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Worship God Alone & Follow the Quran Alone Submission = True Islam = Strict Monotheism Quran Study App: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj Quran Study Website: https://www.quranstudyapp.com/grid Quran Talk Blog: https://qurantalkblog.com/ Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
Episodes
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Salat Using Quran Alone
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Splitting of the Moon
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Wednesday May 12, 2021
The Lowest Land
Wednesday May 12, 2021
Wednesday May 12, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Quran Talk - Dismissing Others
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Sijjeen and Elleyeen
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Mortgaging Our Souls
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Idols and Abortion
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Spending in the Cause of God
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Apathy and Society
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Thursday Mar 11, 2021
Capital Punishment
Thursday Mar 11, 2021
Thursday Mar 11, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
The Depth of the Arabic Quran
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Importance of Quran Translations
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Thursday Dec 24, 2020
Dioecious And Non-Dioecious
Thursday Dec 24, 2020
Thursday Dec 24, 2020
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Equality vs. Equity
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Thursday Dec 10, 2020
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
Intoxicants
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
The Importance of Understanding
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
The Tyranny of Idol Worship
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Trump as an Idol
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
The Purpose of The Universe
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Following The Truth In Face of Bias
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Follow The Quran, Not The Ulama
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Hate Crimes & The Cobra Effect
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Corruption In Society
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Satan As A Khalifa
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Friday Sep 18, 2020
Two Lessons About Hadith From The Quran
Friday Sep 18, 2020
Friday Sep 18, 2020
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Quran: The Only Legitimate Hadith
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Thursday Sep 03, 2020
Choice and Fairness
Thursday Sep 03, 2020
Thursday Sep 03, 2020
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Bigotry Is Not A Virtue
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Thursday Aug 27, 2020
China and The Three Gorges Dam (Perception of Nature vs. Reality of Nature)
Thursday Aug 27, 2020
Thursday Aug 27, 2020
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
Where is Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa?
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
Thursday Aug 20, 2020
God is Physical
Thursday Aug 20, 2020
Thursday Aug 20, 2020
Thursday Aug 13, 2020
Light From Men vs. Light From God
Thursday Aug 13, 2020
Thursday Aug 13, 2020
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
A Tale of Two Communities
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Quran Talk - Yesterday
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Wednesday Jul 22, 2020
Child Marriage
Wednesday Jul 22, 2020
Wednesday Jul 22, 2020
https://quranstudy19.com/2020/07/15/nikah-siri-secret-marriage/
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
BLM and The Religion of Wokeism
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
Thursday Jul 09, 2020
Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and the Manipulation of Language
Thursday Jul 09, 2020
Thursday Jul 09, 2020
Wednesday Jul 01, 2020
Abraham, Circumcision & Quran
Wednesday Jul 01, 2020
Wednesday Jul 01, 2020
Friday Jun 26, 2020
BLM vs Black Lives Matter
Friday Jun 26, 2020
Friday Jun 26, 2020
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Localism
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Justice in Society
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Metric By Which We Judge
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Algorithms For Life
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Thursday Dec 19, 2019
Quran: Top 10 Mistranslated Verses
Thursday Dec 19, 2019
Thursday Dec 19, 2019
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
Quran Burning, Muslim Hypocrisy & China
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
What should be our response to Quran Burning - Norway?
[6:68] If you see those who mock our revelations, you shall avoid them until they delve into another subject. If the devil causes you to forget, then, as soon as you remember, do not sit with such evil people. [6:69] The righteous are not responsible for the utterances of those people, but it may help to remind them; perhaps they may be saved.
[5:57] O you who believe, do not befriend those among the recipients of previous scripture who mock and ridicule your religion, nor shall you befriend the disbelievers. You shall reverence GOD, if you are really believers.
[4:140] He has instructed you in the scripture that: if you hear GOD's revelations being mocked and ridiculed, you shall not sit with them, unless they delve into another subject. Otherwise, you will be as guilty as they are. GOD will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers together in Hell.
[109:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful [109:1] Say, "O you disbelievers. [109:2] "I do not worship what you worship. [109:3] "Nor do you worship what I worship. [109:4] "Nor will I ever worship what you worship. [109:5] "Nor will you ever worship what I worship. [109:6] "To you is your religion, and to me is my religion.”
[87:9] Therefore, you shall remind; perhaps the reminder will benefit. [87:10] The reverent will take heed. [87:11] The wicked will avoid it.
[60:8] GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable. [60:9] GOD enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.
[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
When can we fight?
[2:190] You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors. [2:191] You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. Do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque (Masjid), unless they attack you therein. If they attack you, you may kill them. This is the just retribution for those disbelievers. [2:192] If they refrain, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [2:193] You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship GOD freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only against the aggressors.
Even if we are being oppressed the first response is to get up and move
[9:38] O you who believe, when you are told, "Mobilize in the cause of GOD," why do you become heavily attached to the ground? Have you chosen this worldly life in place of the Hereafter? The materials of this world, compared to the Hereafter, are nil.
[4:97] Those whose lives are terminated by the angels, while in a state of wronging their souls, the angels will ask them, "What was the matter with you?" They will say, "We were oppressed on earth." They will say, "Was GOD's earth not spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?" For these, the final abode is Hell, and a miserable destiny.
[4:75] Why should you not fight in the cause of GOD when weak men, women, and children are imploring: "Our Lord, deliver us from this community whose people are oppressive, and be You our Lord and Master.”
https://apnews.com/b3769b3b2bcc43c8b68826c144cbc447
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry says it has summoned Norway’s ambassador to convey the deep concern of the government and Pakistani people over the recent burning of Islam’s holy book by a Norwegian man that was caught on video.
In Saturday’s statement, the ministry said: “Such actions hurt the sentiments of 1.3 billion Muslims around the world.” The statement demanded action against the person in the city of Kristiansand who desecrated the Quran at an anti-Islam rally last week.
Pakistan’s reaction comes after video surfaced on social media showing a non-Muslim man burning the book.
Meanwhile
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ap-exclusive-629-pakistani-girls-sold-brides-china-67561510
629 Pakistani girls sold as brides to China The list gives the most concrete figure yet for the number of women caught up in the trafficking schemes since 2018.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/pakistan-gives-a-pass-to-chinas-oppression-of-muslims-11570142866
Foreign observers estimate that hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions of Falun Gong practitioners have been detained in "re-education through labor" camps, prisons and other detention facilities for refusing to renounce the spiritual practice
In 2006, allegations emerged that many Falun Gong practitioners had been killed to supply China's organ transplant industry. An initial investigation found that "the source of 41,500 transplants for the six year period 2000 to 2005 is unexplained" and concluded that "there has been and continues today to be large scale organ seizures from unwilling Falun Gong practitioners". Ethan Gutmann estimates 65,000 Falun Gong practitioners were killed for their organs from 2000 to 2008.
Currently, as many as 90,000 transplant operations a year are being carried out in China, the tribunal estimated, a far higher figure than that given by official government sources.
Dr. Jacob Lavee, Director of the Heart Transplant Unit at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, recounts one of his patients traveling to China for a heart transplant. The patient waited two weeks for a heart, and the surgery was scheduled in advance—meaning the organ could not have been procured on the basis of a random death.
Franz Immer, chairman of the Swiss National Foundation for organ donation and transplantation, reports that during a visit to Beijing in 2007, he was invited by his Chinese hosts to observe a heart transplantation operation: “The organizer asked us whether we would like to have the transplantation operation in the morning or in the afternoon. This means that the donor would die, or be killed, at a given time, at the convenience of the visitors. I refused to participate.”
This is because organs must be transplanted immediately after death, or must be taken from a living donor (kidneys must be transplanted within 24–48 hours; livers within 12 hours, and hearts within 8 hours).
Editors of the Journal of Clinical Investigation write that “The only way to guarantee transplant of a liver or heart during the relatively short time period that a transplant tourist is in China is to quickly obtain the requisite medical information from prospective recipients, find matches among them, and then execute a person who is a suitable match.”[26] Noto similarly says that China's organ transplant wait times and the ability to schedule transplants in advance can only be achieved by having a large supply of “living donors that are available on demand.” Death row inmates alone are not numerous enough to meet this demand.[64]
Israel ban citizens going to China for organ transplants
Hoja claims up to 40% of the province's Uyghur population, as many as four million people, could currently be held in the "re-education camps." "They are ill-treated there. They are tortured there. Even you cannot speak your own language in there, you are brainwashed," Hoja alleged. "Every day before your meal you have to sing a 'red' (communist) song, and say thank you to (Chinese President) Xi Jinping or the Communist Party.”
22 countries that condemned China’s forced detention of the Uighur people signatories are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.
Australia: China valued at $183 billion accounting for 24% of total trade. China remained Australia's largest two-way trading partner, export market and import source. In 2018, China invested $63.6B into Australia.
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/04/784753252/china-rebukes-house-bill-condemning-crackdown-on-uighurs
China Rebukes House Bill Condemning Crackdown On Uighurs
12/3/2019 - US House approves bill that calls for sanctioning Chinese officials over Muslim detainment camps
The letter from the 37 countries lauded China’s “remarkable achievements in the field of human rights” and particularly its contribution to “protecting and promoting human rights through development”.
Signing the second letter, in defense of China’s policies, were: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Belarus, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Gabon, Kuwait, Laos, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
Immediately noticeable is the geographic divergence between each list. The first is dominated by Western states, mostly in Europe, and the second stuffed with African and Middle Eastern nations. Importantly, the first letter does not include a single signature from a Muslim-majority state while the second features many, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Saudi crown prince defends China's right to put Uighur Muslims in concentration camps
Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’’s crown prince, on Friday defended China’s use of concentration camps for Muslims, saying it was Beijing’s “right”.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/22/saudi-crown-prince-defends-chinas-right-put-uighur-muslims-concentration/
Qãroon
[28:76] Qãroon (the slave driver) was one of Moses' people who betrayed them and oppressed them. We gave him so many treasures that the keys thereof were almost too heavy for the strongest band. His people said to him, "Do not be so arrogant; GOD does not love those who are arrogant. [28:77] "Use the provisions bestowed upon you by GOD to seek the abode of the Hereafter, without neglecting your share in this world. Be charitable, as GOD has been charitable towards you. Do not keep on corrupting the earth. GOD does not love the corruptors." [28:78] He said, "I attained all this because of my own cleverness." Did he not realize that GOD had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in number? The (annihilated) transgressors were not asked about their crimes. [28:79] One day, he came out to his people in full splendor. Those who preferred this worldly life said, "Oh, we wish that we possess what Qãroon has attained. Indeed, he is very fortunate."
The Real Wealth
[28:80] As for those who were blessed with knowledge, they said, "Woe to you, GOD's recompense is far better for those who believe and lead a righteous life." None attains this except the steadfast.
The Tyrants' Inevitable Fate
[28:81] We then caused the earth to swallow him and his mansion. No army could have helped him against GOD; he was not destined to be a winner. [28:82] Those who were envious of him the day before said, "Now we realize that GOD is the One who provides for whomever He chooses from among His servants, and withholds. If it were not for GOD's grace towards us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us too. We now realize that the disbelievers never succeed.”
As for China
Claim that they closed the education camps
[49:6] 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.
[96:6] Indeed, the human transgresses. [96:7] When he becomes rich. [96:8] To your Lord is the ultimate destiny. [96:9] Have you seen the one who enjoins. [96:10] Others from praying? [96:11] Is it not better for him to follow the guidance? [96:12] Or advocate righteousness? [96:13] If he disbelieves and turns away. [96:14] Does he not realize that GOD sees? [96:15] Indeed, unless he refrains, we will take him by the forelock. [96:16] A forelock that is disbelieving and sinful. [96:17] Let him then call on his helpers. [96:18] We will call the guardians of Hell. [96:19] You shall not obey him; you shall fall prostrate and draw nearer.
[10:100] No soul can believe except in accordance with GOD's will. For He places a curse upon those who refuse to understand. [10:101] Say, "Look at all the signs in the heavens and the earth." All the proofs and all the warnings can never help people who decided to disbelieve. [10:102] Can they expect other than the fate of their counterparts in the past? Say, "Just wait, and, along with you, I am also waiting.”
[35:43] They resorted to arrogance on earth, and evil scheming, and the evil schemes only backfire on those who scheme them. Should they then expect anything but the fate of those who did the same things in the past? You will find that GOD's system is never changeable; you will find that GOD's system is immutable. [35:44] Have they not roamed the earth and noted the consequences for those who preceded them? They were even stronger than they. Nothing can be hidden from GOD in the heavens, nor on earth. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent. [35:45] If GOD punished the people for their sins, He would not leave a single creature on earth. But He respites them for a predetermined interim. Once their interim is fulfilled, then GOD is Seer of His servants.
Friday Dec 06, 2019
Quran Talk - Mountains as Stabilizers
Friday Dec 06, 2019
Friday Dec 06, 2019
[13:3] He is the One who constructed the earth and placed on it mountains and rivers. And from the different kinds of fruits, He made them into pairs - males and females. The night overtakes the day. These are solid proofs for people who think.
[88:17] Why do they not reflect on the camels and how they are created? [88:18] And the sky and how it is raised. [88:19] And the mountains and how they are constructed. [88:20] And the earth and how it is built.
The distance to the center of the Earth is 6,371 kilometers (3,958 mi),
Earth's inner core is the innermost geologic layer of the Earth. It is primarily a solid ball with a radius of about 1,220 kilometres (760 miles), which is about 20% of the Earth's radius. We have no samples of the Earth's core available for direct measurement, but from analysis of seismic waves and the magnetic field the inner core is believed to be composed of an iron–nickel alloy with some other elements. The temperature at the inner core's surface is estimated to be approximately 5700 K (5430 °C or 9806 °F), which is about the temperature at the surface of the Sun.
Earth's outer core is a fluid layer about 2,400 km (1,500 mi or 40% of Earth’s radius) thick and composed of mostly liquid iron and nickel. Its outer boundary lies 2,890 km (1,800 mi) beneath Earth's surface. The transition between the inner core and outer core is located approximately 5,150 km (3,200 mi) beneath the Earth's surface.
Earth’s mantle: The mantle is the mostly-solid bulk of Earth's interior. The mantle lies between Earth's dense, super-heated core and its thin outer layer, the crust. The mantle is about 2,900 kilometers (1,802 miles 40% of Earth’s radius) thick, and makes up a whopping 84% of Earth's total volume.
Humans have drilled over 12 kilometers (7.67 miles) in the Sakhalin-I. In terms of depth below the surface, the Kola Superdeep Borehole SG-3 retains the world record at 12,262 metres (40,230 ft) in 1989 and still is the deepest artificial point on Earth.
The Earth's crust is a thin shell on the outside of the Earth, accounting for less than 1% of Earth's volume. The Earth's crust ranges from 5–70 kilometres (3.1–43.5 mi) in depth. Because Earth’s crust are less dense than the mantle below, both types of crust "float" on the mantle.
Mountains Moving
Continental drift
The Earth has 7 major plates. Each of these plates float onto of the Earth’s mantle. Each year each plate moves about an inch. When these plates collide into one another the plate that is stronger moves below and the plate that is weaker moves on top. Then over millions of years this accumulation in moving causes the formation of mountains.
Mountains are waves of stone - their time horizon is much longer and move much slower
[27:88] When you look at the mountains, you think that they are standing still. But they are moving, like the clouds. Such is the manufacture of GOD, who perfected everything. He is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
[79:30] He made the earth egg-shaped.
79 |
30 |
1 |
وَالْأَرْضَ |
And the earth |
wal-arḍa |
ا ر ﺽ |
79 |
30 |
2 |
بَعْدَ |
after |
baʿda |
ب ع د |
79 |
30 |
3 |
ذَٰلِكَ |
that |
dhālika |
ذ ل ك |
79 |
30 |
4 |
دَحَاهَا |
spread it / made it egg-shaped. |
daḥāhā |
د ح و |
The root for the word has predominately two meanings: the first meaning is of an egg, but specifically an ostrich egg.
The word دَحَاهَا / dahaha in Arabic comes from the word for an egg, but specifically an ostrich egg. The Earth is not a perfect sphere it is an Oblate Spheroid, where the north and south pole are slightly compressed and the equator is slightly expanded.
What kind of an ostrich did the Arabs at the time of the revelation of the Quran have among them? It was called the Arabian ostrich (also known as the Syrian ostrich) that sadly went extinct in the early 20th century. But luckily for us one of these eggs was discovered and preserved. It was as a gift the poet C.M. Doughty gave to archeologist T.E. Lawrence.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p030vqx5
https://twitter.com/nhm_oology/status/576067708837605376
Egg yolk = core, egg white = mantle, shell = crust
The second meaning of the root دَحَاهَا / dahaha means:
to spread, stretch, expand,
I equate this to the description of the tectonic plates of the earth. That God is giving us two pieces of information about the earth, one is its shape, the other is it’s make up.
When people describe the plate tectonics of the Earth they describe it like an egg that is cracked with its shell bumping into one another.
Mars
Without the fragmentation of the crust of the Earth through plate tectonics the only mountains we would of had would be volcanoes. The tallest mountain in our Solar System is on Mars. It is called Mount Olympus (72,000 ft) twice as tall as Mount Everest.
Early on, Mars had really active volcanoes, fed by hot, rising blobs of rock from deep inside. But Mars doesn't have tectonic plates that move over hotspots, like in Hawaii. So instead of getting a chain of volcanoes, you could keep building one huge one. And, with the lower gravity on Mars, that magma could be pushed to great heights.
Plate tectonics is not necessary for the creation of mountains, but without plate tectonics many of the minerals and nutrients that are part of the crust and mantle of the Earth would never get to the surface.
mountains act as elevators for minerals deep in the earth
What do we gain from mountains?
There are typically two words throughout the Quran that God uses in reference to mountains.
الْجَبَلَ (al-jabal) = mountain
رَوَاسِيَ (rawaseea) = stabilizers (78:7)
[15:19] As for the earth, we constructed it, and placed on it stabilizers (mountains), and we grew on it a perfect balance of everything.
How are mountains stabilizers
[78:7] And the mountains stabilizers (awtādan) ?
78 |
7 |
1 |
وَالْجِبَالَ |
And the mountains |
wal-jibāla |
ج ب ل |
78 |
7 |
2 |
أَوْتَادًا |
(as) pegs / stakes (stabilizers). |
awtādan |
و ت د |
[16:15] And He placed stabilizers (mountains) on earth, lest it tumbles with you, as well as rivers and roads, that you may be guided.
[21:31] And we placed on earth stabilizers, lest it tumbles with them, and we placed straight roads therein, that they may be guided.
[31:10] He created the heavens without pillars that you can see. He established on earth stabilizers (mountains) lest it tumbles with you, and He spread on it all kinds of creatures. We send down from the sky water to grow all kinds of beautiful plants.
Rain Shadow Effect
Mountains catch the moisture of rivers of water in the sky and snow and produce fresh water
[77:27] We placed on it high mountains, and provided you with fresh water to drink.
Beetle in the desert goes to the tops of the dunes for moisture to drink, then the birds eat the beetles for water
Most mountain ranges occur along coastlines.
Minerals taken from mountains and dumped into oceans and rivers for life
Rain, snow and wind dissolve the limestone and send it back to the ocean, where it settles
That was enough to convince them that the forces that churn the earth’s crust into jagged peaks also help our climate stay relatively stable
Rivers
Mountains are often called nature's water towers. ... It is no surprise then that in semi-arid and arid regions, over 70 to 90 percent of river flows come from mountains. But even in temperate areas, 30 to 60 percent of freshwater can come from highland watersheds.
Carbon Cycle
Climate cycle keeps temperatures stable
Winds
Deflects the winds
Stabilize the weather
Colors
[35:27] Do you not realize that GOD sends down from the sky water, whereby we produce fruits of various colors? Even the mountains have different colors; the peaks are white, or red, or some other color. And the ravens are black.
Without mountains, there will be a more uniform distribution of rainfall. Aesthetically, over time, plate movements, together with other geologic processes, have created some of Nature's most magnificent scenery.
Without mountains on our planet, we would lose our trees and our other plant life - moving down that chain of living things.
That bedrock would be ground away by storms. The Earth would become smaller and smaller and without plants, it would lose its atmosphere.
Something interesting about Mountains and specifically their tops, I don’t think any location is held more dearly to individuals globally as mountain tops.
Everywhere in the world, people consider their mountains and specifically their tops as sacred, but sometimes for vastly different reasons.
A perfect example of this is happening right now in Hawaii.
Mauna Kea, in Hawai’i on the Big Island. Its peak is 4,207.3 m (13,803 ft) above sea level. Most of the volcano is underwater, and when measured from its underwater base, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world if you measure from its base which is ~20,000 ft below sea level, measuring over 10,000 m (33,000 ft) in height.
Everest from its base is 29,029′
For generations, the Hawaiian people considered the top of their beloved mountain as sacred, and this came to a tipping point because on top of Mauna Kea is also one of the best locations in the world to observe the night sky.
The brightest places in the world have the darkest skies
The location is near ideal because of its dark skies from lack of light pollution, good astronomical seeing, low humidity, high elevation above most of the water vapor in the atmosphere, clean air, good weather and low latitude location. Also, Mauna Kea is one of the only places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours.
So it makes it one of the best places in the world to set up an observatory
Currently, there are 13 observatories at Mauna Kea summit.
Today there is an ongoing debate in Hawaii regarding the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is considered an Extremely Large Telescope. It will actually be the largest telescope in the northern hemisphere, if it is built.
Portal into the rest of the universe where you realize you are on this rock hurling through the cosmos
Both groups appreciate and see the sacredness in mountain tops but for two fundamentally different reasons.
But both can appreciate that at these locations it instills a feeling of humility and reverence in human beings.
For one we realize how insignificant we are, how vast the universe is, and how great God who created all this is.
[41:10] He placed on it stabilizers (mountains), made it productive, and He calculated its provisions in four days, to satisfy the needs of all its inhabitants.
41 |
10 |
1 |
وَجَعَلَ |
And He placed |
wajaʿala |
ج ع ل |
41 |
10 |
2 |
فِيهَا |
therein |
fīhā |
ف ي |
41 |
10 |
3 |
رَوَاسِيَ |
stabilizers (mountains) |
rawāsiya |
ر س و |
41 |
10 |
4 |
مِنْ |
from |
min |
م ن |
41 |
10 |
5 |
فَوْقِهَا |
above it |
fawqihā |
ف و ق |
41 |
10 |
6 |
وَبَارَكَ |
and He blessed |
wabāraka |
ب ر ك |
41 |
10 |
7 |
فِيهَا |
therein. |
fīhā |
ف ي |
Humility
Mountains keep people balanced between
spiritual and scientific
Humble and aspirational
[17:37] You shall not walk proudly on earth —you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains.
[7:171] We raised the mountain above them like an umbrella, and they thought it was going to fall on them: "You shall uphold what we have given you, strongly, and remember the contents thereof, that you may be saved."
Mountains humble the human instincts and reveal our insignificance
We look like ants Half Dome
Mountains Day of Judgment
[18:47] The day will come when we wipe out the mountains, and you will see the earth barren. We will summon them all, not leaving out a single one of them.
[52:10 / 56:5 / 81:3] The mountains will be wiped out.
[70:9 / 101:5] The mountains will be like fluffy wool.
[73:16] The day will come when the earth and the mountains will quake, and the mountains will turn into a weightless pile.
[77:10] The mountains are blown up.
[78:20] The mountains will be removed, as if they were a mirage.
[20:105] They ask you about the mountains. Say, "My Lord will wipe them out.
[69:14] The earth and the mountains will be carried off and crushed; utterly crushed.
[73:14] The day will come when the earth and the mountains will quake, and the mountains will turn into a weightless pile.
No Ego:
[33:72] We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.
[22:18] Do you not realize that to GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and the animals, and many people? Many others among the people are committed to doom. Whomever GOD shames, none will honor him. Everything is in accordance with GOD's will.
Friday Nov 08, 2019
Wisdom - The Things That Never Change
Friday Nov 08, 2019
Friday Nov 08, 2019
Knowledge / Wisdom / Understanding
[2:269] He bestows wisdom upon whomever He chooses, and whoever attains wisdom, has attained a great bounty. Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
Proverbs 8: 10 Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold; to gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
What is wisdom?
[31:12] We have endowed Luqmãn with wisdom:
"You shall be appreciative of GOD." Whoever is appreciative is appreciative for his own good. As for those who turn unappreciative, GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy.
[31:13] Recall that Luqmãn said to his son, as he enlightened him, "O my son, do not set up any idols beside GOD; idolatry is a gross injustice.”
[31:16] "O my son, know that even something as tiny as a mustard seed, deep inside a rock, be it in the heavens or the earth, GOD will bring it. GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.
[31:17] "O my son, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat).
You shall advocate righteousness and forbid evil,
and remain steadfast in the face of adversity. These are the most honorable traits.
[31:18] "You shall not treat the people with arrogance,
nor shall you roam the earth proudly. GOD does not like the arrogant showoffs.
[31:19] "Walk humbly and lower your voice—the ugliest voice is the donkey's voice.”
But there is one other key to wisdom:
If information was all we need six pack abs and millionaires
[62:5] The example of those who were given the Torah then failed to uphold it is like the donkey carrying great works of literature. Miserable indeed is the example of people who rejected GOD's revelations. GOD does not guide the wicked people.
Knowledge without action is useless
Knowledge like wealth is a provision meaning that it is allocated strictly by God to His servants
[34:39] Say, "My Lord is the One who controls all provisions; He increases the provisions for whomever He chooses from among His servants, or reduces them. Anything you spend (in the cause of God), He will reward you for it; He is the Best Provider.”
We used to hoard stuff now many of us hoard knowledge - as if I just read one more book, listen to one more podcast, read one more article or tweet then I will be complete. It never ends are apatite for information is endless.
Hoarding in Arabic means the continuous pursuit for more things.
The only thing we should be continuously pursuing for our entire lives is righteousness and attempting to gain God’s favor because this is the only thing that will matter in the Hereafter
Like anything else - if we are unappreciative of the knowledge God gave us then He may take it back.
[17:85] They ask you about the revelation. Say, "The revelation comes from my Lord. The knowledge given to you is minute." [17:86] If we will, we can take back what we revealed to you, then you will find no protector against us.
We think that wisdom comes with knowing more, but the only thing that comes with knowing more is responsibility.
Knowledge is just like wealth the more we have the more we are responsible for
The Rich Believer is Better than the Poor Believer
[16:75] GOD cites the example of a slave who is owned, and is totally powerless, compared to one whom we blessed with good provisions, from which he gives to charity secretly and publicly. Are they equal? Praise be to GOD, most of them do not know.
[16:76] And GOD cites the example of two men: one is dumb, lacks the ability to do anything, is totally dependent on his master—whichever way he directs him, he cannot produce anything good. Is he equal to one who rules with justice, and is guided in the right path?
[58:11] O you who believe, if you are told, "Please make room," you shall make room for each other to sit. GOD will then make room for you. If you are asked to get up and move, get up and move. GOD raises those among you who believe, and those who acquire knowledge to higher ranks. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
What is the difference between one who has knowledge and doesn’t use it and one who doesn’t have knowledge - nothing in their actions but everything regarding their responsibility
We are each responsible for what we know
But God’s tests have nothing to do with what we know, it is about what we do with the knowledge that he has given to us. Knowing a lot and doing nothing is far worse than knowing nothing.
God doesn’t judge you by how much you know He judges you by what you do with the knowledge you have
Jesus parable of the talents Matthew 25:14–30
Difference between Wisdom and Understanding
Black box example
Like knowing who committed the murder compared to knowing what was the reason the person committed the murder
[21:78] And David and Solomon, when they once ruled with regard to someone's crop that was destroyed by another's sheep. We witnessed their judgment.
[21:79] We granted Solomon the correct understanding, though we endowed both of them with wisdom and knowledge….
21 |
79 |
1 |
فَفَهَّمْنَاهَا |
Then we gave understanding and appreciation of it |
fafahhamnāhā |
ف ه م |
21 |
79 |
2 |
سُلَيْمَانَ |
(to) Solomon, |
sulaymāna |
س ل م |
21 |
79 |
3 |
وَكُلًّا |
but (to) each |
wakullan |
ك ل ل |
21 |
79 |
4 |
آتَيْنَا |
we gave |
ātaynā |
ا ت ي |
21 |
79 |
5 |
حُكْمًا |
judgement / authority / wisdom |
ḥuk'man |
ح ك م |
21 |
79 |
6 |
وَعِلْمًا |
and knowledge. |
waʿil'man |
ع ل م |
ف ه م = to give true understanding and appreciation of something / richness in understanding
Different than ع ق ل which also means understanding
ح ك م = wisdom; knowledge; quality judgement; authority = equates knowing and doing
Wisdom = knowing how the world really works
Understanding = why the world works the way it does
Difference between blindly following and faith
If we know and have verified that the book is beyond a doubt from God, then we trust in God’s commandments and His words.
Difference between a directive and a suggestion
If you trust the source you don’t need to know the reasons
For instance you go to the doctor or mechanic and they give you a prescription - if you trust them that they have done the research and are the expert in the field then you do not need to know the science behind why they prescribed the medication they gave you, and also you will eventually see first hand the benefits it has after you put it in action.
How can we find wisdom?
Jeff Bezos - focus on what never changes
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994. Currently I believe his net worth is over 100 billion dollars. But while Amazon is undeniably a tech company, the business was built on this old-school premise: Focus on the things that don't change.
Here's Bezos:
"I very frequently get the question: "What's going to change in the next 10 years?" And that is a very interesting question; it's a very common one. I almost never get the question: "What's not going to change in the next 10 years?" And I submit to you that that second question is actually the more important of the two -- because you can build a business strategy around the things that are stable in time. ...
[I]n our retail business, we know that customers want low prices, and I know that's going to be true 10 years from now. They want fast delivery; they want vast selection. It's impossible to imagine a future 10 years from now where a customer comes up and says:
"Jeff, I love Amazon; I just wish the prices were a little higher." "I love Amazon; I just wish you'd deliver a little more slowly."
Impossible. And so the effort we put into those things, spinning those things up, we know the energy we put into it today will still be paying off dividends for our customers 10 years from now. When you have something that you know is true, even over the long term, you can afford to put a lot of energy into it."
The Quran focuses on the things in life that never change.
That is why the Quran is just as applicable today as it was 1400 years ago and it will be hundreds of years into the future. These are timeless wisdom.
[9:70] Have they not learned anything from the previous generations; the people of Noah, Ad, Thamud, the people of Abraham, the dwellers of Midyan, and the evildoers (of Sodom and Gomorrah)? Their messengers went to them with clear proofs. GOD never wronged them; they are the ones who wronged their own souls.
People are struggling and they turn to God,
God blesses them then they turn arrogant and suffer the consequences of their actions
Then the later generations turn back to God for redemption
God redeems them and bless them only to have the next generation turn back to being unappreciative
[7:94] Whenever we sent a prophet to any community, we afflicted its people with adversity and hardship, that they may implore. [7:95] Then we substituted peace and prosperity in place of that hardship. But alas, they turned heedless and said, "It was our parents who experienced that hardship before prosperity." Consequently, we punished them suddenly when they least expected.
[6:34] Messengers before you have been rejected, and they steadfastly persevered in the face of rejection. They were persecuted until our victory came to them. Such is GOD's system that will never change. The history of My messengers thus sets the precedents for you.
[35:43] They resorted to arrogance on earth, and evil scheming, and the evil schemes only backfire on those who scheme them. Should they then expect anything but the fate of those who did the same things in the past? You will find that GOD's system is never changeable; you will find that GOD's system is immutable. [35:44] Have they not roamed the earth and noted the consequences for those who preceded them? They were even stronger than they. Nothing can be hidden from GOD in the heavens, nor on earth. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent.
[48:23] Such is GOD's system throughout history, and you will find that GOD's system is unchangeable.
The more the world changes the more we find comfort in the things that never change
[6:130] O you jinns and humans, did you not receive messengers from among you, who narrated to you My revelations, and warned you about the meeting of this day? They will say, "We bear witness against ourselves." They were totally preoccupied with the worldly life, and they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers. [6:131] This is to show that your Lord never annihilates any community unjustly, while its people are unaware. [6:132] Everyone will attain a rank commensurate with their deeds. Your Lord is never unaware of anything they do. [6:133] Your Lord is the Rich One; possessor of all mercy. If He wills, He can remove you, and substitute whomever He wills in your place, just as He produced you from the progeny of other people. [6:134] What is promised to you will come to pass, and you can never evade it. [6:135] Say, "O my people, do your best, and so will I. You will surely find out who the ultimate victors are." Certainly, the wicked will never succeed.
[31:12] We have endowed Luqmãn with wisdom:
"You shall be appreciative of GOD." Whoever is appreciative is appreciative for his own good. As for those who turn unappreciative, GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy.
[31:13] Recall that Luqmãn said to his son, as he enlightened him, "O my son, do not set up any idols beside GOD; idolatry is a gross injustice.”
[31:16] "O my son, know that even something as tiny as a mustard seed, deep inside a rock, be it in the heavens or the earth, GOD will bring it. GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.
[31:17] "O my son, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat).
You shall advocate righteousness and forbid evil,
and remain steadfast in the face of adversity. These are the most honorable traits.
[31:18] "You shall not treat the people with arrogance,
nor shall you roam the earth proudly. GOD does not like the arrogant showoffs.
[31:19] "Walk humbly and lower your voice—the ugliest voice is the donkey's voice.”
Conclusion
[44:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful [44:1] H. M. [44:2] And this enlightening scripture. [44:3] We have sent it down in a blessed night, for we are to warn. [44:4] In it (the scripture), every matter of wisdom is clarified.
[2:269] He bestows wisdom upon whomever He chooses, and whoever attains wisdom, has attained a great bounty. Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
False Prohibitions in Islam: Are Pirates Haram?
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
[29:68] Who is more evil than one who fabricates lies and attributes them to GOD, or rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is Hell not a just retribution for the disbelievers?
-
That angels do not enter homes where there is a dog or angle
-
That it is not only prohibited to keep a dog for anything other than guarding livestock or farm work, but if you do you will have you good deeds taken away from you
-
That the saliva of a dog is najis (unclean) and if it touches a utensil it must be washed 7 times
-
That if a dog, donkey, or women walk in front of someone who is doing Salat that it nullifies one’s Salat.
24
|
31
|
1
|
وَقُلْ
|
And say
|
waqul
|
ق و ل
|
24
|
31
|
2
|
لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ
|
to the believing women
|
lil'mu'mināti
|
ا م ن
|
24
|
31
|
3
|
يَغْضُضْنَ
|
they should subdue
|
yaghḍuḍ'na
|
غ ﺽ ﺽ
|
24
|
31
|
4
|
مِنْ
|
[of]
|
min
|
م ن
|
24
|
31
|
5
|
أَبْصَارِهِنَّ
|
their eyes
|
abṣārihinna
|
ب ص ر
|
24
|
31
|
6
|
وَيَحْفَظْنَ
|
and they should guard
|
wayaḥfaẓna
|
ح ف ظ
|
24
|
31
|
7
|
فُرُوجَهُنَّ
|
their chastity,
|
furūjahunna
|
ف ر ج
|
24
|
31
|
8
|
وَلَا
|
and not
|
walā
|
ل ا
|
24
|
31
|
9
|
يُبْدِينَ
|
they (to) reveal
|
yub'dīna
|
ب د و
|
24
|
31
|
10
|
زِينَتَهُنَّ
|
their adornments (bodies)
|
zīnatahunna
|
زين
|
24
|
31
|
11
|
إِلَّا
|
except
|
illā
|
ا ل ل ا
|
24
|
31
|
12
|
مَا
|
what
|
mā
|
م ا
|
24
|
31
|
13
|
ظَهَرَ
|
it is apparent / obvious / necessary
|
ẓahara
|
ظ ه ر
|
24
|
31
|
14
|
مِنْهَا
|
of it.
|
min'hā
|
م ن
|
24
|
31
|
15
|
وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ
|
And that they shall set forth / put
|
walyaḍrib'na
|
ﺽرب
|
24
|
31
|
16
|
بِخُمُرِهِنَّ
|
with their cover
|
bikhumurihinna
|
خمر
|
24
|
31
|
17
|
عَلَىٰ
|
over
|
ʿalā
|
علي
|
24
|
31
|
18
|
جُيُوبِهِنَّ
|
their bosoms
|
juyūbihinna
|
جيب
|
24
|
31
|
19
|
وَلَا
|
and not
|
walā
|
لا
|
24
|
31
|
20
|
يُبْدِينَ
|
they (to) reveal
|
yub'dīna
|
بدو
|
24
|
31
|
21
|
زِينَتَهُنَّ
|
their adornments (bodies)
|
zīnatahunna
|
زين
|
24
|
31
|
22
|
إِلَّا
|
except
|
illā
|
ا ل ل ا
|
24
|
31
|
23
|
لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ
|
to their husbands,
|
libuʿūlatihinna
|
ب ع ل
|
24
|
31
|
63
|
وَلَا
|
And not
|
walā
|
لا
|
24
|
31
|
64
|
يَضْرِبْنَ
|
they (shall) strike
|
yaḍrib'na
|
ﺽرب
|
24
|
31
|
65
|
بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ
|
with their feet
|
bi-arjulihinna
|
رجل
|
24
|
31
|
66
|
لِيُعْلَمَ
|
that it make known
|
liyuʿ'lama
|
علم
|
24
|
31
|
67
|
مَا
|
what
|
mā
|
ما
|
24
|
31
|
68
|
يُخْفِينَ
|
they conceal
|
yukh'fīna
|
خفي
|
24
|
31
|
69
|
مِنْ
|
of
|
min
|
من
|
24
|
31
|
70
|
زِينَتِهِنَّ
|
their adornments (bodies).
|
zīnatihinna
|
زين
|
24
|
60
|
8
|
فَلَيْسَ
|
then not (is)
|
falaysa
|
ل ي س
|
24
|
60
|
9
|
عَلَيْهِنَّ
|
on them
|
ʿalayhinna
|
ع ل ي
|
24
|
60
|
10
|
جُنَاحٌ
|
any blame
|
junāḥun
|
ج ن ح
|
24
|
60
|
11
|
أَنْ
|
that
|
an
|
ا ن
|
24
|
60
|
12
|
يَضَعْنَ
|
they put aside (relax)
|
yaḍaʿna
|
و ﺽ ع
|
24
|
60
|
13
|
ثِيَابَهُنَّ
|
their (outer) garments / robe,
|
thiyābahunna
|
ث و ب
|
24
|
60
|
14
|
غَيْرَ
|
not
|
ghayra
|
غ ي ر
|
24
|
60
|
15
|
مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ
|
displaying
|
mutabarrijātin
|
ب ر ج
|
24
|
60
|
16
|
بِزِينَةٍ
|
with an adornment (bodies).
|
bizīnatin
|
ز ي ن
|
24
|
60
|
17
|
وَأَنْ
|
And that
|
wa-an
|
ا ن
|
24
|
60
|
18
|
يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ
|
they shall maintain modesty
|
yastaʿfif'na
|
ع ف ف
|
24
|
60
|
19
|
خَيْرٌ
|
(is) better
|
khayrun
|
خ ي ر
|
24
|
60
|
20
|
لَهُنَّ
|
for them.
|
lahunna
|
ل
|
7
|
31
|
1
|
يَابَنِي
|
O Children (of)
|
yābanī
|
ب ن و
|
7
|
31
|
2
|
آدَمَ
|
Adam!
|
ādama
|
ا د م
|
7
|
31
|
3
|
خُذُوا
|
Take* [you all]
|
khudhū
|
ا خ ذ
|
7
|
31
|
4
|
زِينَتَكُمْ
|
your adornments (*be clean and dress nicely)
|
zīnatakum
|
ز ي ن
|
7
|
31
|
5
|
عِنْدَ
|
at
|
ʿinda
|
ع ن د
|
7
|
31
|
6
|
كُلِّ
|
every
|
kulli
|
ك ل ل
|
7
|
31
|
7
|
مَسْجِدٍ
|
masjid,
|
masjidin
|
س ج د
|
7
|
31
|
8
|
وَكُلُوا
|
and eat [you all]
|
wakulū
|
ا ك ل
|
7
|
31
|
9
|
وَاشْرَبُوا
|
and drink [you all]
|
wa-ish'rabū
|
ش ر ب
|
7
|
31
|
10
|
وَلَا
|
but (do) not
|
walā
|
ل ا
|
7
|
31
|
11
|
تُسْرِفُوا
|
you [all] be extravagant / gluttonous.
|
tus'rifū
|
س ر ف
|
7
|
31
|
12
|
إِنَّهُ
|
Indeed, He
|
innahu
|
ا ن ن
|
7
|
31
|
13
|
لَا
|
(does) not
|
lā
|
ل ا
|
7
|
31
|
14
|
يُحِبُّ
|
[He] love
|
yuḥibbu
|
ح ب ب
|
7
|
31
|
15
|
الْمُسْرِفِينَ
|
the extravagant ones / gluttons.
|
l-mus'rifīna
|
س ر ف
|
2
|
222
|
1
|
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ
|
And they ask you
|
wayasalūnaka
|
س ا ل
|
2
|
222
|
2
|
عَنِ
|
about
|
ʿani
|
ع ن
|
2
|
222
|
3
|
الْمَحِيضِ
|
[the] menstruation.
|
l-maḥīḍi
|
ح ي ﺽ
|
2
|
222
|
4
|
قُلْ
|
Say,
|
qul
|
ق و ل
|
2
|
222
|
5
|
هُوَ
|
"It (is)
|
huwa
|
ه و
|
2
|
222
|
6
|
أَذًى
|
harmful,
|
adhan
|
ا ذ ي
|
2
|
222
|
7
|
فَاعْتَزِلُوا
|
so keep away [you all] (from)
|
fa-iʿ'tazilū
|
ع ز ل
|
2
|
222
|
8
|
النِّسَاءَ
|
[the] women
|
l-nisāa
|
ن س و
|
2
|
222
|
9
|
فِي
|
during
|
fī
|
ف ي
|
2
|
222
|
10
|
الْمَحِيضِ
|
(their) [the] menstruation.
|
l-maḥīḍi
|
ح ي ﺽ
|
2
|
222
|
11
|
وَلَا
|
And (do) not
|
walā
|
ل ا
|
2
|
222
|
12
|
تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ
|
[you all] approach them
|
taqrabūhunna
|
ق ر ب
|
2
|
222
|
13
|
حَتَّىٰ
|
until
|
ḥattā
|
ح ت ت ي
|
2
|
222
|
14
|
يَطْهُرْنَ
|
they are cleansed.
|
yaṭhur'na
|
ط ه ر
|
2
|
222
|
15
|
فَإِذَا
|
Then when
|
fa-idhā
|
ا ذ ا
|
2
|
222
|
16
|
تَطَهَّرْنَ
|
they are clean,
|
taṭahharna
|
ط ه ر
|
2
|
222
|
17
|
فَأْتُوهُنَّ
|
then come to them
|
fatūhunna
|
ا ت ي
|
2
|
222
|
18
|
مِنْ
|
from
|
min
|
م ن
|
2
|
222
|
19
|
حَيْثُ
|
where
|
ḥaythu
|
ح ي ث
|
2
|
222
|
20
|
أَمَرَكُمُ
|
[He] has ordered you
|
amarakumu
|
ا م ر
|
2
|
222
|
21
|
اللَّهُ
|
God."
|
l-lahu
|
ا ل ه
|
2
|
222
|
22
|
إِنَّ
|
Indeed,
|
inna
|
ا ن ن
|
2
|
222
|
23
|
اللَّهَ
|
God
|
l-laha
|
ا ل ه
|
2
|
222
|
24
|
يُحِبُّ
|
[He] loves
|
yuḥibbu
|
ح ب ب
|
2
|
222
|
25
|
التَّوَّابِينَ
|
Those who turn in repentance,
|
l-tawābīna
|
ت و ب
|
2
|
222
|
26
|
وَيُحِبُّ
|
and He loves
|
wayuḥibbu
|
ح ب ب
|
2
|
222
|
27
|
الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
|
those who purify themselves / are clean.
|
l-mutaṭahirīna
|
ط ه ر
|
56
|
79
|
1
|
لَا
|
Not
|
lā
|
ل ا
|
56
|
79
|
2
|
يَمَسُّهُ
|
[he] (can) touch / grasp it
|
yamassuhu
|
م س س
|
56
|
79
|
3
|
إِلَّا
|
except
|
illā
|
ا ل ل ا
|
56
|
79
|
4
|
الْمُطَهَّرُونَ
|
the purified / sincere [ones].
|
l-muṭaharūna
|
ط ه ر
|
Friday Oct 18, 2019
Joseph
Friday Oct 18, 2019
Friday Oct 18, 2019
[12:7] In Joseph and his brothers there are lessons for the seekers.
Dream #1 - Humility
When Joseph was explaining his dream to his father Jacob, there is a slight subtlety that is in the verse that is showing Joseph’s humility. The verse reads:
[12:4] Recall that Joseph said to his father, "O my father, I saw eleven planets, and the sun, and the moon; I saw them prostrating before me.”
Notice that Joseph didn’t say:
"O my father, I saw eleven planets, and the sun, and the moon prostrating before me.”
This repeating of “I saw” appears to be a hesitation in telling his father what he saw, and shows Joseph’s humility even at a young age, that despite what he witnessed in his dream he was not boasting.
And think who was Joseph’s father? Jacob (Israel) one of God’s prophets, who was among the most righteous.
The thought of telling his own father a prophet of God that in his dream he saw the solar system prostrating before him he was apprehensive to tell him.
As children, it is easier to be humble.
[16:78] GOD brought you out of your mothers' bellies knowing nothing, and He gave you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains, that you may be appreciative.
As children, everyone seems bigger than us, smarter than us, more accomplished and respected than us.
But what happens when we become older?
Dream #2 - Arrogance
When Joseph was in prison we see the following interaction he had with his prison mates
[12:36] Two young men were in the prison with him. One of them said, "I saw (in my dream) that I was making wine," and the other said, "I saw myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds were eating. Inform us of the interpretation of these dreams. We see that you are righteous." [12:37] He said, "If any food is provided to you, I can inform you about it before you receive it. This is some of the knowledge bestowed upon me by my Lord. I have forsaken the religion of people who do not believe in GOD, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are really disbelievers. [12:38] "And I followed instead the religion of my ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We never set up any idols beside GOD. Such is the blessing from GOD upon us and upon the people, but most people are unappreciative. [12:39] "O my prison mates, are several gods better, or GOD alone, the One, the Supreme? [12:40] "You do not worship beside Him except innovations that you have made up, you and your parents. GOD has never authorized such idols. All ruling belongs to GOD, and He has ruled that you shall not worship except Him. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know. [12:41] "O my prison mates, one of you will be the wine butler for his lord, while the other will be crucified— the birds will eat from his head. This settles the matter about which you have inquired." [12:42] He then said to the one to be saved "Remember me at your lord." Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years.
[61:2] O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do? [61:3] Most abominable in the sight of GOD is that you say what you do not do.
[47:30] If we will, we can expose them for you, so that you can recognize them just by looking at them. However, you can recognize them by the way they talk. GOD is fully aware of all your works.
[3:159] It was mercy from GOD 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 GOD. GOD loves those who trust in Him.*
[20:114] Most Exalted is GOD, the only true King. Do not rush into uttering the Quran before it is revealed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase my knowledge."
Dream #3 - Confidence
The King's Dream
[12:43] The king said, "I saw seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes (of wheat), and others shriveled. O my elders, advise me regarding my dream, if you know how to interpret the dreams." [12:44] They said, "Nonsense dreams. When it comes to the interpretation of dreams, we are not knowledgeable." [12:45] The one who was saved (from the prison) said, now that he finally remembered, "I can tell you its interpretation, so send me (to Joseph).”
Joseph Interprets the King's Dream
[12:46] "Joseph my friend, inform us about seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes, and others shriveled. I wish to go back with some information for the people." [12:47] He said, "What you cultivate during the next seven years, when the time of harvest comes, leave the grains in their spikes, except for what you eat. [12:48] "After that, seven years of drought will come, which will consume most of what you stored for them. [12:49] "After that, a year will come that brings relief for the people, and they will, once again, press juice."
[12:50] The king said, "Bring him to me." When the (king’s) messenger came to him, he (Joseph) said, "Go back to your lord and ask him to investigate the women who cut their hands. My Lord is fully aware of their schemes."
[12:51] (The king) said (to the women), "What do you know about the incident when you tried to seduce Joseph?" They said, "GOD forbid; we did not know of anything evil committed by him." The wife of the governor said, "Now the truth has prevailed. I am the one who tried to seduce him, and he was the truthful one.
[12:52] "I hope that he will realize that I never betrayed him in his absence, for GOD does not bless the schemes of the betrayers. [12:53] "I do not claim innocence for myself. The self is an advocate of vice, except for those who have attained mercy from my Lord. My Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful."
Joseph Attains Prominence
[12:54] The king said, "Bring him (Joseph) to me, so I can hire him to work for me." When he talked with him, he said, "Today, you have a prominent position with us." [12:55] He said, "Make me the treasurer, for I am experienced in this area and knowledgeable." [12:56] We thus established Joseph on earth, ruling as he wished. We shower our mercy upon whomever we will, and we never fail to recompense the righteous.
From lack of confidence to arrogance to confidence
Mistake confidence vs. competence
Notice Joseph didn’t lecture the people asking him about the dream: he was straightforward, he asked them to investigate even before he agreed to leave; then he said “make me treasurer
*****************INCREASE FAITH THROUGH TRAGEDY*****************
Jacob sensed Joseph’s greatness via the dream
Jacob sensed the brother’s plot via their words
[12:5] He said, "My son, do not tell your brothers about your dream, lest they plot and scheme against you. Surely, the devil is man's worst enemy.
Jacob sensed the brothers were lying about Joseph
[12:11] They said, "Our father, why do you not trust us with Joseph? We will take good care of him (wish him well). [12:12] "Send him with us tomorrow to run and play. We will protect him."
12 |
12 |
6 |
وَإِنَّا |
And indeed, we |
wa-innā |
ا ن ن |
12 |
12 |
7 |
لَهُ |
for him |
lahu |
ل |
12 |
12 |
8 |
لَحَافِظُونَ |
(will) surely (be) guardians." |
laḥāfiẓūna |
ح ف ظ |
[12:13] He said, "I worry lest you go away with him, then the wolf may devour him while you are not watching him."
[12:17] They said, "Our father, we went racing with each other, leaving Joseph with our equipment, and the wolf devoured him. You will never believe us, even if we were telling the truth." [12:18] They produced his shirt with fake blood on it.
Shirt wasn’t torn just had fake blood on it
[12:18 con’t] He said, "Indeed, you have conspired with each other to commit a certain scheme. All I can do is resort to a quiet (فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ / Jameel / beautiful) patience. May GOD help me in the face of your conspiracy.”
Post-traumatic stress vs. Post-traumatic growth
[12:63] When they returned to their father, they said, "Our father, we can no longer get any provisions, unless you send our brother with us. We will take good care of him."
12 |
63 |
14 |
وَإِنَّا |
And indeed, we |
wa-innā |
ا ن ن |
12 |
63 |
15 |
لَهُ |
for him |
lahu |
ل |
12 |
63 |
16 |
لَحَافِظُونَ |
(will) surely (be) guardians." |
laḥāfiẓūna |
ح ف ظ |
[12:64] He said, "Shall I trust you with him, as I trusted you with his brother before that? GOD is the best Protector (حَافِظًا), and, of all the merciful ones, He is the Most Merciful."
[12:65] When they opened their bags, they found their goods returned to them. They said, "Our father, what more can we ask for? Here are our goods returned to us. We can thus provide for our family, protect our brother, and receive one more camel-load. This is certainly a profitable deal."
[12:66] He said, "I will not send him with you, unless you give me a solemn pledge before GOD that you will bring him back, unless you are utterly overwhelmed." When they gave him their solemn pledge, he said, "GOD is witnessing everything we say."
[12:83] He said, "Indeed, you have conspired to carry out a certain scheme. Quiet (فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ / jameel / beautiful) patience is my only recourse. May GOD bring them all back to me. He is the Omniscient, Most Wise.”
[12:84] He turned away from them, saying, "I am grieving over Joseph." His eyes turned white from grieving so much; he was truly sad. [12:85] They said, "By GOD, you will keep on grieving over Joseph until you become ill, or until you die." [12:86] He said, "I simply complain to GOD about my dilemma and grief, for I know from GOD what you do not know.
[12:87] "O my sons, go fetch Joseph and his brother, and never despair of GOD's grace. None despairs of GOD's grace except the disbelieving people."
[12:110] Just when the messengers despair, and think that they had been rejected, our victory comes to them. We then save whomever we choose, while our retribution for the guilty people is unavoidable.
Many people when they suffer a tragedy they will renounce God and move away from faith
[12:106] The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.
********************VALUE********************
How much was Joseph valued by Jacob?
Maybe a little too much based on how he was towards his other kids and also from the years of grieving
How much was he valued by his brothers at the beginning of the story? = Envy
[12:9] "Let us kill Joseph, or banish him, that you may get some attention from your father. Afterwards, you can be righteous people."
How much was Joseph valued by the caravan? = Greed
[12:19] A caravan passed by, and soon sent their waterer. He let down his bucket, then said, "How lucky! There is a boy here!" They took him along as merchandise, and GOD was fully aware of what they did. [12:20] They sold him for a cheap price— a few Dirhams—for they did not have any need for him.
How much was he valued by the governor? = Child
[12:21] The one who bought him in Egypt said to his wife, "Take good care of him. Maybe he can help us, or maybe we can adopt him." We thus established Joseph on earth, and we taught him the interpretation of dreams. GOD's command is always done, but most people do not know.
How much was he valued by the governor’s wife? = Lust
She wanted to use him only for her own needs not for his well being.
[12:32] She said, "This is the one you blamed me for falling in love with. I did indeed try to seduce him, and he refused. Unless he does what I command him to do, he will surely go to prison, and will be debased."
How much was he valued by the king? = Gluttony
How much was he valued by his brother’s when they were suffering from famine?
How much did Joseph value his own soul?
[12:33] He said, "My Lord, the prison is better than giving in to them. Unless You divert their scheming from me, I may desire them and behave like the ignorant ones."
When God sees value in something its value will be recognized universally eventually.
All the people against Joseph eventually saw the value he provided including for generations to come
- His brother’s
- The governor and his wife
- The king
- The Children of Israel who were saved from the famine
********************SHIRT********************
There is an object in the story of Joseph that is repeatedly brought up
This object only occurs in Sura Joesph and is mentioned six times in three different contexts? (12:18, 12:25, 12:26, 12:27, 12:28, 12:93)
قَمِيصِهِ = qamees = shirt
Shirt #1
[12:17] They said, "Our father, we went racing with each other, leaving Joseph with our equipment, and the wolf devoured him. You will never believe us, even if we were telling the truth.” [12:18] They produced his shirt with fake blood on it. He said, "Indeed, you have conspired with each other to commit a certain scheme. All I can do is resort to a quiet patience. May GOD help me in the face of your conspiracy.”
Joseph’s garment was stolen from him and
used as fabricated evidence against him in an attempt to trick his father to think that he was dead.
Shirt #2
[12:23] The lady of the house where he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "I am all yours." He said, "May GOD protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me a good home. The transgressors never succeed." [12:24] She almost succumbed to him, and he almost succumbed to her, if it were not that he saw a proof from his Lord. We thus diverted evil and sin away from him, for he was one of our devoted servants. [12:25] The two of them raced towards the door, and, in the process, she tore his shirt (quamis) from the back. They found her husband at the door. She said, "What should be the punishment for one who wanted to molest your wife, except imprisonment or a painful punishment?" [12:26] He said, "She is the one who tried to seduce me." A witness from her family suggested: "If his shirt (quamis) is torn from the front, then she is telling the truth and he is a liar. [12:27] "And if his shirt (quamis) is torn from the back, then she lied, and he is telling the truth." [12:28] When her husband saw that his shirt (quamis) was torn from the back, he said, "This is a woman's scheme. Indeed, your scheming is formidable.
His shirt was ripped, but not taken and
it was used as evidence in favor of his innocence
Shirt #3
[12:93] "Take this shirt (qamis) of mine; when you throw it on my father's face, his vision will be restored. Bring your whole family and come back to me.” [12:94] Even before the caravan arrived, their father said, "I can sense the smell of Joseph. Will someone enlighten me?" [12:95] They said, "By GOD, you are still in your old confusion." [12:96] When the bearer of good news arrived, he threw (the shirt) on his face, whereupon his vision was restored. He said, "Did I not tell you that I knew from GOD what you did not know?”
Joseph willfully provides his shirt off his back
Joseph’s shirt that was once used as evidence for his fabricated death is now used as evidence that he is still alive.
I believe the shirt in the history of Joseph symbolizes the things in this world:
Both Joseph brother’s and the governor’s wife valued Joseph for what was on the outside,
The attention he was getting from his father
The lust for his appearance
The value he provided by being able to provide them provisions
And for they were willing to take from him
Our possessions can cause people to be envious to the point that they will attack us over it
[12:17] They said, "Our father, we went racing with each other, leaving Joseph with our equipment, and the wolf devoured him. You will never believe us, even if we were telling the truth.”
[12:25] The two of them raced towards the door, and, in the process, she tore his garment from the back. They found her husband at the door. She said, "What should be the punishment for one who wanted to molest your wife, except imprisonment or a painful punishment?”
The Arabic definition for the word for “hoarding” “al-taka-thoor” means the continuous quest for more
but Jacob and Joseph valued Joseph for what was on the inside
Jacob didn’t know if the hardship and pain that Joseph endured throughout his life had caused him to grow closer to God or to revert away from God. Or did Joseph get caught up by the vanities of this world.
[12:65] When they opened their bags, they found their goods returned to them. They said, "Our father, what more can we ask for? Here are our goods returned to us. We can thus provide for our family, protect our brother, and receive one more camel-load. This is certainly a profitable deal." [12:66] He said, "I will not send him with you, unless you give me a solemn pledge before GOD that you will bring him back, unless you are utterly overwhelmed." When they gave him their solemn pledge, he said, "GOD is witnessing everything we say.” [12:67] And he said, "O my sons, do not enter from one door; enter through separate doors. However, I cannot save you from anything that is predetermined by GOD. To GOD belongs all judgments. I trust in Him, and in Him shall all the trusters put their trust."
Joseph spent his whole life fighting and when he won he took his own shirt off his back and gave it to reassure his father
Jacob already knew that Joseph was alive
[12:87] "O my sons, go fetch Joseph and his brother, and never despair of GOD's grace. None despairs of GOD's grace except the disbelieving people."
So the shirt was not meant to let Jacob know that he was alive
I see this as symbolism to show to Jacob that he did not fall into the vanities of this world.
[12:20] They sold him for a cheap price— a few Dirhams—for they did not have any need for him (zaheed).
Only place in the Quran this word is used. It means to signify that what Joseph valued unlike many of the other people in the story was not of this world, but for the Hereafter at His Lord.
[12:6] "Your Lord has thus blessed you, and has given you good news through your dream. He has perfected His blessings upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He did for your ancestors Abraham and Isaac before that. Your Lord is Omniscient, Most Wise.”
[12:100] He raised his parents upon the throne. They fell prostrate before him. He said, "O my father, this is the fulfillment of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true. He has blessed me (hasan = He was good to me), delivered me from the prison, and brought you from the desert, after the devil had driven a wedge between me and my brothers. My Lord is Most Kind towards whomever He wills. He is the Knower, the Most Wise."
Friday Sep 27, 2019
Salat (Contact Prayer) According to Quran
Friday Sep 27, 2019
Friday Sep 27, 2019
Food for the soul
Every day we feed our bodies with breakfast lunch and dinner. We know that in order to be healthy it is essential to eat meals.
But what are we feeding our souls?
God has designated for us the meal for our souls through our Salat, our Contact Prayer, but unlike a meal for our body our souls are metaphorically disjoined from our body. When we miss a meal we feel the pangs of hunger, but when we don’t feed our souls their designated meals we don’t realize the suffering we are putting on our souls.
And the extent to the damage will be seen on the day of Judgment when we discard these worldly bodies garments and all that is left is our souls our real selves.
We will see that some souls on that Day have been nourished and have grown tremendously while other souls were completely neglected and starving this whole time on Earth.
[101:6] As for him whose weights are heavy. [101:7] He will lead a happy (eternal) life. [101:8] As for him whose weights are light. [101:9] His destiny is lowly.
[7:8] The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose weights are heavy will be the winners. [7:9] As for those whose weights are light, they will be the ones who lost their souls, as a consequence of disregarding our revelations, unjustly.
[23:99] When death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back. [23:100] "I will then work righteousness in everything I left." Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection. [23:101] When the horn is blown, no relations among them will exist on that day, nor will they care about one another. [23:102] As for those whose weights are heavy, they will be the winners. [23:103] Those whose weights are light are the ones who lost their souls; they abide in Hell forever.
[74:40] While in Paradise, they will ask. [74:41] About the guilty. [74:42] "What brought you to this retribution?" [74:43] They will say, "We did not observe the contact prayers (Salat). [74:44] "We did not feed the poor. [74:45] "We blundered with the blunderers. [74:46] "We disbelieved in the Day of Judgment. [74:47] "Until certainty came to us now.”
The Salat is absolutely essential for our salvation in the Hereafter. While it is possible to live off snacks through other forms of worship practices the Salat are the essential meal for the sol.
[75:26] Indeed, when (the soul) reaches the throat. [75:27] And it is ordered: "Let go!" [75:28] He knows it is the end. [75:29] Each leg will lay motionless next to the other leg. [75:30] To your Lord, on that day, is the summoning. [75:31] For he observed neither the charity, nor the contact prayers (Salat). [75:32] But he disbelieved and turned away. [75:33] With his family, he acted arrogantly. [75:34] You have deserved this. [75:35] Indeed, you have deserved this.
[107:1] Do you know who really rejects the faith? [107:2] That is the one who mistreats the orphans. [107:3] And does not advocate the feeding of the poor. [107:4] And woe to those who observe the contact prayers (Salat)— [107:5] who are totally heedless of their prayers.
Importance of Salat
[2:3] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.
[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent (الْخَاشِعِينَ / khāshiʿīna = humble / reverent) ,
[2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.
Key Purpose of Salat
God speaking to Moses:
[20:114] “I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me.
Allahu Akbar
[29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.
29 |
45 |
15 |
وَلَذِكْرُ |
and surely the remembrance of |
waladhik'ru |
ذ ك ر |
29 |
45 |
16 |
اللَّهِ |
God (is) |
l-lahi |
ا ل ه |
29 |
45 |
17 |
أَكْبَرُ |
greatest. |
akbaru |
ك ب ر |
What is Salat?
Consistently in the Quran the world Salat (الصَّلَاةَ) is paired with the Arabic word “يُقِيمُونَ”
yuqīmūna l-salat
يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ
meaning: they observe or perform.
Interesting to note that the root for يُقِيمُونَ is ق و م which means to stand, to rise, or to perform (prayer), and also means to establish and people.
So God is telling us that the believers they stand, establish and observe the Salat.
So what is Salat according to Quran?
What exactly is being established?
When we perform Salat we are establishing direct contact with our Creator.
Salat comes from the root و ص ل as opposed to the root ص ل و.
The root و ص ل means: join, unite, reach, connect
We see this same root used in the following verses:
[2:27] (The wicked) who violate GOD's covenant after pledging to uphold it, sever what GOD has commanded to be joined (يُوصَلَ / yūṣala), and commit evil. These are the losers.
[13:25] As for those who violate GOD's covenant after pledging to keep it, and sever what GOD has commanded to be joined, and commit evil, they have incurred condemnation; they have incurred the worst destiny.
Salat is our way to make contact with our Creator that is why it is translated as Contact Prayer.
Where did the Contact. Prayers come from?
Abraham
[16:123] Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham (milat Ibrahim), the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.
Milat Ibraham means more than the religion it is specifically mean the religion or practices of Abraham.
All the practices of Islam/Submission came from Abraham, including Salat, Zakat, Fasting for the month of Ramadan, and Hajj.
And we see that Abraham was the first prophet that God gave him the Salat as a gift:
[14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols. [14:36] "My Lord, they have misled so many people. As for those who follow me, they belong with me. As for those who disobey me, You are Forgiver, Most Merciful. [14:37] "Our Lord, I have settled part of my family in this plantless valley, at Your Sacred House. Our Lord, they are to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), so let throngs of people converge upon them, and provide for them all kinds of fruits, that they may be appreciative. [14:38] "Our Lord, You know whatever we conceal and whatever we declare— nothing is hidden from GOD on earth, nor in the heavens. [14:39] "Praise be to GOD for granting me, despite my old age, Ismail and Isaac. My Lord answers the prayers. [14:40] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.
[21:68] They said, "Burn him and support your gods, if this is what you decide to do." [21:69] We said, "O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham.” [21:70] Thus, they schemed against him, but we made them the losers. [21:71] We saved him, and we saved Lot, to the land that we blessed for all the people. [21:72] And we granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift, and we made them both righteous. [21:73] We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe (the establishment) of the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers.
Abraham first to name us Submitters or in Arabic Muslims.
[22:78] You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion - the religion of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you “Submitters (muslims)“ originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter.
Salat already in existence at time of prophet Muhammad
Ismail
[19:54] And mention in the scripture Ismail. He was truthful when he made a promise, and he was a messenger prophet. [19:55] He used to enjoin his family to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat); he was acceptable to his Lord.
Moses, Aaron, Children of Israel,
[10:87] We inspired Moses and his brother. "Maintain your homes in Egypt for the time being, turn your homes into synagogues, and maintain the Contact Prayers (Salat). Give good news to the believers.”
Children of Israel
[2:83] We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: "You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat)." But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse.
[5:12] GOD had taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we raised among them twelve patriarchs. And GOD said, "I am with you, so long as you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and believe in My messengers and respect them, and continue to lend GOD a loan of righteousness. I will then remit your sins, and admit you into gardens with flowing streams. Anyone who disbelieves after this, has indeed strayed off the right path."
Jesus
[19:31] "He made me blessed wherever I go, and enjoined me to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat) for as long as I live.
Idol Worshipers at the time of the prophet even did Salat
[8:33] However, GOD is not to punish them while you are in their midst; GOD is not to punish them while they are seeking forgiveness. [8:34] Have they not deserved GOD's retribution, by repelling others from the Sacred Masjid, even though they are not the custodians thereof? The true custodians thereof are the righteous, but most of them do not know. [8:35] Their Contact Prayers (Salat) at the shrine (Ka'bah) were no more than a mockery and a means of repelling (whistling and clapping) the people (by crowding them out). Therefore, suffer the retribution for your disbelief.
[9:54] What prevented the acceptance of their spending is that they disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and when they observed the Contact Prayers (Salat), they observed them lazily, and when they gave to charity, they did so grudgingly.
This proves that the Salat is something that very clearly predates Muhammad and the Quran.
Hadith Argument
[6:114] Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt. [6:115] The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient. [6:116] If you obey the majority of people on earth, they will divert you from the path of GOD. They follow only conjecture; they only guess.
[39:27] We have cited for the people every kind of example in this Quran, that they may take heed.
[18:54] We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.
Quran is the only Hadith we should follow
[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell).
[45:6] These are GOD's revelations that we recite to you truthfully. In which Hadith other than GOD and His revelations do they believe?
[77:50] Which Hadith, other than this, do they uphold?
There are no Hadith explaining how to perform the Salat.
Even if there were do you believe that if it was specified exactly how to do the Salat in the Quran that the majority of Muslims would follow it?
Ablution
If the Salat was perfectly intact in the Quran would you follow it?
[5:6] O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall:
(1) wash your faces,
(2) wash your arms to the elbows,
(3) wipe your heads, and
(4) wash your feet to the ankles.
If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.
So why isn’t it mentioned in the Quran how to perform the Salat?
When God tells us to wash our hands to the elbows - did God forget to tell us how to wash?
Since the Salat has been in existence since the time of Abraham God did not need to teach Muhammad how to perform it. The same goes for us.
All we need to do is remove the parts that were added. How do we know what is added? Pure logic and reasoning
Mentioning only God in our Salat
If Salat came from Abraham and Muhammad was commanded to follow milat Ibrahim, then how could have Abraham mentioned Muhammad’s name in his Salat?
Do you even think Muhammad mentioned his own name in his Salat?
[6:161] Say, "My Lord has guided me in a straight path—the perfect religion of Abraham, monotheism. He never was an idol worshiper." [6:162] Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.
[4:36] You shall worship GOD alone - do not associate anything with Him. You shall regard the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, the related neighbor, the unrelated neighbor, the close associate, the traveling alien, and your servants. GOD does not like the arrogant show-offs.
[39:45] When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.
[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.
Fateah
When Adam slipped by approaching the tree in Paradise he was sent to Earth and he was given specific words for him to be redeemed
[2:37] Adam received from his Lord words, whereby God redeemed him; He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
Similarly, God has given us specific words – the words of Sura 1, Al Fatihah, in order to establish daily contact (salat) with Him, in order to be redeemed.
The only sura that is a prayer from humans to God. Every other sura is from God to us.
[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. [1:2] Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe. [1:3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful. [1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment. [1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. [1:6] Guide us in the right path; [1:7] the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.
[114:1] Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of the people. [114:2] "The King of the people. [114:3] "The god of the people. [114:4] "From the evils of sneaky whisperers. [114:5] "Who whisper into the chests of the people. [114:6] "Be they of the jinns, or the people."
[109:1] Say, "O you disbelievers. [109:2] "I do not worship what you worship. [109:3] "Nor do you worship what I worship. [109:4] "Nor will I ever worship what you worship. [109:5] "Nor will you ever worship what I worship. [109:6] "To you is your religion, and to me is my religion."
When we say the Fateah our lips touch 19 times
For some reason many Muslims they don’t say the Bismallah at the beginning of the Fateah and also add the expression “Ammmeeen” at the end
Amen appears to be of Hebrew origin and was later inserted into Muslim practices
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen
Moderate Tone
[17:110] Say, "Call Him GOD, or call Him Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names." You shall not utter your Contact Prayers (Salat) too loudly, nor secretly; use a moderate tone.
Traditionalist will do some loud and some quite
Some people think Salat is just getting together meditating, thinking of God, or reading Quran
Stars and Trees:
[24:41] Do you not realize that everyone in the heavens and the earth glorifies GOD, even the birds as they fly in a column? Each knows its prayer (صَلَاتَهُ / ṣalātahu) and its glorification. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
[17:44] Glorifying Him are the seven universes, the earth, and everyone in them. There is nothing that does not glorify Him, but you do not understand their glorification. He is Clement, Forgiver.
God distinguishes Salat from these other things:
[29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.
[73:20] Your Lord knows that you stand / meditate (تَقُومُ / taqūmu) during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you. GOD has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you cannot always do this. He has pardoned you. Instead, you shall read what you can of the Quran. He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of GOD's provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of GOD. You shall read what you can of it, and observe the contact prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and lend GOD a loan of righteousness. Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD far better and generously rewarded. And implore GOD for forgiveness. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[17:78] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.
Ritual Prayer
[23:9] And they observe their Contact Prayers (Salat) regularly.
[70:23] Who always observe their contact prayers (Salat).
[70:34] They consistently observe their contact prayers (Salat) on time.
[23:2] who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).
[5:58] When you call to the Contact Prayers (Salat), they mock and ridicule it. This is because they are people who do not understand.
[4:142] The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of GOD.
[4:101] When you travel, during war, you commit no error by shortening your Contact Prayers (Salat), if you fear that the disbelievers may attack you. Surely, the disbelievers are your ardent enemies. [4:102] When you are with them, and lead the Contact Prayer (Salat) for them, let some of you stand guard; let them hold their weapons, and let them stand behind you as you prostrate. Then, let the other group that has not prayed take their turn praying with you, while the others stand guard and hold their weapons. Those who disbelieved wish to see you neglect your weapons and your equipment, in order to attack you once and for all. You commit no error, if you are hampered by rain or injury, by putting down your weapons, so long as you remain alert. GOD has prepared for the disbelievers a shameful retribution. [4:103] Once you complete your Contact Prayer (Salat), you shall remember GOD while standing, sitting, or lying down. Once the war is over, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat); the Contact Prayers (Salat) are decreed for the believers at specific times.
Prayer Times
Night (الَّيْلِ) according to the Quran is from Sunset to Sunrise
Day (النَّهَارِ) is from sunrise to sunset
[2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until (layel) sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.
24:58 mentions both the Dawn (Fajr) and Evening (Isha) Salat by name.
[24:58] O you who believe, permission must be requested by your servants and the children who have not attained puberty (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances - before the Dawn (fajr) Prayer, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Evening (Isha) Prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another. GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
God informs us about how to determine dawn/fajr from the following verse:
[2:187] ...You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn...
Verse 11:114 indicates the Dawn, Sunset and Night prayer. The day (al-nahar) in the Quran is from sunrise to sunset, so when God commands us to do our Salat at both ends of the day this would be at dawn and sunset.
[11:114] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) at both ends of the day, and during the night. The righteous works wipe out the evil works. This is a reminder for those who would take heed.
The Noon (zohur) Salat is mentioned in 17:78.
[17:78] You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset. You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.
And the Afternoon Salat is indicated as the middle prayer in 2:238. This is because the start of our day begins with Fajr/Dawn, and we already have identified Noon Salat, Sunset Salat, and Evening Salat, therefore, the middle prayer would be during the afternoon.
[2:238] You shall consistently observe the Contact Prayers, especially the middle prayer, and devote yourselves totally to GOD.
Friday Prayer
[62:9] O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew. [62:10] Once the prayer is completed, you may spread through the land to seek GOD's bounties, and continue to remember GOD frequently, that you may succeed. [62:11] When some of them come across a business deal, or some entertainment, they rush to it and leave you standing! Say, "What GOD possesses is far better than the entertainment or the business. GOD is the best Provider.”
[2:67] Moses said to his people, "GOD commands you to sacrifice a heifer." They said, "Are you mocking us?" He said, "GOD forbid, that I should behave like the ignorant ones." [2:68] They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us which one." He said, "He says that she is a heifer that is neither too old, nor too young; of an intermediate age. Now, carry out what you are commanded to do." [2:69] They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us her color." He said, "He says that she is a yellow heifer, bright colored, pleases the beholders." [2:70] They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us which one. The heifers look alike to us and, GOD willing, we will be guided." [2:71] He said, "He says that she is a heifer that was never humiliated in plowing the land or watering the crops; free from any blemish." They said, "Now you have brought the truth." They finally sacrificed her, after this lengthy reluctance.
[2:45] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.
[2:110] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Any good you send forth on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD. GOD is seer of everything you do.