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General Issues / Questions / Re: :: 'atiAllaha wa 'atialRasoola :: Wrong quotes ::

« on: May 19, 2013, 06:37:30 PM »

Since I do not know Arabic, my take on the "obey the Messenger" issue:

Although this point has been dealt with by many people lot more knowledgeable than myself on this forum , a couple of issues emerge:
 
1. If we keep in our mind the fact that these verses were revealed 1400 years ago to a group of people who had their doubts about Islam or were not sure how to respond to blessed Messenger's role and call. They were being told in clear terms what the role of the Messenger was and as Allah's sole representative and that he had to be obeyed as head of the community. They were asked to listen to him as someone who was conveying Allah's Message to them and not to turn away. He may also be giving them other instructions, about their every day lives in view of Allah's Word, specific to those times. So where ever we read verses about obeying the Messenger as a representative of Allah means it was a question of authority and discipline. We find in history that there were certain opinions the Messenger gave on matters based on his personal opinion that were not related to Allah's Word and people had a right to accept or excuse themselves . As far as we are concerned, we must follow what Allah through His Messenger left behind and promised to guard it: The Qur'an alone.

2. If the blessed Messenger's sayings and deeds were of the utmost importance (as claimed by Hadith followers) then the question would arise that why were no instructions came down to compile and collect them in a separate Book for all times to come? It was well known what happened to stories based on hearsay over time: They get corrupted and mixed up with falsehood. The Messenger himself knew well what happened to the Christians who ended up turning man to God and God to man, based on hearsay stories which got written down much later after Jesus (AS)! He could have given instructions to compile a book, verified it and approved it for Muslims of future generations. The first four Caliphs would have done it. Why did they not?
 
What we have here are collections by Sunnis and Shias often at odds with each other and containing material that clashes with the Qur'an. How can then, deen be based on conjecture and controversial material collected 220 years after the Messenger passed on, based on hearsay?
 
Although we can never say for sure if a report of saying/deed is 100% truth, we can allow the possibility of such material being true if only matches the Qur'an. Also we may read it as students of history to get an idea of the times of those who were gathering this material and a glimpse of early Islamic history. Knowingly and unknowingly we have adopted many practices handed down to us over generations and no harm in following them if they don't clash with the Qur'an.
 
Now, I have heard from many hadith believers that if the Qur'an was passed on to us with the same accuracy by people over generations, why can't it apply to ahadith? Well, the answer to that is that the Qur'an has an assurance of preservation from Allah. How He does it is His business. No such promise was given to ahadith and the Messengers sunnah. Here cornered, the hadith believers don't give up. They counter Hadith is part of Zikr and part of Hikmah so it is preserved as well by Allah!! Some of them even suggest that this being the case, Hadith abrogates the Qur'an!
 
Try all you can. You can't win can you? But, as the Qur'an says we must state the truth and guidance is up to Him Alone.

I just want to caution that as a student I could be wrong and welcome any other opinion. Some say that when Allah says in the Qur'an Allah and Rasool together, it means an Islamic Government (to which 1400 years ago disputes were to be referred). So, what happens when the Rasool passes on, you may ask. The Quran deals with this by asking if the Rasool were to pass on, would you turn on your heels?

When the Rasool passed on the Islamic government was run by a successor of the Rasool (Khalifa) to which matters were to be referred to.

Now, what to do when there is no unified Islamic government ruling entire Ummah?? All I can say is to explore this question further and sit down with consultation and come up with some solutions!! In the meantime, The Book (Qur'an) is there for us to run our affairs with mutual consultations. No harm in following traditions handed down from centuries as long as they don't clash with the Qur'an

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Questions/Comments on the Quran / Re: Listens or responds?

« on: April 21, 2013, 05:23:08 PM »

Thanks Mazhar for your reply. Just want to share another reply I got to this question at another forum:

Salaam brother Mubashir,

Interesting question!  But take care, because superficial reading and understanding will make us run into confusion and trouble!

Firstly, let me quote verse 40:60 in which Allah says, : "Call on Me; I will answer you: but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell - in humiliation!" .   Please note the second part of the verse which states those people who are rebellious and do not obey Allah will be badly humiliated and enter Hell.  This whole verse makes it evident that prayer in reality is the opposite of “arrogance to serve Allah”.    It is pertinent to note a few verses earlier to this verse, in verse 40:50 it is stated “those who refuse observance of God’s laws, never have their prayers bring any results”.   The point should be clear here that calling out to God means obeying His orders and laws.   Kindly note the verse itself  you have quoted (2:186), the second part states “Let them also, willingly, listen to My call, and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way”, i.e  we should have faith in Allah’s laws and obey Allah,  if we do this, Allah will certainly make our efforts bear fruit.  This is the real meaning of prayer and the acceptance of prayer: i.e. if you fulfill whatever is God’s requirement then He will fulfill your demands: this is God’s law.  He does not let anyone’s efforts in obeying Him go waste (11:115).  And nothing can be acquired without effort.  Man can get nothing but for which he has tried (53:39). 

The prophet was also asked to ‘pray’ in 18:26, “Tell them that I only call out to my Rab (Lord) and do not include anyone else with Him”, i.e. do not include anyone in His Supreme authority.  Here also it is clear that calling out to God means obeying his orders and laws without associating any partners with Him. If anyone or any group of people completely submit to Allah, Allah’s laws will bring the desired results for them. 

Allah says in 42:26, “And He listens to those who believe and do ‘saleh” deeds, and gives them increase of His Bounty”.  This means Allah responds to the call of those people who believe on His laws and work according to them.   In 7:55 Allah says, “Call your Sustainer with complete equanimity of heart and soul: so that the call comes from the core of your heart: remember that those who rebel against His laws and cross the limits (hudd), are disliked by Him”.  This also shows that by calling Him means obeying Allah.   The very next verse 7:56 states this, “do not create ripples in society after it has become smooth or calm ; and call out to God for banishing your problems and ills and for acquiring benefits; remember that those who maintain the balance in society, God’s benevolence is very near to them”.   We are connected to God’s laws.  When we call out to His laws and when we act according to His laws, then He answers our call by bringing the desired results that we have called for.

In verse 2:214 Quran mentions about the messenger and those with him had to suffer and go through great difficulties and finally they were forced to cry "When (will come) the help of Allah?".  The answer given by Allah was “Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!”.   The help and support from Allah will not decent all on a sudden on a fine morning.  We have to work patiently for it.   However, since the messenger and the believers are on right path,  and they are working according to Allah’s laws, no matter what happens, finally they shall succeed, which is a promise binding upon Allah.   

“God has promised those of you who have attained to faith and do “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 (24:55)

In this regard, it may be noted that when prophet Moses and his brother Haroon prayed to God, Allah answered, "Accepted is this your prayer! Continue, then, both of you, steadfastly on the right way, and follow not the path of those who have no knowledge [of right and wrong]."(10:89).   Obviously if the acceptance of prayer meant only that  whatever you have asked for is given to you, (or you will get it), then after that there was no need for any effort . But here it has been said that your prayer has been accepted, therefore, be steadfast in your program.  This makes it obvious, that prophet  Moses and his brother Haroon were told only that their prayers are according to God’s laws, and now they should strive to achieve those ends with steadfastness and they would  surely succeed.

The makes it clear that calling out to God means obeying his orders and laws.  Prophet  muhammed was also asked to ‘pray’ in 72:20,  “Tell them that I only call out to my Rab (Lord) and do not include anyone else with Him i.e. do not include anyone in His Supreme authority.

This is all for now

Regards,
Optimist

PS: The Qur’an also relates the things similar to what we mean by ‘dua’ in the ordinary sense, for instance, “Oh Sustainer, (Lord), protect us from our faults and transgressions, give solidarity to our feet and give us success over the nation of kafireen”.   These are prayers (dua) are actually a manifestation of the intensity of the wishes.  When a person/ or a group of people submit to such prayers earnestly, it will create revolutionary changes in the condition of the people.  Allah will not change the condition of any people unless they change what is in themselves.  Remember this Quranic truth always. 

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Introduce Yourself / Re: Who, Why, How am I? by Earthdom

« on: April 20, 2013, 07:44:44 PM »

Welcome Earthdom 

We are glad to learn that you have found some peace in your life. Please stick around this forum and read. You may find some answers to your questions right away. If for others you don't, please keep searching with patience and prayer.

Here is a website with multiple English translations of the Quran which you can explore.


www.islamawakened.com

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Questions/Comments on the Quran / Listens or responds?

« on: April 20, 2013, 03:57:08 AM »

Salam All

What would be the correct translation/interpretation of Verse 2:186?

2:186 [Bilal] When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed near. I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. Let them also, willingly, listen to My call, and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way.

2:186 [Asad] AND IF My servants ask thee about Me - behold, I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way.

We all know that each and every prayer is not fulfilled by Allah.  Although some of us may pray for years for some wishes to be fulfilled, but they are not.

So, does Allah listens or does He respond?

Thanks.

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Prophets and Messengers / Hadith Prophecy and terrorism

« on: April 19, 2013, 04:27:41 PM »

Boston Bombing Suspect Posted Video on Al Qaeda Hadith Prophecy on YouTube
—By Adam Serwer
Fri Apr. 19, 2013 5:45 AM PDT

The deceased suspect in the bombing of the Boston marathon, which killed three and injured more than 170, appears to have posted a video extolling an extremist religious prophecy associated with Al Qaeda to his YouTube page.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the 26 year-old brother of the second Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, had a YouTube page where he posted religious videos, including a video of Feiz Mohammad, a fundamentalist Australian Muslim preacher who rails against the evils of Harry Potter. Among those videos is one dedicated to the prophecy of the Black Banners of Khurasan which is embraced by Islamic extremists—particularly Al Qaeda. The videos posted on what appears to be Tsarnaev's YouTube page may shed light on the motivations for the attack on the Boston Marathon. The prophecy states that an invincible army will come from the region of "Khurasan," a large portion of territory in central Asia.
"This is a major hadith (reported saying of the prophet Muhammad) that jihadis use, it is essentially an end-time prophecy," says Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy "This is definitely important in Al Qaeda's ideology." In The Black Banners, former FBI agent Ali Soufan's book about his pursuit of Al Qaeda that is named after this prophecy, Soufan describes the prophecy this way:

Khurasan is a term for a historical region spanning northeastern and eastern Iran and parts of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and northwestern Pakistan. Because of the hadith, jihadists believe that this is the region from which they will inflict a major defeat against their enemies—in the Islamic version of Armageddon.

The older Tsarnaev seems to have posted the video four months ago under the username "muazseyfullah." According to Zelin, "Mu'az is usually a name," and "Sayf Allah means sword of God." Here is the video:
According to Soufan's book, "It’s not a coincidence that bin Laden made al-Qaeda’s flag black; he also regularly cited the hadith and referenced Khurasan when recruiting, motivating, and fund-raising." Soufan adds that Al Qaeda operatives he interrogated were often convinced that by joining the extremist group they were fulfilling the prophecy. Soufan states that the origin of the "black banners" hadith—and whether the prophet Muhammad ever said it—is questionable.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/04/boston-bombing-suspect-posted-video-al-qaeda-prophecy-youtube

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Introduce Yourself / Re: learning the tuth after all these years

« on: April 10, 2013, 08:03:41 AM »

Welcome comingtotruth! 

Peace: Glorified be God for he has shown you the light.

Here is a website with 30 plus translations. If I find something that does not make sense to me, I check another translation. Supposing I am still confused, I post a question on Free Minds Forum.

www.islamawakened.com

Another website with great articles both for beginners and otherwise:

www.quransmessage.com

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Questions/Comments on the Quran / Re: Rationalizing the sorry state of Ummah by the Quran

« on: April 04, 2013, 07:21:59 AM »

Thanks for your comments Friends. Allow me to share a response to this question from another forum:

Dear brother,

You know that random quotations with disregard of the divinely ordained use of tasreef-il-ayaat can fail to convey the Message.

3:15 Say (O Messenger), “Shall I inform you of something better than these, with which the upright will be rewarded by their Sustainer? - Gardens with flowing streams beneath, where they will live forever with spouses of spotless character and the blissful approval of God. God is Seer of His servants.”

3:16 Those who say, “Our Sustainer! We have chosen to be graced with belief. So, protect us from trailing behind in doing good and save us from the agony of the fire of regret.”

7:32 Say, "Who is there to forbid the beauty and aesthetic niceties that God has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of sustenance?” Say, “On the Day of Resurrection, these things will be only for those who chose to believe in Divine laws during the life of this world.” Thus do We detail Our messages for people who make use of what they learn. [17:18-20, 20:117-123]

7:156 Appoint for us the good in this world and in the Hereafter. We turn to You for guidance.” (He answered), “My punishment is but through My law. But My mercy embraces all things. Yet, I (especially) appoint it for those who live upright and keep their wealth open for others and those who truly believe in Our messages.” [Sha = Due measure = Divine law = Will. Taqwa = To live upright = Being mindful of God = Being observant = Being God-conscious = Seeking to journey through life in security. Nafaq = An open-ended tunnel = Shun hoarding = Leaving wealth open for others = Spend on others]

28:77 “Seek, by means of what God has granted you, the Home of the Hereafter, but do not forget your portion in this world. Do good to others as God has done good to you. Do not spread corruption in the land, for God does not love the corrupters.” [This single verse is enough to dismiss the false notion of Islam being ‘fatalistic’, so frequently propagated by ignorant friends and critics]

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Questions/Comments on the Quran / Rationalizing the sorry state of Ummah by the Quran

« on: April 04, 2013, 04:29:39 AM »

Dear All, Salam

Strange indeed is the response of some of us when we point out some success stories in the West on good governance, science, technology, medicine, ethics, accountability, justice system, cleanliness, equality, social welfare systems, etc.

They response by quoting verses from the Quran that say:

2:212 Beautified seems the life of this world to the rejecters, and they ridicule the believers who uphold Permanent Values and look beyond instant gains. Those who live an upright life will be higher in degrees on the Day of Resurrection. Allah provides without stint to His creation according to His Law that does not discriminate between people. He is the Sustainer of all humanity (114:1)

3:14 Beautiful for mankind is love of the joys that come from women and children, and heaps of gold and silver, and branded horses, and cattle and well-tilled land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode. (Believers in the Divine Laws see this comfort as the means to a higher Goal --- Service --- Self-actualization --- Paradise)

(O Messenger) Say, "Shall I inform you of something better than these, with which those who walk aright will be rewarded by their Lord? Gardens with flowing streams beneath, where they will live forever with spouses of spotless character and the Blissful Approval of Allah. Allah is Seer of His servants."

In other worlds, Muslims must not seek excellence in this world and live like beggars, not contributing towards science, medicine, technology, good governance, proper justice system, social welfare, etc. etc.

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

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Introduce Yourself / Re: Hello to the most intelligent peoples!!!

« on: March 30, 2013, 01:33:01 PM »

Dear OneandOnly, Salam.

Thanks for commenting.

Here is a reminder for us from Our Lord. How hard are these to apply to our lives?

1. Always Respond to a 'Greeting':

"When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. Allah reckons all things."
(an-Nisa’ 4:86)

2. Always Say 'Good' things:

"Do you not see that Allah has cited the example of a good word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches are high in the sky. It produces its crop every season, as designed by its Lord. Allah thus cites the examples for the people, that they may take heed."
(Ibrahim 14:24-25)

3. Be 'Humble', and speak 'Lightly':

"Walk humbly and lower your voice, the ugliest voice is the donkey's voice."
(Luqman 31:19)

4. Invite to Allah with wisdom and kindness:

"Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones."
(an-Nahl’ 16:125)

"It was mercy from Allah that you became compassionate towards them. Had you been harsh and mean-hearted, they would have abandoned you. Therefore, you shall pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them. Once you make a decision, carry out your plan, and trust in Allah. Allah loves those who trust in Him."
(al-E-Imran 3:159)

5. Be Kind to your parents:

"Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, "Uff" [the slightest gesture of annoyance], nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably. And lower for them the wings of humility, and kindness, and say, "My Lord, have mercy on them, for they have raised me from infancy."
(al-Isra’ 17:23-24)

6. Suppress Anger & Forgive People:

"who [the righteous] give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. Allah loves the charitable."
(al-E-Imran 3:134)

7. Counter Evil with Good:

"Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend."
(Fussilat 41:34)

"They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Salat, spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode."
(al-Ra’d 13:22)

8. Do NOT Say 'Bad' things:

"And the example of the bad word is that of a bad tree chopped at the soil level; it has no roots to keep it firm."
(Ibrahim 14:26)

9. Do NOT be 'Arrogant' or 'Carefree':

"You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth carefree. Allah does not like the arrogant showoffs."
(Luqman 31:18)

10. Do NOT engage in 'ignorant' talk:

"The servants of the Almighty are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace."
(al-Furqan 25:63)

11. Do NOT Curse the Idolaters:

"And do not curse those who call on other than Allah, lest they blaspheme and curse Allah, out of ignorance. We have adorned the works of every group in their eyes. Ultimately, they return to their Lord, then He informs them of everything they had done."
(al-An’ am 6:108)

12. Do NOT make fun of others, or call them names:

"O you who believe, no people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or call each other names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining faith. Anyone who does not repent after this, these are the transgressors."
(al-Hujarat 49:11)

13. Do NOT be suspicious, or spy on one another, or backbite:

"O you who believe, if a wicked person brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done."
(al-Hujarat 49:6)

"O you who believe, you shall avoid any suspicion, for even a little bit of suspicion is sinful. You shall not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another; this is as abominable as eating the flesh of your dead brother. You certainly abhor this. You shall observe Allah. Allah is Redeemer, Most Merciful."
(al-Hujarat 49:12)

14. Do NOT be 'Racist':

"O people, We created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Allah is Omniscient, Cognizant."
(al-Hujarat 49:13)

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

« on: March 30, 2013, 12:22:01 PM »

Thanks a lot PixelAngelBaby for the link you posted!

A good website to learn about different controversial topics.

God bless!!