua or at many other occasions. This and many other sura starts with word 'Qul' translated as 'Say'.

While reading grammar book 'The Essential Arabic: A learner's Practical Guide' by Rafi'el 'Imad Faynan (Professor of Arabic at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi), I came across conjugation of word 'Qala' and grammar rules of imperative verb. 

On page no. 98, author provides conjugation of word 'Qala' (I took only three forms relevant to our discussion) which are as follow:

'Qul' (Say) is a 2nd person masculine singular imperative verb (fi'lul-amri)

'Aaqoolu' (I say) is a 1st person singular present tense verb (al-mudaari'u)

'Naqoolu' (We say) is a 1st person plural present tense verb (al-mudaari'u)

On page 53 of book, author writes:

'Imperative verb' is called ' fi'lul-amri '. It is a verb through which we order or request someone to do something. For example:

Go (Order) or Please go (Request).

In other words: One (Speaker) orders / requests someone (listener) to do something (to go)'
Now, let me apply this rule to Sura 'Ikhkas to demonstrate the problem, if we recite it 'as it is'.

One (Allah SWT) orders someone (Prophet SAW) to do something (to say - i.e. recite or convey to his followers - :  'He is Allah, the One. Allah is Absolutely Independent. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is absolutely none like Him.') This is perfect construction with reference to Quran. But problem arises when we recite 'as it is' in prayer, dua or at many other occasions.

Now, imagine when we recite Sura- Ikhlas 'as it is' what will be scenario considering the listener in this case is Allah SWT.

One (who recites the Sura Ikhlas) requests someone (who listens - Allah SWT) to do something (to say: 'He is Allah, the One. Allah is Absolutely Independent. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is absolutely none like Him.')
In other words, we are requesting Allah SWT to say that 'Allah SWT (another one?)' is He who is One and so on.
Isn't this scenario problematic?

What is solution to this problem?

We have other two conjugations: 'Aaqoolu' mean 'I say' and 'Naqoolu' mean 'We say'

So, will it not be appropriate to replace word 'Qul' with 'Aaqoolu' when reciting individually and 'Naqoolu' when reciting in congregation?

Note: I am not suggesting in any way to replace word in Quran, I am saying that when we recite this type of sura in namaz, dua or at any other occasion, Will it not proper to be mindful of language?


Regards...

Peace brother Joseph,

According to the Quran there is emphasis on shirk as the worst evil. Would it still be applicable in our present non-pagan times?

Abu Talib is considered by Sunnis to have died a non-believer while Shias say he was hiding his belief to best protect the Prophet.

Sunni hadeeth says Abu Talib will recieve the least punishment in hell for his efforts to help the Prophet and that only his feet or shins will be in hell.

But according to the Qur'an, would Abu Talib be more or less punished in comparison to a born Muslim like Yazid who killed many of the Prophet's family at Karbala?  Probably Yazid would be considered a munafiq and thus worse than Abu Talib and according to the Qur'an potentially at at the lowest part of hell?

Joseph,

Do you think according to the Qur'an, a mushrik who has clearly heard about the truth of Islam like a Hindu for instance but still remains a Hindu until death is still a worse person than someone who is a Muslim who is only a Muslim presumably because he/she is born to a Muslim family and (would have been a Hindu if he or she was born a Hindu) and who is engaging in theft of people?

Dear Brother Joseph.

Salaam.

Ibne Abbas wrote Tafseer of Quran for some Suras where are these originals available?

Salaam,

What is your opinion on cannabis being under the category of 'khamar'?

Dear brother,

According to this article abot Hajj you mentioned animal sacrifice is part of Hajj.

http://quransmessage.com/articles/hajj%20FM3.htm

But Muslims around the world perform animal sacrifice while celebrating Eid ul Adha . Is there any commandment or Quranic reference for this?

Peace

Dear brother,

I was reading your article on Prophets & Messengers accroding to Quran.

http://quransmessage.com/articles/end%20of%20prophethood%20FM3.htm

Quranic context is quite definitive that Prophets are bearer of scripture. But what about 57:25  where its mentioned that book is sent down with the messenger(waanzalna maAAahumu alkitaba) in sam()e way as mentioned in 2:213 for prophets(waanzala maAAahumu alkitaba)?

2:213 The people used to be one nation, then God sent the prophets as bearers of good news and as warners, and He sent down with them the book with the facts so that they may judge between the people in what they were disputing. But after receiving the proof, the people disputed in it due to animosity between them. God guided those who acknowledged with His permission regarding what they disputed in of the truth. God guides whoever/whomever (He) wishes to a straight path.


57:25 We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the book and the balance, that the people may uphold justice. We sent down the iron, wherein there is great strength, and many benefits for the people. So that God would distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers on acknowledgement. God is Powerful, Noble.


Though from both of the verses above it dosent mention new/old scripture  , simply mentions the book is send down with   prophet (2:213)  and messenger (57:27) .


But it seems that the meaning of the word مَعَهُمُ maAAahumu could be  with/ together with/ for  them.

I have noticed some translation used  through them and To them.

For example Mohammad Asad  used Through them in both verses

2:213 (Asad) ALL MANKIND were once one single community; [then they began to differ - ] whereupon God raised up the prophets as heralds of glad tidings and as warners, and through them bestowed revelation from on high, setting forth the truth, so that it might decide between people with regard to all on which they had come to hold divergent views. [197] Yet none other than the selfsame people who had been granted this [revelation] began, out of mutual jealousy, to disagree about its meaning after all evidence of the truth had come unto them. But God guided the believers unto the truth about which, by His leave, they had disagreed: for God guides onto a straight way him that wills [to be guided]. [198]

57:25 (Asad) Indeed, [even aforetime] did We send forth Our apostles with all evidence of [this] truth; and through them [41] We bestowed revelation from on high, and [thus gave you] a balance [wherewith to weigh right and wrong], so that men might behave with equity; and We bestowed [upon you] from on high [the ability to make use of] iron, in which there is awesome power as well as [a source of] benefits for man: [42] and [all this was given to you] so that God might mark out those who would stand up for him and His Apostle, [43] even though He [Himself] is beyond the reach of human perception. [44] Verily, God is powerful, almighty!


Rashad Khalifa used  "with them" in 2:213 and "to them"  in 57:25

2:213 The people used to be one community when GOD sent the prophets as bearers of good news, as well as warners. He sent down with them the scripture, bearing the truth, to judge among the people in their disputes. Ironically, those who received the scripture were the ones who rejected any new scripture, despite clear proofs given to them. This is due to jealousy on their part. GOD guides those who believe to the truth that is disputed by all others, in accordance with His will. GOD guides whoever wills in a straight path.

  57:25 We sent our messengers supported by clear proofs, and we sent down to them the scripture and the law, that the people may uphold justice. And we sent down the iron, wherein there is strength, and many benefits for the people. All this in order for GOD to distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers, on faith. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.

However irrespective of the form of preposition used its not clear if new scripture is sent to prophets and messengers are assigned the previous scripture to use for their preaching.

The only difference I can see is that scripture/book is sent down with prophets to judge between people in 2:213  whereas   scripture/book  and balance(almeezana)  is sent down with messengers so that people may upholod justice/observer right measure/ behave with equity(alnnasu bialqisti).

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I think translating   maAAahumu as  "with them" is not appropriate as for the case of prophet a new scripture is sent down after prophethood. So the person is already born and then granted the prophethood and scripture some time in his life ( Prophet Muhammad received at the age of 40).

And in case of Messenger if the messenger is not a prophet have to use the existing books sent down to earlier prophet ( old scripture).

In both cases if we use "for them"  then sending down both old or new scripture/book   to prophet or messenger could be understood contexually.

In 57:25   it is  also mentioned that Iron was sent down where there are lots of usage for mankind.  If we consider Iron is sent down for humand being then definately it didnt come to earth after life started in this planet. Iron is formed during formation of planet from  space .  I think the only verse mention sending down of iron for mankind just with sending down books for messenger is to clarify that not necessarily the book was sent down after the messenger was born , that means already existing book received by earlier prophet.

Please let me know your thought about the similarity or difference between the verses 2:213 and 57:25 .

Peace

Dear brother,

http://quransmessage.com/articles/3-81%20FM3.htm

Are the coventants in 3:81 d 33:7 same coventant or different ?

Peace

Peace brother Joseph,

How do we know that God is all-knowing and won't make any mistakes with us?

Salam Bro Joseph,

I have intended to carry out Hajj according to the Quranic way, can you show me?

Thank you very much.

Massalam

Salaam,

Some Quran focused people say there are only 3 prayers in the Quran. What is your view on this?

Thank you and best regards.