Community

Animals and Birds: Submitting Creatures

[6:38] All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book. To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned.

List of animals mentioned in the Quran:

Elephant, Zebra, Lion, Fly, Mosquito, Raven, Camel, Sheep, goats, cattle, birds, dog, pig, ape, monkey, Cow, fish, serpent, donkey, locusts, butterfly, lice, frogs, horses, mules, quails, snake, wolf, Hoopoe, Spider, Ant, Bee,

Eusocial - (of an animal species, especially an insect) showing an advanced level of social organization, in which a single female or caste produces the offspring and nonreproductive individuals cooperate in caring for the young.

 

Ants, Bees, Termites

• Ant roles

David and Solomon

[27:15] We endowed David and Solomon with knowledge, and they said, "Praise GOD for blessing us more than many of His believing servants." [27:16] Solomon was David's heir. He said, "O people, we have been endowed with understanding the language of the birds, and all kinds of things have been bestowed upon us. This is indeed a real blessing." [27:17] Mobilized in the service of Solomon were his obedient soldiers of jinns and humans, as well as the birds; all at his disposal. [27:18] When they approached the valley of the ants, one ant said, "O you ants, go into your homes, lest you get crushed by Solomon and his soldiers, without perceiving.” [27:19] He smiled and laughed at her statement, and said, "My Lord, direct me to be appreciative of the blessings You have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Admit me by Your mercy into the company of Your righteous servants.”

• • • Ant Colony
      • As the ant colony matures they are not as quick to go to battle and wage war against competing colonies

• Bees vs. Wasp
  • A single wasp can take on hundreds of bees killing unto 30 in a single attack
  • The bees fight back when the wasp stops to rest. They will lock onto the wasp in a group and start to vibrate in unison increasing the temperature inside their huddle till it cooks the wasp to death

Operate as a single organism

• Termite Mounds

 

[34:14] When the appointed time for his death came, they had no clue that he had died. Not until one of the animals (a creature of the earth) tried to eat his staff, and he fell down, that the jinns realized that he was dead. They thus realized that if they really knew the unseen, they would have stopped working so hard as soon as he died.

Never would the heart be so selfish to keep all the blood for itself

Operate by choice not by force

Disbelievers use force and intimidation / believers use logic and reason

• Pharaoh and Moses and Believing Egyptian

[20:47] "Go to him and say, 'We are two messengers from your Lord. Let the Children of Israel go. You must refrain from persecuting them. We bring a sign from your Lord, and peace is the lot of those who heed the guidance.

[20:69] "Throw what you hold in your right hand, and it will swallow what they fabricated. What they fabricated is no more than the scheming of a magician. The magician's work will not succeed." [20:70] The magicians fell prostrate, saying, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses." [20:71] He said, "Did you believe in him without my permission? He must be your chief; the one who taught you magic. I will surely sever your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you on the palm trunks. You will find out which of us can inflict the worst retribution, and who outlasts whom.”

• Are you going to force us

[7:88] The arrogant leaders among his people said, "We will evict you, O Shu'aib, together with those who believed with you, from our town, unless you revert to our religion." He said, "Are you going to force us? [7:89] "We would be blaspheming against GOD if we reverted to your religion after GOD has saved us from it. How could we revert back to it against the will of GOD our Lord? Our Lord's knowledge encompasses all things. We have put our trust in GOD. Our Lord, grant us a decisive victory over our people. You are the best supporter."

• Cain and Able

The First Murder* [5:27] Recite for them the true history of Adam's two sons. They made an offering, and it was accepted from one of them, but not from the other. He said, "I will surely kill you." He said, "GOD accepts only from the righteous. [5:28] "If you extend your hand to kill me, I am not extending my hand to kill you. For I reverence GOD, Lord of the universe. [5:29] "I want you, not me, to bear my sin and your sin, then you end up with the dwellers of Hell. Such is the requital for the transgressors." [5:30] His ego provoked him into killing his brother. He killed him, and ended up with the losers. [5:31] GOD then sent a raven to scratch the soil, to teach him how to bury his brother's corpse. He said, "Woe to me; I failed to be as intelligent as this raven, and bury my brother's corpse." He became ridden with remorse.

• Abraham and father (stone you)

[19:45] "O my father, I fear lest you incur retribution from the Most Gracious, then become an ally of the devil." [19:46] He said, "Have you forsaken my gods, O Abraham? Unless you stop, I will stone you. Leave me alone." [19:47] He said, "Peace be upon you. I will implore my Lord to forgive you; He has been Most Kind to me.

Socialist vs Libertarian

• God doesn’t force He exhorts and encourages
• People have to choose freely to be charitable

Disbelievers Compared to Several Animals in Quran

Spider

• Spidergoat

[29:41] The allegory of those who accept other masters beside GOD is that of the spider and her home; the flimsiest of all homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.*

Locusts

[54:7] With their eyes humiliated, they come out of the graves like scattered locusts.

Locusts are just grasshoppers but when their population gets to be too dense a physiological response happens and they begin to swarm

Billions can gather forming swarms 40 miles wide. And they will consume all vegetation in their sight. An adult locusts can eat its own body weight every day. So a billion of these can eat hundreds of tons of vegetation each day.

When they swarm they are known to affect 1/5th of the earth’s surface from Africa through Asia and will affect 1 in 10 people’s livelyhood in the world.

Monkey and Pigs

[5:60] Say, "Let me tell you who are worse in the sight of GOD: those who are condemned by GOD after incurring His wrath until He made them (as despicable as) monkeys and pigs, and the idol worshipers. These are far worse, and farther from the right path."

Butterfly

One of natures great unsolved mysteries

Every year millions of monarch butterflies travel as far as 3,100 miles to the same place every year - migrating from Canada in the summer to Mexico in the winter

They travel on average of 74 miles a day

And to think that this creature the weighs less than a paperclip can make this amazing journey

But this isn’t the most amazing thing.

The generation that made the migration is known as the Methuselah generation and live only 8 months, but the round trip journey happens once a year

1. They will breed and their offspring lives for only about 4 - 5 weeks

2. Then that offspring will breed and they too will live for about 4 - 5 weeks,

3. Then that offspring will breed and they too will live for about 4 - 5 weeks at which point they are back in Canada for the summer

4. Then the Methuselah generation is born in the summer of Canada and will migrate all the way back south to Mexico a trip that their great-great grandparents had done before them.

So the migration is done by butterflies that have never made the migration before and have never been to the location.

Bird Murmuration

School of fish

These animals each single to one another their behavior and the remainder follow suit going along with the herd.

How do we operate in our own community

[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."

[90:10] Did we not show him the two paths? [90:11] He should choose the difficult path. [90:12] Which one is the difficult path? [90:13] The freeing of slaves. [90:14] Feeding, during the time of hardship. [90:15] Orphans who are related. [90:16] Or the poor who is in need. [90:17] And being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind. [90:18] These have deserved happiness.

[17:53] Tell My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man's most ardent enemy.

Sura 49 is entitled The Walls

Reconcile The Believers

[49:9] If two groups of believers fought with each other, you shall reconcile them. If one group aggresses against the other, you shall fight the aggressing group until they submit to GOD's command. Once they submit, you shall reconcile the two groups equitably. You shall maintain justice; GOD loves those who are just.

The Real Family

[49:10] The believers are members of one family; you shall keep the peace within your family and reverence GOD, that you may attain mercy.

 

Believers Set the Example

[49:11] O you who believe, no people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or make fun of your names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining faith. Anyone who does not repent after this, these are the transgressors.

Suspicion Is Sinful

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

Only Criterion For Distinguishing Among The People

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.

Sectarianism

Believers are United

[3:103] You shall hold fast to the rope of GOD, all of you, and do not be divided. Recall GOD's blessings upon you—you used to be enemies and He reconciled your hearts. By His grace, you became brethren. You were at the brink of a pit of fire, and He saved you therefrom. GOD thus explains His revelations for you, that you may be guided. [3:104] Let there be a community of you who invite to what is good, advocate righteousness, and forbid evil. These are the winners. [3:105] Do not be like those who became divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs that were given to them. For these have incurred a terrible retribution.

Religious Sects Condemned

[6:159] Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with you. Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform them of everything they had done.

Sectarianism Condemned

[30:32] (Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.

Basic Law Regulating Relations With Unbelievers

[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.

[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.

[60:13] O you who believe, do not befriend people with whom GOD is angry, and who are hopelessly stuck in disbelief; they are just as hopeless as the disbelievers who are already in the graves.

How to Deal with Hypocrites

How to Deal With the Hypocrites

[4:88] Why should you divide yourselves into two groups regarding hypocrites (among you)? GOD is the one who condemned them because of their own behavior. Do you want to guide those who are sent astray by GOD? Whomever GOD sends astray, you can never find a way to guide them.

[6:125] Whomever GOD wills to guide, He renders his chest wide open to Submission. And whomever He wills to send astray, He renders his chest intolerant and straitened, like one who climbs towards the sky. GOD thus places a curse upon those who refuse to believe.

Eagles and crows

The Hypocrites Drop Out [22:53] He thus sets up the devil's scheme as a test for those who harbor doubts in their hearts, and those whose hearts are hardened. The wicked must remain with the opposition.

When to draw the line?

[9:17] The idol worshipers are not to frequent the masjids of GOD, while confessing their disbelief. These have nullified their works, and they will abide forever in Hell. [9:18] The only people to frequent GOD's masjids are those who believe in GOD and the Last Day, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and do not fear except GOD. These will surely be among the guided ones.

[9:107] There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: "Our intentions are honorable!" GOD bears witness that they are liars.

Aaron and the Children of Israel

[20:92] (Moses) said, "O Aaron, what is it that prevented you, when you saw them go astray, [20:93] "from following my orders? Have you rebelled against me?" [20:94] He said, "O son of my mother, do not pull me by my beard and my head. I was afraid that you might say, 'You have divided the Children of Israel, and disobeyed my orders.' “

[7:150] When Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed, he said, "What a terrible thing you have done in my absence! Could you not wait for the commandments of your Lord?" He threw down the tablets, and took hold of his brother's head, pulling him towards himself. (Aaron) said, "Son of my mother, the people took advantage of my weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my enemies rejoice, and do not count me with the transgressing people.”

Baboons

In the 1980’s there were a couple of researchers studying a baboon troop in Kenya. 

The troop consisted of 62 baboons and had a traditional hierarchy with the alpha males on top and the matriarchs. The alphas were aggressive and harsh and fought to maintain their dominance.

One day the troop found a location that a local resort would use to dump their garbage.

This being a resort the garbage was full of food that the baboons took a real liking to so the troop spent their days living next to this location feasting on the garbage during the day each time there was a new delivery and sleeping and lounging the rest of the time.

In traditional hierarchical fashion the alphas got the choice selection of the food upon delivery.

One day the truck dumped meat and since this was a prize food to have access to the ones who ate the bulk of the meat were the alphas

It ends up the meat was contaminated and caused an outbreak of tuberculosis among the baboons.

This caused the alphas to die leaving only about half the males who were the least aggressive of the bunch along with the females and the young.

So what happened to this group?

Ends up that with the aggressive alpha males removed from the group the group was a lot more friendly to one another. Mutual grooming was more common among the group, less of a hierarchy, less fighting and here is the real interesting thing

As new males joined the group the quickly learned that if they tried to be aggressive or bullying that it wasn’t tolerated that they would be shunned, so for over 20 years this culture persisted despite only a single male from the original group surviving.

What kind of people is your community attracting?

Is your community drawing in sociopaths or people who are kind and humble 

Are you creating fertile soil for people who are kind and humble or violent and belligerent? 

If our community is a microcosm of society and if we can’t maintain the peace here what hope is there for a society of submitters

If we don’t apply God’s laws we get chaos

[8:73] Those who disbelieved are allies of one another. Unless you keep these commandments, there will be chaos on earth, and terrible corruption.

[56:90] And if he is one of the right— [56:91] peace is the lot of those on the right.

What kind of home are we making at our Masjids?

[33:34] Remember what is being recited in your homes of GOD's revelations and the wisdom inherent therein. GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.

Spectrum - Tolerance vs. Intolerance 

• “Anything goes” vs. “Only what I say goes”
  • Everyone is going to claim they are following the Quran