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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
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Thursday Dec 19, 2019
Thursday Dec 19, 2019
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
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) ?
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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.
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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
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
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
|
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56
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79
|
3
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إِلَّا
|
except
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illā
|
ا ل ل ا
|
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56
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79
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4
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الْمُطَهَّرُونَ
|
the purified / sincere [ones].
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l-muṭaharūna
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ط ه ر
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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
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.
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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.
Friday Sep 20, 2019
Friday Sep 20, 2019
[2:50] Recall that we parted the sea for you; we saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people before your eyes.
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2 |
50 |
6 |
وَأَغْرَقْنَا |
and we drowned |
wa-aghraqnā |
غ ر ق |
|
2 |
50 |
7 |
آلَ |
(the) people (of) |
āla |
ا و ل |
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2 |
50 |
8 |
فِرْعَوْنَ |
Pharaoh |
fir'ʿawna |
ف ر ع |
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2 |
50 |
9 |
وَأَنْتُمْ |
while you |
wa-antum |
ا ن ت م |
|
2 |
50 |
10 |
تَنْظُرُونَ |
[you all] were looking. |
tanẓurūna |
ن ظ ر |
[2:51] Yet, when we summoned Moses for forty nights, you worshiped the calf in his absence, and turned wicked.*
[2:52] Still, we pardoned you thereafter that you may be appreciative.
[2:55] Recall that you said, "O Moses, we will not believe unless we see GOD, physically." Consequently, the lightning struck you, as you looked.
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2 |
55 |
11 |
فَأَخَذَتْكُمُ |
So [it] seized you / struck you |
fa-akhadhatkumu |
ا خ ذ |
|
2 |
55 |
12 |
الصَّاعِقَةُ |
the thunderbolt |
l-ṣāʿiqatu |
ص ع ق |
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2 |
55 |
13 |
وَأَنْتُمْ |
while you |
wa-antum |
ا ن ت م |
|
2 |
55 |
14 |
تَنْظُرُونَ |
[you all] were looking. |
tanẓurūna |
ن ظ ر |
[2:56] We then revived you, after you had died, that you may be appreciative.
Children of Isreal saw all the same miracles as Pharoah, they even looked as Pharoah and his troops were drowned yet despite this they refused to believe. Then God struck them down as they looked, but unlike Pharoah God revived them (resurrected) after their death. Yet despite all this God continued to bless them yet they continued to disbelieve and be unappreciative.
[2:57] We shaded you with clouds (in Sinai), and sent down to you manna and quails: "Eat from the good things we provided for you." They did not hurt us (by rebelling); they only hurt their own souls.
Lack of Confidence in God: They Refuse to Enter Jerusalem
[2:58] Recall that we said, "Enter this town, where you will find as many provisions as you like. Just enter the gate humbly (sajdeh), and treat the people nicely. We will then forgive your sins, and increase the reward for the pious." [2:59] But the wicked among them carried out commands other than the commands given to them. Consequently, we sent down upon the transgressors condemnation from the sky, due to their wickedness.
[5:24] They said, "O Moses, we will never enter it, so long as they are in it. Therefore, go—you and your Lord —and fight. We are sitting right here." [5:25] He said, "My Lord, I can only control myself and my brother. So allow us to part company with the wicked people." [5:26] He said, "Henceforth, it is forbidden them for forty years, during which they will roam the earth aimlessly. Do not grieve over such wicked people."
[2:60] Recall that Moses sought water for his people. We said, "Strike the rock with your staff." Whereupon, twelve springs gushed out therefrom. The members of each tribe knew their own water. Eat and drink from GOD's provisions, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.
Israel Rebels
[2:61] Recall that you said, "O Moses, we can no longer tolerate one kind of food. Call upon your Lord to produce for us such earthly crops as beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions." He said, "Do you wish to substitute that which is inferior for that which is good? Go down (ih’biṭū) to Egypt, where you can find what you asked for." They have incurred condemnation, humiliation, and disgrace, and brought upon themselves wrath from GOD. This is because they rejected GOD's revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.
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2 |
61 |
31 |
اهْبِطُوا |
Go down [you all] (to) |
ih'biṭū |
ه ب ط |
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2 |
61 |
32 |
مِصْرًا |
Egypt |
miṣ'ran |
م ص ر |
See this same word used repeatedly towards Satan when he refused to prostrate and follow God’s command, and also towards Adam when he approached the tree.
[2:35] We said, "O Adam, live with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom generously, as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you sin." [2:36] But the devil duped them, and caused their eviction therefrom. We said, "Go down (ih’biṭū) as enemies of one another. On Earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile.”
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2 |
36 |
1 |
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا |
Then made both of them slip (*duped) |
fa-azallahumā |
ز ل ل |
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2 |
36 |
2 |
الشَّيْطَانُ |
the devil |
l-shayṭānu |
ش ط ن |
|
2 |
36 |
3 |
عَنْهَا |
from it, |
ʿanhā |
ع ن |
|
2 |
36 |
4 |
فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا |
and he evicted both of them |
fa-akhrajahumā |
خ ر ج |
|
2 |
36 |
5 |
مِمَّا |
from what |
mimmā |
م م ا |
|
2 |
36 |
6 |
كَانَا |
they [both] were |
kānā |
ك و ن |
|
2 |
36 |
7 |
فِيهِ |
in [it]. |
fīhi |
ف ي |
|
2 |
36 |
8 |
وَقُلْنَا |
And we said, |
waqul'nā |
ق و ل |
|
2 |
36 |
9 |
اهْبِطُوا |
"Go down [you all], |
ih'biṭū |
ه ب ط |
|
2 |
36 |
10 |
بَعْضُكُمْ |
some of you* |
baʿḍukum |
ب ع ﺽ |
|
2 |
36 |
11 |
لِبَعْضٍ |
to some others (*one another) |
libaʿḍin |
ب ع ﺽ |
|
2 |
36 |
12 |
عَدُوٌّ |
(as) enemy; |
ʿaduwwun |
ع د و |
|
2 |
36 |
13 |
وَلَكُمْ |
and for you |
walakum |
ل |
|
2 |
36 |
14 |
فِي |
in |
fī |
ف ي |
|
2 |
36 |
15 |
الْأَرْضِ |
the earth (is) |
l-arḍi |
ا ر ﺽ |
|
2 |
36 |
16 |
مُسْتَقَرٌّ |
a resting place (habitation) |
mus'taqarrun |
ق ر ر |
|
2 |
36 |
17 |
وَمَتَاعٌ |
and a provision |
wamatāʿun |
م ت ع |
|
2 |
36 |
18 |
إِلَىٰ |
till |
ilā |
ا ل ي |
|
2 |
36 |
19 |
حِينٍ |
a time / period / while." |
ḥīnin |
ح ي ن |
|
2 |
38 |
1 |
قُلْنَا |
We said, |
qul'nā |
ق و ل |
|
2 |
38 |
2 |
اهْبِطُوا |
"Go down [you all], |
ih'biṭū |
ه ب ط |
|
2 |
38 |
3 |
مِنْهَا |
therefrom |
min'hā |
م ن |
|
2 |
38 |
4 |
جَمِيعًا |
all, |
jamīʿan |
ج م ع |
|
2 |
38 |
5 |
فَإِمَّا |
then when |
fa-immā |
ا م م ا |
|
2 |
38 |
6 |
يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ |
[it] comes to you |
yatiyannakum |
ا ت ي |
|
2 |
38 |
7 |
مِنِّي |
from Me |
minnī |
م ن |
|
2 |
38 |
8 |
هُدًى |
guidance, |
hudan |
ه د ي |
|
2 |
38 |
9 |
فَمَنْ |
then whoever |
faman |
م ن |
|
2 |
38 |
10 |
تَبِعَ |
he follows |
tabiʿa |
ت ب ع |
|
2 |
38 |
11 |
هُدَايَ |
My guidance, |
hudāya |
ه د ي |
|
2 |
38 |
12 |
فَلَا |
[then] no |
falā |
ل ا |
|
2 |
38 |
13 |
خَوْفٌ |
fear |
khawfun |
خ و ف |
|
2 |
38 |
14 |
عَلَيْهِمْ |
(will be) on them |
ʿalayhim |
ع ل ي |
|
2 |
38 |
15 |
وَلَا |
and not |
walā |
ل ا |
|
2 |
38 |
16 |
هُمْ |
they |
hum |
ه م |
|
2 |
38 |
17 |
يَحْزَنُونَ |
[they] will grieve. |
yaḥzanūna |
ح ز ن |
Lesson of the Heifer
[2:74] Despite this, your hearts hardened like rocks, or even harder. For there are rocks from which rivers gush out. Others crack and release gentle streams, and other rocks cringe out of reverence for GOD. GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
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2 |
74 |
26 |
وَإِنَّ |
and indeed, |
wa-inna |
ا ن ن |
|
2 |
74 |
27 |
مِنْهَا |
from it |
min'hā |
م ن |
|
2 |
74 |
28 |
لَمَا |
that which |
lamā |
ل م ا |
|
2 |
74 |
29 |
يَهْبِطُ |
it fall down (cringe) |
yahbiṭu |
ه ب ط |
|
2 |
74 |
30 |
مِنْ |
from |
min |
م ن |
|
2 |
74 |
31 |
خَشْيَةِ |
reverence / fear |
khashyati |
خ ش ي |
|
2 |
74 |
32 |
اللَّهِ |
(of) God. |
l-lahi |
ا ل ه |
Person cuts open water stuck in quartz rock potentially millions of years old
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn9Od4oP8D0
[7:160] We divided them into twelve tribal communities, and we inspired Moses when his people asked him for water: "Strike the rock with your staff," whereupon twelve springs gushed out therefrom. Thus, each community knew its water. And we shaded them with clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails: "Eat from the good things we provided for you." It is not us that they wronged; it is they who wronged their own souls.
Some people when they face pressure, adversity, their hearts are opened up
Soft Hearts
[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord tremble therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD's message. Such is GOD's guidance; He bestows it upon whoever wills (to be guided). As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.
[34:10] We endowed David with blessings from us: "O mountains, submit with him, and you too, O birds." We softened the iron for him.
Others upon pressure they get more dense and they become more locked in their ways
Hardness of a rock is proportional to its density. More pressure and it will turn to a black hole or explode
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2 |
74 |
2 |
قَسَتْ |
[it] hardened |
qasat |
ق س و |
[6:43] If only they implored when our test afflicted them! Instead, their hearts were hardened, and the devil adorned their works in their eyes.
[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.
Root: ق س و means to be hard, but also as unyielding
Unyielding:
- (of a mass or structure) not giving way to pressure; hard or solid.
- unlikely to be swayed;
Rock is sandstone the water soaks right in like a sponge
But granite water has to pass through the cracks
[5:13] It was a consequence of their violating the covenant that we condemned them, and we caused their hearts to become hardened. Consequently, they took the words out of context, and disregarded some of the commandments given to them. You will continue to witness betrayal from them, excepting a few of them. You shall pardon them, and disregard them. GOD loves those who are benevolent.
[39:22] If GOD renders one's heart content with Submission, he will be following a light from his Lord. Therefore, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against GOD's message; they have gone far astray.
[Iron 57:16] Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for GOD's message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.
Atomic # of Iron is 26
Iron = الحديد
Gematrical Value of Iron = Ha = 8; Dal = 4; Ya = 10; Dal = 4
8 + 4 + 10 + 4 = 26
A = 1; Lam = 30 = 30 + 1= 31
31 + 26 = 57
25 + Bismallah = 26
[57:25] We sent our messengers supported by clear proofs, and we sent down to them the scripture and the law, that the people may uphold justice. And we sent down the iron, wherein there is strength, and many benefits for the people. All this in order for GOD to distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers, on faith. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.
The Quran has 114 chapters / 57th Chapter is Iron
As if it is the iron core of the Quran
Since not all the same length. The middle of the Quran is Sura 19
Earth’s core is iron - it generates our magnetic field
But you know what happens when a star’s core creates iron?
Within a second it explodes into a super nova
A star is predominately made of hyrdogen and helium and the pressure and gravity has it form heavier and heavier elements. In a large mass star, each time it forms a heavier element a little energy is released counteracting the gravitational pull of the star from collapsing on itself. This process continues down the periodic chain
Hydrogen forms Helium
3 Helium atoms form Carbon
After Carbon, Neon is produced
Then oxygen, then silicon until finally it reaches its core and iron is fused
When iron is produced the amount of energy released when fusing iron is to low to sustain the energy needed to offset the gravity of the core of the star and the star explodes in a super nova
Zinc, copper, nickle, silver, gold can all be created during the supernova
Super nova creates more light than what the sun can produce in its entire lifetime all the elements it creates are dispersed throughout the space
The elements that are dispersed through the universe are all the elements that the star created through its life
but during this process a white dwarf or neutron star is formed
A neutron star has about 1.4 times mass of the sun packed into a space only 20km in diameter
If the remaining core of that was left behind was 3 times the mass of the sun or greater at which point the laws of physics as we know them breakdown and the the gravity is so strong that a hole is punctured through the fabric of space time and a blackhole is formed
Blackhole is a puncture in space time
At the center of every universe is a blackhole even our own
Blackhole - the darkest thing in the universe as nothing, even light, can escape its gravity once it is in the thresholds of its event horizon
Sura 86: The Bright Star (Al-Taareq)
[86:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful [86:1] By the sky and Al-Taareq. [86:2] Do you know what Al-Taareq is? [86:3] The bright star. [86:4] Absolutely, everyone is well guarded.
|
86 |
1 |
1 |
وَالسَّماءِ |
By the sky |
wal-samāi |
س م و |
|
86 |
1 |
2 |
وَالطّارِقِ |
and Al-Taareq. |
wal-ṭāriqi |
ط ر ق |
|
86 |
2 |
1 |
وَمَا |
And what |
wamā |
م ا |
|
86 |
2 |
2 |
أَدْرَاكَ |
it can make you know / do you know |
adrāka |
د ر ي |
|
86 |
2 |
3 |
مَا |
what (is) |
mā |
م ا |
|
86 |
2 |
4 |
الطَّارِقُ |
Al-Taareq? |
l-ṭāriqu |
ط ر ق |
|
86 |
3 |
1 |
النَّجْمُ |
(It is) the star |
al-najmu |
ن ج م |
|
86 |
3 |
2 |
الثَّاقِبُ |
[the] hole / shining through darkness / bright light piercing through a hole / bright! (*quasar) |
l-thāqibu |
ث ق ب |
|
86 |
4 |
1 |
إِنْ |
Indeed |
in |
ا ن |
|
86 |
4 |
2 |
كُلُّ |
every |
kullu |
ك ل ل |
|
86 |
4 |
3 |
نَفْسٍ |
soul |
nafsin |
ن ف س |
|
86 |
4 |
4 |
لَمَّا |
when |
lammā |
ل م م ا |
|
86 |
4 |
5 |
عَلَيْهَا |
over it (is) |
ʿalayhā |
ع ل ي |
|
86 |
4 |
6 |
حَافِظٌ |
a protector. |
ḥāfiẓun |
ح ف ظ |
Root for Tariq - ط ر ق used in Quran as “path” “way” "
to come by night, beat something, knock (by hitting two rocks together as bedouins lived in tents and didn't have a hard surface to knock on), strike; tariq: one who comes or appears by night, morning star that comes at the end of the night, night-visitant, star; tariqan: way, path, line of conduct, behaviour
But the origin of the word was used for when people lived in tents would knock two rocks together as there wasn’t a hard door surface to knock on
Connection with that word and the actions that take place during fusion of star
Root of ث ق ب
a hole, to pass through (a hole), piercing light passing through a hole; intense (surge)
bore/perforate/pierce/puncture, intense (surge), burn/blaze/flame brightly (e.g. as if to pierce through the night), ascend/reach, penetrate, struck/kindle fire, fuel for fire, a man very red, brilliant (can be applied to knowledge), a drill (instrument which perforates).
[37:10] If any of them ventures to charge the outer limits, he gets struck with a fierce projectile.
Qurasar:
While most blackholes are dormant when two galaxies collide something amazing happens, the blackhole gets to feed on all the heavenly bodies that get in vicinity of its event horizon.
Something miraculous takes place when this happens that causes the brightest event in the universe: a quasar
As the blackhole is feeding it sucks in all the heavenly bodies, planets, stars, everything in its path into a funnel (like a tornado or whirlpool), then as it is processing all this content it emits radiation that can span thousands of lightyears long.
A single quasar can shine thousands of times brighter than entire galaxies with a hundred billion stars.
In order to maintain a quasar produce a blackhole must consume approximately 10 stars a year. Many consume more than 1,000 a year or 600 earths every single minute.
Out of the darkest thing in the universe the brightest thing in the universe emerges
[86:4] Absolutely, everyone is well guarded.
[86:8] He is certainly able to resurrect him. [86:9] The day all secrets become known. [86:10] He will have no power, nor a helper.
Shame
When we sin we are debased and demoted to a lower level
[7:22] He thus duped them with lies. As soon as they tasted the tree, their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Their Lord called upon them: "Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the devil is your most ardent enemy?" [7:23] They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers." [7:24] He said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile.”
[70:43] That is the day they come out of the graves in a hurry, as if herded to the (sacrificial) altars. [70:44] With their eyes subdued, shame will cover them. That is the day that is awaiting them.
[88:1] Are you aware of the Overwhelming? [88:2] Faces on that day will be shamed. [88:3] Laboring and exhausted. [88:4] Suffering in a blazing Hellfire. [88:5] Drinking from a flaming spring. [88:6] They will have no food except the useless variety. [88:7] It never nourishes, nor satisfies hunger. [88:8] Other faces on that day will be full of joy. [88:9] Satisfied with their work.
[69:19] As for the one who receives his record with his right hand, he will say, "Come read my record. [69:20] "I did believe that I was going to be held accountable." [69:21] He has deserved a happy life. [69:22] In an exalted Paradise. [69:23] Its fruits are within reach. [69:24] Eat and drink happily in return for your works in days past.
[69:25] As for him who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, "Oh, I wish I never received my record. [69:26] "I wish I never knew my account. [69:27] "I wish my death was eternal. [69:28] "My money cannot help me. [69:29] "All my power is gone.”
When we commit sin in this life we have the opportunity (like Adam) to redeem ourselves, but this will not be the case after this life ends.
[2:37] Then, Adam received from his Lord words, whereby He redeemed him. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful. [2:38] We said, "Go down (ih’biṭū) therefrom, all of you. When guidance comes to you from Me, those who follow My guidance will have no fear, nor will they grieve. [2:39] "As for those who disbelieve and reject our revelations, they will be dwellers of Hell, wherein they abide forever.”
[39:60] On the Day of Resurrection you will see the faces of those who lied about GOD covered with misery. Is Hell not the right retribution for the arrogant ones?
[80:38] Some faces on that day will be happy. [80:39] Laughing and joyful. [80:40] Other faces, on that day, will be covered with misery. [80:41] Overwhelmed by remorse.
[10:26] For the righteous, the reward will be multiplied manifold. Their faces will never experience any deprivation or shame. These are the dwellers of Paradise; they abide therein forever. [10:27] As for those who earned sins, their requital is equivalent to their sin. Humiliation is their lot, and no one beside GOD can protect them. Their faces will seem overwhelmed by masses of dark night. They will be the dwellers of Hell; they abide therein forever.
[2:74] Despite this, your hearts hardened like rocks, or even harder.
For there are rocks from which rivers gush out.
Others crack and release gentle streams,
and other rocks cringe (ihibitu) out of reverence for GOD.
GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
The Great Triumph
[57:12] The day will come when you see the believing men and women with their lights radiating ahead of them and to their right. Good news is yours that, on that day, you will have gardens with flowing streams. You will abide therein forever. This is the great triumph.
The Worst Losers
[57:13] On that day, the hypocrite men and women will say to those who believed, "Please allow us to absorb some of your light." It will be said, "Go back behind you, and seek light." A barrier will be set up between them, whose gate separates mercy on the inner side, from retribution on the outer side.
[57:14] They will call upon them, "Were we not with you?" They will answer, "Yes, but you cheated your souls, hesitated, doubted, and became misled by wishful thinking, until GOD's judgment came. You were diverted from GOD by illusions.
[57:15] "Therefore, today no ransom can be taken from you, nor from those who disbelieved. Your abode is the fire; it is your lord, and miserable abode.”
While the believers heart shine and radiate the glory of God the disbelievers heart do nothing but attempt to suck the light out of all of God’s blessings
Thursday Sep 12, 2019
Thursday Sep 12, 2019
How was Thamud Annihilated?
5 communities annihilated (أَهْلَكْ / ahlak) by God in one single event.
Transgressed so far from the right path there was no coming back
These communities rejected the 3 M’s: messenger, the message, and the miracle
- People of Noah
- People of Hud
- People of Saleh
- People of Lot
- People of Shu'aib
The annihilation of these communities are mentioned consistently in this order in Suras: 7, 11, and 26.
[14:9] Have you not heard about those before you—the people of Noah, 'Ãd, Thamûd, and others who came after them and known only to GOD? Their messengers went to them with clear proofs, but they treated them with contempt and said, "We disbelieve in what you are sent with. We are skeptical about your message; full of doubt.”
Death of any disbeliever is annihilation
[6:6] Have they not seen how many generations before them we have annihilated? We established them on earth more than we did for you, and we showered them with blessings, generously, and we provided them with flowing streams. We then annihilated them because of their sins, and we substituted another generation in their place.
[10:13] Many a generation we have annihilated before you when they transgressed. Their messengers went to them with clear proofs, but they refused to believe. We thus requite the guilty people.
[8:54] Such was the case with the people of Pharaoh and others before them. They first rejected the signs of their Lord. Consequently, we annihilated them for their sins. We drowned Pharaoh's people; the wicked were consistently punished.
- People of Noah / flood
- People of Hud / Ad / storm
- People of Saleh / Thamud ?
- People of Lot / Sodom / shower of rocks
- People of Shu’aib / Midyan / quake
In this episode want to take a closer look at what exactly annihilated the people of Saleh.
[7:78] Consequently, the quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their homes.
[51:43] In Thamûd (there is a lesson). They were told, "Enjoy temporarily.” [51:44] They rebelled against the command of their Lord. Consequently, the lightning struck them as they looked.
Saleh was a messenger sent to Thamud.
[26:141] Thamûd disbelieved the messengers. [26:142] Their brother Sãleh said to them, "Would you not be righteous? [26:143] "I am an honest messenger to you. [26:144] "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me. [26:145] "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.
[26:146] "Do you suppose you will be left forever, secure in this state? [26:147] "You enjoy gardens and springs. [26:148] "And crops and date palms with delicious fruits.
[16:112] GOD cites the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of GOD's blessings. Consequently, GOD caused them to taste the hardships of starvation and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did.
People of Sheba Sura 34
[34:15] Sheba's homeland used to be a marvel, with two gardens on the right and the left. Eat from your Lord's provisions, and be appreciative of Him—good land, and a forgiving Lord. [34:16] They turned away and, consequently, we poured upon them a disastrous flood, and we substituted their two gardens into two gardens of bad tasting fruits, thorny plants, and a skimpy harvest. [34:17] We thus requited them for their disbelief. Do we not requite only the disbelievers? [34:18] We placed between them and the communities that we blessed other oases, and we secured the journey between them: "Travel therein days and nights in complete security." [34:19] But they (turned unappreciative and) challenged: "Our Lord, we do not care if You increase the distance of our journeys (without any stations)." They thus wronged their own souls. Consequently, we made them history, and scattered them into small communities throughout the land. This should provide lessons for those who are steadfast, appreciative.
[26:149] "You carve out of the mountains luxurious mansions. [26:150] "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me. [26:151] "Do not obey the transgressors. [26:152] "Who commit evil, not good works."
[7:74] "Recall that He made you inheritors after 'Ãd, and established you on earth, building mansions in its valleys, and carving homes from its mountains. You shall remember GOD's blessings, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.”
Al-Hijr
[29:38] Similarly, 'Ãd and Thamûd (were annihilated). This is made manifest to you through their ruins. The devil had adorned their works in their eyes, and had diverted them from the path, even though they had eyes.
[15:80] The people of Al-Hijr disbelieved the messengers. [15:81] We gave them our revelations, but they disregarded them. [15:82] They used to carve secure homes out of the mountains. [15:83] The disaster hit them in the morning. [15:84] What they hoarded did not help them.
Mada'in Saleh = Al-Hijr
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mada%27in_Saleh
One of three cities of the Nabateen Arabs = Hijr, Petra, and Busra
Camel
[11:62] They said, "O Sãleh, you used to be popular among us before this. Are you enjoining us from worshiping what our parents are worshiping? We are full of doubt concerning everything you have told us.”
[11:63] He said, "O my people, what if I have solid proof from my Lord, and mercy from Him? Who would support me against GOD, if I disobeyed Him? You can only augment my loss.
[11:64] "O my people, this is GOD's camel to serve as a proof for you. You shall let her eat from GOD's earth, and do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur an immediate retribution.”
[26:153] They said, "You are bewitched. [26:154] "You are no more than a human like us. Produce a miracle, if you are truthful." [26:155] He said, "Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking. [26:156] "Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day." [26:157] They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.
[17:79] What stopped us from sending the miracles is that the previous generations have rejected them. For example, we showed Thamoud the camel, a profound (miracle), but they transgressed against it. We sent the miracles only to instill reverence.
-
- Moses miracle turn staff into serpent
- Jesus time of famine bring food from the sky heal the sick
- Muhammad poetry is big - and Quran is far beyond anything they have ever heard before
- Today we live in the information age and our miracle is the mathematical structure of the Quran via a cryptographic message for our generation. If we provided this to the people of Saleh it would be meaningless to them.
[27:45] We have sent to Thamûd their brother Sãleh, saying, "You shall worship GOD." But they turned into two feuding factions. [27:46] He said, "O my people, why do you hasten to commit evil instead of good works? If only you implore GOD for forgiveness, you may attain mercy." [27:47] They said, "We consider you a bad omen for us, you and those who joined you." He said, "Your omen is fully controlled by GOD. Indeed, you are deviant people."
[7:75] The arrogant leaders among his people said to the common people who believed, "How do you know that Sãleh is sent by his Lord?" They said, "The message he brought has made us believers."
It’s not necessarily the miracle that makes someone believe. Sometimes the message alone is enough to make someone believe. The opposite of this is the history of the magicians at the time of Moses.
[27:48] There were nine gangsters in the city who were wicked, and never did anything good. [27:49] They said, "Let us swear by GOD that we kill him and his people, then tell his tribe, 'We know nothing about their death. We are truthful.’"
[7:76] The arrogant ones said, "We disbelieve in what you believe in." [7:77] Subsequently, they slaughtered the camel, rebelled against their Lord's command, and said, "O Sãleh, bring the doom you threaten us with, if you are really a messenger." [7:78] Consequently, the quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their homes. [7:79] He turned away from them, saying, "O my people, I have delivered my Lord's message to you, and advised you, but you do not like any advisers.”
Proverbs 12:
1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
[7:73] To Thamûd we sent their brother Sãleh. He said, "O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Proof has been provided for you from your Lord: here is GOD's camel, to serve as a sign for you. Let her eat from GOD's land, and do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur a painful retribution.
[27:50] They plotted and schemed, but we also plotted and schemed, while they did not perceive. [27:51] Note the consequences of their plotting; we annihilated them and all their people. [27:52] Here are their homes utterly ruined, because of their transgression. This should be a lesson for people who know. [27:53] We save those who believe and lead a righteous life.
[11:65] They slaughtered her. He then said, "You have only three days to live. This is a prophecy that is inevitable." [11:66] When our judgment came, we saved Sãleh and those who believed with him by mercy from us, from the humiliation of that day. Your Lord is the Most Powerful, the Almighty. [11:67] Those who transgressed were annihilated by the disaster, leaving them in their homes, dead. [11:68] It was as if they never lived there. Indeed, Thamûd have rejected their Lord. Absolutely, Thamûd have incurred their annihilation.
Sãleh: One and the Same Message
[11:61] To Thamûd we sent their brother Sãleh. He said, "O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. He initiated you from the earth, then settled you in it. You shall seek His forgiveness, then repent to Him. My Lord is always near, responsive."
[26:158] The retribution overwhelmed them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers. [26:159] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.
So what annihilated the people of Thamud?
[7:78] Consequently, the quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their homes.
|
7 |
78 |
1 |
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ |
So [it] struck them |
fa-akhadhathumu |
ا خ ذ |
|
7 |
78 |
2 |
الرَّجْفَةُ |
the earthquake, |
l-rajfatu |
ر ج ف |
|
7 |
78 |
3 |
فَأَصْبَحُوا |
then they became |
fa-aṣbaḥū |
ص ب ح |
|
7 |
78 |
4 |
فِي |
in |
fī |
ف ي |
|
7 |
78 |
5 |
دَارِهِمْ |
their home(s) |
dārihim |
د و ر |
|
7 |
78 |
6 |
جَاثِمِينَ |
laying on their chest motionless / dead. |
jāthimīna |
ج ث م |
**Quake is the same word used for Shuaib annihilation in 7:91 & 29:37
[51:43] In Thamûd (there is a lesson). They were told, "Enjoy temporarily.” [51:44] They rebelled against the command of their Lord. Consequently, the lightning struck them as they looked. [51:45] They could never get up, nor were they helped.
الصَّاعِقَةُ (l-ṣāʿiqatu) comes from the root ص ع ق and means thunderbolt, but also stunning noise (e.g. thunder), or something that stuns or strikes
|
51 |
44 |
1 |
فَعَتَوْا |
But they rebelled |
faʿataw |
ع ت و |
|
51 |
44 |
2 |
عَنْ |
against |
ʿan |
ع ن |
|
51 |
44 |
3 |
أَمْرِ |
(the) command |
amri |
ا م ر |
|
51 |
44 |
4 |
رَبِّهِمْ |
(of) their Lord, |
rabbihim |
ر ب ب |
|
51 |
44 |
5 |
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ |
so [it] stuck them |
fa-akhadhathumu |
ا خ ذ |
|
51 |
44 |
6 |
الصَّاعِقَةُ |
the (thunderous blast) lightning |
l-ṣāʿiqatu |
ص ع ق |
|
51 |
44 |
7 |
وَهُمْ |
while they |
wahum |
ه م |
|
51 |
44 |
8 |
يَنْظُرُونَ |
[they] were looking. |
yanẓurūna |
ن ظ ر |
Same word used again in 41:17:
[41:17] As for Thamûd, we provided them with guidance, but they preferred blindness over guidance. Consequently, the disastrous and shameful retribution annihilated them, because of what they earned.
|
41 |
17 |
1 |
وَأَمَّا |
And as for |
wa-ammā |
ا م م ا |
|
41 |
17 |
2 |
ثَمُودُ |
Thamud, |
thamūdu |
ث م د |
|
41 |
17 |
3 |
فَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ |
we guided them, |
fahadaynāhum |
ه د ي |
|
41 |
17 |
4 |
فَاسْتَحَبُّوا |
but they preferred |
fa-is'taḥabbū |
ح ب ب |
|
41 |
17 |
5 |
الْعَمَىٰ |
the blindness |
l-ʿamā |
ع م ي |
|
41 |
17 |
6 |
عَلَى |
over |
ʿalā |
ع ل ي |
|
41 |
17 |
7 |
الْهُدَىٰ |
the guidance, |
l-hudā |
ه د ي |
|
41 |
17 |
8 |
فَأَخَذَتْهُمْ |
so [it] struck them |
fa-akhadhathum |
ا خ ذ |
|
41 |
17 |
9 |
صَاعِقَةُ |
a terrifying cry / crack of thunder / disaster (of) |
ṣāʿiqatu |
ص ع ق |
|
41 |
17 |
10 |
الْعَذَابِ |
the retribution |
l-ʿadhābi |
ع ذ ب |
|
41 |
17 |
11 |
الْهُونِ |
the humiliating, |
l-hūni |
ه و ن |
|
41 |
17 |
12 |
بِمَا |
for what |
bimā |
ب م ا |
|
41 |
17 |
13 |
كَانُوا |
they used to |
kānū |
ك و ن |
|
41 |
17 |
14 |
يَكْسِبُونَ |
[they] earn. |
yaksibūna |
ك س ب |
[69:4] Thamûd and 'Ãd disbelieved in the Shocker. [69:5] As for Thamûd, they were annihilated by the devastating (quake).
The word بِالطَّاغِيَةِ (bil-ṭāghiyati) also a meaning of something exceedingly wicked but also a meaning of a storm of lightning and thunder.
|
69 |
4 |
1 |
كَذَّبَتْ |
[It] denied / disbelieved |
kadhabat |
ك ذ ب |
|
69 |
4 |
2 |
ثَمُودُ |
Thamud |
thamūdu |
ث م د |
|
69 |
4 |
3 |
وَعَادٌ |
and Ad |
waʿādun |
ع و د |
|
69 |
4 |
4 |
بِالْقَارِعَةِ |
in the Striking Calamity / Shocker. |
bil-qāriʿati |
ق ر ع |
|
69 |
5 |
1 |
فَأَمَّا |
So as for |
fa-ammā |
ا م م ا |
|
69 |
5 |
2 |
ثَمُودُ |
Thamud, |
thamūdu |
ث م د |
|
69 |
5 |
3 |
فَأُهْلِكُوا |
so they were annihilated |
fa-uh'likū |
ه ل ك |
|
69 |
5 |
4 |
بِالطَّاغِيَةِ |
by the thunderous blast / lightning |
bil-ṭāghiyati |
ط غ و |
[54:31] We sent upon them one blow, whereupon they became like harvested hay.
Summary of what we know
- They were in their homes (11:67)
[11:67] Those who transgressed were annihilated by the disaster, leaving them in their homes, dead.
- Their homes were carved in mountains (7:74)
[7:74] "Recall that He made you inheritors after 'Ãd, and established you on earth, building mansions in its valleys, and carving homes from its mountains.
- The quake annihilated them (7:78)
[7:78] Consequently, the quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their homes.
- In the morning (15:83)
[15:83] The disaster hit them in the morning.
- But before they were annihilated they saw lightning (51:44)
[51:44] They rebelled against the command of their Lord. Consequently, the lightning struck them as they looked.
- Their homes survived because we have their ruins (29:38)
[29:38] Similarly, 'Ãd and Thamûd (were annihilated). This is made manifest to you through their ruins.
- And whatever the event was left them like dried harvested hay (54:31)
[54:31] We sent upon them one blow, whereupon they became like harvested hay.
Earthquake lightning
Over the centuries, there have been many reports of earthquake lights, both before and while the ground is shaking.
Normal lightning results from the buildup of electrical charge in clouds. However, lab experiments now suggest earthquake lights may instead originate from the buildup of electrical charge in the ground surrounding geological faults….
Scientists previously sought to explain other mysteries regarding electrical charge. For example, it remains unclear how lightning can happen in sandstorms, even though sand is an electrical insulator, making lightning in sandstorms akin to seeing thunderbolts emerge from a storm full of rubber balls. The researchers suggested there may be some unknown material property that produces voltages whenever cracks appear in powders or grains.
Appearances of the earthquake light seem to occur when the quakes have a high magnitude, generally 5 or higher on the Richter scale.
There have also been incidents of yellow, ball-shaped lights appearing before earthquakes.
One hypothesis involves intense electric fields created piezoelectrically by tectonic movements of rocks containing quartz.
https://www.livescience.com/43686-earthquake-lights-possible-cause.html
Rocks in the are are sandstone which is made of sand cemented by silica, iron, lime etc. It is quartz-based stone.
[54:31] We sent upon them one blow, whereupon they became like harvested hay.
|
54 |
31 |
1 |
إِنَّا |
Indeed, [we] |
innā |
ا ن ن |
|
54 |
31 |
2 |
أَرْسَلْنَا |
we sent |
arsalnā |
ر س ل |
|
54 |
31 |
3 |
عَلَيْهِمْ |
upon them |
ʿalayhim |
ع ل ي |
|
54 |
31 |
4 |
صَيْحَةً |
blast / blow |
ṣayḥatan |
ص ي ح |
|
54 |
31 |
5 |
وَاحِدَةً |
single, |
wāḥidatan |
و ح د |
|
54 |
31 |
6 |
فَكَانُوا |
and they became |
fakānū |
ك و ن |
|
54 |
31 |
7 |
كَهَشِيمِ |
like dry twig fragments / harvested hay |
kahashīmi |
ه ش م |
|
54 |
31 |
8 |
الْمُحْتَظِرِ |
(used by) the fence builder / the one who builds enclosures. |
l-muḥ'taẓiri |
ح ظ ر |
Because the disaster hit them in the morning (15:83) there was moisture on the rock
When in the electric chair they would put wet sponges
When electricity runs through a body the energy is converted to thermal energy
People who die in electric chair the body gets so hot that if anyone was to touch the body they can get 2nd or 3rd degree burns even after a few minutes can still blisters
Body could catch fire or even melt
Cooks the person inside out
70% of our body is water a conductor
When electrocuted all the moisture was taken out of their body leaving them like harvested hay
And their homes were like a fence builder (electric fence) cooking them alive
The homes that they used for their protection ended up being the source of their destruction.
Friday Sep 06, 2019
Friday Sep 06, 2019
- The Righteous
[2:3] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity. [2:4] And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain. [2:5] These are guided by their Lord; these are the winners.
2. The Disbelievers
[2:6] As for those who disbelieve, it is the same for them; whether you warn them, or not warn them, they cannot believe. [2:7] GOD seals their minds and their hearing, and their eyes are veiled. They have incurred severe retribution.
3. The Hypocrites
[2:8] Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the Last Day," while they are not believers. [2:9] In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving. [2:10] In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying. [2:11] When they are told, "Do not commit evil," they say, "But we are righteous!" [2:12] In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive. [2:13] When they are told, "Believe like the people who believed," they say, "Shall we believe like the fools who believed?" In fact, it is they who are fools, but they do not know. [2:14] When they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but when alone with their devils, they say, "We are with you; we were only mocking." [2:15] GOD mocks them, and leads them on in their transgressions, blundering. [2:16] It is they who bought the straying, at the expense of guidance. Such trade never prospers, nor do they receive any guidance.
[11:16] It is they who gave up their share in the Hereafter, and, consequently, Hell is their lot. All their works are in vain; everything they have done is nullified.
Like the owners of the garden who were so absolutely sure of their harvest (68:18, 68:25)
Why are the hypocrites so despised by God?
[4:145] The hypocrites will be committed to the lowest pit of Hell, and you will find no one to help them.
Someone who disbelieves at least is being honest where they stand, but someone who is a hypocrite is a bad example for the group by which they claim to represent.
If Bernie Madoff was a bank robber he would have had more respect than claiming to be a financial investor and robbing people of billions of dollars, at least with a crook they are not hiding what they are.
A hypocrite repels people from the faith by setting a bad example under the guise of belief.
[47:1] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, He nullifies their works.
[47:32] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, and oppose the messenger after the guidance has been manifested for them, will never hurt GOD in the least. Instead, He nullifies their works.
[47:34] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, then die as disbelievers, GOD will never forgive them.
What is the traits of a hypocrite & How do we identify hypocrisy (this applies both in ourselves and in others)?
[47:29] Did those who harbor doubts in their hearts think that GOD will not bring out their evil thoughts? [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.
1. They harbor doubts about God
A disbeliever doesn’t “harbor doubt” they simply disbelieve.
But a hypocrite they “harbor doubt” and they feed that doubt rather than trying to eliminate it.
This is different than a believer. A believer may have doubt but rather than feeding that doubt they try to eliminate it (2:260).
[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.
[2:14] When they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but when alone with their devils, they say, "We are with you; we were only mocking."
2. They manifest their doubt by trying to make the believers doubt God’s promise
[63:8] They say, "If we go back to the city, the powerful therein will evict the weak (and we will be victimized)." (They should know that) all dignity belongs to GOD and His messenger, and the believers. However, the hypocrites do not know.
[8:49] The hypocrites and those who harbored doubt in their hearts said, "These people are deceived by their religion." However, if one puts his trust in GOD, then GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
The Battle of the Parties
[33:12] The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!” [33:13] A group of them said, "O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back." Others made up excuses to the prophet: "Our homes are vulnerable," when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee.
3. They say what they do not do:
[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.
[59:11] Have you noted those who are plagued with hypocrisy, and how they said to their companions in disbelief among the people of the scripture, "If you are evicted we will go out with you, and will never obey anyone who opposes you. If anyone fights you, we will fight on your side." GOD bears witness that they are liars. [59:12] In fact, if they were evicted, they would not have gone out with them, and if anyone fought them, they would not have supported them. Even if they supported them, they would have turned around and fled. They could never win.
4. They lie
[Al-Munaafeqoon (Hypocrites) 63:1] When the hypocrites come to you they say, "We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD." GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.
[28:44] You were not present on the slope of the western mount, when we issued the command to Moses; you were not a witness.
[40:60] Have you noted those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, then uphold the unjust laws of their idols? They were commanded to reject such laws. Indeed, it is the devil's wish to lead them far astray.
[9:77] Consequently, He plagued them with hypocrisy in their hearts, till the day they meet Him. This is because they broke their promises to GOD, and because of their lying.
[48:11] The sedentary Arabs who stay behind will say, "We have been preoccupied with our money and our families, so ask forgiveness for us!" They utter with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say, "Who can protect you from GOD, if He willed any adversity for you, or if He willed any blessing for you?" GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
Believers need to maintain our word
You Shall Keep Your Word
[16:91] You shall fulfill your covenant with GOD when you make such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing (by God) to carry them out, for you have made GOD a guarantor for you. GOD knows everything you do. [16:92] Do not be like the knitter who unravels her strong knitting into piles of flimsy yarn. This is your example if you abuse the oaths to take advantage of one another. Whether one group is larger than the other, GOD thus puts you to the test. He will surely show you on the Day of Resurrection everything you had disputed. [16:93] Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He sends astray whoever chooses to go astray, and He guides whoever wishes to be guided. You will surely be asked about everything you have done.
Violating Your Oath: A Serious Offense
[16:94] Do not abuse the oaths among you, lest you slide back after having a strong foothold, then you incur misery. Such is the consequence of repelling from the path of GOD (by setting a bad example); you incur a terrible retribution. [16:95] Do not sell your oaths before GOD short. What GOD possesses is far better for you, if you only knew. [16:96] What you possess runs out, but what GOD possesses lasts forever. We will surely reward those who steadfastly persevere; we will recompense them for their righteous works.
5. They repel from the path of God
[58:16] They used their oaths as a means of repelling from the path of GOD. Consequently, they have incurred a shameful retribution.
[63:2] Under the guise of their apparent faith, they repel the people from the path of GOD. Miserable indeed is what they do.
[63:5] When they are told, "Come let the messenger of GOD pray for your forgiveness," they mockingly turn their heads, and you see them repel others and act arrogantly.
6. How do they repel: by causing (1) confusion (2) disputes (3) division
[9:56] They swear by GOD that they belong with you, while they do not belong with you; they are divisive (yafraquna) people.
Divisive: tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people. Cause division
[9:47] Had they (the hypocrites) mobilized with you, they would have created confusion, and would have caused disputes and divisions among you. Some of you were apt to listen to them. GOD is fully aware of the transgressors.
[3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the scripture—as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion (l-fit'nati), and to extricate a certain meaning (tawīlihi). None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this—all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
7. They conspire
[4:114] There is nothing good about their private conferences, except for those who advocate charity, or righteous works, or making peace among the people. Anyone who does this, in response to GOD's teachings, we will grant him a great recompense.
[58:8] Have you noted those who were enjoined from conspiring secretly, then insist on conspiring? They conspire to commit sin, transgression, and disobedience of the messenger. When they come to you, they greet you with a greeting other than that decreed by GOD. They say inside themselves, "GOD will not punish us for our utterances." Their only requital is Gehenna, wherein they burn; what a miserable destiny.
Their refusal to say “peace” or “Salam Alaikum”
[6:54] When those who believe in our revelations come to you, you shall say, "Salãmun 'Alaykum (Peace be upon you). Your Lord has decreed that mercy is His attribute. Thus, anyone among you who commits a transgression out of ignorance, and repents thereafter and reforms, then He is Forgiving, Most Merciful."
8. They Advocate Vice
[9:67] The hypocrite men and the hypocrite women belong with each other—they advocate evil and prohibit righteousness, and they are stingy. They forgot GOD, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are truly wicked.
9. They think that their sinful behavior is righteous
[35:8] Note the one whose evil work is adorned in his eyes, until he thinks that it is righteous. GOD thus sends astray whoever wills (to go astray), and He guides whoever wills (to be guided). Therefore, do not grieve over them. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
[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.
[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD. [72:19] When GOD's servant advocated Him alone, almost all of them banded together to oppose him.
10. They are aggressive
A Chip On Their Shoulders
[Al-Munaafeqoon 63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
[22:72] When our revelations are recited to them, clearly, you recognize wickedness on the faces of those who disbelieve. They almost attack those who recite our revelations to them. Say, "Shall I inform you of something much worse? Hell is promised by GOD for those who disbelieve; what a miserable destiny."
11. They persecute the believers
[33:60] Unless the hypocrites, and those with disease in their hearts, and the vicious liars of the city refrain (from persecuting you), we will surely grant you the upper hand, then they will be forced to leave within a short while.
[59:13] Indeed, you strike more terror in their hearts than their fear of GOD. This is because they are people who do not comprehend. [59:14] They do not get together to fight you unless they are in well-shielded buildings, or behind walls. Their might appears formidable among themselves. You would think that they are united, when in fact their hearts are divided. This is because they are people who do not understand.
12. They distort God’s words
[48:15] The sedentary who stay behind will say, when you are expected to collect spoils of war, "Let us follow you to share in this!" They thus wish to alter GOD's words. Say, "You will not follow us. This is GOD's decision." They will then say, "You must be envious of us (for staying behind)." Indeed, they rarely understood anything.
[3:161] Even the prophet cannot take more of the spoils of war than he is entitled to. Anyone who takes more than his rightful share will have to account for it on the Day of Resurrection. That is when each soul is paid for whatever it earned, without the least injustice.
[8:67] No prophet shall acquire captives, unless he participates in the fighting. You people are seeking the materials of this world, while GOD advocates the Hereafter. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
[5:41] O you messenger, do not be saddened by those who hasten to disbelieve among those who say, "We believe," with their mouths, while their hearts do not believe. Among the Jews, some listened to lies. They listened to people who never met you, and who distorted the words out of context, then said, "If you are given this, accept it, but if you are given anything different, beware." Whomever GOD wills to divert, you can do nothing to help him against GOD. GOD does not wish to cleanse their hearts. They have incurred humiliation in this world, and in the Hereafter, they will suffer a terrible retribution.
Distorting the Word of God
[2:75] Do you expect them to believe as you do, when some of them used to hear the word of GOD, then distort it, with full understanding thereof, and deliberately?
Concealing the Word of God
[2:76] And when they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but when they get together with each other, they say, "Do not inform (the believers) of the information given to you by GOD, lest you provide them with support for their argument concerning your Lord. Do you not understand?”
13. They make excuses
[9:49] Some of them would say, "Give me permission (to stay behind); do not impose such a hardship on me." In fact, they have thus incurred a terrible hardship; Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.
[3:165] Now that you have suffered a setback, and even though you inflicted twice as much suffering (upon your enemy), you said, "Why did this happen to us?" Say, "This is a consequence of your own deeds." GOD is Omnipotent. [3:166] What afflicted you the day the two armies clashed was in accordance with GOD's will, and to distinguish the believers. [3:167] And to expose the hypocrites who were told, "Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute." They said, "If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you." They were closer to disbelief then than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal. [3:168] They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, "Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful.” [3:168] They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, "Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful."
14. They do not mobilize or strive
[9:86] When a sura is revealed, stating: "Believe in GOD, and strive with His messenger," even the strong among them say, "Let us stay behind!"
[9:81] The sedentary rejoiced in their staying behind the messenger of GOD, and hated to strive with their money and their lives in the cause of GOD. They said, "Let us not mobilize in this heat!" Say, "The fire of Hell is much hotter," if they could only comprehend.
[33:18] GOD is fully aware of the hinderers among you, and those who say to their comrades, "Let us all stay behind." Rarely do they mobilize for defense. [33:19] Also, they are too stingy when dealing with you. If anything threatens the community, you see their eyes rolling with fear, as if death had already come to them. Once the crisis is over, they whip you with sharp tongues. They are too stingy with their wealth. These are not believers, and, consequently, GOD has nullified their works. This is easy for GOD to do.
[4:72] Surely, there are those among you who would drag their feet, then, if a setback afflicts you, they would say, "GOD has blessed me that I was not martyred with them." [4:73] But if you attain a blessing from GOD, they would say, as if no friendship ever existed between you and them, "I wish I was with them, so I could share in such a great victory.”
[9:46] Had they really wanted to mobilize, they would have prepared for it thoroughly. But GOD disliked their participation, so He discouraged them; they were told, "Stay behind with those who are staying behind.”
Even in their worship practices, they are lazy
[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.
[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.
15. They want the quick material gain
[9:42] If there were a quick material gain, and a short journey, they would have followed you. But the striving is just too much for them. They will swear by GOD: "If we could, we would have mobilized with you." They thus hurt themselves, and GOD knows that they are liars.
16. They are wishy-washy
[58:14] Have you noted those who befriended people with whom GOD is angry? They neither belong with you, nor with them. They deliberately swear lies!
[4:143] They waver in between, neither belonging to this group, nor that group. Whomever GOD sends astray, you will never find a way to guide him. [4:144] O you who believe, you shall not ally yourselves with the disbelievers, instead of the believers. Do you wish to provide GOD with a clear proof against you?
The Hypocrites
[4:141] They watch you and wait; if you attain victory from GOD, they say (to you), "Were we not with you?" But if the disbelievers get a turn, they say (to them), "Did we not side with you, and protect you from the believers?" GOD will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection. GOD will never permit the disbelievers to prevail over the believers.
[26:221] Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend? [26:222] They descend upon every guilty fabricator. [26:223] They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars. [26:224] As for the poets, they are followed only by the strayers. [26:225] Do you not see that their loyalty shifts according to the situation? [26:226] And that they say what they do not do?
17. They are closer to disbelief than they are to belief
[4:138] Inform the hypocrites that they have incurred painful retribution. [4:139] They are the ones who ally themselves with disbelievers instead of believers. Are they seeking dignity with them? All dignity belongs with GOD alone.
[9:50] If something good happens to you, they hurt, and if an affliction befalls you, they say, "We told you so," as they turn away rejoicing.
[33:14] Had the enemy invaded and asked them to join, they would have joined the enemy without hesitation.
Why would God allow hypocrites?
The purpose of this world is to bring out our true convictions. In order to do so we must be tested. The hypocrites test us in this manner, similar to the devil.
[3:140] If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice. [3:141] GOD thus toughens (وَلِيُمَحِّصَ) those who believe and humiliates the disbelievers.
|
3 |
141 |
1 |
وَلِيُمَحِّصَ |
And so that [He] may refine / toughen |
waliyumaḥḥiṣa |
م ح ص |
|
3 |
141 |
2 |
اللَّهُ |
God |
l-lahu |
ا ل ه |
|
3 |
141 |
3 |
الَّذِينَ |
those who |
alladhīna |
ا ل ل ذ |
|
3 |
141 |
4 |
آمَنُوا |
they believed, |
āmanū |
ا م ن |
|
3 |
141 |
5 |
وَيَمْحَقَ |
and He annihilate / humiliate |
wayamḥaqa |
م ح ق |
|
3 |
141 |
6 |
الْكَافِرِينَ |
the disbelievers. |
l-kāfirīna |
ك ف ر |
Comparing believers as refined metal, makes the hypocrites as impurities that will naturally be eliminated when they are put to the test through hardship/adversity. In this case through the flames of war.
[3:142] Do you expect to enter Paradise without GOD distinguishing those among you who strive, and without distinguishing those who are steadfast?
[3:154] After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about GOD that were not right— the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, "Is anything up to us?" Say, "Everything is up to GOD." They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, "If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle." Say, "Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds." GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test (وَلِيُمَحِّصَ) what is in your hearts. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
|
3 |
154 |
63 |
وَلِيَبْتَلِيَ |
And that [He] may test |
waliyabtaliya |
ب ل و |
|
3 |
154 |
64 |
اللَّهُ |
God |
l-lahu |
ا ل ه |
|
3 |
154 |
65 |
مَا |
what (is) |
mā |
م ا |
|
3 |
154 |
66 |
فِي |
in |
fī |
ف ي |
|
3 |
154 |
67 |
صُدُورِكُمْ |
your hearts, |
ṣudūrikum |
ص د ر |
|
3 |
154 |
68 |
وَلِيُمَحِّصَ |
and that He may purge the impurities (test) |
waliyumaḥḥiṣa |
م ح ص |
|
3 |
154 |
69 |
مَا |
what (is) |
mā |
م ا |
|
3 |
154 |
70 |
فِي |
in |
fī |
ف ي |
|
3 |
154 |
71 |
قُلُوبِكُمْ |
your hearts. |
qulūbikum |
ق ل ب |
[3:155] Surely, those among you who turned back the day the two armies clashed have been duped by the devil. This reflects some of the (evil) works they had committed. GOD has pardoned them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.
[29:10] Among the people there are those who say, "We believe in GOD," but as soon as they suffer any hardship because of GOD, they equate the people's persecution with GOD's retribution. But if blessings from your Lord come your way, they say, "We were with you." Is GOD not fully aware of the people's innermost thoughts? [29:11] GOD will most certainly distinguish those who believe, and He will most certainly expose the hypocrites.
Are we supposed to identify the hypocrites:
If we are to have no action then what is the purpose of God exposing hypocrites to the believers?
[9:43] GOD has pardoned you: why did you give them permission (to stay behind), before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars?
Similar to the test for the wives of the disbelievers that want to join the believers
[60:10] O you who believe, when believing women (abandon the enemy and) ask for asylum with you, you shall test them. GOD is fully aware of their belief. Once you establish that they are believers, you shall not return them to the disbelievers. They are not lawful to remain married to them, nor shall the disbelievers be allowed to marry them. Give back the dowries that the disbelievers have paid. You commit no error by marrying them, so long as you pay them their due dowries. Do not keep disbelieving wives (if they wish to join the enemy). You may ask them for the dowry you had paid, and they may ask for what they paid. This is GOD's rule; He rules among you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
It is important to note that it appears that these verses below are not targeted towards the hypocrites outside the believer's community but the ones inside.
[9:52] Say, "You can only expect for us one of two good things (victory or martyrdom), while we expect for you condemnation from GOD and retribution from Him, or at our hands. Therefore, wait, and we will wait along with you." [9:53] Say, "Spend, willingly or unwillingly. Nothing will be accepted from you, for you are evil people."
[9:64] The hypocrites worry that a sura may be revealed exposing what is inside their hearts. Say, "Go ahead and mock. GOD will expose exactly what you are afraid of." [9:65] If you ask them, they would say, "We were only mocking and kidding." Say, "Do you realize that you are mocking GOD, and His revelations, and His messenger?"
[9:83] If GOD returns you to a situation where they ask your permission to mobilize with you, you shall say, "You will never again mobilize with me, nor will you ever fight with me against any enemy. For you have chosen to be with the sedentary in the first place. Therefore, you must stay with the sedentary." [9:84] You shall not observe the funeral prayer for any of them when he dies, nor shall you stand at his grave. They have disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and died in a state of wickedness.
[9:93] The blame is on those who ask your permission to stay behind, even though they have no excuse. They have chosen to be with the sedentary. Consequently, GOD has sealed their hearts, and thus, they do not attain any knowledge.
Hard Times Serve to Expose the Hypocrites
[9:94] They apologize to you when you return to them (from battle). Say, "Do not apologize; we no longer trust you. GOD has informed us about you." GOD will see your works, and so will the messenger, then you will be returned to the Knower of all secrets and declarations, then He will inform you of everything you had done. [9:95] They will swear by GOD to you, when you return to them, that you may disregard them. Do disregard them. They are polluted, and their destiny is Hell, as a requital for the sins they have earned. [9:96] They swear to you, that you may pardon them. Even if you pardon them, GOD does not pardon such wicked people.
What do we do regarding the hypocrites amongst us?
Four kinds of hypocrites
- Those external who are not fighting
- Those external who are fighting
- Those internal who are not fighting
- Those internal who are fighting
[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. [4:89] They wish that you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, then you become equal. Do not consider them friends, unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of GOD. If they turn against you, you shall fight them, and you may kill them when you encounter them in war. You shall not accept them as friends, or allies.
[4:90] Exempted (hypocrites) are those who join people with whom you have signed a peace treaty, and those who come to you wishing not to fight you, nor fight their relatives. Had GOD willed, He could have permitted them to fight against you. Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them. [4:91] You will find others who wish to make peace with you, and also with their people. However, as soon as war erupts, they fight against you. Unless these people leave you alone, offer you peace, and stop fighting you, you may fight them when you encounter them. Against these, we give you a clear authorization.
[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.
Do Not Befriend Hypocrites
[3:118] O you who believe, do not befriend outsiders who never cease to wish you harm; they even wish to see you suffer. Hatred flows out of their mouths and what they hide in their chests is far worse. We thus clarify the revelations for you, if you understand. [3:119] Here you are loving them, while they do not love you, and you believe in all the scripture. When they meet you they say, "We believe," but as soon as they leave they bite their fingers out of rage towards you. Say, "Die in your rage." GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts. [3:120] When anything good comes your way they hurt, and when something bad happens to you they rejoice. If you steadfastly persevere, and maintain righteousness, their schemes will never hurt you. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
How do we put this into practice?
We need to be absolutely sure
[4:94] O you who believe, if you strike in the cause of GOD, you shall be absolutely sure. Do not say to one who offers you peace, "You are not a believer," seeking the spoils of this world. For GOD possesses infinite spoils. Remember that you used to be like them, and GOD blessed you. Therefore, you shall be absolutely sure (before you strike). GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
Difference between a hypocrite and an aggressing believer
[49:9] If two groups of believers fought with each other, (1) you shall reconcile them. (2) 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.
We need to be stern in dealing with them
[9:73] O you prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern in dealing with them. Their destiny is Hell; what a miserable abode!
[66:9] O prophet, struggle against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be stern with them. Their abode is Gehenna, and a miserable destiny.
Do Not Defend the Transgressors
[4:107] Do not argue on behalf of those who have wronged their own souls; GOD does not love any betrayer, guilty. [4:108] They hide from the people, and do not care to hide from GOD, though He is with them as they harbor ideas He dislikes. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
You Do Not Help Them by Being "Nice”
[4:109] Here you are arguing on their behalf in this world; who is going to argue with GOD on their behalf on the Day of Resurrection? Who is going to be their advocate?
Thursday Aug 29, 2019
Thursday Aug 29, 2019
Dan Gibbons - The Sacred City of Mecca - Have we Got it Wrong? | TRACKS
- The prophet was actually from Petra therefore Hajj and the Ka’bah are in Petra
- The place of the Ka’aba was had thriving in agriculture
- The Quran describes as the town of the Sacred Masjid as the “mother of cities” therefore this could not be Mecca as Mecca back then was a barren desert and not a major trading location as is depicted in some Hadith
- The one occurrence of Mecca in the Quran is potentially a misspelling and was probably originally spelled with a b as opposed to a m.
Findings based on Hadith and his claims of some of the earliest Mosque that the Qibla points to Petra and not Mecca.
Mecca is the town that contains the Ka’bah known as the Sacred House in the Quran. It was established by Abraham and Ishmael.
Abraham
[2:124] Recall that Abraham was put to the test by his Lord, through certain commands, and he fulfilled them. (God) said, "I am appointing you an imam for the people." He said, "And also my descendants?" He said, "My covenant does not include the transgressors." [2:125] We have rendered the shrine (the Ka'aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate.”
[3:95] Say, "GOD has proclaimed the truth: You shall follow Abraham's religion—monotheism. He never was an idolator." [3:96] The most important shrine established for the people is the one in Becca; a blessed beacon for all the people.
[48:24] He is the One who withheld their hands of aggression against you, and withheld your hands of aggression against them in the valley of Mecca, after He had granted you victory over them. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
Valley of Weeping?
The assumption that Becca means Petra is based on false information
Root = of Becca = ب ك ك
crowding together of people; lacking water; breaking of the neck
The belief that the root means "weeping" is a knwon misunderstanding it originated from the Greek translation of Hebrew of Psalms 84, where the Greek translation assumed a similar-sounding word בכה (bakhá) “weeping” and translated ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τοῦ κλαυθμῶνος "valley of weeping” in Greek as opposed to “valley of Bakka”.)
Hajj in the Bible
Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka…
Root = ب ك ي = weep or cry
[48:24] He is the One who withheld their hands of aggression against you, and withheld your hands of aggression against them in the valley of Mecca, after He had granted you victory over them. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
Mother of Cities
أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ = umma l-qura = mother of the cities / mother of all cities
[6:92] This too is a blessed scripture that we have revealed, confirming the previous scriptures, that you may warn the most important community* and all those around it. Those who believe in the Hereafter will believe in this (scripture), and will observe the Contact Prayers (Salat).
[42:7] We thus reveal to you an Arabic Quran to warn the central community and all around it, and to warn about the Day of Summoning that is inevitable. Some will end up in Heaven, and some in Hell.
Abraham literally means the father of multitude.
Abraham from Hebrew אַבְרָהָם
אַב (aḇ, “father of”) + הֲמוֹן (hăˈmōn, “multitude of”)
Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.
This was his name despite having no children until he was into his 86 years old with Ishmael
[22:27] "And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations.”
The humility of Mecca as God’s house is that it historically was stripped from any vanity. That over +10 million people converge to Mecca each year for Hajj.
[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.
مَكَّنَّا = we established
م ك ن = to be strong, have power, hold high rank or authority, be influential, grant an honorable position, establish, grant authority
[43:4] It is preserved with us in the original master, honorable and full of wisdom.
Plantless Valley
Dan Gibbons relies on numerous Hadith to claim that the town of the prophet and the Sacred House was a lush valley, He claims that Mecca is described as having trees, grass, fruits, grapes, fields, streams etc. but this is completely contradictory to the Quran.
[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.
Bee-wadin ghayri dhi zar’een
According to historian F. E. Peters, Ibn Ishaq's account reveals that Mecca in the time of Qusayy and his immediate offspring was not yet a commercial center; rather, the city's economy was based on pilgrimage to the Ka'bah, and "what pass[ed] for municipal offices [designated by Qusayy] have to do only with military operations and with control of the shrine".[6] During that time, the tribesmen of Quraysh were not traders; instead, they were entrusted with religious services, from which they significantly profited. They also profited from taxes collected from incoming pilgrims. Though Qusayy appeared to be the strongman of Quraysh, he was not officially a king of the tribe, but one of many leading sheikhs (tribal chieftains).
[48:25] It is they who disbelieved and barred you from the Sacred Masjid, and even prevented your offerings from reaching their destination…
[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 the people (by crowding them out). Therefore, suffer the retribution for your disbelief.
مُكَاءً (mukāan) = whistling (mockery)
وَتَصْدِيَةً = and clapping (means of repelling)
Qibla
[2:142] The fools among the people would say, "Why did they change the direction of their Qiblah?” Say, "To GOD belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a straight path."
[2:143] We thus made you an impartial community, that you may serve as witnesses among the people, and the messenger serves as a witness among you. We changed the direction of your original Qiblah only to distinguish those among you who readily follow the messenger from those who would turn back on their heels. It was a difficult test, but not for those who are guided by GOD. GOD never puts your worship to waste. GOD is Compassionate towards the people, Most Merciful.
Qiblah Restored to Mecca
[2:144] We have seen you turning your face about the sky (searching for the right direction). We now assign a Qiblah that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid. Wherever you may be, all of you shall turn your faces towards it. Those who received the previous scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything they do.
[2:145] Even if you show the followers of the scripture every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qiblah. Nor shall you follow their Qiblah. They do not even follow each others' Qiblah. If you acquiesce to their wishes, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will belong with the transgressors.
Abuse of the Scripture: Selective Emphasis and Concealment
[2:146] Those who received the scripture recognize the truth herein, as they recognize their own children. Yet, some of them conceal the truth, knowingly.
[2:147] This is the truth from your Lord; do not harbor any doubt.
[2:148] Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, GOD will summon you all. GOD is Omnipotent.
Qiblah Restored to Mecca
[2:149] Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid.* This is the truth from your Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything you all do.
*2:142-145 "Qiblah" is the direction one faces during the Contact Prayers (Salat). When Gabriel conveyed to Muhammad the command to face Jerusalem instead of Mecca, the hypocrites were exposed. The Arabs were strongly prejudiced in favor of the Ka'aba as their "Qiblah." Only the true believers were able to overcome their prejudices; they readily obeyed the messenger.
Dan Gibson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gibson_(author)
In 2017 Salim Al-Hassani, founder of the academic history of technology portal Muslim Heritage, published a highly critical review of Gibson's Early Islamic Qiblas by a subject matter expert on medieval Muslim astronomy, David A. King, author of World-Maps for Finding the Direction and Distance to Mecca: Innovation and Tradition in Islamic Science, many articles on qibla, and several articles in the Encyclopedia of Islam. King argued that early Muslim Arabs were unable to precisely establish Qiblas when building new mosques until later mathematical developments made precision possible. Further, King wrote, many variations in orientation are better accounted for by regional and local practices, imperfect geography, and folk astronomy. King noted Gibson's inadequate grasp of mathematics, citing Gibson's "spherical polygons" (p. 170) as inexplicable. King summarized his analysis of Gibson's work as an "amateurish, non-scholarly document that is both offensive to Muslims and also an insult to Muslim and Western scholarship."[4] Gibson placed a response to King on academia.edu, " and a series of videos on Gibson's YouTube channel. [url = http://www.youtube.com/user/canbooks] Dr. King on the other hand is convinced that the sloppy qiblas actually intended to point: east, west, solstices, sunrises and so forth. I have not come across anything in Islamic religious manuscripts that support these Qiblas. But perhaps in time someone, somewhere will stumble across something that will change our understanding of Qiblas. All I have found so far, is that every Muslim expects the Qibla to point to Masjid Al Harām.” [the Ka’bah]
Masjid al-Qiblatayn ‘Mosque of the Two Qiblas’
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masjid_al-Qiblatayn
The Masjid al-Qiblatayn (Arabic: مَسْجِد ٱلْقِبْلَتَیْن, lit. 'Mosque of the Two Qiblas') is a mosque in Medina that is historically important for Muslims as the place where, after the Islamic Nabi (Prophet) Muhammad received the command to change the Qiblah (Direction of Prayer) from Jerusalem to Mecca, the entire congregation led by a companion changed direction in prayer. Thus it uniquely contained two Mihrabs (Prayer niches).
Quraish, Battle of Badr, and Medina (Yathrib)
[6:121]…The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.*
No account of Islam in Petra at the time of the prophet
Petra is ~800 miles away from Mecca
[33:13] A group of them said, "O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back." Others made up excuses to the prophet: "Our homes are vulnerable," when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee.
[3:123] GOD has granted you victory at Badr, despite your weakness. Therefore, you shall observe GOD, to show your appreciation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quraysh
[17:81] Proclaim, "The truth has prevailed, and falsehood has vanished; falsehood will inevitably vanish."
Friday Aug 23, 2019
Friday Aug 23, 2019
[16:116] You shall not utter lies with your own tongues stating: "This is lawful, and this is unlawful," to fabricate lies and attribute them to GOD. Surely, those who fabricate lies and attribute them to GOD will never succeed.
[2:172] O you who believe, eat from the good things we provided for you, and be thankful to GOD, if you do worship Him alone. [2:173] He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[16:115] He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs, and food which is dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[6:145] Say, "I do not find in the revelations (wahy) given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except:
- carrion,
- running blood (مَسْفُوحًا (masfūḥan) = poured forth),
- the meat (وَلَحْمُ) of pigs, for it is contaminated, and
- the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than GOD."
If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Carrion
[5:3] Prohibited for you are animals that die of themselves, blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. (Animals that die of themselves include those) strangled, struck with an object, fallen from a height, gored, attacked by a wild animal—unless you save your animal before it dies ذَكَّيْتُمْ (dhakkaytum = you made fit for food / you slaughtered for food) —and animals sacrificed (ذُبِحَ) on altars. Also prohibited is dividing the meat through a game of chance; this is an abomination. Today, the disbelievers have given up concerning (the eradication of) your religion; do not fear them and fear Me instead. Today, I have completed your religion, perfected My blessing upon you, and I have decreed Submission as the religion for you. If one is forced by famine (to eat prohibited food), without being deliberately sinful, then GOD is Forgiver, Merciful.
ذُبِحَ = dhubiḥa = sacrificed without the intention of it being food
2:49, 14:6, 28:4 - Children of Israel
27:21 - Solomon to the Hoopoe
37:102,107 - Abraham and Ishmael
Meat vs. the Fat
[6:146] For those who are Jewish we prohibited animals with undivided hoofs; and of the cattle and sheep we prohibited the fat, except that which is carried on their backs, or in the viscera, or mixed with bones. That was a retribution for their transgressions, and we are truthful.
4. Animals dedicated to other than God.
Note it doesn’t say animals dedicated to “other than God” as opposed to “not to God”
أُهِلَّ - Uhilla - that which is dedicated at the time of slaughter
What if some food was dedicated to other than God can we eat it?
[5:103] GOD did not prohibit (Bahirah) livestock that begets certain combinations of males and females, nor (Sa’ibah) livestock liberated by an oath, nor (Wasilah) the one that begets two males in a row, nor (Hami) the bull that fathers ten. It is the disbelievers who invented such lies about GOD. Most of them do not understand.
Don’t give powers to the idol worshipers and their innovations
The action is prohibited not the food itself
Dividing the meat through a game of chance.
[6:138] They said, "These are livestock and crops that are prohibited; no one shall eat them except whomever we permit," so they claimed. They also prohibited the riding of certain livestock. Even the livestock they ate, they never pronounced GOD's name upon them (as they sacrificed them). Such are innovations attributed to Him. He will surely requite them for their innovations.
[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by GOD for your own good. You shall mention (zikr) GOD's name on them while they are standing in line. Once they have fallen dead (are offered for sacrifice), you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.
Altars of Idols & Intoxicants
[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
We must mention God’s name before we eat.
[6:118] You shall eat from that upon which GOD's name has been pronounced (zikr), if you truly believe in His revelations. [6:119] Why should you not eat from that upon which GOD's name has been mentioned (zikr)? He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors. [6:120] You shall avoid obvious sins, as well as the hidden ones. Those who have earned sins will surely pay for their transgressions. [6:121] Do not eat from that upon which the name of GOD has not been mentioned (zikr), for it is an abomination. The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.
[6:150] Say, "Bring your witnesses who would testify that GOD has prohibited this or that." If they testify, do not testify with them. Nor shall you follow the opinions of those who reject our revelations, and those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, and those who stray away from their Lord.
[5:4] They consult you concerning what is lawful for them; say, "Lawful for you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch for you." You train them according to GOD's teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention GOD's name thereupon. You shall observe GOD. GOD is most efficient in reckoning.
[16:119] Yet, as regards those who fall in sin out of ignorance then repent thereafter and reform, your Lord, after this is done, is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Friday Aug 16, 2019
Friday Aug 16, 2019
Example of Adam and Eve
[7:19] "As for you, Adam, dwell with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom as you please, but do not approach this one tree, lest you fall in sin." [7:20] The devil whispered to them, in order to reveal their bodies, which were invisible to them. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you from this tree, except to prevent you from becoming angels, and from attaining eternal existence." [7:21] He swore to them, "I am giving you good advice.”
[20:117] We then said, "O Adam, this is an enemy of you and your wife. Do not let him evict you from Paradise, lest you become miserable. [20:118] "You are guaranteed never to hunger therein, nor go unsheltered. [20:119] "Nor will you thirst therein, nor suffer from any heat." [20:120] But the devil whispered to him, saying, "O Adam, let me show you the tree of eternity and unending kingship."
All Satan needs to do for us to sell our soul is to convince us to sin.
Sin is anything that goes against what God tells us
[2:41] You shall believe in what I have revealed herein, confirming what you have; do not be the first to reject it. Do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price, and observe Me.
God commands us to submit (Muslim / Islam / Submitter / Submission)
[26:198] If we revealed this to people who do not know Arabic. [26:199] And had him recite it (in Arabic), they could not possibly believe in it.
There are two kinds of people in the world: submitters and objectors
[13:15] To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.
[3:134] who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable.
[43:37] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.
What does it mean to be a submitter?
To believe that God is doing everything and being joyful about it :)
That nothing happens that is outside of God’s control
[10:61] You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom's weight is out of your Lord's control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller than an atom, or larger, that is not recorded in a profound record.
[56:57] We have created you, if you could only believe! [56:58] Have you noted the semen that you produce? [56:59] Did you create it, or did we? [56:60] We have predetermined death for you. Nothing can stop us— [56:61] from substituting new generations in your place, and establishing what you do not know. [56:62] You know about the first creation. Do you not remember?
[56:63] Have you noted the crops you reap? [56:64] Did you grow them, or did we? [56:65] If we will, we can turn it into hay. Then you will lament: [56:66] "We lost. [56:67] "We are deprived."
[56:68] Have you noted the water you drink? [56:69] Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we? [56:70] If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful. [56:71] Have you noted the fire you ignite? [56:72] Did you initiate its tree, or did we? [56:73] We rendered it a reminder, and a useful tool for the users. [56:74] You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
Why do we get angry?
Injustice
There is only injustice for those who do not believe in the Hereafter
[72:13] "'When we heard the guidance, we believed therein. Anyone who believes in his Lord will never fear any injustice, nor any affliction.
[3:140] If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice.
Impatience
[17:11] The human being often prays for something that may hurt him, thinking that he is praying for something good. The human being is impatient.
[17:12] We rendered the night and the day two signs. We made the night dark, and the day lighted, that you may seek provisions from your Lord therein. This also establishes for you a timing system, and the means of calculation. We thus explain everything in detail.
- Gravitational Constant : 6.67408 × 10^-11 m3 kg-1 s-2 (fine tune 1 part in 10^15)
- The rate at which the universe expands fine tuned to one 1 in 10^55
[34:36] Say, "My Lord is the One who controls all provisions; He grants the provisions to whomever He wills, or reduces them, but most people do not know.”
[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.”
[42:27] If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants.
What is the opposite of a submitter? An objector.
[43:17] When one of them is given news (of a daughter) as they claimed for the Most Gracious, his face is darkened with misery and anger!
[16:58] When one of them gets a baby girl, his face becomes darkened with overwhelming grief.
[2:246] Have you noted the leaders of Israel after Moses? They said to their prophet, "If you appoint a king to lead us, we will fight in the cause of GOD." He said, "Is it your intention that, if fighting is decreed for you, you will not fight?" They said, "Why should we not fight in the cause of GOD, when we have been deprived of our homes, and our children?" Yet, when fighting was decreed for them, they turned away, except a few. GOD is aware of the transgressors.
Questioning God's Wisdom
[2:247] Their prophet said to them, "GOD has appointed Taloot (Saul) to be your king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us when we are more worthy of kingship than he; he is not even rich?" He said, "GOD has chosen him over you, and has blessed him with an abundance in knowledge and in body." GOD grants His kingship to whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.
[2:248] Their prophet said to them, "The sign of his kingship is that the Ark of the Covenant will be restored to you, bringing assurances from your Lord, and relics left by the people of Moses and the people of Aaron. It will be carried by the angels. This should be a convincing sign for you, if you are really believers."
[2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, "GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me—only those who do not taste it belong with me—unless it is just a single sip." They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, "Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops." Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, "Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere."
[20:52] He said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord never errs, nor does He forget."
Control
[16:1] GOD's command has already been issued (and everything has already been written), so do not rush it.* Be He glorified; the Most High, far above any idols they set up.
[13:2] GOD is the One who raised the heavens without pillars that you can see, then assumed all authority. He committed the sun and the moon, each running (in its orbit) for a predetermined period. He controls all things, and explains the revelations, that you may attain certainty about meeting your Lord.
[47:21] Obedience and righteous utterances are expected of them. If only they showed confidence in GOD, when mobilization was called for, it would have been better for them.
Surrender to God
Sura 94: Cooling the Temper (Al-Sharrhh)
[94:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[94:1] Did we not cool your temper? (Did we not expand your chest?)
[94:2] And we unloaded your load (of sins).
[94:3] One that burdened your back.
[94:4] We exalted you to an honorable position.
[94:5] With pain (difficulty / hardship) there is gain.
[94:6] Indeed, with pain there is gain.
[94:7] Whenever possible you shall strive.
[94:8] Seeking only your Lord.
Think about everything that ever caused you to be angry? I guarantee the vast majority of the things you cannot even remember what was the cause of the anger. All that didn’t matter because God carried you through it and if you are lucky you grew from the situation.
[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.
James 4
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Friday Aug 09, 2019
Friday Aug 09, 2019
The one sin that God will not forgive if maintained until death
[4:48] GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.
[30:31] You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and—whatever you do—do not ever fall into idol worship. [30:32] like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.
Some submitters want to divide but in an attempt to avoid being an idol worshiper they label individuals that they deem as hypocrites as “no longer being believers”
[4:94] O you who believe, if you strike in the cause of GOD, you shall be absolutely sure. Do not say to one who offers you peace, "You are not a believer," seeking the spoils of this world. For GOD possesses infinite spoils. Remember that you used to be like them, and GOD blessed you. Therefore, you shall be absolutely sure (before you strike). GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
[2:272] You are not responsible for guiding anyone. GOD is the only one who guides whoever chooses (to be guided).
[28:56] You cannot guide the ones you love. GOD is the only One who guides in accordance with His will, and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.
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. [4:89] They wish that you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, then you become equal. Do not consider them friends, unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of GOD. If they turn against you, you shall fight them, and you may kill them when you encounter them in war. You shall not accept them as friends, or allies.
"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." Frederick Douglass
[6:52] And do not dismiss those who implore their Lord day and night, devoting themselves to Him alone. You are not responsible for their reckoning, nor are they responsible for your reckoning. If you dismiss them, you will be a transgressor.
[10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?
Disbelievers use force and intimidation while believers use logic and reason
[20:71] He said, "Did you believe in him without my permission? He must be your chief; the one who taught you magic.
[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?
[3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the scripture—as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion الْفِتْنَةِ [l-fit’nati] (division / disputes), and to extricate a certain meaning تَأْوِيلِهِ [tawī-lihi] ( interpretation / determination). None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this—all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
Example of the Samarian
[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."
[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.’ "
[20:95] He said, "What is the matter with you, O Samarian?" [20:96] He said, "I saw what they could not see. I grabbed a fistful (of dust) from the place where the messenger stood, and used it (to mix into the golden calf). This is what my mind inspired me to do." [20:97] He said, "Then go, and, throughout your life, do not even come close. You have an appointed time (for your final judgment) that you can never evade. Look at your god that you used to worship; we will burn it and throw it into the sea, to stay down there forever.”
[7:155] Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he said, "My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past, together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver.
If we equate every difference of opinion as being on par to the Samarian and the golden calf then we are equating the extreme case with the mundane.
Does this mean that I will be mean and nasty so that the other party turns away on their own?
[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.
[41:33] Who can utter better words than one who invites to GOD, works righteousness, and says, "I am one of the submitters"? [41:34] Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend. [41:35] None can attain this except those who steadfastly persevere. None can attain this except those who are extremely fortunate.[41:36] When the devil whispers an idea to you, you shall seek refuge in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[5:105] O you who believe, you should worry only about your own necks. If the others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long as you are guided. To GOD is your ultimate destiny, all of you, then He will inform you of everything you had done.
We need to practice being doers of the laws not just judges of the law
James 4 Submit Yourselves to God
4 What causes fights and quarrels among you?
11 Do not backbite one another, brothers. Anyone who slanders backbites his brother or makes a verdict on a brother of his then is slandering the law and has decided the law. Then however the law you decide you are not a doer of the Law, but a judge. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, One who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
Devil loves animosity and disputes can claim both parties by causing division
Matthew 12:25
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
Sura 49 is entitled Al-Hujurãt (The Walls)
- Do not believe rumors about one another
- Do not ridicule or mock one another
- Do not be suspicious of one another
- Do not spy on one another
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.
[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.
"The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools" - Thucydides
[61:4] GOD loves those who fight in His cause united in one column, like the bricks in one wall.
[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.
[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.
Friday Aug 02, 2019
Friday Aug 02, 2019
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[35:37] They will scream therein, "Our Lord, if you get us out of here, we will work righteousness, instead of the works we used to do." Did we not give you a life-long chance, with continuous reminders for those who would take heed? Did you not receive the warner? Therefore, taste (the consequences). The transgressors will have no one to help them.
Straw that broke the camels back
[3:155] Surely, those among you who turned back the day the two armies clashed have been duped by the devil. This reflects some of the (evil) works they had committed. GOD has pardoned them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.
Messenger deviate we would have stopped the revelation to him
[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.
[17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend. [17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit. [17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us.
Garment of righteousness to protect from sin
[16:81] And GOD provided for you shade through things which He created, and provided for you shelters in the mountains, and provided for you garments that protect you from heat, and garments that protect when you fight in wars. He thus perfects His blessings upon you, that you may submit.
[7:36] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed.
[7:196] (Say) “GOD is my only Lord and Master; the One who revealed this scripture. He protects the righteous.
[3:173] When the people say to them, "People have mobilized against you; you should fear them," this only strengthens their faith and they say, "GOD suffices us; He is the best Protector." [3:174] They have deserved GOD's blessings and grace. No harm ever touches them, for they have attained GOD's approval. GOD possesses infinite grace.
History of Joseph becoming the Treasurer of Egypt
How did Joesph behave when these events took place in his life?
Every day we have a choice do we want to draw closer to God or farther away
Our outcomes are not about a single decision but a ripple effect of the millions of decisions we make throughout our life
Can’t control the winds but we can adjust the sails
Just like a no one drop makes an ocean or one grain of sand makes a beach no life is made from one single decision, but instead from a multitude of decisions we make throughout a life
Colin O’Brady on December 26, 2018 he became the first person to cross Antartica alone without any assistance. 54 days 930 miles walking. Hiked 12 hours a day pulling ~400lbs on his sleds. Climbed ice bridges, pushed through climbing snow and had to endure temperatures as low as -80 degrees Fahrenheit.
[13:11] Shifts (of angels) take turns, staying with each one of you—they are in front of you and behind you. They stay with you, and guard you in accordance with GOD's commands. Thus, GOD does not change the condition of any people unless they themselves make the decision to change. If GOD wills any hardship for any people, no force can stop it. For they have none beside Him as Lord and Master.
When is the best time to plant a tree?
[8:53] GOD does not change a blessing He has bestowed upon any people unless they themselves decide to change. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
Example of Pharaoh
[20:43] "Go to Pharaoh, for he transgressed. [20:44] "Speak to him nicely; he may take heed, or become reverent.”
Pharaoh had the potential to be good, he chose to become arrogant
[23:46] To Pharaoh and his elders, but they turned arrogant. They were oppressive people.
[10:75] Then we sent after them Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his group, with our proofs. But they turned arrogant; and were transgressing people.
[Jonah 10:90] We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh and his troops pursued them, aggressively and sinfully. When drowning became a reality for him, he said, "I believe that there is no god except the One in whom the Children of Israel have believed; I am a submitter." [10:91] "Too late! آلآنَ For you have rebelled already, and chose to be a transgressor. [10:92] "Today, we will preserve نُنَجِّيكَ your body, to set you up as a lesson for future generations." Unfortunately, many people are totally oblivious to our signs.
[4:81] Not acceptable is the repentance of those who commit sins until death comes to them, then say, "Now I repent." Nor is it acceptable from those who die as disbelievers. For these, we have prepared a painful retribution.
Comparison between Pharaoh and Jonah
[21:87] And Zan-Noon (Jonah, "the one with an 'N' in his name"), abandoned his mission in protest, thinking that we could not control him. He ended up imploring from the darkness (of the big fish's belly): "There is no god other than You. Be You glorified. I have committed a gross sin." [21:88] We responded to him, and we SAVED HIM وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ from the crisis; and thus we SAVE نُنْجِي the believers.
[37:139] Jonah was one of the messengers. [37:140] He escaped to the loaded ship. [37:141] He rebelled and thus, he joined the losers. [37:142] Consequently, the fish swallowed him, and he was the one to blame. [37:143] If it were not that he resorted to meditation / glorification المُسَبِّحينَ (on God), [37:144] he would have stayed in its belly until the Day of Resurrection. [37:145] We had him thrown up into the desert, exhausted. [37:146] We had a tree of edible fruit grown for him.
“Hell is when the person you became meets the person you could have become.”
Our decisions have ripple effects
[19:75] Say, "Those who choose to go astray, the Most Gracious will lead them on, until they see what is promised for them—either the retribution or the Hour. That is when they find out who really is worse off, and weaker in power." [19:76] GOD augments the guidance of those who choose to be guided. For the good deeds are eternally rewarded by your Lord, and bring far better returns.
[2:74] Despite this, your hearts hardened like rocks, or even harder. For there are rocks from which rivers gush out. Others crack and release gentle streams, and other rocks cringe out of reverence for GOD. GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
[6:43] If only they implored when our test afflicted them! Instead, their hearts were hardened, and the devil adorned their works in their eyes.
Heart = Galb also means mind
[41:5] They said, "Our minds are made up, our ears are deaf to your message, and a barrier separates us from you. Do what you want, and so will we."
[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.
Someone who never thinks of their evil behavior as evil, but righteous will never repent
[4:62] How will it be when a disaster hits them, as a consequence of their own works? They will come to you then and swear by GOD: "Our intentions were good and righteous!”
[40:56] Surely, those who argue against GOD's revelations without proof are exposing the arrogance that is hidden inside their chests صُدورِهِم / minds , and they are not even aware of it. Therefore, seek refuge in GOD; He is the Hearer, the Seer.
//see 40:19
[Iron 57:16] Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for GOD's message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.
God created a world where our true convictions will be brought out
[47:29] Did those who harbor doubts in their hearts think that GOD will not bring out their evil thoughts? [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.[47:31] We will certainly put you to the test, in order to distinguish those among you who strive, and steadfastly persevere. We must expose your true qualities.
[47:20] Those who believed said: "When will a new sura be revealed?" But when a straightforward sura was revealed, wherein fighting was mentioned, you would see those who harbored doubts in their hearts looking at you, as if death had already come to them. They were thus exposed.
[33:12] The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!"
[3:154] After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about GOD that were not right - the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, "Is anything up to us?" Say, "Everything is up to GOD." They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, "If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle." Say, "Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds." GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test what is in your hearts. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
[33:22] When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said, "This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful." This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission.
[2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, "GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me—only those who do not taste it belong with me—unless it is just a single sip." They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, "Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops." Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, "Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere."
Wednesday Jul 24, 2019
Wednesday Jul 24, 2019
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[3:54] They plotted and schemed, but so did GOD, and GOD is the best schemer. [3:55] Thus, GOD said, "O Jesus, I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then I will judge among you regarding your disputes.
[4:157] And for claiming that they killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of GOD. In fact, they never killed him, they never crucified him—they were made to think that they did. All factions who are disputing in this matter are full of doubt concerning this issue. They possess no knowledge; they only conjecture. For certain, they never killed him. [4:158] Instead, GOD raised him to Him; GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
God controls life and death
[3:156] O you who believe, do not be like those who disbelieved and said of their kinsmen who traveled or mobilized for war, "Had they stayed with us, they would not have died or gotten killed." GOD renders this a source of grief in their hearts. GOD controls life and death. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
[2:258] Have you noted the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord, though GOD had given him kingship? Abraham said, "My Lord grants life and death." He said, "I grant life and death." Abraham said, "GOD brings the sun from the east, can you bring it from the west?" The disbeliever was stumped. GOD does not guide the wicked.
[2:259] Consider the one who passed by a ghost town and wondered, "How can GOD revive this after it had died?" GOD then put him to death for a hundred years, then resurrected him. He said, "How long have you stayed here?" He said, "I have been here a day, or part of the day." He said, "No! You have been here a hundred years. Yet, look at your food and drink; they did not spoil. Look at your donkey—we thus render you a lesson for the people. Now, note how we construct the bones, then cover them with flesh." When he realized what had happened, he said, "Now I know that GOD is Omnipotent."
Human beings can try to kill a body but unless God wills that person will not die
[2:73] We said, "Strike (the victim) with part (of the heifer)." That is when GOD brought the victim back to life, and showed you His signs, that you may understand.
Sleepers of the Cave
[18:18] You would think that they were awake, when they were in fact asleep. We turned them to the right side and the left side, while their dog stretched his arms in their midst. Had you looked at them, you would have fled from them, stricken with terror.
[18:25] They stayed in their cave three hundred years, increased by nine.*
*The difference between 300 solar years and 300 lunar years is nine years.
Sleep as death
[6:60] He is the One who puts you to death during the night, and knows even the smallest of your actions during the day. He resurrects you every morning, until your life span is fulfilled, then to Him is your ultimate return. He will then inform you of everything you had done.
The Real Death
[6:61] He is Supreme over His creatures, and He appoints guards to protect you. When the appointed time of death comes to any of you, our messengers put him to death without delay. [6:62] Then everyone is returned to GOD, their rightful Lord and Master. Absolutely, He is the ultimate judge; He is the most accurate reckoner.
Death of a Disbeliever
[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.
Everyone dies in the worldly sense
[55:26] Everyone on earth perishes. [55:27] Only the presence of your Lord lasts. Possessor of Majesty and Honor.
[3:144] Muhammad was no more than a messenger like the messengers before him. Should he die or get killed, would you turn back on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, does not hurt GOD in the least. GOD rewards those who are appreciative.
[39:30] You (Muhammad) will surely die, just like they will die.
[34:14] When the appointed time for his death came, they had no clue that he had died. It was not until one of the animals 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.
[2:133] Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, "What will you worship after I die?" They said, "We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters.”
Is the death off a believer and a disbeliever the same?
[45:21] Do those who work evil expect that we will treat them in the same manner as those who believe and lead a righteous life? Can their life and their death be the same? Wrong indeed is their judgment.
[40:46] The Hell will be shown to them day and night, and on the Day of Resurrection: "Admit Pharaoh's people into the worst retribution.”
[8:50] If you could only see those who disbelieved when the angels put them to death! They will beat them on their faces and their rear ends: "Taste the retribution of Hell.
But death till the day of Resurrection occurs only for the disbelievers
[3:169] Do not think that those who are killed in the cause of GOD are dead; they are alive at their Lord, enjoying His provisions.
[2:154] Do not say of those who are killed in the cause of GOD, "They are dead." They are alive at their Lord, but you do not perceive.
[16:32] The angels terminate their lives in a state of righteousness, saying, "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise (now) as a reward for your works.”
[36:26] (At the time of his death) he was told, "Enter Paradise." He said, "Oh, I wish my people knew. [36:27] "That my Lord has forgiven me, and made me honorable."
[44:51] The righteous will be in a secure position. [44:52] Enjoying gardens and springs. [44:53] Wearing velvet and satin; close to each other. [44:54] We grant them wonderful spouses. [44:55] They enjoy in it all kinds of fruits, in perfect peace. [44:56] They do not taste death therein— beyond the first death—and He has spared them the retribution of Hell.
[8:24] O you who believe, you shall respond to GOD and to the messenger when he invites you to what gives you life. You should know that GOD is closer to you than your heart, and that before Him you will be summoned.
Take another look at death of Jesus
[3:54] They plotted and schemed, but so did GOD, and GOD is the best schemer. [3:55] Thus, GOD said, "O Jesus, I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then I will judge among you regarding your disputes.
[4:157] And for claiming that they killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of GOD. In fact, they never killed him, they never crucified him—they were made to think that they did. All factions who are disputing in this matter are full of doubt concerning this issue. They possess no knowledge; they only conjecture. For certain, they never killed him. [4:158] Instead, GOD raised him to Him; GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
[4:159] Everyone among the people of the scripture was required to believe in him before his death. On the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them.
Death in the Bible
John 6:58
This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”
John 11
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Johhn 8
21 Then He said again to them, “I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”
Romans 6:23
The wages of sin is death.
Psalm 118
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 17 I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death.
Proverbs 15
10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.
Ezekiel 18 – God Deals Justly with Individuals
4 Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die. 5 “But if a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness, 6 and does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period— 7 if a man does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, 8 and he does not commit usury, if he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man, 9 if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully—he is righteous and will surely live,” declares the Lord God.
10 “Then he may have a violent son who sheds blood and who does any of these things to a brother 11 (though he himself did not do any of these things), that is, he even eats at the mountain shrines, and defiles his neighbor’s wife, 12 oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore a pledge, but lifts up his eyes to the idols and commits abomination, 13 and commits usury; will he live? He will not live! He has committed all these abominations, he will surely be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.
14 “Now behold, he has a son who has observed all his father’s sins which he committed, and observing does not do likewise. 15 He does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor’s wife, 16 or oppress anyone, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery, but he gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, 17 he keeps his hand from the poor, does not commit usury, but executes My ordinances, and walks in My statutes; he will not die for his father’s iniquity, he will surely live.
18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was not good among his people, behold, he will die for his iniquity.
19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live.
20 The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. 21 “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. 23 Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?
24 “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die. 25 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right?
26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
29 But the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord God. “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”
[35:18] No soul can carry the sins of another soul. If a soul that is loaded with sins implores another to bear part of its load, no other soul can carry any part of it, even if they were related. The only people to heed your warnings are those who reverence their Lord, even when alone in their privacy, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat). Whoever purifies his soul, does so for his own good. To GOD is the final destiny.
[29:12] Those who disbelieved said to those who believed, "If you follow our way, we will be responsible for your sins." Not true; they cannot bear any of their sins. They are liars.
[17:13] We have recorded the fate of every human being; it is tied to his neck. On the Day of Resurrection we will hand him a record that is accessible. [17:14] Read your own record. Today, you suffice as your own reckoner. [17:15] Whoever is guided, is guided for his own good, and whoever goes astray does so to his own detriment. No sinner will bear the sins of anyone else. We never punish without first sending a messenger.
[9:80] Whether you ask forgiveness for them, or do not ask forgiveness for them - even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times - GOD will not forgive them. This is because they disbelieve in GOD and His messenger. GOD does not guide the wicked people.
Friday Jul 05, 2019
Friday Jul 05, 2019
Friday Jun 28, 2019
Friday Jun 28, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
Quran translation on iOS:https://apple.co/2C1YGXj
Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
The one sin that God will not forgive if maintained until death
[4:48] GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.
Do not divide
[30:31] You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and—whatever you do—do not ever fall into idol worship. [30:32] like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.
[42:13] He decreed for you the same religion decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: "You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it." The idol worshipers will greatly resent what you invite them to do. GOD redeems to Himself whomever He wills; He guides to Himself only those who totally submit.
Do Not Dismiss the Believers
[6:52] And do not dismiss those who implore their Lord day and night, devoting themselves to Him alone. You are not responsible for their reckoning, nor are they responsible for your reckoning. If you dismiss them, you will be a transgressor.
[4:94] O you who believe, if you strike in the cause of GOD, you shall be absolutely sure. Do not say to one who offers you peace, "You are not a believer," seeking the spoils of this world. For GOD possesses infinite spoils. Remember that you used to be like them, and GOD blessed you. Therefore, you shall be absolutely sure (before you strike). GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
[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.
The idol worshipers must be the ones to turn away - the believers try to stay together. We invite
[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.
[3:64] Say, "O followers of the scripture, let us come to a logical agreement between us and you: that we shall not worship except GOD; that we never set up any idols besides Him, nor set up any human beings as lords beside GOD." If they turn away, say, "Bear witness that we are submitters.”
[3:23] Have you noted those who were given part of the scripture, and how they are invited to uphold this scripture of GOD, and apply it to their own lives, then some of them turn away in aversion?
[2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters." [2:137] If they believe as you do, then they are guided. But if they turn away, then they are in opposition. GOD will spare you their opposition; He is the Hearer, the Omniscient. [2:138] Such is GOD's system, and whose system is better than GOD's? "Him alone we worship.”
[41:33] Who can utter better words than one who invites to GOD, works righteousness, and says, "I am one of the submitters"? [41:34] Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend. [41:35] None can attain this except those who steadfastly persevere. None can attain this except those who are extremely fortunate.[41:36] When the devil whispers an idea to you, you shall seek refuge in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
Why so much fragmentation and infighting in communities
If I don’t agree with someone on everything then I reject them completely
Only God Can Guide
[28:56] You cannot guide the ones you love. GOD is the only One who guides in accordance with His will, and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.
[5:105] O you who believe, you should worry only about your own necks. If the others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long as you are guided. To GOD is your ultimate destiny, all of you, then He will inform you of everything you had done.
[40:28] A believing man among Pharaoh's people, who was concealing his belief, said, "How can you kill a man just for saying, 'My Lord is GOD,' and he has shown you clear proofs from your Lord? If he is a liar, that is his problem, and if he is truthful, you benefit from his promises. Surely, GOD does not guide any transgressor, liar.
Forcing our opinion on others
[3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the scripture—as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create الْفِتْنَةِ [l-fit’nati] (confusion / division / disputes), and to extricate a تَأْوِيلِهِ [tawīlahu] (certain meaning interpretation / determination). None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this—all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
[10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?
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. [4:89] They wish that you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, then you become equal. Do not consider them friends, unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of GOD. If they turn against you, you shall fight them, and you may kill them when you encounter them in war. You shall not accept them as friends, or allies.
"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." Frederick Douglass
Example of Aaron and Moses
[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."
[20:95] He said, "What is the matter with you, O Samarian?" [20:96] He said, "I saw what they could not see. I grabbed a fistful (of dust) from the place where the messenger stood, and used it (to mix into the golden calf). This is what my mind inspired me to do."* Footnote [20:97] He said, "Then go, and, throughout your life, do not even come close. You have an appointed time (for your final judgment) that you can never evade. Look at your god that you used to worship; we will burn it and throw it into the sea, to stay down there forever."
Sura 49 is entitled Al-Hujurãt (The Walls)
Investigate Rumors Before Believing Them
[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.
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.
Muslim vs Mu'men
[49:14] The Arabs said, "We are Mu'mens (believers)." Say, "You have not believed; what you should say is, 'We are Muslims (submitters),' until belief is established in your hearts." If you obey GOD and His messenger, He will not put any of your works to waste. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [49:15] Mu'mens (believers) are those who believe in GOD and His messenger, then attain the status of having no doubt whatsoever, and strive with their money and their lives in the cause of GOD. These are the truthful ones. [49:16] Say, "Are you informing GOD about your religion? GOD knows everything in the heavens and the earth. GOD is Omniscient.”
James 4 Submit Yourselves to God
1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You unfaithful people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means hostility against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says in vain that the spirit that dwells in us longs jealously?
6 Greater however He gives grace.
That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud, however to the humble He gives grace.”[Proverbs 3:34]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and have purified hearts, you double-minded. 9 Endure hardship, feel guilt and lament. Turn your laughter to mourning and your joy to sorrow. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
11 Do not slander (backbite) one another, brothers. Anyone who slanders (backbites) his brother or judges (decides) a brother of his then is slandering the law and decides the law. Then however the law you decide you are not a doer of the Law, but a judge. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, One who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
[55:7] He constructed the sky and established the law. [55:8] You shall not transgress the law. [55:9] You shall establish justice; do not violate the law.
All Believers Constitute the One Acceptable Religion
As expected from the Creator's final message, one of the prominent themes in the Quran is the call for unity among all believers, and the repeated prohibition of making any distinction among God's messengers. If the object of worship is one and the same, there will be absolute unity among all believers. It is the human factor, i.e., devotion and prejudice to such powerless humans as Jesus, Muhammad, and the saints that causes division, hatred, and bitter wars among the misguided believers. A guided believer is devoted to God ALONE, and rejoices in seeing any other believer who is devoted to God ALONE, regardless of the name such a believer calls his or her religion.
[2:62; 5:69] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in God, (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny - all of you - then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.
It is wrong to say that we cannot judge. By God we can judge. The Quran is the statute book it is the book of law by which we judge.
[4:105] We have sent down to you the scripture, truthfully, in order to judge among the people in accordance with what GOD has shown you. You shall not side with the betrayers.
We try our best to judge by the laws of the Quran
[39:46] Proclaim: "Our god, Initiator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of all secrets and declarations, You are the only One who judges among Your servants regarding their disputes.”
We judge when it affects our belief and liberty
Do not marry idol worshipers
[2:221] Do not marry idolatresses unless they believe; a believing woman is better than an idolatress, even if you like her. Nor shall you give your daughters in marriage to idolatrous men, unless they believe. A believing man is better than an idolater, even if you like him. These invite to Hell, while GOD invites to Paradise and forgiveness, as He wills. He clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may take heed.
Who we are not to befriend
[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.
Penguin Unity
When bellies full become unappreciative
No food one problem lots of food many problems
Devil loves animosity and disputes can claim both parties by causing division
Matthew 12:22-28
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
[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.
[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.
Friday Jun 21, 2019
Friday Jun 21, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
Quran translation on iOS:https://apple.co/2C1YGXj
Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
“Obey God and obey the messenger” or some rendition of this occurs in some 25 instances in the Quran.
Quran is the only legitimate Hadith
[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?
[12:111] In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.
Quran is the only source we have that is fully detailed - it is a complete book and contains examples of everything
[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.
[18:54] We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.
[39:27] We have cited for the people every kind of example in this Quran, that they may take heed.
[17:89] We have cited for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples, but most people insist upon disbelieving.
[30:58] Thus, we have cited for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples. Yet, no matter what kind of proof you present to the disbelievers, they say, "You are falsifiers."
Before the Quran was complete Muhammad was their walking talking Quran.
Messenger to not just the gentiles but also the Jews and the Christians
If the command was strictly to follow only God the people of the previous scripture would not take that to follow the new revelations given to the prophet.
[5:15] O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you to proclaim for you many things you have concealed in the scripture, and to pardon many other transgressions you have committed. A beacon has come to you from GOD, and a profound scripture.
Nowhere in the Quran do we hear obey Muhammad.
[18:110] Say, (O Muhammed) "I am no more than a human being like you....
Muhammad the man was fallible
[34:50] Say “If I go astray, I go astray because of my shortcomings, and if I am rightly guided it is due to the revelation I receive from my Lord.”
Frowned
[80:1] He (Muhammad) frowned and turned away. [80:2] When the blind man came to him. [80:3] How do you know? He may purify himself. [80:4] Or he may take heed, and benefit from the message. [80:5] As for the rich man. [80:6] You gave him your attention. [80:7] Even though you could not guarantee his salvation. [80:8] The one who came to you eagerly. [80:9] And is really reverent. [80:10] You ignored him.
Prohibition
[66:1] O you prophet, why do you prohibit what GOD has made lawful for you, just to please your wives? GOD is Forgiver, Merciful.
Captives
[8:67] No prophet shall acquire captives, unless he participates in the fighting. You people are seeking the materials of this world, while GOD advocates the Hereafter. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise. [8:68] If it were not for a predetermined decree from GOD, you would have suffered, on account of what you took, a terrible retribution.
Stay Behind
[9:42] If there were a quick material gain, and a short journey, they would have followed you. But the striving is just too much for them. They will swear by GOD: "If we could, we would have mobilized with you." They thus hurt themselves, and GOD knows that they are liars. [9:43] GOD has pardoned you: why did you give them permission (to stay behind), before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars?
Even Muhammad was commanded to obey the messenger
Zaid
[33:36] No believing man or believing woman, if GOD and His messenger issue any command, has any choice regarding that command. Anyone who disobeys GOD and His messenger has gone far astray. [33:37] Recall that you said to the one who was blessed by GOD, and blessed by you, "Keep your wife and reverence GOD," and you hid inside yourself what GOD wished to proclaim. Thus, you feared the people, when you were supposed to fear only GOD. When Zeid was completely through with his wife, we had you marry her, in order to establish the precedent that a man can marry the divorced wife of his adopted son. GOD's commands shall be done. [33:38] The prophet is not committing an error by doing anything that is made lawful by GOD. Such is GOD's system since the early generations. GOD's command is a sacred duty. [33:39] Those who deliver GOD's messages, and who reverence Him alone, shall never fear anyone but GOD. GOD is the most efficient reckoner.
The distinction between the man and the messenger.
[9:62] They swear by GOD to you, to please you, when GOD and His messenger are more worthy of pleasing, if they are really believers.
Is Muhammad still a messenger when he is dead?
[39:30] You (Muhammad) will surely die, just like they will die.
Follow the One who is Alive
[25:58] You shall put your trust in the One who is Alive - the One who never dies - and praise Him and glorify Him. He is fully Cognizant of His creatures' sins.
[16:20] As for the idols they set up beside God, they do not create anything; they themselves were created. [16:21] They are dead, not alive, and they have no idea how or when they will be resurrected.
Example of Solomon
[34:14] When the appointed time for his (Solomon’s) death came, they had no clue that he had died. Not until one of the animals 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.
Quran is a messenger
[65:10] GOD has prepared for them severe retribution. Therefore, you shall reverence GOD, O you who possess intelligence and believed. GOD has sent down to you a message— [65:11] a messenger who recites to you GOD's revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in GOD and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. GOD will generously reward him.
[14:1] A. L. R.* A scripture that we revealed to you, in order to lead the people out of darkness into the light—in accordance with the will of their Lord —to the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.
Who taught the Quran?
[55:1] The Most Gracious. [55:2] Teacher of the Quran.
[75:16] Do not move your tongue to hasten it. [75:17] It is we who will collect it into Quran. [75:18] Once we recite it, you shall follow such a Quran. [75:19] Then it is we who will explain it.
God is the only one who can guide
[28:56] You cannot guide the ones you love. GOD is the only One who guides in accordance with His will, and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.
Seems like even in the Quran Muhammad did not appear to be one who was verbose on explanations
[9:61] Some of them hurt the prophet by saying, "He is all ears!" Say, "It is better for you that he listens to you. He believes in GOD, and trusts the believers. He is a mercy for those among you who believe." Those who hurt GOD's messenger have incurred a painful retribution.
The sole duty of the messenger is to deliver the message
[5:99] (Not on the messenger except the delivery) The sole duty of the messenger is to deliver the message, and GOD knows everything you declare and everything you conceal.
[24:54] Say, "Obey GOD, and obey the messenger." If they refuse, then he is responsible for his obligations, and you are responsible for your obligations. If you obey him, you will be guided. The sole duty of the messenger is to deliver (Not on the messenger except the delivery of the message).
[64:12] You shall obey GOD and you shall obey the messenger. If you turn away, then the sole mission of our messenger is to deliver the message.
[5:92] You shall obey GOD, and you shall obey the messenger, and beware. If you turn away, then know that the (only) sole duty of our messenger is to deliver the message efficiently.
What was the prophet's message?
[21:10] We have sent down to you a scripture containing your message. Do you not understand?
Did Muhammad Preach Other Than the Quran
[6:19] Say (O Muhammad) “whose testimony is the greatest?” Say “God’s.” He is the witness between me and you that this Quran has been inspired to me to preach (warn) it to you and whomever it reaches…
[2:252] These are God's revelations. We recite them through you, truthfully, for you are one of the messengers.
[3:101] How can you disbelieve, when these revelations of God have been recited to you, and His messenger has come to you? Whoever holds fast to God will be guided in the right path.
[27:91] I am simply commanded to worship the Lord of this town - He has made it a safe sanctuary - and He possesses all things. I am commanded to be a submitter. [27:92] And to recite the Quran. Whoever is guided is guided for his own good, and if they go astray, then say, "I am simply a warner."
Muhammad strictly followed the Quran
[6:106] Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord, there is no god except He, and disregard the idol worshipers.
[6:50] Say, "I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of GOD. Nor do I know the future. Nor do I say to you that I am an angel. I simply follow what is revealed to me." Say, "Is the blind the same as the seer? Do you not reflect?"
[7:203] If you do not produce a miracle that they demand, they say, "Why not ask for it?" Say, "I simply follow what is revealed to me from my Lord." These are enlightenments from your Lord, and guidance, and mercy for people who believe.
[10:15] When our revelations are recited to them, those who do not expect to meet us say, "Bring a Quran other than this, or change it!" Say, "I cannot possibly change it on my own. I simply follow what is revealed to me. I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the retribution of an awesome day."
Would Muhammad contradict the Quran?
[17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend. [17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit. [17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us. [17:76] They almost banished you from the land to get rid of you, so they could revert as soon as you left. [17:77] This has been consistently the case with all the messengers that we sent before you, and you will find that our system never changes.
[69:40] This is the utterance of an honorable messenger. [69:41] Not the utterance of a poet; rarely do you believe. [69:42] Nor the utterance of a soothsayer; rarely do you take heed. [69:43] A revelation from the Lord of the universe. [69:44] Had he uttered any other teachings. [69:45] We would have punished him. [69:46] We would have stopped the revelations to him. [69:47] None of you could have helped him.
- Shahadah (3:18)
- Ablution (5:6)
- Fasting witness the month vs. witness the moon (2:185)
If you want to obey the messenger then obey the Quran
Muhammad’s message was the Quran =
Quran is the only legitimate Hadith =
Muhammad to strictly follow only the Quran
So if you want to follow Muhammad then we must follow only the Quran
[17:45] When you read the Quran, we place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an invisible barrier. [17:46] We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. And when you preach (mention) your Lord, using the Quran alone, they run away in aversion.
[25:27] The day will come when the transgressor will bite his hands (in anguish) and say, "Alas, I wish I had followed the path with the messenger. [25:28] "Alas, woe to me, I wish I did not take that person as a friend. [25:29] "He has led me away from the message after it came to me. Indeed, the devil lets down his human victims." [25:30] The messenger said, "My Lord, my people have deserted this Quran."
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
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Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
Debating with an Atheist
If you debate with an atheist one of the core arguments they try to make it to try to prove that God is not Most Gracious, Most Merciful, All Powerful or Most Just
I think this is a really interesting indication that they even in their disbelief know that for God to exist he would have to be Most Gracious, Most Merciful, All Powerful or Most Just
Rather than even entertaining that God may not be these things they know to their core that God would HAVE to possess these qualities?
What does that tell you about human nature?
Monotheism natural instinct
[30:30] Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know.
*30:30 Recognizing God ALONE as our Lord and Master is a natural instinct. We are born into this world with such an instinct. See 7:172-173 and Appendix 7.
We know deep down instinctively who God is.
[7:172] Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves: "Am I not your Lord?" They all said, "Yes. We bear witness." Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, "We were not aware of this." [7:173] Nor can you say, "It was our parents who practiced idolatry, and we simply followed in their footsteps. Will You punish us because of what others have innovated?" [7:174] We thus explain the revelations, to enable the people to redeem themselves.
In order to know God, we need to be able to differentiate between good and evil
[91:7] The soul and Him who created it. [91:8] Then placed innate knowledge what is evil and what is good.
فَأَلْهَمَهَا = fa-al-ham-aha
Root = ل ه م = laham = natural instinct, divine inspiration, innate knowledge
Migration Short Story
“The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can't supply is proof that Heaven must be our home.” C.S. Lewis
I have a desire for food because food exists
I have a desire for sleep because sleep exists
I have a desire for love because love exists
I have a desire for forgiveness because forgiveness exists
I have a desire for God because God exists
Universal yearning
Look at all cultures and people -
Even claim that humans are hard wired to believe in God
Why do people search for atonement when they do something wrong
Feel bad for what they have done - do they do that to please God these are instinctive qualities
When someone does not feel these things we call them arrogant or anti-social or a psychopath
What is the definition of religion
There is a debate in academic circles about what is the definition of religion. Recently BBC ran a series of articles about this topic. And I couldn’t help notice that their definition of religion vs. culture were completely interchangeable.
In the Quran the Arabic word for religion is the same word as judgement
Deen = religion
يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. = Yawm edeen - Day of Judgment
Therefore our religion is the metric by which we judge
Universal Morality
There is a debate among atheist and believers is there such thing in universal morality (objective morality) or is all morality purely subjective (non-universal)
If someone does not believe in a universal law giver then there is no universal morality, and therefore
what is moral is just a mere opinion and purely subjective.
And if you follow this argument to its limits it means there may be conditions where torturing an innocent child could be a moral act.
The only reason we can say that there is universal morality that under no conditions would such an act in our world ever be justified as moral is if we believe in a God who established the laws.
[55:7] He constructed the sky and established the law. [55:8] You shall not transgress the law. [55:9] You shall establish justice; do not violate the law.
The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness….”
unalienable: unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor.
If you believe what is legal means that it is moral then let’s look at what was considered legal in the past and ask yourself was this moral?
Or the greek practice of pedophilia (aka pederasty) is perfectly moral because their culture at the time accepted it
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pederasty
If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything
Hypocrites wants to change the definition of righteousness
[11:12] You may wish to disregard some of that which is revealed to you, and you may be annoyed by it.
[2:8] Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the Last Day," while they are not believers. [2:9] In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving. [2:10] In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying. [2:11] When they are told, "Do not commit evil," they say, "But we are righteous!"
مُصْلِحُونَ = peace-makers / reformers / righteous
While a believer aims to reform themselves the hypocrite aims to reform the difference between what is right and wrong. What is moral and immoral.
[2:12] In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive. [2:13] When they are told, "Believe like the people who believed," they say, "Shall we believe like the fools who believed?" In fact, it is they who are fools, but they do not know.
[40:35] They argue against GOD's revelations, without any basis. This is a trait that is most abhorred by GOD and by those who believe. GOD thus seals the hearts of every arrogant tyrant.
[40:56] Surely, those who argue against GOD's revelations without proof are exposing the arrogance that is hidden inside their chests, and they are not even aware of it. Therefore, seek refuge in GOD; He is the Hearer, the Seer.
When to follow your heart and when to follow your brain
[17:36] You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.
The word that is used is: وَالْفُؤَادَ = wa-al-fu-ad as opposed to galb
Comes from the root = ف ا د = fahd
Connection with not just what is in one’s head e.g. the brain
Technically known as the enteric nervous system, the second brain consists of sheaths of neurons embedded in the walls of the long tube of our gut, or alimentary canal, which measures about nine meters end to end from the esophagus to the anus. The second brain contains some 100 million neurons, more than in either the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system,
For comparison, the human brain contains 100 billion neurons
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gut-second-brain/?redirect=1
99.9% we use our brain
0.01% of the time we use our heart / feelings
- See it - visual
- Hear it - be objective
- Think about it (feel about it)
Difference between hearing something and seeing something
But don’t fool yourself
So clever that he could convince himself fo anything
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself – and you are the easiest person to fool.” Richard Feynman
Second level thinking
Criminal justice system
Our belief should never override our morality
Are we ever allowed to act immorally? Is it ever justified
Ends justify the means - never justify bad behavior
[7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?"
Are you allowed to do sin to get to righteousness?
[5:32] Because of this, we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. Our messengers went to them with clear proofs and revelations, but most of them, after all this, are still transgressing.
Bearing witness - be equitable God takes care of both
You Shall Not Bear False Witness
[4:135] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
God controls the outcome, we are not responsible for the outcome we are only responsible for making the right decisions to please God.
Not sure then consult with others
Traits of the Believers
[42:37] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive. [42:38] They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).
Friday Jun 07, 2019
Friday Jun 07, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
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The Quran has a lot of prophecies
Sura 44 is about the prophecy of the smoke
Sura 54 is about the prophecy of the splitting of the moon
Prophecy for the end of the world etc.
Muhammad prophesied in Quran
[61:6] Recall that Jesus, son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, I am GOD's messenger to you, confirming the Torah and bringing good news of a messenger to come after me whose name will be even more praised (Ahmad)." Then, when he showed them the clear proofs, they said, "This is profound magic."
Deuteronomy 18:15 -
"A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise for you from among your kinsmen; to him you shall listen.
Deuteronomy 18:17-19
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among them, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.
Acts 3:22-23
For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’ a
Acts 7:37: This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers.’
Prophecy of Quran
John 14:16 - 17
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you.
John 16:13
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
[65:10] GOD has prepared for them severe retribution. Therefore, you shall reverence GOD, O you who possess intelligence and believed. GOD has sent down to you a message—[65:11] a messenger who recites to you GOD's revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in GOD and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. GOD will generously reward him.
[17:85] They ask you about the revelation (Rooh). Say, "The revelation (Rooh) comes from my Lord. The knowledge given to you is minute.”
[2:89] When this scripture came to them from GOD, and even though it agrees with, and confirms what they have, and even though they used to prophesy its advent when they talked with the disbelievers, when their own prophecy came to pass, they disbelieved therein. GOD's condemnation thus afflicts the disbelievers.
[26:192] This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe. [26:193] The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it. [26:194] To reveal it into your heart, that you may be one of the warners. [26:195] In a perfect Arabic tongue. [26:196] It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations. [26:197] Is it not a sufficient sign for them that it was known to the scholars among the Children of Israel?
Gospel of Truth
"For he revealed it as a knowledge with which all its emanations agree, namely, the knowledge of the living book which he revealed to the Aeons at last as his letters, displaying to them that these are not merely vowels nor consonants, so that one may read them and think of something void of meaning; on the contrary, they are letters which convey the truth. They are pronounced only when they are known. Each letter is a perfect truth like a perfect book, for they are letters written by the hand of the unity, since the Father wrote them for the Aeons, so that they by means of his letters might come to know the Father.”
Messenger of the Covenant
Malachi 3
3 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.
[3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you.”
[33:7] Recall that we took from the prophets their covenant, including you (O Muhammad), Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn pledge.*
[33:40] Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger (rasool) of GOD and the final prophet (nabi). GOD is fully aware of all things.
[7:35] O children of Adam, when messengers come to you from among you, and recite My revelations to you, those who take heed and lead a righteous life, will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[10:20] They say, "How come no miracle came down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The future belongs to GOD; so wait, and I am waiting along with you."
1974 Rashad Khalifa discovered the mathematical structure of the Quran
Sura 74 only sura mention number 19
[74:14] I made everything easy for him. [74:15] Yet, he is greedy for more. [74:16] He stubbornly refused to accept these proofs. [74:17] I will increasingly punish him. [74:18] For he reflected, then decided. [74:19] Miserable is what he decided. [74:20] Miserable indeed is what he decided. [74:21] He looked. [74:22] He frowned and whined. [74:23] Then he turned away arrogantly. [74:24] He said, "This is but clever magic! [74:25] "This is human made." [74:26] I will commit him to retribution. [74:27] What retribution! [74:28] Thorough and comprehensive. [74:29] Obvious to all the people.
[74:30] Over it is nineteen.
[74:31] We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19)
(1) to disturb the disbelievers,
(2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture),
(3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful,
(4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and
(5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts,
and the disbelievers; they will say, "What did GOD mean by this allegory?" GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people. [74:32] Absolutely, (I swear) by the moon. [74:33] And the night as it passes. [74:34] And the morning as it shines. [74:35] This is one of the great miracles. [74:36] A warning to the human race.
Number of words in 74:31 = 57 words = 19 x 3
First 19 verses of sura 74 also contain 57 words = 19 x 3
Number of words from the beginning of the sura to the word 19 (in arabic) is 95 words = 19 x 5 and 361 letters = 19 x 19
1974 = 1393 AH
Quran was revealed in 13 BH = 13 + 1393 = 1406
1406 years since the revelation of the Quran = 1406 = 19 x 74
Happens in the Sura entitled Hidden Secret / aka cryptography
kryptos," meaning "hidden," and "graphein," meaning "to write."
Sura 42 and 50 have the letter qaff or Q in English 42 twice as long as 50 yet both contain 57 occurrences of the letter Q
114 chapters = 19 x 6
6346 = 19 x 334
Bism Allah Alraman Alraheem
Bism = 19
Allah = 2698 = 19 x 142
Allrahamn = 57 = 19 x 3
Alraheem = 114 = 19 x 6
19 = Alpha and Omega / The beginning and the Last
Muhammad did not have a physical miracle
[10:20] They say, "How come no miracle came down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The future belongs to GOD; so wait, and I am waiting along with you.”
Root Rashad occurs 19 times in the Quran
Khalifa occurs twice in the Quran
If you add all the sura and verse numbers where the root Rashad and Khalifa occur you get = 1463 = 19 x 77
God Guides Not the Liars
[40:28] A believing man among Pharaoh's people, who was concealing his belief, said, "How can you kill a man just for saying, 'My Lord is GOD,' and he has shown you clear proofs from your Lord? If he is a liar, that is his problem, and if he is truthful, you benefit from his promises. Surely, GOD does not guide any transgressor, liar.
[40:29] "O my people, today you have kingship and the upperhand. But who will help us against GOD's judgment, should it come to us?"
Pharaoh said, "You are to follow only what I see fit; I will guide you only in the right path (سَبيلَ الرَّشادِ)."
[40:30] The one who believed said, "O my people, I fear for you the same fate as the previous opponents.
[40:31] "The opponents of Noah, and 'Ãd, Thamûd, and others who came after them. GOD does not wish any injustice for the people.
[40:32] "O my people, I fear for you the Day of Summoning.
[40:33] "That is the day when you may wish to turn around and flee. But nothing will protect you then from GOD. Whomever GOD sends astray, nothing can guide him."
Who is the Last Messenger?* A Tragic Human Trait
[40:34] Joseph had come to you before that with clear revelations, but you continued to doubt his message. Then, when he died you said, "GOD will not send any other messenger after him. (He was the last messenger)!"** GOD thus sends astray those who are transgressors, doubtful.
[40:35] They argue against GOD's revelations, without any basis. This is a trait that is most abhorred by GOD and by those who believe. GOD thus seals the hearts of every arrogant tyrant.
[40:36] Pharaoh said, "O Hãmãn, build for me a high tower, that I may reach out and discover.
[40:37] "I want to reach the heaven, and take a look at the god of Moses. I believe he is a liar." Thus were the evil works of Pharaoh adorned in his eyes, and thus was he kept from following (the right) path. Pharaoh's scheming was truly evil.
[40:38] The one who believed said, "O my people, follow me, and I will guide you in the right way.
[40:39] "O my people, this first life is a temporary illusion, while the Hereafter is the eternal abode."
The Best Deal
[40:40] Whoever commits a sin is requited for just that, and whoever works righteousness—male or female—while believing, these will enter Paradise wherein they receive provisions without any limits.
The Believing Egyptian Debates With His People
[40:41] "O my people, while I invite you to be saved, you invite me to the hellfire.
[40:42] "You invite me to be unappreciative of GOD, and to set up beside Him idols that I do not recognize. I am inviting you to the Almighty, the Forgiver.
[40:43] "There is no doubt that what you invite me to do has no basis in this world, nor in the Hereafter, that our ultimate return is to GOD, and that the transgressors have incurred the hellfire.
[40:44] "Some day you will remember what I am telling you now. I leave the judgment of this matter to GOD; GOD is the Seer of all the people."
[40:45] GOD then protected him from their evil schemes, while the people of Pharaoh have incurred the worst retribution.
[72:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[72:1] Say, "I was inspired that a group of jinns listened, then said, 'We have heard a wonderful Quran.*
[72:2] "'It guides to righteousness (the right way) الرُّشْدِ, and we have believed in it; we will never set up any idols besides our Lord.
[72:3] "'The Most High is our only Lord. He never had a mate, nor a son.
[72:4] "'It is the foolish among us who used to utter such nonsense about GOD.
[72:5] "'We thought that neither the humans, nor the jinns, could possibly utter lies about GOD.
[72:6] "'Human beings used to seek power through jinn beings, but they only afflicted them with a lot of adversity.
[72:7] "'They thought, just like you thought, that GOD would not send another (messenger).
[72:8] "'We touched the heaven and found it filled with formidable guards and projectiles.
[72:9] "'We used to sit there in order to spy. Anyone who listens is pursued by a powerful projectile.
[72:10] "'We have no idea if something bad is intended for the inhabitants of Earth, or if their Lord wills to redeem them / (guide them to the) right path رَشَدًا.
[72:11] "'Some of us are righteous, and some are less than righteous; we follow various paths.
[72:12] "'We knew full well that we can never run away from GOD on earth; we can never run away and escape.
[72:13] "'When we heard the guidance, we believed therein. Anyone who believes in his Lord will never fear any injustice, nor any affliction.
[72:14] "'Among us are the submitters, and among us are the compromisers.'" As for those who submitted, they are on the right path رَشَدًا.
[72:15] As for the compromisers, they will be fuel for Gehenna.
[72:16] If they remain on the right path, we will bless them with abundant water.
[72:17] We will surely test them all. As for him who disregards the message of his Lord, He will direct him to ever increasing retribution.
[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.
God's Messenger of the Covenant*
[72:19] When GOD's servant* advocated Him alone, almost all of them banded together to oppose him.
[72:20] Say, "I worship only my Lord; I never set up any idols besides Him."
[72:21] Say, "I possess no power to harm you, nor (to guide you to the) right path رَشَدًا."
[72:22] Say, "No one can protect me from GOD, nor can I find any other refuge besides Him.
[72:23] "I deliver GOD's proclamations and messages." Those who disobey GOD and His messenger incur the fire of Hell, wherein they abide forever.
[72:24] Once they see what is awaiting them, they will find out who is really weaker in power, and fewer in number.
[72:25] Say, "I do not know if what is promised to you will happen soon, or if my Lord will delay it for awhile."
[72:26] He is the Knower of the future; He does not reveal the future to anyone.
[72:27] Only to a messenger that He chooses,* does He reveal from the past and the future, specific news.*
[72:28] This is to ascertain that they have delivered their Lord's messages. He is fully aware of what they have. He has counted the numbers of all things.
*72:1-28 The messenger here is named, mathematically, as "Rashad Khalifa,". The number of verses from 1:1 to 72:27, where the messenger is mentioned, is 5472, 19x72x4.
The word "Rashada" occurs 4 times in Sura 72. The value of "Rashada" is 504, and 504+28 (verses of Sura 72) is 532, 19x28.
The value of "Rashad Khalifa” = 505 + 725 +72+28=1330 =19x70.
The digits of Sura 72 and its number of verses (28) add up to 7+2+2+8=19.
Also, the crucial expression, "only to a messenger that He chooses" has a value of 1919, 19x101.
إِلّا مَنِ ارتَضىٰ مِن رَسولٍ
Friday May 31, 2019
Friday May 31, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
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Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
Theorem: a general proposition not self-evident but proved by a chain of reasoning; a truth established by means of accepted truths.
In mathematics, the Pythagorean theorem, relation of the three sides of a right triangle.
It states that the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
The theorem can be written as an equation relating the lengths of the sides a, b and c, where c represents the length of the hypotenuse and a and b the lengths of the triangle's other two sides.
a^2+b^2=c^2
There are over 350 proofs to how to prove that this is true for all conditions
Fermat's last theorem
Pierre de Fermat, (born August 17, 1601, Beaumont-de-Lomagne, France—died January 12, 1665, Castres), French mathematician who is often called the founder of the modern theory of numbers. Together with René Descartes, Fermat was one of the two leading mathematicians of the first half of the 17th century.
Andrew Wiles spent 7 years in secrecy working on the theorem
First heard about the theorem when he was 10 years old
In 1986, when he was 33 years old he was a professor at Princeton and spent the next 7 years of his life working in secret trying to prove this theorem
In June 1993, he presented his proof to the public for the first time at a conference in Cambridge.
He gave a lecture a day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with the title "Modular Forms, Elliptic Curves and Galois Representations". There was no hint in the title that Fermat's last theorem would be discussed, Dr. Ribet said. ... Finally, at the end of his third lecture, Dr. Wiles concluded that he had proved a general case of the Taniyama conjecture. Then, seemingly as an afterthought, he noted that that meant that Fermat's last theorem was true. Q.E.D.[17]
In August 1993, it was discovered that the proof contained a flaw in one area. Wiles tried and failed for over a year to repair his proof. According to Wiles, the crucial idea for circumventing, rather than closing, this area came to him on 19 September 1994, when he was on the verge of giving up. Together with his former student Richard Taylor, he published a second paper which circumvented the problem and thus completed the proof. Both papers were published in May 1995 in a dedicated issue of the Annals of Mathematics.[18][19]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wiles
[9:109] Is one who establishes his building on the basis of reverencing GOD and to gain His approval better, or one who establishes his building on the brink of a crumbling cliff, that falls down with him into the fire of Hell? GOD does not guide the transgressing people.
[59:29] If we revealed this Quran to a mountain, you would see it trembling, crumbling, out of reverence for GOD. We cite these examples for the people, that they may reflect.
[4:82] Why do they not study the Quran carefully? If it were from other than GOD, they would have found in it numerous contradictions.
Treat the Quran like a theorem
If there is a contradiction then it is our understanding that needs to be redefined
Quran is consistent no contradiction
[39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD's message. Such is GOD's guidance; He bestows it upon whoever wills (to be guided). As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.
[39:27] We have cited for the people every kind of example in this Quran, that they may take heed. [39:28] An Arabic Quran, without any ambiguity, that they may be righteous. [39:29] GOD cites the example of a man who deals with disputing partners (Hadith), compared to a man who deals with only one consistent source (Quran). Are they the same? Praise be to GOD; most of them do not know.
[3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the scripture—as well as multiple-meaning (ambiguous) or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion, and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this—all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
Abrogation indicate that there is a contradiction
[2:106] When we abrogate any miracle, or cause it to be forgotten, we produce a better miracle, or at least an equal one. Do you not recognize the fact that GOD is Omnipotent?
[10:20] They say, "How come no miracle came down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The future belongs to GOD; so wait, and I am waiting along with you."
[6:115] The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate (change/substitute) His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[18:27] You shall recite what is revealed to you of your Lord's scripture. Nothing shall abrogate (change/substitute) His words, and you shall not find any other source beside it.
[78:37] Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. The Most Gracious. No one can abrogate (object) His decisions.
[67:3] He created seven universes in layers. You do not see any imperfection in the creation by the Most Gracious. Keep looking; do you see any flaw? [67:4] Look again and again; your eyes will come back stumped and conquered.
Intoxicants
[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.
[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
Violence towards others
[33:61] They have incurred condemnation wherever they go; (unless they stop attacking you,) they may be taken and killed.
[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.
Inheritance laws
One of the worst offenses is to attribute lies to God
[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?
[39:32] Who is more evil than one who attributes lies to GOD, while disbelieving in the truth that has come to him? Is Hell not a just requital for the disbelievers?
[6:144] Regarding the two kinds of camels, and the two kinds of cattle, say, "Is it the two males that He prohibited, or the two females, or the contents of the wombs of the two females? Were you witnesses when GOD decreed such prohibitions for you? Who is more evil than those who invent such lies and attribute them to GOD? They thus mislead the people without knowledge. GOD does not guide such evil people.”
[5:101] O you who believe, do not ask about matters which, if revealed to you prematurely, would hurt you. If you ask about them in light of the Quran, they will become obvious to you. GOD has deliberately overlooked them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement. [5:102] Others before you have asked the same questions, then became disbelievers therein.
[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."
Thursday May 23, 2019
Thursday May 23, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj
Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
[40:13] He is the One who continuously shows you His proofs, and sends down to you from the sky provisions. Only those who totally submit will be able to take heed.
Process of you hearing this sound
- I am pushing oxygen through my mouth
- My vocal chords vibrating
- mouth and tongue are manipulating that air to generate a sound
- Then forget the aspect that my voice is being digitized and processed and transforming my analog output to digital 1s and 0s that is being beamed to your device that is generating sound that is being picked up by your ears that vibrates little hairs that generate electrical pulses that your brain is transcribing into speech and applying meaning to that is stimulating thought
- Not to mention what else you may be doing while listening - driving, exercising, doing house chores
Are you in awe of God’s creation?
[64:3] He created the heavens and the earth for a specific purpose, designed you and perfected your design, then to Him is the final destiny.
The fact that you can recognize faces of millions of people apart or feel love when you see the face of a loved one
Are you in awe?
The fact that God designed a system where are parasympathetic nervous system, your heart, lungs etc. can operate without you consciously being aware of it
Have you ever got a cut and you see the scab form - you didn’t have to will that scab to form
You didn’t have to will your body to heal this all happens naturally
Or the fact that we can sleep
That a chemical is released throughout our body that paralyzes our body so we don’t hurt ourselves or others in our sleep when we dream
Mike Birbiglia comedian has a condition where his body doesn’t release this chemical that paralyzes his body
Also, heard of a professor who had another condition where if he was anxious or excited his body would faulty produce this chemical and he would be paralyzed but fully conscious and just have to wait till he could gain access to his body again
The fact that we don’t urinate or dedicate when we sleep
[82:7] The One who created you, designed you, and perfected you.
So much to be in awe of God’s design
The more we learn the more we have to be in awe of
Pulp Fiction
Genes are composed of DNA, and it is predicted that there are over 3 billion basepairs in the human genome. Therefore it would take 6 billions letters in plain text to represent the entire genome.
There are ~300,000 letters in the Quran, so to fit the entire human genome would be equivalent to 10,000 Qurans
Human Genome Project - Craig Venture - we are more confused now than we were before we started
[40:64] GOD is the One who rendered the earth habitable for you, and the sky a formidable structure, and He designed you, and designed you well. He is the One who provides you with good provisions. Such is GOD your Lord; Most Exalted is GOD, Lord of the universe.
Membrane for a cell let alone for a body
The fact that we can even conduct scientific endeavors
The Big Bang Theory Confirmed
[21:30] Do the unbelievers not realize that the heaven and the earth used to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe? Footnote [21:31] And we placed on earth stabilizers, lest it tumbles with them, and we placed straight roads therein, that they may be guided. [21:32] And we rendered the sky a guarded ceiling. Yet, they are totally oblivious to all the portents therein. [21:33] And He is the One who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; each floating in its own orbit.
[51:47] We constructed the sky with our hands, and we will continue to expand it.
April 29th, 2019 - New measurements from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope confirm that the Universe is expanding about 9% faster than expected based on its trajectory seen shortly after the big bang, astronomers say.
[41:11] Then He turned to the sky, when it was still gas, and said to it, and to the earth, "Come into existence, willingly or unwillingly." They said, "We come willingly."
[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.
[13:2] GOD is the One who raised the heavens without pillars that you can see, then assumed all authority. He committed the sun and the moon, each running (in its orbit) for a predetermined period. He controls all things, and explains the revelations, that you may attain certainty about meeting your Lord.
- Dark energy 68%
- Dark Matter 27%
- Visible matter 5%
[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.
Plate-tectonics
Equivalent to the skin of an apple to the apple itself
Mountains are like spikes
Also, what would the winds be without mountains
What if there was no wind?
Impact on polination
Impact on early voyages
With of our Lord’s marvels can we deny?
sun
Eclipse
atmosphere
By volume, dry air contains 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases.
[41:53] We will show them our proofs in the horizons, and within themselves, until they realize that this is the truth. Is your Lord not sufficient as a witness of all things?
Thursday May 16, 2019
Thursday May 16, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj
Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
[4:48] GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.
[4:146] Only those who repent, reform, hold fast to GOD, and devote their religion absolutely to GOD alone, will be counted with the believers. GOD will bless the believers with a great recompense.
[39:53] Proclaim: "O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful."
[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."*
*31:13 How will you feel if you take care of a child, give him the best education, and prepare him for life, only to see him thank someone else? Thus is idolatry; injustice.
[3:64] Say, "O followers of the scripture, let us come to a logical agreement between us and you: that we shall not worship except GOD; that we never set up any idols besides Him, nor set up any human beings as lords beside GOD." If they turn away, say, "Bear witness that we are submitters."
What is an idol? More than just statues
Property as an idol:
[18:42] Indeed, his crops were wiped out, and he ended up sorrowful, lamenting what he had spent on it in vain, as his property lay barren. He finally said, "I wish I never set up my property as a god beside my Lord.”
Baby as an idol:
[7:189] He created you from one person (Adam). Subsequently, He gives every man a mate to find tranquility with her. She then carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As the load gets heavier, they implore GOD their Lord: "If You give us a good baby, we will be appreciative." [7:190] But when He gives them a good baby, they turn His gift into an idol that rivals Him. GOD be exalted, far above any partnership.
What is an idol: thinking that anything independent of God can benefit or harm you
[5:76] Say, "Would you worship beside GOD powerless idols who can neither harm you, nor benefit you? GOD is Hearer, Omniscient."
[7:191] Is it not a fact that they are idolizing idols who create nothing, and are themselves created? [7:192] Idols that can neither help them, nor even help themselves?
Ego as an idol:
[45:23] Have you noted the one whose god is his ego? Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?
[6:121] Do not eat from that upon which the name of GOD has not been mentioned, for it is an abomination. The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.*
[39:3] Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, "We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!" GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.
If we believe Muhammad, Jesus, the saints etc. can hear our prayer then we are equating god like powers of omniscience and omnipresence to these people
If we believe that these individuals can intercede on our behalf then
(1) they would have to be able to witness all our deeds and know our innermost thoughts
(2) that they have the power to absolve sins
[35:18] No soul can carry the sins of another soul. If a soul that is loaded with sins implores another to bear part of its load, no other soul can carry any part of it, even if they were related. The only people to heed your warnings are those who reverence their Lord, even when alone in their privacy, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat). Whoever purifies his soul, does so for his own good. To GOD is the final destiny.
- Abraham couldn’t intercede on behalf of his father
- Noah couldn’t intercede on behalf of his son
- Lot couldn’t intercede on behalf of his wife
If these righteous individuals could not intercede on behalf of the ones they knew and loved then how are we supposed to think that they will have any possibility of interceding on our behalf
[9:80] Whether you ask forgiveness for them, or do not ask forgiveness for them - even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times - GOD will not forgive them. This is because they disbelieve in GOD and His messenger. GOD does not guide the wicked people.
Messengers are worried about their own neck
[26:82] "The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.
[7:188] Say, "I have no power to benefit myself, or harm myself. Only what GOD wills happens to me. If I knew the future, I would have increased my wealth, and no harm would have afflicted me. I am no more than a warner, and a bearer of good news for those who believe.”
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods besides me.”
Matthew 22:36 - 37
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
[3:18] GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.
19 times in mentioned in the Quran
[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.*
[4:36] You shall worship GOD alone—do not associate anything with Him.
We cannot bear witness to what we have not seen:
[63:1] When the hypocrites come to you they say, "We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD." GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.
[28:44] You were not present on the slope of the western mount, when we issued the command to Moses; you were not a witness.*
[2:285] The messenger has believed in what was sent down to him from his Lord, and so did the believers. They believe in GOD, His angels, His scripture, and His messengers: "We make no distinction among any of His messengers." They say, "We hear, and we obey.* Forgive us, our Lord. To You is the ultimate destiny.”
Jesus will be shocked that people set him and his mother up as idols on the Day of Resurrection
[5:116] GOD will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary,* did you say to the people, ‘Make me and my mother idols beside GOD’?” He will say, “Be You glorified. I could not utter what was not right. Had I said it, You already would have known it. You know my thoughts, and I do not know Your thoughts. You know all the secrets.
Just like Muhammad will be shocked to know that people have included his name in the Salat and Shahadah
[3:79] Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolize me beside GOD." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn. [3:80] Nor would he command you to idolize the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he exhort you to disbelieve after becoming submitters?
[40:10] Those who disbelieve will be told, "GOD's abhorrence towards you is even worse than your own abhorrence towards yourselves. For you were invited to believe, but you chose to disbelieve.”
[40:11] They will say, "Our Lord, you have put us to death twice,* and You gave us two lives; now we have confessed our sins. Is there any way out?”
God ALONE: Note the Reason
[40:12] This is because when GOD ALONE was advocated, you disbelieved, but when others were mentioned beside Him, you believed. Therefore, GOD's judgment has been issued; He is the Most High, the Great. [40:13] He is the One who continuously shows you His proofs, and sends down to you from the sky provisions. Only those who totally submit will be able to take heed. [40:14] Therefore, you shall devote your worship absolutely to GOD ALONE, even if the disbelievers dislike it.
[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.
God's Messenger of the Covenant
[72:19] When GOD's servant advocated Him alone, almost all of them banded together to oppose him.
[39:36] Is GOD not sufficient for His servant? They frighten you with the idols they set up beside Him. Whomever GOD sends astray, nothing can guide him.
[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.
Friday May 10, 2019
Friday May 10, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj
Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
God in the Quran puts a lot of emphasis on the rights of orphans. And this is representative of a Quranic society where the individuals with the least say the smallest voices and the least protected are disproportionately emphasized in the Quran to make sure that their rights are not violated and that they are not taken advantage of or victimized.
Friday May 03, 2019
Friday May 03, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj
Additional Resources: http://www.masjidtucson.org
Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
Why is it that despite in aggregate people’s economic situation has gotten better than it was years ago, people feel ever more disenfranchised than they have in the past?
Children are kind of micro examples of adults. The challenges and issues they deal with are elementary examples of how we are as adults.
They are kind of digestible simplified representations of ourselves
Kind of like Aesop Fables - little lessons for us to be more conscientious of our own behavior
So I learn a lot about myself from my kids - amazing little life lessons
So the other day I surprised my daughter after school and told her that we were going to go rock climbing
She was excited so we head over
When we park the car she tells me she wants to get rock climbing shoes
At first I explain that they don’t have her size and she is better off using her tennis shoes but she is getting upset so I said sure if you prefer to have rock climbing shoes it is up to you
Then when we get to the floor she says that she wants her own chalk bag
Then she says that she wants to get dinner across the street at this Vietnamese restaurant
Then she says after dinner she wants to get Boba
I finally said no.
Then she said she didn’t want to climb anymore so after 15 minutes we changed our shoes packed up and just went home
And we had a conversation
She was happy to go rock climbing rather than going home, but ended up more upset because of some other factor rather than being appreciative that she was able to go rock climbing
Because she was unappreciative now she stopped climbing and also we didn’t go out to dinner
Be appreciative for we have rather than being unappreciative for what we don’t have
Dan Ariely
Weekend in Rome all-expense paid - flight, hotel, breakfast
Weekend in Paris all-expense paid - flight, hotel, breakfast (no coffee)
We put a disproportionate value on things that should have little value and when we do this we impact our overall happiness
Rock climbing in itself for my daughter should = happiness
Rock climbing without shoes, chalk bag, Vietnamese food, boba = unhappy
We get fixated on what others have and this impacts our own happiness
People tend to compare themselves upwards
As society gets richer as a whole the distribution between the richest and the poorest will naturally be increased
[3:196] Do not be impressed by the apparent success of disbelievers. [3:197] They only enjoy temporarily, then end up in Hell; what a miserable destiny!
God’s System
[6:44] When they thus disregard the message given to them, we open for them the gates of everything. Then, just as they rejoice in what was given to them, we punish them suddenly; they become utterly stunned. * [6:45] The wicked are thus annihilated. Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
*6:44 Before the guilty are thrown out the window, they are taken up to a high floor.
Example of Qaroon
[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.”
[57:20] Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from GOD and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion.
God’s system is that we are of different ranks
[43:32] Are they the ones who assign your Lord's mercy? We have assigned their shares in this life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may hoard.
Be appreciative for what we have not unappreciative for what we don’t have
Society is like an organism we each have a function to serve.
Tree would not be so foolish for it’s branches to fight among itself
[17:21] Note how we preferred some people above others (in this life). The differences in the Hereafter are far greater and far more significant.
Run your own race
Matthew 25:14-30 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
22 And he who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
24 He who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Don’t worry about what other people received focus on what God gave you
[42:27] If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants.
[7:169] Subsequent to them, He substituted new generations who inherited the scripture. But they opted for the worldly life instead, saying, "We will be forgiven." But then they continued to opt for the materials of this world. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the scripture, and not to say about GOD except the truth? Did they not study the scripture? Certainly, the abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who maintain righteousness. Do you not understand?
The blind man and the rich man
[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.
God has given each of us different amounts, skills, abilities, blessings, favors etc. Regarding our life, God is not concerned about what He gave others, He wants to know what did we do with what He gave each of us.
[53:48] He is the One who makes you rich or poor.
أَغْنَىٰ = Ag-nah-ah = Rich = free from need
وَأَقْنَىٰ = ag-nah-ah = poor = makes satisfy
Root = ق ن ي = to acquire a thing; to cause to acquire; make contended; satisfy; preserve; make satisfy with a given thing
[74:6] Be content with your lot.
[76:8] They donate their favorite food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. [76:9] "We feed you for the sake of GOD; we expect no reward from you, nor thanks.
[92:17] Avoiding it will be the righteous. [92:18] Who gives from his money to charity. [92:19] Seeking nothing in return.
When you ask for provisions from God are you asking so you can better serve God with those provisions or are you asking for yourself?
[2:272] You are not responsible for guiding anyone. GOD is the only one who guides whoever chooses (to be guided). Any charity you give is for your own good. Any charity you give shall be for the sake of GOD. Any charity you give will be repaid to you, without the least injustice.
[24:55] GOD promises those among you who believe and lead a righteous life, that He will make them sovereigns on earth, as He did for those before them, and will establish for them the religion He has chosen for them, and will substitute peace and security for them in place of fear. All this because they worship Me alone; they never set up any idols beside Me. Those who disbelieve after this are the truly wicked.
One can have everything in the world but they will not be able to be satisfied and therefore they will not be appreciative and therefore they will never be happy
[3:91] Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, an earthfull of gold will not be accepted from any of them, even if such a ransom were possible. They have incurred painful retribution; they will have no helpers.
Kafar = disbeliever = unappreciative
Thursday May 02, 2019
Thursday May 02, 2019
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Friday Apr 26, 2019
Friday Apr 26, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
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Has world poverty gotten worse or better in the last 30 years?
(less than a $1/day adjusted to inflation in 1970 to $1.90/day)
- From 1990 to today there has been ~65% reduction in extreme poverty (from 36% of world population to <10% today)
- From 1970 to today 80% reduction in extreme poverty
If you ask economists what was the cause of poverty decline their answer is unanimously contingent on these five points:
- Rule of Law
- Property Rights
- Free Trade
- Globalization
“Commerce takes more people out of poverty than aid - aid is just a stop gap” – Bono Georgetown University
“Free markets have taken more people out of poverty than any system in history they have lifted billions out of poverty” – Barak Obama
If you apply Quranic principles you will reap the benefits
Like if someone fasts, eats in moderation, doesn’t drink alcohol they will be more healthy than someone who does (irrespective if they believe or not)
#1 Rule of Law
[25:1] Most blessed is the One who revealed the Statute Book to His servant, so he can serve as a warner to the whole world.
Democracy vs. Republic
Majority Rule vs No One Above the Law
Catch a person accuse them of robbing a bank
35 vote to hang the person the one guys votes not to be hanged
Democracy the person will be hanged
Republic the question is are the people allowed to hang someone for robbing a bank? What due process is the accused guaranteed? How should the trial and verdict be handed out?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdS6fyUIklI&t
[5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you.
In a republic, no one is above the law
[3:161] Even the prophet cannot take more of the spoils of war than he is entitled to. Anyone who takes more than his rightful share will have to account for it on the Day of Resurrection. That is when each soul is paid for whatever it earned, without the least injustice.
Obviously, people have different interpretations of laws and the Quran is no different? So how can we institute God’s laws despite our own shortcomings as individuals?
Let’s say you want to split a bowl of ice cream? What is the fairest most simple way to do this?
I cut you choose
How do we apply God’s law? If the table were turn would we feel injustice?
[5:8] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice. You shall be absolutely equitable, for it is more righteous. You shall observe GOD. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
[4:135] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
You Shall Keep Your Word
[16:91] You shall fulfill your covenant with GOD when you make such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing (by God) to carry them out, for you have made GOD a guarantor for you. GOD knows everything you do. [16:92] Do not be like the knitter who unravels her strong knitting into piles of flimsy yarn. This is your example if you abuse the oaths to take advantage of one another. Whether one group is larger than the other, GOD thus puts you to the test. He will surely show you on the Day of Resurrection everything you had disputed. [16:93] Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He sends astray whoever chooses to go astray, and He guides whoever wishes to be guided.* You will surely be asked about everything you have done.
Violating Your Oath: A Serious Offense
[16:94] Do not abuse the oaths among you, lest you slide back after having a strong foothold, then you incur misery. Such is the consequence of repelling from the path of GOD (by setting a bad example); you incur a terrible retribution. [16:95] Do not sell your oaths before GOD short. What GOD possesses is far better for you, if you only knew. [16:96] What you possess runs out, but what GOD possesses lasts forever. We will surely reward those who steadfastly persevere; we will recompense them for their righteous works.
[5:89] GOD does not hold you responsible for the mere utterance of oaths; He holds you responsible for your actual intentions. If you violate an oath, you shall atone by feeding ten poor people from the same food you offer to your own family, or clothing them, or by freeing a slave. If you cannot afford this, then you shall fast three days. This is the atonement for violating the oaths that you swore to keep. You shall fulfill your oaths. GOD thus explains His revelations to you, that you may be appreciative.
#2 Property Rights
Story of building wells in Africa
Economist Hernando de Soto
Extra legal economy / black market
Planet Money - February 7, 2018 - The Secret Document That Transformed China
[4:2] You shall hand over to the orphans their rightful properties. Do not substitute the bad for the good, and do not consume their properties by combining them with yours. This would be a gross injustice.
[2:188] You shall not take each others' money illicitly, nor shall you bribe the officials to deprive others of some of their rights illicitly, while you know.
Lobbyist
Jack Abramoff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiicN0Kg10&t=
Peanut subsidies lobbyist quote - “There are three people in the world who understand peanut subsidies and it is my job to keep it that way.”
Return on lobbying is 22,000%
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2012/01/06/144737864/forget-stocks-or-bonds-invest-in-a-lobbyist
#3 Free Trade
[4:29] O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly— only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted.
Capitalism
Voluntary exchange
#4 Globalization
Whenever a society cuts itself off from trading with other people they suffer economically from it
China in the 15th century used to have the strongest navy and was the strongest nation in the world, then it outlawed ships and trade during the Ming dynasty
One of the largest most populated and advanced societies in the world back to the dark ages
China in the 15th century had the largest naval fleet not till the 20th century in WWI
After a period of maritime explorations (see Zheng He) in the early 15th century, the Ming Dynasty started shutting the Middle Kingdom out of the rest of the world. This of course continued with the Qing, and the empire remained largely isolated until the 19th century, because of foreign "initiative." However, just when Spain and Portugal started flourishing with an economy based on trade, the Chinese chose to close their doors to the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haijin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4YEADagu0o
Corresponds with the building of the great wall of China to keep out the mongols that stretched in sections that total six thousand miles. Wanted to preserve Chinese culture and not be invaded by foreign influence
Hong Kong
[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.
[34:15] Sheba's homeland used to be a marvel, with two gardens on the right and the left. Eat from your Lord's provisions, and be appreciative of Him—good land, and a forgiving Lord. [34:16] They turned away and, consequently, we poured upon them a disastrous flood, and we substituted their two gardens into two gardens of bad tasting fruits, thorny plants, and a skimpy harvest. [34:17] We thus requited them for their disbelief. Do we not requite only the disbelievers? [34:18] We placed between them and the communities that we blessed other oases, and we secured the journey between them: "Travel therein days and nights in complete security." [34:19] But they (turned unappreciative and) challenged: "Our Lord, we do not care if You increase the distance of our journeys (without any stations)." They thus wronged their own souls. Consequently, we made them history, and scattered them into small communities throughout the land. This should provide lessons for those who are steadfast, appreciative.
We take for granted that we can ship merchandise almost anywhere in the world, that our shipping routes are secure and there is for the most part stability in the world.
US for all the bad rep they get for their military spending are spending billions each year to protect the trade routes for billions of people throughout the world
Still plenty of opportunities to give to charity
- 650 million people, or ~10% percent of the population, live in extreme poverty with less than $1.90 per day.
- 2.1 billion people live on less than $3.10 per day.
- 328 million children are living in extreme poverty.
- At least 17 million children suffer from severe acute undernutrition around the world. Severe acute malnutrition is the direct cause of death for 1 million children every year.
- Every single day, 1,000 children under 5 die from illnesses like diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera caused by contaminated water and inadequate sanitation.
Friday Apr 19, 2019
Friday Apr 19, 2019
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Rolling Stones - Keith Richards & Mick Jagger - I can’t get no satisfaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZ4mAfta3s
Cow never asks am I satisfied with my life
two central questions that people ask themselves when determining whether they’re satisfied with something in their life:
- Am I doing better than I was before?
- Am I doing better than other people?
This applies to wealth, but also to attractiveness, height, and other things that people fret about. “But the problem is,” Norton says, “a lot of the things that really matter in life are hard to measure.
So if you wanted to be a good parent, it’s a little hard to know if you’re being a better parent now than you were a year ago, and it’s also hard to know if you’re a better parent than the neighbors.”
So people turn to dimensions of comparison that can be quantified. “Money is a terrific one,” Norton says. “If I need to know if I’m doing better than I was, the easy thing to ask is, Am I making more money? or Does my house have more square feet? or Do I have more houses than I used to?”
The research Norton has conducted illustrating this phenomenon is dispiriting. In a paper published earlier this year, he and his collaborators asked more than 2,000 people who have a net worth of at least $1 million (including many whose wealth far exceeded that threshold) how happy they were on a scale of one to 10, and then how much more money they would need to get to 10. “All the way up the income-wealth spectrum,” Norton told me, “basically everyone says [they’d need] two or three times as much” to be perfectly happy.
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/12/rich-people-happy-money/577231/
[30:6] Such is GOD's promise—and GOD never breaks His promise—but most people do not know. [30:7] They care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter.
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.
Some of the things that matter the most are not measurable in the worldly sense?
Righteousness, virtue, honesty, etc.
[7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed.
Hoarding
[102:1] You remain preoccupied with hoarding. [102:2] Until you go to the graves.
التَّكاثُرُ = the competitive quest for more / hoarding.
“We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like.”
God makes us satisfied
[53:48] He is the One who makes you rich or poor.
أَغْنَىٰ = Ag-nah-ah = Rich = free from need
وَأَقْنَىٰ = ag-nah-ah = poor = makes satisfy
Root = ق ن ي = to acquire a thing; to cause to acquire; make contended; satisfy; preserve; make satisfy with a given thing
GOD is the only one who can make us satisfied
Motley Crue movie - Dirt
Being impressed by the abundance of sin
[5:100] Proclaim: "The bad and the good are not the same, even if the abundance of the bad may impress you. You shall reverence GOD, (even if you are in the minority,) O you who possess intelligence, that you may succeed.”
[9:55] Do not be impressed by their money, or their children. GOD causes these to be sources of retribution for them in this life, and (when they die) their souls depart while they are disbelievers.
[9:85] Do not be impressed by their money or their children; GOD causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers.
God has everything we need
Addiction - drug, porn, depression etc. root cause is lack of satisfaction
Depression - some people have a genuine psychological imbalance
I think out of the 9 different traits for depression only 2 have to do with biology
"no food one problem- lots of food many problems”
Diogenes - Apocryphal
Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Cynic philosophy. ~350BC
Stories of him take minimalism to a whole new extreme
All he had was a cup to drink from then one day he saw a boy drinking from his hand and he cursed his cup and got rid of it
Alexander and Diogenes
While Diogenes was relaxing in the morning sunlight, Alexander, thrilled to meet the famous philosopher, asked if there was any favor he might do for him. Diogenes replied, "Yes, stand out of my sunlight." Alexander then declared, "If I were not Alexander, then I should wish to be Diogenes." "If I were not Diogenes, I would still wish to be Diogenes," Diogenes replied. In another account of the conversation, Alexander found the philosopher looking attentively at a pile of human bones. Diogenes explained, "I am searching for the bones of your father but cannot distinguish them from those of a slave.”
Choose Your Priorities Carefully This Life
[17:18] Anyone who chooses this fleeting life as his priority, we will rush to him what we decide to give him, then we commit him to Gehenna, where he suffers forever, despised and defeated.
The Hereafter
[17:19] As for those who choose the Hereafter as their priority, and work righteousness, while believing, their efforts will be appreciated. [17:20] For each one of them we provide; we provide those and these from your Lord's bounties. Your Lord's bounties are inexhaustible. [17:21] Note how we preferred some people above others (in this life). The differences in the Hereafter are far greater and far more significant.
Clayton Christensen - How to measure a life
Kafar = disbeliever but also means unappreciative
Hell and Satisfaction
Imagine if you had the best most extravagant life - but no improvement whatsoever for all of eternity - how long before you would be absolutely miserable?
Eternally hopeless knowing for sure your situation will NEVER change
Imagine you had to spend your life digging a hole, now imagine if that task was expected from you for eternity
[13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while the idols they implore beside Him, cannot ever respond. Thus, they are like those who stretch their hands to the water, but nothing reaches their mouths. The supplications of the disbelievers are in vain.
[88:6] They will have no food except the useless variety. [88:7] It never nourishes, nor satisfies hunger. [88:8] Other faces on that day will be full of joy. [88:9] Satisfied with their work.
[24:39] As for those who disbelieve, their works are like a mirage in the desert. A thirsty person thinks that it is water. But when he reaches it, he finds that it is nothing, and he finds GOD there instead, to requite him fully for his works. GOD is the most efficient reckoner.
Matthew 6:
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Friday Apr 12, 2019
Friday Apr 12, 2019
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4 Requirements for Marriage
- Mutual desire and intention that the a man and a women would like to get married to spend the rest of their lives as a strictly monogamous couple
- Man provides the dowry - agree between the two what that is
- Solemn pledge man makes to the women
- Consummation
Should you do a formal marriage under state law? Should you announce it? Should you have a ceremony?
Ask yourself why not? Are you trying to make it easy to divorce
Only Mutually Acceptable Transactions Can Be Made
[4:29] O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly - only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you.
The expectation is that the marriage is supposed to be for their entire lives
Protection for the Women
[4:20] If you wish to marry another wife, in place of your present wife, and you had given any of them a great deal, you shall not take back anything you had given her. Would you take it fraudulently, maliciously, and sinfully? [4:21] How could you take it back, after you have been intimate with each other, and they had taken from you a solemn pledge?
You Shall Keep Your Word
[16:91] You shall fulfill your covenant with GOD when you make such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing (by God) to carry them out, for you have made GOD a guarantor for you. GOD knows everything you do. [16:92] Do not be like the knitter who unravels her strong knitting into piles of flimsy yarn. This is your example if you abuse the oaths to take advantage of one another. Whether one group is larger than the other, GOD thus puts you to the test. He will surely show you on the Day of Resurrection everything you had disputed.
God discourages divorce
(temporary marriages) is just prostitution
[24:33] Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace. .… You shall not force your girls (women) to commit prostitution, seeking the materials of this world, if they wish to be chaste. If anyone forces them, then GOD, seeing that they are forced, is Forgiver, Merciful.
[2:191] ...Oppression is worse than murder.
Age
[17:38] All bad behavior is condemned by your Lord.
Morality - all bad behavior is prohibited - not sure what that is ask 10 people do you think this is good behavior if 9/10 people tell you that isn’t moral behavior then it probably isn't
Word for marriage is full grown / working age / done with puberty (women)
4:127 - النِّسَاءِ = (al-neesa - like name of cousin) the orphan women
ن س و = women
Root = ف ت ي
to be young; full-grown; brave; generous; youth; generosity; manly qualities; young man; bold; courageous; young slave; fine fellow; servant; to advise; explain; give opinion or instruction; judgment or decision in a matter of law; give a formal legal decree; issue a (divine) decree or a sacred law; explain the meaning; pronounce; to consult; ask opinion or advice; decision; opinion; advice
4:25 - فَتَيَاتِكُمُ = (fatty yateh koom ) full-grown young women
24:33 - full-grown women (young women) - in context of forcing to prostitution
Root for female - irrespective of age is
ا ن ث = female = أُنْثَىٰ
[3:36] When she gave birth to her, she said, "My Lord, I have given birth to a girl"—GOD was fully aware of what she bore—"The male is not the same as the female. I have named her Mary and I invoke Your protection for her and her descendants from the rejected devil."
The age of marriage also means puberty
ن ك ح = to tie; make a knot; contract; cement; marriage (age of marriage / age to sign a contract)
النِّكَاحَ - age of marriage / puberty / sexual maturity / age to be able to sign a contract independently
4:6
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Khalifa |
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You shall test the orphans when they reach puberty. As soon as you find them mature enough, give them their property. Do not consume it extravagantly in a hurry, before they grow up. The rich guardian shall not charge any wage, but the poor guardian may charge equitably. When you give them their properties, you shall have witnesses. GOD suffices as Reckoner. |
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Yusuf Ali |
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Make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if then ye find sound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well-off, Let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is God in taking account. |
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Pickthal |
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Prove orphans till they reach the marriageable age; then, if ye find them of sound judgment, deliver over unto them their fortune; and devour it not by squandering and in haste lest they should grow up Whoso (of the guardians) is rich, let him abstain generously (from taking of the property of orphans); and whoso is poor let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship). And when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans, have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence. Allah sufficeth as a Reckoner. |
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Shakir |
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And test the orphans until they attain puberty; then if you find in them maturity of intellect, make over to them their property, and do not consume it extravagantly and hastily, lest they attain to full age; and whoever is rich, let him abstain altogether, and whoever is poor, let him eat reasonably; then when you make over to them their property, call witnesses in their presence; and Allah is enough as a Reckoner. |
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Sher Ali |
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And test the understanding of orphans until they attain the age of marriage, then, if you perceive in them mature judgment, deliver to them their property; and devour it not in extravagance and haste against their growing up. And whoso is rich, let him abstain; and who so is poor let him eat thereof with equity. And when you deliver to them their property, then call witnesses in their presence. And Allah is sufficient as a Reckoner. |
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shows that maturity is when someone is of sound mind and body
Marriage is a contract - need someone of sound mind to agree to a contract
[2:282]...If the debtor is mentally incapable, or helpless, or cannot dictate, his guardian shall dictate equitably.
Dowry / Engagement
[4:4] You shall give the women their due dowries, equitably. If they willingly forfeit anything, then you may accept it; it is rightfully yours.
[4:24] …These are GOD's commandments to you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, so long as you pay them their due dowries. You shall maintain your morality, by not committing adultery. Thus, whoever you like among them, you shall pay them the dowry decreed for them. You commit no error by mutually agreeing to any adjustments to the dowry. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
Breaking the Engagement = divorce
[2:236] You commit no error by divorcing the women before touching them, or before setting the dowry for them. In this case, you shall compensate them—the rich as he can afford and the poor as he can afford —an equitable compensation. This is a duty upon the righteous. [2:237] If you divorce them before touching them, but after you had set the dowry for them, the compensation shall be half the dowry, unless they voluntarily forfeit their rights, or the party responsible for causing the divorce chooses to forfeit the dowry. To forfeit is closer to righteousness. You shall maintain the amicable relations among you. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
Need to be able to afford to marry
[24:33] Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace.
Those among your servants who wish to be freed in order to marry, you shall grant them their wish, once you realize that they are honest. And give them from GOD's money that He has bestowed upon you…
Honoring the parents by asking permission from them 4:25
[4:25] Those among you who cannot afford to marry free believing women, may marry believing slave women. GOD knows best about your belief, and you are equal to one another, as far as belief is concerned. You shall obtain permission from their guardians (family Ah-lee hee nah) before you marry them, and pay them their due dowry equitably. They shall maintain moral behavior, by not committing adultery, or having secret lovers. Once they are freed through marriage, if they commit adultery, their punishment shall be half of that for the free women.* Marrying a slave shall be a last resort for those unable to wait. To be patient is better for you. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Who we can’t marry
Respect for the Father
[4:22] Do not marry the women who were previously married to your fathers—existing marriages are exempted and shall not be broken—for it is a gross offense, and an abominable act.
Incest Forbidden
[4:23] Prohibited for you (in marriage) are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, the sisters of your fathers, the sisters of your mothers, the daughters of your brother, the daughters of your sister, your nursing mothers, the girls who nursed from the same woman as you, the mothers of your wives, the daughters of your wives with whom you have consummated the marriage—if the marriage has not been consummated, you may marry the daughter. Also prohibited for you are the women who were married to your genetic sons. Also, you shall not be married to two sisters at the same time—but do not break up existing marriages. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[4:24] Also prohibited are the women who are already married, unless they flee their disbelieving husbands who are at war with you.* These are GOD's commandments to you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, so long as you pay them their due dowries….
Henry Ford about the model T: “You can have any color as long as it is black”
[2:221] Do not marry idolatresses unless they believe; a believing woman is better than an idolatress, even if you like her. Nor shall you give your daughters in marriage to idolatrous men, unless they believe. A believing man is better than an idolater, even if you like him. These invite to Hell, while GOD invites to Paradise and forgiveness, as He wills. He clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may take heed.
What about homosexuality?
[7:80] Lot said to his people, "You commit such an abomination; no one in the world has done it before!
[7:81] "You practice sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people."
[42:50] Or, He may have the males and the females marry each other, then render whomever He wills sterile. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent.
What the right hand possess
Or not And
[23:5] And they maintain their chastity.
[23:6] Only with their spouses, or those who are rightfully theirs, do they have sexual relations; they are not to be blamed.
مَلَكَتْ = possess / owner of / or to take a wife
أَيْمَانُهُمْ = right hand / oaths / vows
[70:29] They keep their chastity. [70:30] (They have sexual relations) only with their spouses, or what is legally theirs - [70:31] anyone who transgresses these limits is a sinner.
أَيْمَانُهُمْ = See: 9:12. 9:13, 16:94 = oaths
[9:12] If they violate their oaths after pledging to keep their covenants, and attack your religion, you may fight the leaders of paganism—you are no longer bound by your covenant with them—that they may refrain. [9:13] Would you not fight people who violated their treaties, tried to banish the messenger, and they are the ones who started the war in the first place? Are you afraid of them? GOD is the One you are supposed to fear, if you are believers.
30:28 = servants
4:3 = you already have
33:50 = what they already have
16:71 = subordinate
4:25 = slave
9:12 = oaths
9:13 = oaths
4:24 = took a vow for marriage
[33:55] The women may relax (their dress code) around their fathers, their sons, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, the other women, and their (female) servants. They shall reverence GOD. GOD witnesses all things.
Divorce
Marriage Arbitration
[4:35] If a couple fears separation, you shall appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family; if they decide to reconcile, GOD will help them get together. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.
Divorce Discouraged
[4:128] If a woman senses oppression or desertion from her husband, the couple shall try to reconcile their differences, for conciliation is best for them. Selfishness is a human trait, and if you do good and lead a righteous life, GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
Polygamy
Grounds For Polygamy
[4:3] If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers—you may marry two, three, or four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship.
Polygamy Discouraged
[4:129] You can never be equitable in dealing with more than one wife, no matter how hard you try. Therefore, do not be so biased as to leave one of them hanging (neither enjoying marriage, nor left to marry someone else). If you correct this situation and maintain righteousness, GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Polygamy was a way of life until the Quran was revealed 1400 years ago. When the earth was young and under-populated, polygamy was one way of populating it and bringing in the human beings needed to carry out God's plan. By the time the Quran was revealed, the world had been sufficiently populated, and the Quran put down the first limitations against polygamy. Polygamy is permitted in the Quran, but under strictly observed circumstances. Any abuse of this divine permission incurs severe retribution. Thus, although polygamy is permitted by God, it behooves us to examine our circumstances carefully before saying that a particular polygamous relationship is permissible.
1. It must alleviate pain and suffering and not cause any pain or suffering.
2. If you have a young family, it is almost certain that polygamy is an abuse.
3. Polygamy to substitute a younger wife is an abuse of God's law.
Don’t ascribe to Hadith and the disgusting lies they have about the prophet. As far as I am concerned the prophet was bound by the Quran.
God Strengthens the Messenger
[17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend. [17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit. [17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us. [17:76] They almost banished you from the land to get rid of you, so they could revert as soon as you left. [17:77] This has been consistently the case with all the messengers that we sent before you, and you will find that our system never changes.
Friday Apr 05, 2019
Friday Apr 05, 2019
Subscribe to the podcast and notes: https://qurantalk.podbean.com/
Quran translation on iOS: https://apple.co/2C1YGXj
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Contact: qurantalk (at) gmail (dot) com
Evolution vs. De-evolution
Sign of intelligence is that new information is created
E. coli Long-term Experiment on Evolution -
Started 24 February 1988.[2]
66,000 in November 2016.[3]
No new molecular machines
No newly designed cell structures
No new protein-coding sections of DNA
Evolution vs De-Evolution
- Example of how to make a car go faster - throw out the seats
- http://myxo.css.msu.edu/ecoli/
Because it is easier to destroy than to build
Ask you what are some decisions in your life you can make to make your life worse?
Easy
Run out in front of traffic
Poke your eyes out
Burn all your savings
Hit your head with a hammer
Hold your breath underwater until you pass out
If I ask you what can be done to make the future WORSE
You can probably come up with a whole bunch of ideas
Ask you what decisions you can make to make your life BETTER?
Little harder -
At best you will come up with ideas of what to remove not what to add
Easier to break down rather than to build
Because it is easier to destroy than to build
If I ask you what can you do to make the future better
More difficult
Easier to point out the downside and all the reasons something can fail rather than how it can succeed
But more ideas does not mean that the ideas are any better - but makes us feel smart
Typically an inherent bias that we equate things that we can imagine as more likely than things we can’t …e.g.e shark attacks
Pessimism isn't just more common than optimism, it also sounds smarter.
Pessimist are intellectually captivating, and people pay more attention to them rather than optimist who are often viewed as an oblivious sucker.
If you say the world has been getting better you may get away with being called naïve and insensitive.
Harvard professor Teresa Amabile shows that those publishing negative book reviews are seen as smarter and more competent than those giving positive reviews of the same book. "Only pessimism sounds profound. Optimism sounds superficial," she wrote.
Why?
Here are a few other reasons I've observed for why pessimism gets so much attention.
[4:147] What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
Complaining makes us feel like we are smart
- There is a form of an iQ/creativity test where the objective is to see how many ideas you can come up in a given amount of time:
- What can you do with a brick?
- Come up with different ways that someone can go from place to another?
- The more answers one comes up with the smarter they feel
- This is good for creativity, but there are somethings that the quantity of answers is not what is important but the quality
1. Optimism appears oblivious to risks, so by default pessimism looks more intelligent.
2. Pessimism requires action, whereas optimism means staying the course. Pessimism is "SELL, GET OUT, RUN," which grabs your attention because it's an action you need to take right now. You don't want to read the article later or skim over the details, because you might get hurt. Optimism is mostly, "Don't worry, stay the course, we'll be alright," which is easy to ignore since it doesn't require doing anything.
3. Optimism sounds like a sales pitch, while pessimism sounds like someone trying to help you. And that's often the truth. But in general, most of the time, optimism is the correct default setting, and pessimism can be as big a sales pitch as anything – especially if it's around emotional topics like money and politics.
4. Pessimists extrapolate present trends without accounting for how reliably markets adapt. That's important, because pessimistic views often start with a foundation of rational analysis, so the warning appears as reasonable as it is scary.
Thomas Malthus 1800
Prophets were the ultimate optimist - that after we die we can be redeemed in God’s kingdom
How we respond to God’s promise determines if we believe in God’s promise or not…
[3:174] They have deserved GOD's blessings and grace. No harm ever touches them, for they have attained GOD's approval. GOD possesses infinite grace.
[33:11] That is when the believers were truly tested; they were severely shaken up. [33:12] The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!" [33:13] A group of them said, "O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back." Others made up excuses to the prophet: "Our homes are vulnerable," when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee.
Psalm 91
1
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3
Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14
“Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
[33:22] When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said, "This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful." This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission.
[2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, "GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me—only those who do not taste it belong with me—unless it is just a single sip." They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, "Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops." Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, "Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.”
[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
[10:57] O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers. [10:58] Say, "With GOD's grace and with His mercy they shall rejoice." This is far better than any wealth they can accumulate.
Friday Mar 29, 2019
Friday Mar 29, 2019
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If I went back two hundred years and I explained to the people back then that life has gotten so easy in our time that we literally have to pay money to go to a facility to lift heavy objects only to put them back where you got them and to run on a machine that doesn’t take you anywhere they would think that we have all gone crazy
The reason is because in the past doing hard labor was part of life
Let’s suspend disbelief for one second and imagine that reincarnation was real, then statistically there is a +90% chance that in all your past lives you were a farmer.
This is what makes people who believe reincarnation so comical is that they were
never a farmer in their past lives instead they were some knight or king/queen or general - a very prestigious historical figure, but in reality, most likely they were farmers, they never traveled more than 25 miles from where they were born in their whole life. They probably lost children due to illness or disease, they were probably illiterate, probably got up before dawn every morning and worked all day till sunset and then went to bed only to do the same thing again the next day and the day after that.
Life back then was intrinsically hard, and the ones who survived had the same genes of their ancestors but as time progressed things shifted
When in the past 90% of the population were famers now only 2% of the population are farmers
Rather than doing physically demanding work for a job we now predominately do mentally demanding work
And as a society, we quickly came to realize that because our lives have gotten so less physically demanding our health has taken a major impact
We now sit more than ever, we sit in our cars as we commute to work, we sit in front of a computer for many hours during the day and then we sit and watch Netflix or YouTube
Because of this gap we understood that in order to stay physically fit and healthy we needed to create ARTIFICIAL physical hardship. We started exercising, going to the gym, running, we sign up for exercise classes (yoga, pilates, cardio kickboxing). We go on hikes (not to tend to our flock or to savage for food) but for leisure.
And in return, our health and vitality improved, because our physiology was designed to need stress. If our muscles are not used they atrophy, we get weak, we get prone to injury and our health and overall wellness deteriorates.
To someone 200 years ago this would seem
Now what is interesting is that this change in lifestyle didn’t just impact our physical lives it also affected our mental ones as well.
And for some reason despite realizing that we require physical stresses in order to keep our bodies healthy, we somehow came to believe that by eliminating any mental hardships that somehow this will not have a strain on our mental resilience
Today we have life easier than ever
Anything we want we can pretty much have instantly. Walk into a grocery and year-round you can choose from any variety of fresh meats, fruits, grains etc. Don’t feel like cooking probably within a five-mile radius of where you are there are a whole list of options of different restaurants and food styles you could select to. Spend five minutes and instantly there will be a team of trained professionals ready to serve you.
The concept of being bored is no longer possible. We have such an abundance of entertainment that if you spent your whole life just watching Netflix or YouTube you would never even dent a fraction of one percent of the content that is continuously being produced for your personal entertainment.
While this is a HUGE blessing there is no doubt that this life of ease and abundance, if not handled correctly, will have severe consequences on our mental resilience - NO DIFFERENT THAN THE CHANGE IN PHYSICAL WORK has had
************************
DOWNSIDE OF LACK OF MENTAL RESILIENCE
What happens to a society that has begotten soft on mental resilience?
"History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up." —Voltaire
This has to do with the physical demand, but what about the mental toll of living too comfortable of a life?
Cyrus didn’t want to move the capital from Pasargadae to Susa because he thought that it would make his people soft
Under Cyrus' son Cambyses II, Susa became a center of political power as one of 4 capitals of the Achaemenid Persian empire, while reducing the significance of Pasargadae as the capital of Persis. Following Cambyses' brief rule, Darius the Great began a major building program in Susa and Persepolis. During this time he describes his new capital in the DSf inscription:
"History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up." —Voltaire
History is filled with societies who complain more despite having more, being overtaken by societies who complain less despite having less – QuranTalk
This is counterintuitive but complaining is inversely proportional to how much we have
[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
[42:27] If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants.
[43:33] If it were not that all the people might become one (disbelieving)
congregation, we would have granted everyone who disbelieves in the Most Gracious mansions with silver roofs, and stairs upon which they could climb.
[16:112] GOD cites the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of GOD's blessings. Consequently, GOD caused them to taste the hardships of starvation and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did.
Mo Money Mo Problems - Puff Daddy aka P.Diddy
PESSIMISM
Today despite having so much, society seems to have ever so much more to complain about
WHY????
Complaining is tempting because it feels good, but like many other things that are enjoyable—such as smoking or eating a whole chocolate cake for breakfast— complaining isn’t good for you.
Research shows that most people complain once a minute during a typical conversation.
Neurons that fire together wire together
Reinforce find things to complain about. Make more connections and focus on more on what is wrong.
While it’s not an exaggeration to say that complaining leads to brain damage, it doesn’t stop there.
When you complain, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol shifts you into fight-or-flight mode, directing oxygen, blood, and energy away from everything but the systems that are essential to immediate survival. One effect of cortisol, for example, is to raise your blood pressure and blood sugar so that you’ll be prepared to either escape or defend yourself. All the extra cortisol released by frequent complaining impairs your immune system and makes you more susceptible to high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It even makes the brain more vulnerable to strokes.
Complaining is contagious - it affects the people around us
• me complaining about kids when she was first born - wife saying why are you ruining this for me. Like someone you go out to eat with and only points out the bad things or similar to a movie
What we complain about is proportionate to our expectations Happiness = Expectations - Reality
When our expectations that everything has to work out our way on our terms by our expectations then we are setting our selves up for disappointment
My threshold for boredom -
My threshold for being offended
People who think that they are being persecuted and marginalized when they have so much more freedom and opportunity than any other generation in history
Do bad things and atrocities occur - sure but these are not the norm
We have a limited amount of time in our day and what we choose to focus on will affect not just our mood but our overall destiny, because what we do every day eventually effects our actions in our life.
Good thoughts, good actions, good deeds Bad thoughts, bad actions, bad deeds
Chip on their shoulder
[63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
Limited capacity throughout our day what we want to focus on = can choose to focus on the good or the bad
Focus on the good or the bad? Can fix as many wrongs, but not dwell only on the bad and neglect the good
Like the famous Harvard experiment with the passing of the basketball and that 50% of the people missed the moon walking gorilla
The reality is that life is getting exponentially better in every respect in aggregate but our threshold of expectations is growing at a faster clip
Think of the idea of travel....
In the past travel was not a leisure activity - it was hardship, painful and typically and absolutely not done for leisure
People who used to travel by boat across the Atlantic
Or people who used to travel across a continent by wagon
They were risking their lives, they would be gone sometimes for years at at time away from their families
Now a person is stuck behind a light or the person infront of them cuts them off or their GPS isn’t working and they go nuts
If you make more than $33k/ year you are in the top 1% of the world If you adjust for cost of living globally let’s say it is $60k
Invisibilia Podcast - The Fifth Vital Sign - Pain
Girls who pain receptors would make anything touching their bodies feel excruciatingly painful
Like being in a silent room and then the sound of one's heart sounds like a cacophony
***********************
HOW TO FOSTER MENTAL RESILIENCE
Embrace the pain - Increase our thresholds
With pain there is gain
[94:5] With pain there is gain.
[94:6] Indeed, with pain there is gain.
Deprivation
Fasting
Walking vs. driving
Cold showers
Achievement without struggle is rarely satisfying - lifting light weights
Iran - daily blackouts for hours at a time
Meditation
people prefer to shock themselves rather than be in a quite room by themselves for 15 minutes
Reduce stimulation - Boredom
Creating artificial scenarios to mentally challenge one self (seems crazy) why would anyone do that? Just like ti would be crazy for the person 200 years ago for us to go to the gym
Do something hard
"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard," - JFK
Get too soft and your body recalibrated to the new threshold of pain
Marriage is on a decline = tinder, bumble app
Can’t matin a relationship
Someone who is unappreciative - does not acknowledge the benefits of things does not see the value in things
A cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing
[3:140] If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice. [3:141] GOD thus toughens those who believe and humiliates the disbelievers.
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult life” Bruce Lee - Zig Zigler not sure
Radio Lab - Bliss - Aleksander Gamme
Antartica 3 month hike on skies to the south pole and back by himself Every 200km he would burry something in the snow
Day 86
Walking 10 hours a day lost 55 lbs
Last cache
Double pack of cheese doodles Chocolate bar
mentos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC8gJ0_9o4M
Friday Mar 01, 2019
Friday Mar 01, 2019
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What causes a nation to fail?
There are lots of theories
Maybe it is disease?
When the Europeans arrived, carrying germs which thrived in dense, semi-urban populations, the indigenous people of the Americas were effectively doomed. They had never experienced smallpox, measles or flu before, and the viruses tore through the continent, killing an estimated 90% of Native Americans.
Maybe it is poor financial planning like Communist Russia
Maybe it is a revolution like Iran in 1978
One of the theories I particularly like states that: when the complexity of operating a society outstrips its utility then it is destined to fail…
There are endless books and theories to what causes a nation to fail, but these are all by products of one single criteria that God tells us in the Quran:
[16:112] GOD cites the example of a community that used to be secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of GOD's blessings. Consequently, GOD caused them to taste the hardships of starvation and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did.
[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
Word: رَغَدًا (raghadan)
Root: ر غ د
to be abound in a good thing; (eat) freely and plentifully and with ease; live in ease and affluence; be amble and pleasant (in life); freely; plentifully; with ease
This root and this word occurs only 3 times in the Quran, one of those times was in 16:112 as we just read
(2) Adam in Paradise
[2:35] We said, "O Adam, live with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom generously, as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you sin.”
[20:116] Recall that we said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused. [20:117] We then said, "O Adam, this is an enemy of you and your wife. Do not let him evict you from Paradise, lest you become miserable. [20:118] "You are guaranteed never to hunger therein, nor go unsheltered. [20:119] "Nor will you thirst therein, nor suffer from any heat."
[7:17] "I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative."
[20:120] But the devil whispered to him, saying, "O Adam, let me show you the tree of eternity and unending kingship." [20:121] They ate from it, whereupon their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Adam thus disobeyed his Lord, and fell.
(2) Children of Israel
Word: رَغَدًا (raghadan)
Lack of Confidence in God: They Refuse to Enter Jerusalem
[2:58] Recall that we said, "Enter this town, where you will find as many provisions as you like. Just enter the gate humbly, and treat the people nicely. We will then forgive your sins, and increase the reward for the pious." [2:59] But the wicked among them carried out commands other than the commands given to them. Consequently, we sent down upon the transgressors condemnation from the sky, due to their wickedness.
So much of what we have we did zero work for:
[56:57] We have created you, if you could only believe! [56:58] Have you noted the semen that you produce? [56:59] Did you create it, or did we? [56:60] We have predetermined death for you. Nothing can stop us— [56:61] from substituting new generations in your place, and establishing what you do not know. [56:62] You know about the first creation. Do you not remember?
[56:63] Have you noted the crops you reap? [56:64] Did you grow them, or did we? [56:65] If we will, we can turn it into hay. Then you will lament: [56:66] "We lost. [56:67] "We are deprived."
[56:68] Have you noted the water you drink? [56:69] Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we? [56:70] If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful.
[56:71] Have you noted the fire you ignite? [56:72] Did you initiate its tree, or did we? [56:73] We rendered it a reminder, and a useful tool for the users. [56:74] You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
Psalm 8:4 What is man that you are mindful of him
There is no appreciative without believing and glorifying God alone
Appreciation comes from worshipping God alone
[68:17] We have tested them like we tested the owners of the garden who swore that they will harvest it in the morning. [68:18] They were so absolutely sure. [68:19] A passing (storm) from your Lord passed by it while they were asleep. [68:20] By morning, it was barren. [68:21] They called on each other in the morning. [68:22] "Let us harvest the crop." [68:23] On their way, they confided to each other. [68:24] That from then on, none of them would be poor. [68:25] They were so absolutely sure of their harvest. [68:26] But when they saw it, they said, "We were so wrong! [68:27] "Now, we have nothing! [68:28] The righteous among them said, "If only you had glorified (God)!"
Remembering God Every Chance We Get
[18:23] You shall not say that you will do anything in the future, [18:24] without saying, "GOD willing." If you forget to do this, you must immediately remember your Lord and say, "May my Lord guide me to do better next time.”
It doesn’t matter how clever you are or how hard you work if we are not acknowledging that all our blessings come from God then we are destined to fail.
Example of the two men and their gardens
[18:32] Cite for them the example of two men: we gave one of them two gardens of grapes, surrounded by date palms, and placed other crops between them. [18:33] Both gardens produced their crops on time, and generously, for we caused a river to run through them.
[18:34] Once, after harvesting, he boastfully told his friend: "I am far more prosperous than you, and I command more respect from the people."
[18:35] When he entered his garden, he wronged his soul by saying, "I do not think that this will ever end. [18:36] "Moreover, I think this is it; I do not think that the Hour (the Hereafter) will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will (clever enough to) possess an even better one over there.”
[18:37] His friend said to him, as he debated with him, "Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dust, then from a tiny drop, then perfected you into a man? [18:38] "As for me, GOD is my Lord, and I will never set up any other god besides my Lord. [18:39] "When you entered your garden, you should have said, 'This is what GOD has given me (Mã Shã Allãh). No one possesses power except GOD (Lã Quwwata Ellã Bellãh).' You may see that I possess less money and less children than you. [18:40] "My Lord may grant me better than your garden. He may send a violent storm from the sky that wipes out your garden, leaving it completely barren. [18:41] "Or, its water may sink deeper, out of your reach."
[18:42] Indeed, his crops were wiped out, and he ended up sorrowful, lamenting what he had spent on it in vain, as his property lay barren. He finally said, "I wish I never set up my property as a god beside my Lord." [18:43] No force on earth could have helped him against GOD, nor was it possible for him to receive any help. [18:44] That is because the only true Lord and master is GOD; He provides the best recompense, and with Him is the best destiny.
[18:45] Cite for them the example of this life as water that we send down from the sky to produce plants of the earth, then they turn into hay that is blown away by the wind. GOD is able to do all things.
If we are unappreciative we will lose everything as it is God who causes the provisions to be sent or turned to hay
If we think it is us who is doing this then we are worshiping our selves
How can we tell when as a society we are turning unappreciative?
[34:15] Sheba's homeland used to be a marvel, with two gardens on the right and the left. Eat from your Lord's provisions, and be appreciative of Him—good land, and a forgiving Lord. [34:16] They turned away and, consequently, we poured upon them a disastrous flood, and we substituted their two gardens into two gardens of bad tasting fruits, thorny plants, and a skimpy harvest. [34:17] We thus requited them for their disbelief. Do we not requite only the disbelievers?
[34:18] We placed between them and the communities that we blessed other oases, and we secured the journey between them: "Travel therein days and nights in complete security." [34:19] But they (turned unappreciative and) challenged: "Our Lord, we do not care if You increase the distance of our journeys (without any stations)." They thus wronged their own souls. Consequently, we made them history, and scattered them into small communities throughout the land. This should provide lessons for those who are steadfast, appreciative.
[34:20] Satan found them readily fulfilling his expectations. They followed him, except a few believers.
Entitlement
Just because God has blessed us tremendously does not mean we “deserve” any of this.
Once we think we deserve something we no longer become appreciative we think it is owed to us
[41:50] And when we bless him after suffering some adversity, he says, "This belongs to me. I do not believe that the Hour will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will find at Him better things." Most certainly, we will inform the disbelievers of all their works, and will commit them to severe retribution.
Children of Israel
[7:131] When good omens came their way, they said, "We have deserved this," but when a hardship afflicted them, they blamed Moses and those with him. In fact, their omens are decided only by GOD, but most of them do not know.
[11:9] Whenever we bless the human being with mercy from us, then remove it, he turns despondent, unappreciative. [11:10] Whenever we bless him, after adversity had afflicted him, he says, "All adversity has gone away from me;" he becomes excited, proud. [11:11] As for those who steadfastly persevere, and lead a righteous life, they deserve forgiveness and a generous recompense.
[19:77] Have you noted the one who rejected our revelations then said, "I will be given wealth and children"?! [19:78] Has he seen the future? Has he taken such a pledge from the Most Gracious?”
Entitlement is the opposite of gratitude
Entitlement - I deserve these eyes, I deserve this clean bill of health
God owes us nothing and we owe Him everything
If I believe it is owed to me then I don’t believe I have to work for it
Thinking nothing is their fault and everything is owed to them
[10:12] When adversity touches the human being, he implores us while lying down, or sitting, or standing up. But as soon as we relieve his adversity, he goes on as if he never implored us to relieve any hardship! The works of the transgressors are thus adorned in their eyes.
becomes accustomed to something habituation
Children of Israel Rebel
[2:61] Recall that you said, "O Moses, we can no longer tolerate one kind of food. Call upon your Lord to produce for us such earthly crops as beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions." He said, "Do you wish to substitute that which is inferior for that which is good? Go down to Egypt, where you can find what you asked for." They have incurred condemnation, humiliation, and disgrace, and brought upon themselves wrath from GOD. This is because they rejected GOD's revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.
How can we tell that we have progressed from feeling entitled to feeling appreciative?
When we replace a sense of entitlement and exception that things are owed to me, to a life of service and gratitude and understanding how can I serve others based on the provisions and blessings that God has given me
When we are young we are self-centered this makes sense as in our youth we are trying to figure out who we are why are we here
But if we never grow out of that phase then we will never grow to understand how we can serve others…
Example of Moses -
When he was a baby he cried for milk when he refused any nursing mother aside from his own mother.
[28:22] As he traveled towards Midyan, he said, "May my Lord guide me in the right path." [28:23] When he reached Midyan's water, he found a crowd of people watering, and noticed two women waiting on the side. He said, "What is it that you need?" They said, "We are not able to water, until the crowd disperses, and our father is an old man." [28:24] He watered for them, then turned to the shade, saying, "My Lord, whatever provision You send to me, I am in dire need for it." [28:25] Soon, one of the two women approached him, shyly, and said, "My father invites you to pay you for watering for us." When he met him, and told him his story, he said, "Have no fear. You have been saved from the oppressive people."
Believing Nations Prosper
[10:98] Any community that believes will surely be rewarded for believing. For example, the people of Jonah: when they believed, we relieved the humiliating retribution they had been suffering in this world, and we made them prosperous. [10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed.* Do you want to force the people to become believers?
A society that believes in God will want to help out others in need.
Appreciative means grateful, helpful, charitable
Unappreciative ungrateful, self centered, selfish, stingy greedy
Done by choice not by force
Don’t attempt to outsource your righteous deeds for others to perform on your behalf
Friday Feb 01, 2019
Friday Feb 01, 2019
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What about when the right path is almost impossible to find?
So I have been watching a Netflix series called Ozark and the premise of the show is how one family keeps getting further and further away from righteousness and how they keep thinking that if they just do one more bad deed they will be able to get back to their normal lives.
In one of the episodes of Ozark, one of the main characters made the following quote that really resonated with me.
“evil comes when the righteous path is so hidden it looks like there is only one way out.”
What do you do when you reach a crossroads and you are being tested and you know the right path but it is too hard to make the right decision?
Scent of a women - I’ve been to the crossroads
The question is what should we do when temptation is too high.
[29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe," without being put to the test? [29:3] We have tested those before them, for GOD must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.
God's Tests Are Never Unreasonable [4:66] Had we decreed for them: "You must offer your lives," or "Give up your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them. (Even if such a command was issued,) had they done what they were commanded to do, it would have been better for them, and would prove the strength of their faith.
In consumer electronics and specifically semiconductors there are different grades of product quality. And each grade was more expensive.
- Commercial: 0 °C to 70 °C - test at 25C
- Industrial: −40 °C to 85 °C
- Automotive: −40 °C to 125 °C
- Military: −55 °C to 125 °C
The higher the test the higher the cause
[6:132] Everyone will attain a rank commensurate with their deeds. Your Lord is never unaware of anything they do.
- know what the right path is but too hard
- Cognitive dissonance kicks in and convince yourself the wrong path is the right path
The right path is so blocked that it is almost impossible to see
The worst thing that can happen to someone is when they can’t differentiate right from wrong. And this occurs when we persist in sins knowingly.
Cognitive dissonance - people like to think that they are good righteous, virtuous, but when their actions do not align this causes discomfort and they have a choice
- They can continue to try to improve and do better
- They can convince themselves that their sins are actually righteous
Better to sin out of weakness and admit it is a sin rather than lie to one’s self and deny it is sinful or worst yet call it righteous
[35:8] Note the one whose evil work is adorned in his eyes, until he thinks that it is righteous. GOD thus sends astray whoever wills (to go astray), and He guides whoever wills (to be guided). Therefore, do not grieve over them. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
(3) The Hypocrites
[2:8] Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the Last Day," while they are not believers. [2:9] In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving. [2:10] In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying. [2:11] When they are told, "Do not commit evil," they say, "But we are righteous!" [2:12] In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive.
[6:43] If only they implored when our test afflicted them! Instead, their hearts were hardened, and the devil adorned their works in their eyes.
[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.
[3:135] If they fall in sin or wrong their souls, they remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins - and who forgives the sins except God - and they do not persist in sins, knowingly.
Joseph being tempted
[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.
This revelation is not about an ordinary guy, it is about Joseph who was blessed with wisdom and knowledge. Joseph knew what is right and what is wrong but with all knowing, he was about to fail, but he was saved. How? Joseph was saved because he implored to God.
God save him by showing a proof from his lord, a mercy, how about us? Do we implore to God?
Or can we see a proof from the God when we are at a crossroad and temptation is too high?
[17:73] They almost diverted you from the revelations we have given you. They wanted you to fabricate something else, in order to consider you a friend. [17:74] If it were not that we strengthened you, you almost leaned towards them just a little bit. [17:75] Had you done that, we would have doubled the retribution for you in this life, and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against us.
When we sin we are actively trying to block out God’s light
[74:38] Every soul is trapped by its sins. [74:39] Except for those on the right.
[6:122] Is one who was dead and we granted him life, and provided him with light that enables him to move among the people, equal to one in total darkness from which he can never exit? The works of the disbelievers are thus adorned in their eyes.
Light is what lets us know what is right and wrong so that we can get back on the right path
Trees move in the direction of the light
Kudzu plant will slowly grow over existing structures like trees and will block all sunlight from approaching the object and eventually kill the tree
All paths lead back to God so we can submit willingly or unwillingly but ultimately we will be returned to God and either be rewarded with Paradise or see the retribution of Hell
[13:15] To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.
What do we need to see something? 3 things:
- We need eyes and a brain
- We need light and more importantly
- We have to want to see
God's light is the same. We can see God's light with our hearts as long as we are not strayers and want to see God's signs by imploring to Him.
What is God’s light and what it does?
There is only one verse in Quran that talks about Light Upon Light and that is when God explains.
God
[24:35] GOD is the light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a concave mirror behind a lamp that is placed inside a glass container. The glass container is like a bright, pearl-like star. The fuel thereof is supplied from a blessed oil-producing tree, that is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light. GOD guides to His light whomever He wills. GOD thus cites the parables for the people. GOD is fully aware of all things.
What does God's light do? It provides guidance.
When in the Contact Prayer, we say "Guide us to the right path the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.
We are asking God to turn on his light. It helps us to see the whole thing, our innermost egos and the consequences of our actions.
It is interesting to mention that there is only one verse that talks about darkness upon darkness and this verse is in the same chapter of Light Upon Light, 5 verses below. There is something very unique about it that I have to share with you.
[24:40] Another allegory is that of being in total darkness in the midst of a violent ocean, with waves upon waves, in addition to thick fog. Darkness upon darkness—if he looked at his own hand, he could barely see it. Whomever GOD deprives of light, will have no light.
God talks about Darkness upon Darkness... the strange part is , in the same verse, God says "if he looked at his own hand, he could barely see it."; What does “barely” mean? You can barely see if there is tiny light otherwise you could see nothing. What does a tiny light is doing in the middle of Darkness Upon Darkness.
Do you know what is called that tiny light in total darkness?
HOPE
Never despair of God’s mercy. No matter what the odds are.
God's Infinite Mercy
[39:53] Proclaim: "O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful."
It tells me no matter how darn the situation is, darkness upon darkness, there is always hope, a tiny shred of light, never despair.
[9:118] Also (redeemed were) the three who stayed behind. The spacious earth became so straitened for them, that they almost gave up all hope for themselves. Finally, they realized that there was no escape from God, except to Him. He then redeemed them that they may repent. God is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
When is the best time to plant a tree 40 years ago when is the next best day today
[65:2] ...Anyone who reverences GOD, He will create an exit for him. [65:3] And will provide for him whence he never expected. Anyone who trusts in GOD, He suffices him. GOD's commands are done. GOD has decreed for everything its fate.
[65:4] ...Anyone who reverences GOD, He makes everything easy for him.
[65:7]...GOD will provide ease after difficulty.
If you think that there isn't a way, rest assured that with God there is always a way.
In the heart to the Sahara desert is the Ubari sand sea
Swallows that left Nigeria have travelled 1 and a half thousand miles so far on their way to Europe
Luckily in the Ubari Sand Sea there is an oasis called Umm Al-maa
In the midst of the desert ancient ground water swells to the surface
And at first glance it looks like just what the swallows need for hydration in order to make their trip
But they must be careful because this oasis is poisonous
evaporation over the years has caused this oasis to be saltier than the sea and if that isn’t bad enough the place is infested with vast swarms of flies
But this plague is the swallows salvation because the flies are filled with fresh water that have been filtered from the brine
The birds get all the water and food they need from the flies bodies
[2:214] Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were tested with hardship and adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and those who believed with him said, "Where is GOD's victory?" GOD's victory is near.
[2:286] GOD never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits. "Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people."
Friday Jan 11, 2019
Friday Jan 11, 2019
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Mary
[3:42] The angels said, "O Mary, GOD has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you from all the women. [3:43] "O Mary, you shall submit to your Lord, and prostrate and bow down with those who bow down.”
[3:45] The angels said, "O Mary, GOD gives you good news: a Word from Him whose name is 'The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary.' He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter, and one of those closest to Me. [3:46] "He will speak to the people from the crib, as well as an adult; he will be one of the righteous.”
[19:23] The birth process came to her by the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "(I am so ashamed;) I wish I were dead before this happened, and completely forgotten."
[2:216] Fighting may be imposed on you, even though you dislike it. But you may dislike something which is good for you, and you may like something which is bad for you. GOD knows while you do not know.
[10:61] You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom's weight is out of your Lord's control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller than an atom, or larger, that is not recorded in a profound record.
When faced with hardship do you believe: “this is happening to me” or “is this happening for me?”
Sura 18 - There is a good reason for everything
the people who own a boat;
the parents of the child;
the treasure for the orphans
Job 3 1-7
1. After a while, Job opened his mouth to speak. He cursed the day he had been born. 2 He said, 3 “May the day I was born be wiped out. May the night be wiped away when people said, ‘A boy is born!’ 4 May that day turn into darkness. May God in heaven not care about it. May no light shine on it. 5 May gloom and total darkness take it back. May a cloud settle over it. May blackness cover it up. 6 May deep darkness take over the night I was born. May it not be included among the days of the year. May it never appear in any of the months. 7 May no children ever have been born on that night. May no shout of joy be heard in it.
Job 38:4 -7
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
[21:83] And Job implored his Lord: "Adversity has befallen me, and, of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful." [21:84] We responded to him, relieved his adversity, and restored his family for him, even twice as much. That was a mercy from us, and a reminder for the worshipers.
Example of Joseph -
- Left for dead by his brothers
- Sold into slavery
- Falsely accused and thrown into prison
Even if what happens is a consequence of our actions, God can use this for our good if we trust in Him. Tough Love
If we trust in God he can transform any situation
God who designed a system where:
coal can be transformed into diamonds,
sand into pearls,
and a caterpillar into a butterfly
can transform any situation in our lives as well.
God who can take the most putrid water and transform it to clean fresh nourishing and delicious for us to drink can also take any situation in our life that the devil has made for our bad into being for our good
[56:68] Have you noted the water you drink? [56:69] Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we? [56:70] If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful.
[15:22] ... and cause water to come down from the sky for you to drink. Otherwise, you could not keep it palatable.
Joseph extended stay in prison
[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."
[12:41] "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.
Imagine trying to crack an egg prematurely to help the chick before it was ready to get out on it’s own
[32:21] We let them taste the smaller retribution (of this world), before they incur the greater retribution (of the Hereafter), that they may (take a hint and) reform.
How much worse would it be to spend an eternity in Hell rather than waking up and taking a hint now?
[4:147] What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
There is a season for everything -
Sometimes a season for abundance and sometimes a season for scarcity
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."
[3:140] If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice. [3:141] GOD thus toughens those who believe and humiliates the disbelievers.
[17:10] As for those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, we have prepared for them a painful retribution. [17:11] The human being often prays for something that may hurt him, thinking that he is praying for something good. The human being is impatient.
Things are happening for a purpose – Trust the process
[2:249] When Saul took command of the troops, he said, "GOD is putting you to the test by means of a stream. Anyone who drinks from it does not belong with me—only those who do not taste it belong with me—unless it is just a single sip." They drank from it, except a few of them. When he crossed it with those who believed, they said, "Now we lack the strength to face Goliath and his troops." Those who were conscious of meeting GOD said, "Many a small army defeated a large army by GOD's leave. GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.”
[33:12] The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!" [33:13] A group of them said, "O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back." Others made up excuses to the prophet: "Our homes are vulnerable," when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee. [33:14] Had the enemy invaded and asked them to join, they would have joined the enemy without hesitation.
[33:22] When the true believers saw the parties (ready to attack), they said, "This is what GOD and His messenger have promised us, and GOD and His messenger are truthful." This (dangerous situation) only strengthened their faith and augmented their submission.
If we never move past from “Why is this happening to me” to “This is happing for me” then we could turn into hypocrites
[29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe," without being put to the test?
[29:10] Among the people there are those who say, "We believe in GOD," but as soon as they suffer any hardship because of GOD, they equate the people's persecution with GOD's retribution. But if blessings from your Lord come your way, they say, "We were with you." Is GOD not fully aware of the people's innermost thoughts? [29:11] GOD will most certainly distinguish those who believe, and He will most certainly expose the hypocrites.
[3:165] Now that you have suffered a setback, and even though you inflicted twice as much suffering (upon your enemy), you said, "Why did this happen to us?" Say, "This is a consequence of your own deeds." GOD is Omnipotent. [3:166] What afflicted you the day the two armies clashed was in accordance with GOD's will, and to distinguish the believers. [3:167] And to expose the hypocrites who were told, "Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute." They said, "If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you." They were closer to disbelief then than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal. [3:168] They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, "Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful."
Difference between a Submitter or Weak Believer and a Hypocrite
Difference between a Hypocrite and a weak believer is the weak believer knows what is right and what is wrong, but lacks the strength to go for the right path. The hypocrite on the other hand will change the definition of the right path to match their desires.
[9:118] Also (redeemed were) the three who stayed behind. The spacious earth became so straitened for them, that they almost gave up all hope for themselves. Finally, they realized that there was no escape from GOD, except to Him. He then redeemed them that they may repent. GOD is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
[3:154] After the setback, He sent down upon you peaceful slumber that pacified some of you. Others among you were selfishly concerned about themselves. They harbored thoughts about GOD that were not right— the same thoughts they had harbored during the days of ignorance. Thus, they said, "Is anything up to us?" Say, "Everything is up to GOD." They concealed inside themselves what they did not reveal to you. They said, "If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle." Say, "Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds." GOD thus puts you to the test to bring out your true convictions, and to test what is in your hearts. GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
Lot less concern on the outcome and more concern for the process
Marcus Lemonis - The Profit: people, process; profit
Can’t control the winds but we can adjust our sails
We can’t control the outcome we can only control our input
Can you go through the experience and feel good about your decision?
Sow the seeds to gain the harvest
The farmer who trusts in God knows the process. They know that if they plant the right seeds and do the righteous works that they will reap the benefits regardless of the short term outcome or temporary “season”
Accumulation of what you do everyday
Accumulation of thousands of small decisions to push the lever to the other track
Slight gradual change to big momentous shift
Stone cutter quote - “When nothing seems to help, I go back and look at the stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it — but all that had gone before.”
[10:61] You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom's weight is out of your Lord's control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller than an atom, or larger, that is not recorded in a profound record.
Boy named sue - Johnny Cash
Well my daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to Ma and me
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze
Now, I don't blame him 'cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue"
Well, he must o' thought that is quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk
It seems I had to fight my whole life through
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named "Sue"
…
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile
And he said, "Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I know I wouldn't be there to help you along
So I give you that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's the name that helped to make you strong"
He said, "Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do
But you ought to thank me, before I die
For the gravel in your guts and the spit in your eye
'Cause I'm the person that named you "Sue"
What could I do, what could I do
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
Called him my Pa, and he called me his son
And I come away with a different point of view
Tuesday Dec 25, 2018
Tuesday Dec 25, 2018
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F$%! the poor video
Three kinds of people
1. the ones who are indifferent
2. The ones who only react when they are offended
3. The ones who give to charity in either situation
[7:176] Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own opinions. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our proofs. Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect.
It is good to speak up, but it shouldn’t be the only time we react is to an external stimulus
This is the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat
- Thermometer only reacts to the external environment
- Thermostat adjusts the settings of the environment
If we are only going through life reacting to events then we are just being a thermometer
This isn’t bad, but it shouldn’t be our end destination. Think of these moments as our call to action.
David vs. Goliath
Example of Moses
- Kills a man
- Almost kills a person again
- Comes back as a change agent
Rather than just getting mad at the person who is saying these terrible things about the poor. Go and give to the poor.
[2:274] Those who give to charity night and day, secretly and publicly, receive their recompense from their Lord; they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[3:92] You cannot attain righteousness until you give to charity from the possessions you love. Whatever you give to charity, GOD is fully aware thereof.
[25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.
[84:19] You will move from stage to stage.
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
[3:175] It is the devil's system to instill fear into his subjects. Do not fear them and fear Me instead, if you are believers.
The devil wants to fear, to incite, to get you outraged
But fear and outrage are not virtues
The question is what do you do when you experience them?
7 stages of grief
- Shock & Denial
- Pain & guilt
- Anger & bargaining
- Depression, reflection, loneliness
- The upward turn
- Reconstruction and working through
- Acceptance and hope
Why so angry?
Same thing we go from fear to love of God.
[72:13] " `When we heard the guidance, we believed therein. Anyone who believes in his Lord will never fear any injustice, nor any affliction.
Injustice only exists if you don’t believe in a Hereafter
[4:79] Anything good that happens to you is from GOD, and anything bad that happens to you is from you. We have sent you as a messenger to the people, and GOD suffices as witness.
It is easier to destroy than to build
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Why do people like spicy food?
Believed to originally be because to mask the taste of food particularly meat that was not fresh.
Found that in climates the more hot the more the use of spices in their recipes
But this for the most part no longer applies as we have plenty of access to fresh meat by means of refrigeration yet I don’t think there is a decline in human desire towards spicy food
With the exception of the tree shrews, I don’t think there is any other mammal that has a fondness of spicy food
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/science/21peppers.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&ref=science
https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/what-makes-some-people-like-spicy-food-and-others-hate-it
And the only reason that tree shrews like particular chili peppers is because they have a mutation that lowers the sensitivity to the compound that gives spicy food that burning sensation in all other mammals.
Dr. Paul Bloom: “How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like,”
- First we do it because we see other people doing it
- Then since we do it we convince ourselves that we like it
- Then we start actually liking it
- Then we want more and more of it to the point that regular food just tastes bland without it
This shows how we can train ourselves to like unpalatable things
This can be true for much of what we do.
Outrage associate the feeling with excitement
Animals, for the most part, don’t get angry (monkey grapes and cucumbers experiment)
Outrage is a learned behavior
Entice / provoke - devils tool
[17:64] "You may entice them with your voice, and mobilize all your forces and all your men against them, and share in their money and children, and promise them. Anything the devil promises is no more than an illusion.
How cheap is your happiness?
When we get angry and stay in a state of anger we are showing that we are doubting God’s promise…
[4:85] Whoever mediates a good deed receives a share of the credit thereof, and whoever mediates an evil work, incurs a share thereof. GOD controls all things.
Outrage has a social contagion effect
Pepsi commercial - Kendall Jenner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA5Yq1DLSmQ
How anger affects judgment - we make worse decisions
The average person didn’t think it was that bad
- between 18 - 29 years old 50% said it gave them a positive view of Pepsi, 26% less positive. 24% neutral
Experiment with music
Gave people a list of songs in one group they were told certain songs were liked more than the other and the other group was told the opposite
Netflix got rid of the star review system with a simple thumbs up or down. The reason is that everyone says they like movies like Shindler’s list and not Adam Sandler movies, but their viewing habits show otherwise.
We weigh negative critiques more than positive.
If someone tells you the food at somewhere is bad who is more likely not to go there? The one who went there and experienced that bad food or the one who never went there?
Need 10 positive reviews for each negative review
What message are we putting out to the world?
[9:15] He will also remove the rage from the believers' hearts. GOD redeems whomever He wills. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
[5:2] O you who believe, do not violate the rites instituted by GOD, nor the Sacred Months, nor the animals to be offered, nor the garlands marking them, nor the people who head for the Sacred Shrine (Ka'bah) seeking blessings from their Lord and approval. Once you complete the pilgrimage, you may hunt.* Do not be provoked into aggression by your hatred of people who once prevented you from going to the Sacred Masjid. You shall cooperate in matters of righteousness and piety; do not cooperate in matters that are sinful and evil. You shall observe GOD. GOD is strict in enforcing retribution.
We have limited time and limited brain capacity are you going to focus on the things that make you mad or the the things to be grateful for?
If you look at the world from a perspective of gratitude, looking to see joy and happiness, the brain will translate that joy and happiness into chemistry, such as a dopamine release from feeling pleasure.
Molecules of emotion - peptides and receptors - feedback loop
Happiness: Now and Forever* [10:62] Absolutely, GOD's allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. [10:63] They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. [10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD's unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.
Every time you focus on gratitude, you’re helping combat depression and anxiety by minimizing your cortisol production.
https://qz.com/1463947/the-science-behind-the-health-benefits-of-a-daily-gratitude-practice/
Boredom is when our attention has been so dulled that we need some external stimuli to keep our mind occupied -
sensationalization of our external stimuli dulls our senses -
need outrage to keep us entertained
We would rather electrocute ourselves than spend time in our own thoughts. This was demonstrated in a controversial 2014 study in which 67 per cent of male participants and 25 per cent of female participants opted to give themselves unpleasant electric shocks rather than spend 15 minutes in peaceful contemplation.
Meditation is the act of getting back to baseline and being aware of your thoughts your surroundings being present - put things in perspective
Friday Nov 30, 2018
Friday Nov 30, 2018
Which friend would you value more?
Friend #1
- If you go out to eat they cover the bill
- If you are going to watch Netflix or go to a movie they let you pick what to watch
- They let you pick the music when you are driving
- They take care of you when you are sick
- They even cook and clean for you
- In short, they expect very little in return just some appreciation
Friend #2
- They always want to pick what to watch
- If you go out to eat they expect you to cover the bill
- If they don’t get their way they yell at you and get angry
- They expect you to do things for them - to cook for them and clean up after them
- In short, expect everything from you and provide very little in return
Why do we have more favor towards our children rather than our parents?
It doesn’t make sense our parents raised us,
- they took care of us,
- they fed us,
- provided us with shelter and protection,
- they poured tons of money and made huge sacrifices to raise us…
yet our children do the opposite
- They complain,
- they are mean to us,
- they demand things,
- they expect us to do things for them and to take care of them.
Not all of us are parents but all of us were children
Cake Mix
https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/pop-culture/article/cake-mix-history
When they first introduced cake mix in the 1930s it wasn’t a success until the 1950’s
The reason was that prior to 1950’s all one needed to do was just add water,
There was no sense of ownership or accomplishment - can’t take credit
In the 1950s they changed it where you would need to add eggs / sometimes butter and all of a sudden it was a big success?
You would think adding steps would be worse, but it made people’s love of the product more
Ikea Effect – Dan Ariely
The more effort we put into something the more we like it
Paper Origami experiment
Split up into two groups: Builder and Buyers
The builders would make the origami and the buyers would value the work
Builders value their work as more valuable then buyers
But builders also thought that other people would love their work more than they actually did
When they re-did the experiment and gave more difficult instructions regarding how to make the origami (so they took out some of the detail) the builders liked their work even more and the buyers valued it even less
This only holds true if the builder has something to show for in their endeavor - if they are left with a disappointed crumpled paper then this does not hold true.
Or if you cook dinner you think it taste better than others
Or if you make art
The effort we put into it is a big portion of how much we value it
Example of Adam and Eve - they were in Paradise they had everything it was just given to them, yet they gave it all up because they didn’t value what they had.
Abraham
[37:95] He said, "How can you worship what you carve? [37:96] "When GOD has created you, and everything you make!”
[26:69] Narrate to them Abraham's history. [26:70] He said to his father and his people, "What is this you are worshiping?" [26:71] They said, "We worship statues; we are totally devoted to them." [26:72] He said, "Can they hear you when you implore? [26:73] "Can they benefit you, or harm you?" [26:74] They said, "No; but we found our parents doing this."
[26:75] He said, "Do you see these idols that you worship. [26:76] "You and your ancestors. [26:77] "I am against them, for I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe. [26:78] "The One who created me, and guided me. [26:79] "The One who feeds me and waters me. [26:80] "And when I get sick, He heals me. [26:81] "The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life. [26:82] "The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.
[9:24] Proclaim: "If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your family, the money you have earned, a business you worry about, and the homes you cherish are more beloved to you than GOD and His messenger, and the striving in His cause, then just wait until GOD brings His judgment." GOD does not guide the wicked people.
[30:7] They care only about things of this world that are visible to them, while being totally oblivious to the Hereafter.
So we are here to learn appreciation for God and all that He has given us
[90:4] We created the human being to work hard (to redeem himself).*
This is the reason I believe God has set up rules and commandments for us to follow so we can earn our appreciation
- Getting up for Salat and performing it 5 times a day
- Giving Zakat
- Giving to charity
- Fasting during Ramadan
- War, fight battles, or persecution and oppression
We are working hard to foster the love with God that He deserves
The reason we are unappreciative is because we don’t value what we have not earned.
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- Go to a restaurant and get a food that is slightly off and we complain
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- Make a meal ourselves that at best could be considered so-so and we think it is the most delicious meal - and we contemplate opening a restaurant.
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- Go give someone a $1000 and see how much they value that money versus the person who earned $1000
I would say that it is even worse than just being unappreciative. We think that we are entitled to this and even more:
[18:36] “Moreover, I think this is it; I do not think that the Hour (the Hereafter) will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will (be clever enough to) possess an even better one over there.”
[41:49] The human being never tires of imploring for good things. And when adversity befalls him, he turns despondent, desperate. [41:50] And when we bless him after suffering some adversity, he says, "This belongs to me. I do not believe that the Hour will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will find at Him better things." Most certainly, we will inform the disbelievers of all their works, and will commit them to severe retribution. [41:51] When we bless the human being, he turns away, and drifts farther and farther away, and when he suffers any affliction, he implores loudly.
Importance of give from the things you earn…
[2:267] O you who believe, you shall give to charity from the good things you earn, and from what we have produced for you from the earth. Do not pick out the bad therein to give away, when you yourselves do not accept it unless your eyes are closed. You should know that GOD is Rich, Praiseworthy.
[3:92] You cannot attain righteousness until you give to charity from the possessions you love. Whatever you give to charity, GOD is fully aware thereof.
Supply and demand
- The more the supply the less the value proportional to demand
- But how does this work for God whose provisions are inexhaustible
- Who has infinite amounts of mercy and grace
[17:20] For each one of them we provide; we provide those and these from your Lord's bounties. Your Lord's bounties are inexhaustible.
[15:21] There is nothing that we do not own infinite amounts thereof. But we send it down in precise measure.
[6:147] If they disbelieve you, then say, "Your Lord possesses infinite mercy, but His retribution is unavoidable for the guilty people.”
[8:29] O you who believe, if you reverence GOD, He will enlighten you, remit your sins, and forgive you. GOD possesses infinite grace.
God intentionally made Himself scarce here on Earth to only be found by those who seek Him - Artificial Scarcity
[2:115] To GOD belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of GOD. GOD is Omnipresent, Omniscient.
[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.
The reality is that if God gave us everything we would transgress?
[42:27] If GOD increased the provision for His servants, they would transgress on earth. This is why He sends it precisely measured to whomever He wills. He is fully Cognizant and Seer of His servants.
[43:33] If it were not that all the people might become one (disbelieving) congregation, we would have granted everyone who disbelieves in the Most Gracious mansions with silver roofs, and stairs upon which they could climb.
The reason we are here is because we are profoundly unappreciative
God is Most Rich - Free of Need
[6:14] Say, "Shall I accept other than GOD as a Lord and Master, when He is the Initiator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds but is not fed?" Say, "I am commanded to be the most devoted submitter, and, 'Do not be an idol worshiper.' “
[39:7] If you disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone. But He dislikes to see His servants make the wrong decision. If you decide to be appreciative, He is pleased for you. No soul bears the sins of any other soul. Ultimately, to your Lord is your return, then He will inform you of everything you had done. He is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
God puts us in situations where we need Him and this is for our own good
[39:8] When the human being is afflicted, he implores his Lord, sincerely devoted to Him. But as soon as He blesses him, he forgets his previous imploring, sets up idols to rank with GOD and to divert others from His path. Say, "Enjoy your disbelief temporarily; you have incurred the hellfire."
[39:9] Is it not better to be one of those who meditate in the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord?
[6:41] The fact is: only Him you implore, and He answers your prayer, if He so wills, and you forget your idols. [6:42] We have sent (messengers) to communities before you, and we put them to the test through adversity and hardship, that they may implore. [6:43] If only they implored when our test afflicted them! Instead, their hearts were hardened, and the devil adorned their works in their eyes.
[30:33] When adversity afflicts the people, they turn to their Lord, totally devoting themselves to Him. But then, as soon as He showers them with mercy, some of them revert to idol worship.* [30:34] Let them be unappreciative of what we have given them. Enjoy temporarily; you will surely find out.
*30:33 A common example is the classified advertisements we note in the newspapers, placed by people thanking St. Jude for healing them. Before undergoing surgery, they sincerely implore God to heal them. But as soon as the surgery succeeds, they thank St. Jude!!!
God utilizes another form of psychology: It hurts more to lose something than it feels good to gain
For example the pain of losing a dollar is always more than the joy one gets from losing a dollar
God gave us so much upfront and if we turn unappreciative He will take it away
- hearing, eyesight, bodies, families, friends, home, security etc.
At the same time if we haven’t earned something we value it less so I think this is why God deprives us of some things that we may become appreciative
Example of the people of Sheba
Marib Dam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marib_Dam
[34:15] Sheba's homeland used to be a marvel, with two gardens on the right and the left. Eat from your Lord's provisions, and be appreciative of Him—good land, and a forgiving Lord. [34:16] They turned away and, consequently, we poured upon them a disastrous flood, and we substituted their two gardens into two gardens of bad tasting fruits, thorny plants, and a skimpy harvest. [34:17] We thus requited them for their disbelief. Do we not requite only the disbelievers? [34:18] We placed between them and the communities that we blessed other oases, and we secured the journey between them: "Travel therein days and nights in complete security." [34:19] But they (turned unappreciative and) challenged: "Our Lord, we do not care if You increase the distance of our journeys (without any stations)." They thus wronged their own souls. Consequently, we made them history, and scattered them into small communities throughout the land. This should provide lessons for those who are steadfast, appreciative.
A mighty flood caused the dam of Marib to burst. This dam was located some 60 miles east of San’aa. The dam was about 5 miles long and 120ft high. The Sabean owed all their prosperity to it. Heavy flood and rain caused the dam to burst and undate the whole area causing widespread ruin. A land full of beautiful gardens, streams and great works of art were turned into vast waste. It was destroyed around the first century AD.
VIDEO: ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS : Ancient Persia and Arabian Peninsula @ 30min 25 seconds
https://youtu.be/0kenrpQS7qA?t=30m25s
I had surgery for hernia - couldn’t laugh / couldn’t go to the bathroom
VIDEO: Boy Receives Enchroma Glasses From Father || ViralHog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jHDyhJdDb8
Podcast Story
- Person is 75 years old then starts having stomach problems
- Goes to the doctor and the doctor tells him that he has stomach cancer and will need to operate immediately
- When the operation finishes the doctor says that it was a complete success and presents the old man with the bill
- The old man starts crying
- The doctor feels sorry and says if the bill is too high we can make adjustments to help
- The man replies that it is not the cost that is making him cry but the fact that God allowed him to eat for 75 years and never sent him a bill.
[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
[22:73] O people, here is a parable that you must ponder carefully: the idols you set up beside GOD can never create a fly, even if they banded together to do so. Furthermore, if the fly steals anything from them, they cannot recover it; weak is the pursuer and the pursued. [22:74] They do not value GOD as He should be valued. GOD is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.
What we want to earn the most is God’s approval
[9:72] GOD promises the believing men and the believing women gardens with flowing streams, wherein they abide forever, and magnificent mansions in the gardens of Eden. And GOD's blessings and approval are even greater. This is the greatest triumph.
[25:77] Say, "You attain value at my Lord only through your worship. But if you disbelieve, you incur the inevitable consequences."
[3:174] They have deserved GOD's blessings and grace. No harm ever touches them, for they have attained GOD's approval. GOD possesses infinite grace.
Monday Oct 15, 2018
Monday Oct 15, 2018
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.”
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- Ant Colony
- As the ant colony matures they are not as quick to go to battle and wage war against competing colonies
- Ant Colony
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- 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
Friday Aug 31, 2018
Friday Aug 31, 2018
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If you could have a super power what would it be?
Would you want to fly like Superman - faster than a speeding bullet
Or teleportation like Nightcrawler
Would you want to be super smart like professor Xavier
Or have rehealing process like Wolverine or an adamantium skeleton
As you are thinking which superpower you would want to have pay attention to your thought process?
What are you thinking as you are assessing any one of these superpowers?
Are you thinking that maybe if you had the ability to fly that you would never have to pay for a plane ticket again or commute to work
Are you thinking that maybe if you had super strength you could be a professional athlete, join the Olympics, impress people at the gym?
Or if you were super smart you could be the world’s best investor or be the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg and imagine how much money you could make?
So did you think of what superpower you want and did you pay attention to what made you want to select that superpower?
If so, now ask yourself did the reason you want that superpower was so you could benefit others or so you could benefit yourself?
If it was to benefit yourself then I am sorry to tell you this but that would make you more akin to being a supervillain and not a superhero.
A supervillain is someone who has superpowers that they utilize to benefit themselves
A superhero on the other hand has superpowers and their being revolves around using these superpowers to help others
What is funny is you can ask hundreds of people this question and rarely will you hear someone say they would use their superpower to fight crime.
People like to think that when they watch a movie like Schindler’s List that they would be Schindler
But realistically they are much more likely to be one of the Nazi’s or the many who didn’t fight the status quo and quietly went along hoping they wouldn’t be drawn to attention
God has given each of us God-given
[2:3] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat)*, and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.
Moses had strength
Moses Commits Manslaughter
[28:15] Once he entered the city unexpectedly, without being recognized by the people. He found two men fighting; one was (a Hebrew) from his people, and the other was (an Egyptian) from his enemies. The one from his people called on him for help against his enemy. Moses punched him, killing him. He said, "This is the work of the devil; he is a real enemy, and a profound misleader."
[28:16] He said, "My Lord, I have wronged my soul. Please forgive me," and He forgave him. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful. [28:17] He said, "My Lord, in return for Your blessings upon me, I will never be a supporter of the guilty ones." [28:18] In the morning, he was in the city, afraid and watchful. The one who sought his help yesterday, asked for his help again. Moses said to him, "You are really a troublemaker."
Moses' Crime Exposed
[28:19] Before he attempted to strike their common enemy, he said, "O Moses, do you want to kill me, as you killed the other man yesterday? Obviously, you wish to be a tyrant on earth; you do not wish to be righteous." [28:20] A man came running from the other side of the city, saying, "O Moses, the people are plotting to kill you. You better leave immediately. I am giving you good advice." [28:21] He fled the city, afraid and watchful. He said, "My Lord, save me from the oppressive people.”
[28:22] As he traveled towards Midyan, he said, "May my Lord guide me in the right path." [28:23] When he reached Midyan's water, he found a crowd of people watering, and noticed two women waiting on the side. He said, "What is it that you need?" They said, "We are not able to water, until the crowd disperses, and our father is an old man." [28:24] He watered for them, then turned to the shade, saying, "My Lord, whatever provision You send to me, I am in dire need for it.”
Sir Nicholas Winton from London (late 20’s) WWII
-
- Prague saved 669 children
- On a ski vacation to Switzerland
- 1938 violence against Jews was escalating went to Prague Czechoslovakia to see if there is anything he could do to help
- For almost 50 years he hardly told anyone about what he had accomplished
- For almost 50 years the children didn’t know who saved them or how
- October 1st 1938 Nazi’s march into Czechoslovakia
- Prague the Czech capital was flooded with people trying to escape
- A fortunate few were able to send their children abroad
- Back in London Winton was a successful stock broker with a passion for sports
- Winton went to go visit the camps in Czech where people were displaced and it was cold some 150k people
- Winton wanted to see how he could at least get the children out of there
- He had no experience in this work
- No country would take any of the children and started to pressure the British government to accept the children - they agreed only if he could find families willing to take the children - so he started making advertisements with the children to get family to accept them
- First 20 children left Prague March 14 1939
- Next Day German troops occupied Prague with Hitler himself riding through the streets triumphant
- 1988 the BBC heard about his story and had him be part of a program
- So what did he do for the last 50 years?
- Building homes for the elderly and helping mentally handicapped people
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0aoifNziKQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERbSldmUmRA
[59:9] As for those who provided them with a home and a refuge, and were believers before them, they love those who immigrated to them, and find no hesitation in their hearts in helping them. In fact, they readily give them priority over themselves, even when they themselves need what they give away. Indeed, those who overcome their natural stinginess are the successful ones.
Golden Gate bridge suicide if just one person smiles at me I will not kill myself
[57:11] Who would like to loan God a loan of righteousness, to have it multiplied for him manifold, and end up with a generous recompense?
Would you prefer to meet the person who will give you money or an opportunity to do charity?
One is for the pleasures of this world the other is for the Hereafter
Solomon - Who is Doing Who A Favor - What is our Priority
[38:32] He then said, "I enjoyed the material things more than I enjoyed worshiping my Lord, until the sun was gone.*
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."
[2:195] You shall spend in the cause of GOD; do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. You shall be charitable; GOD loves the charitable.
Everything we have is because God has lent it to us. There is nothing in this world that we will bring with us to the Hereafter. Everything we have will be inherited by others after we pass.
[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.
Reflections
[56:57] We have created you, if you could only believe! [56:58] Have you noted the semen that you produce? [56:59] Did you create it, or did we? [56:60] We have predetermined death for you. Nothing can stop us— [56:61] from substituting new generations in your place, and establishing what you do not know. [56:62] You know about the first creation. Do you not remember? [56:63] Have you noted the crops you reap? [56:64] Did you grow them, or did we? [56:65] If we will, we can turn it into hay. Then you will lament: [56:66] "We lost. [56:67] "We are deprived." [56:68] Have you noted the water you drink? [56:69] Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we? [56:70] If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful. [56:71] Have you noted the fire you ignite? [56:72] Did you initiate its tree, or did we? [56:73] We rendered it a reminder, and a useful tool for the users. [56:74] You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the Great.
[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.”
Qaroon was selfish - only think about himself how his blessings could benefit himself at the expense of others
Qaroon was vain - he exalted himself he boasted about his provisions
Story of Sindhutai Sapkal
More likely do more for yourself or for others purpose greater than one self
[23:57] Surely, those who are reverently conscious of their Lord, [23:58] And who believe in the revelations of their Lord, [23:59] And who never set up any idols beside their Lord, [23:60] As they give their charities, their hearts are fully reverent. For they recognize that they will be summoned before their Lord, [23:61] They are eager to do righteous works; they compete in doing them.
[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.
Thursday Aug 23, 2018
Thursday Aug 23, 2018
What do you think the proper response should be for people who wish us ill? People who want to see us abandon God and our religion. People that want to see us disbelieve?
[2:109] Many followers of the scripture would rather see you revert to disbelief, now that you have believed. This is due to jealousy on their part, after the truth has become evident to them. You shall pardon them, and leave them alone, until GOD issues His judgment. GOD is Omnipotent.
[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.
Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
Don’t Get Mad, Get More Righteous
[15:94] Therefore, carry out the orders given to you, and disregard the idol worshipers. [15:95] We will spare you the mockers, [15:96] who set up another god beside GOD. They will surely find out. [15:97] We know full well that you may be annoyed by their utterances. [15:98] You shall sing the praises of your Lord, and be with the prostrators. [15:99] And worship your Lord, in order to attain certainty.*
If you want to get vengeance become a better person
If you spend the energy to get the revenge on improving your soul the rewards will be far better:
[2:245] Who would lend GOD a loan of righteousness, to have it repaid to them multiplied manifold? GOD is the One who provides and withholds, and to Him you will be returned.
[2:261] The example of those who spend their monies in the cause of GOD is that of a grain that produces seven spikes, with a hundred grains in each spike. GOD multiplies this manifold for whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Knower.
Think about all the time we spend mulling over in our heads about how we were wronged, I can’t believe they did that, how can I retaliate…If instead we spend that time making our selves a better person not only will we be better off spiritually but also emotionally and mentally
[13:22] They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode.
[28:54] To these we grant twice the reward, because they steadfastly persevere. They counter evil works with good works, and from our provisions to them, they give. [28:55] When they come across vain talk, they disregard it and say, "We are responsible for our deeds, and you are responsible for your deeds. Peace be upon you. We do not wish to behave like the ignorant ones.”
[3:134] who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable.
When we hold on to anger and resentment, we are only hurting ourselves.
holding onto anger is like holding a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else.
[23:96] Therefore, counter their evil works with goodness; we are fully aware of their claims.
To Be Protected From Satan
[23:97] Say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. [23:98] "And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”
Submitters
[41:33] Who can utter better words than one who invites to GOD, works righteousness, and says, "I am one of the submitters"? [41:34] Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend. [41:35] None can attain this except those who steadfastly persevere. None can attain this except those who are extremely fortunate.
Example of Joseph and his brothers or the governor's wife
When the Devil Entices You
[41:36] When the devil whispers an idea to you, you shall seek refuge in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[7:198] When you invite them to the guidance, they do not hear. And you see them looking at you, but they do not see. [7:199] You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant.
[7:200] When the devil whispers to you any whisper, seek refuge in GOD; He is Hearer, Omniscient. [7:201] Those who are righteous, whenever the devil approaches them with an idea, they remember, whereupon they become seers. [7:202] Their brethren ceaselessly entice them to go astray.
Don’t pray that it is easier pray to be better
Do Not Use Bad Language
[4:148] GOD does not like the utterance of bad language, unless one is treated with gross injustice. GOD is Hearer, Knower. [4:149] If you work righteousness—either declared or concealed—or pardon a transgression, GOD is Pardoner, Omnipotent.
- Joseph sold to slavery - did better
- Joseph sent to prison - did better
- Or Joseph’s prison mate forgetting about him
[4:146] Only those who repent, reform, hold fast to GOD, and devote their religion absolutely to GOD alone, will be counted with the believers. GOD will bless the believers with a great recompense.
[4:147] What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
We can stand up for our rights
This isn’t if we get slapped on one cheek we give the other
Submitters are not cowards
The examples given are people who are not using physical force against us, God tells us that in such scenarios we can defend ourselves
God tells us that aggression is only permitted against the aggressors and that oppression is worse than murder
Divine Help for the Oppressed
[22:60] It is decreed that if one avenges an injustice that was inflicted upon him, equitably, then is persecuted because of this, GOD will surely support him. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiving.
You Shall Be Prepared: A Divine Commandment
[8:60] You shall prepare for them all the power you can muster, and all the equipment you can mobilize, that you may frighten the enemies of GOD, your enemies, as well as others who are not known to you; GOD knows them. Whatever you spend in the cause of GOD will be repaid to you generously, without the least injustice. [8:61] If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
But there is a difference between knowing you can retaliate and wanting to and choosing not to and cowering because we are scared to stand up for our rights
Don’t turn your shortcomings into virtues
Traits of the Believers
[42:37] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive. [42:38] They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity). [42:39] When gross injustice befalls them, they stand up for their rights. [42:40] Although the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD. He does not love the unjust. [42:41] Certainly, those who stand up for their rights, when injustice befalls them, are not committing any error. [42:42] The wrong ones are those who treat the people unjustly, and resort to aggression without provocation. These have incurred a painful retribution. [42:43] Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.
How to Spread God's Message
[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones. [16:126] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones. [16:127] You shall resort to patience—and your patience is attainable only with GOD's help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their schemes. [16:128] GOD is with those who lead a righteous life, and those who are charitable.
Righteousness is the solution to all our problems
[74:56] They cannot take heed against GOD's will. He is the source of righteousness; He is the source of forgiveness.
Friday Aug 17, 2018
Friday Aug 17, 2018
Don’t Turn God’s Blessing into Idols
God gave each of us so many blessings
[16:18] If you count God's blessings, you cannot possibly encompass them. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[14:34] And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him for. If you count God's blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative.
When God blesses us we have a tendency to turn those blessings into idols that actually repulse us from God and from acting in a way that is pleasing to him
[41:50] And when we bless him after suffering some adversity, he says, "This belongs to me. I do not believe that the Hour will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will find at Him better things." Most certainly, we will inform the disbelievers of all their works, and will commit them to severe retribution.
[17:83] When we bless the human being, he becomes preoccupied and heedless. But when adversity strikes him, he turns despondent.
Exodus 12:31-36
The Exodus Begins 31Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. 32Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” 33 And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!” 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, carrying it on their shoulders in kneading bowls wrapped in clothing. 35 Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. 36 And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.
[20:87] They said, "We did not break our agreement with you on purpose. But we were loaded down with jewelry, and decided to throw our loads in. This is what the Samarian suggested." [20:88] He produced for them a sculpted calf, complete with a calf's sound. They said, "This is your god, and the god of Moses." Thus, he forgot. [20:89] Could they not see that it neither responded to them, nor possessed any power to harm them, or benefit them
When we become slaves to these blessings we are making these blessings into our idols
When we idolize something we are slaves to that thing
Slave to our children
- Our spouses
- Our business
- Our property
- Our selves
- Our ego
[2:61] Recall that you said, "O Moses, we can no longer tolerate one kind of food. Call upon your Lord to produce for us such earthly crops as beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions." He said, "Do you wish to substitute that which is inferior for that which is good? Go down to Egypt, where you can find what you asked for." They have incurred condemnation, humiliation, and disgrace, and brought upon themselves wrath from GOD. This is because they rejected GOD's revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.
[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
Whatever occupies our mind most of the day becomes our idol
[33:41] O you who believe, you shall remember GOD frequently. [33:42] You shall glorify Him day and night.
Those who make this world a priority are like those who only drink salt water. It will never quench their thirst and it will only make them more thirsty
But those who make the hereafter their priority this is like drinking fresh water. Not only are you going to feel full but your body and soul will actually be hydrated.
[24:39] As for those who disbelieve, their works are like a mirage in the desert. A thirsty person thinks that it is water. But when he reaches it, he finds that it is nothing, and he finds God there instead, to requite him fully for his works. God is the most efficient reckoner.
[13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while the idols they implore beside Him, cannot ever respond. Thus, they are like those who stretch their hands to the water, but nothing reaches their mouths. The supplications of the disbelievers are in vain.
Idolizing Our Children
Our Children Can be Idols
[7:189] He created you from one person (Adam). Subsequently, He gives every man a mate to find tranquility with her. She then carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As the load gets heavier, they implore GOD their Lord: "If You give us a good baby, we will be appreciative." [7:190] But when He gives them a good baby, they turn His gift into an idol that rivals Him. GOD be exalted, far above any partnership. [7:191] Is it not a fact that they are idolizing idols who create nothing, and are themselves created?
[64:14] O you who believe, your spouses and your children can be your enemies; beware. If you pardon, forget, and forgive, then God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[9:85] Do not be impressed by their money or their children; God causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers.
[25:73] When reminded of their Lord's revelations, they never react to them as if they were deaf and blind. [25:74] And they say, "Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous."
Property as an Idol*
[18:32] Cite for them the example of two men: we gave one of them two gardens of grapes, surrounded by date palms, and placed other crops between them. Footnote [18:33] Both gardens produced their crops on time, and generously, for we caused a river to run through them. [18:34] Once, after harvesting, he boastfully told his friend: "I am far more prosperous than you, and I command more respect from the people." [18:35] When he entered his garden, he wronged his soul by saying, "I do not think that this will ever end. [18:36] "Moreover, I think this is it; I do not think that the Hour (the Hereafter) will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will (be clever enough to) possess an even better one over there." [18:37] His friend said to him, as he debated with him, "Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dust, then from a tiny drop, then perfected you into a man? [18:38] "As for me, GOD is my Lord, and I will never set up any other god besides my Lord.
Important Commandment
[18:39] "When you entered your garden, you should have said, 'This is what GOD has given me. No one possesses power except GOD.' You may see that I possess less money and less children than you. [18:40] "My Lord may grant me better than your garden. He may send a violent storm from the sky that wipes out your garden, leaving it completely barren. [18:41] "Or, its water may sink deeper, out of your reach." [18:42] Indeed, his crops were wiped out, and he ended up sorrowful, lamenting what he had spent on it in vain, as his property lay barren. He finally said, "I wish I never set up my property as a god beside my Lord." [18:43] No force on earth could have helped him against GOD, nor was it possible for him to receive any help. [18:44] That is because the only true Lord and master is GOD; He provides the best recompense, and with Him is the best destiny.
[18:45] Cite for them the example of this life as water that we send down from the sky to produce plants of the earth, then they turn into hay that is blown away by the wind. GOD is able to do all things.
Rearranging Our Priorities
[18:46] Money and children are the joys of this life, but the righteous works provide an eternal recompense from your Lord, and a far better hope.
[68:17] We have tested them like we tested the owners of the garden who swore that they will harvest it in the morning. [68:18] They were so absolutely sure. [68:19] A passing (storm) from your Lord passed by it while they were asleep. [68:20] By morning, it was barren. [68:21] They called on each other in the morning. [68:22] "Let us harvest the crop." [68:23] On their way, they confided to each other. [68:24] That from then on, none of them would be poor. [68:25] They were so absolutely sure of their harvest. [68:26] But when they saw it, they said, "We were so wrong! [68:27] "Now, we have nothing!" They
Should Have Said: "God Willing."
[68:28] The righteous among them said, "If only you had glorified (God)!" [68:29] They said, "Glory be to our Lord. We have transgressed." [68:30] They started to blame each other. [68:31] They said, "Woe to us. We sinned. [68:32] "May our Lord grant us a better one. We repent to our Lord." [68:33] Such was the requital. But the retribution of the Hereafter is far worse, if they only knew.
If you take the instruction regarding your salvation from anyone other than God then that source becomes your god.
[6:121] Do not eat from that upon which the name of GOD has not been mentioned, for it is an abomination. The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.*
[36:60] Did I not covenant with you, O Children of Adam, that you shall not worship the devil? That he is your most ardent enemy? [36:61] And that you shall worship Me alone? This is the right path.
[9:24] Proclaim: "If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your family, the money you have earned, a business you worry about, and the homes you cherish are more beloved to you than GOD and His messenger, and the striving in His cause, then just wait until GOD brings His judgment." GOD does not guide the wicked people.
Ego as a god
[25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
Saturday Aug 11, 2018
Saturday Aug 11, 2018
[3:154] …They said, "If it was up to us, none of us would have been killed in this battle." Say, "Had you stayed in your homes, those destined to be killed would have crawled into their death beds."
[3:156] O you who believe, do not be like those who disbelieved and said of their kinsmen who traveled or mobilized for war, "Had they stayed with us, they would not have died or gotten killed." GOD renders this a source of grief in their hearts. GOD controls life and death. GOD is Seer of everything you do.
Never fear never grief
[16:1] GOD's command has already been issued (and everything has already been written), so do not rush it.* Be He glorified; the Most High, far above any idols they set up.
[57:22] Anything that happens on earth, or to you, has already been recorded, even before the creation. This is easy for GOD to do.
Moses and his Teacher
[18:68] "How can you stand that which you do not comprehend?”
Moses mother threw Moses into the river
Jospeh’s brother threw him into the well
Gross Injustice / Bad Language
[4:148] GOD does not like the utterance of bad language, unless one is treated with gross injustice. GOD is Hearer, Knower.
[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying.
[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
Was Joseph thrown into prison bad?
[2:281] Beware of the day when you are returned to GOD, and every soul is paid for everything it had done, without the least injustice.
Shows we believe in the Hereafter
[4:40] GOD does not inflict an atom's weight of injustice. On the contrary, He multiplies the reward manifold for the righteous work, and grants from Him a great recompense.
If you believe God is doing everything we would never fear injustice
[72:13] "'When we heard the guidance, we believed therein. Anyone who believes in his Lord will never fear any injustice, nor any affliction.
To God belongs the ultimate scheming - He holds all the cards
[13:42] Others before them have schemed, but to GOD belongs the ultimate scheming. He knows what everyone is doing. The disbelievers will find out who the ultimate winners are.
[8:30] The disbelievers plot and scheme to neutralize you, or kill you, or banish you. However, they plot and scheme, but so does GOD. GOD is the best schemer.
Coyote and the Road Runner
Knowing God
[10:61] You do not get into any situation, nor do you recite any Quran, nor do you do anything, without us being witnesses thereof as you do it. Not even an atom's weight is out of your Lord's control, be it in the heavens or the earth. Nor is there anything smaller than an atom, or larger, that is not recorded in a profound record.
Happiness: Now and Forever*
[10:62] Absolutely, GOD's allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
[10:63] They are those who believe and lead a righteous life.
[10:64] For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is GOD's unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.
Saturday Aug 04, 2018
Saturday Aug 04, 2018
[6:59] With Him are the keys to all secrets; none knows them except He.
Thursday Jul 26, 2018
Thursday Jul 26, 2018
[2:49/7:141] Recall that we saved you from Pharaoh's people who inflicted upon you the worst persecution, slaying your sons and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting test from your Lord.
[14:6] Recall that Moses said to his people, "Remember GOD's blessings upon you. He saved you from Pharaoh's people who inflicted the worst persecution upon you, slaughtering your sons and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting trial from your Lord.”
Some people read this and think it is sexist, why is this the worst persecution?
What kind of a society is that for the women who survive where their warriors and protectors have been killed?
Sexual assault against women higher in colleges where the women % is higher than the men
[3:195] Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female—you are equal to one another…
[4:32] You shall not covet the qualities bestowed upon each other by GOD; the men enjoy certain qualities, and the women enjoy certain qualities. You may implore GOD to shower you with His grace. GOD is fully aware of all things.
With every privilege comes responsibility
[4:34] The men are made responsible for the women, and GOD has endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners.
[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.”
[4:98] Exempted are the weak men, women, and children who do not possess the strength, nor the means to find a way out.
[2:246] Have you noted the leaders of Israel after Moses? They said to their prophet, "If you appoint a king to lead us, we will fight in the cause of GOD." He said, "Is it your intention that, if fighting is decreed for you, you will not fight?" They said, "Why should we not fight in the cause of GOD, when we have been deprived of our homes, and our children?" Yet, when fighting was decreed for them, they turned away, except a few. GOD is aware of the transgressors.
Rules of War*
[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.
"The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools”
[43:16] Has He chosen from among His creations daughters for Himself, while blessing you with sons? [43:17] When one of them is given news (of a daughter) as they claimed for the Most Gracious, his face is darkened with misery and anger! [43:18] (They say,) "What is good about an offspring that is brought up to be beautiful, and cannot help in war?" [43:19] They claimed that the angels, who are servants of the Most Gracious, are females! Have they witnessed their creation? Their claims are recorded, and they will be asked.
[37:149] Ask them if your Lord has daughters, while they have sons! [37:150] Did we create the angels to be females? Did they witness that? [37:151] Indeed, they grossly blaspheme when they say— [37:152] "GOD has begotten a son." Indeed, they are liars. [37:153] Did He choose the girls over the boys? [37:154] What is wrong with your logic? [37:155] Why do you not take heed? [37:156] Do you have any proof? [37:157] Show us your book, if you are truthful.
[19:90] The heavens are about to shatter, the earth is about to tear asunder, and the mountains are about to crumble. [19:91] Because they claim that the Most Gracious has begotten a son. [19:92] It is not befitting the Most Gracious that He should beget a son. [19:93] Every single one in the heavens and the earth is a servant of the Most Gracious.
[19:35] It does not befit GOD that He begets a son, be He glorified. To have anything done, He simply says to it, "Be," and it is.
[112:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful [112:1] Proclaim, "He is the One and only GOD. [112:2] "The Absolute GOD. [112:3] "Never did He beget. Nor was He begotten. [112:4] "None equals Him.”
[43:81] Proclaim: "If the Most Gracious did have a son, I would still be the foremost worshiper.”
Thursday Jul 19, 2018
Thursday Jul 19, 2018
One of the key tenants is not to lie or bear false witness
But there is a form of lying that most people overlook, don’t acknowledge or give a pass to and this is what makes it so dangerous
It is called intellectual dishonesty
We each have beliefs that we hold, either religious or non-religious, that we consider to be true.
And it is scary to think that we have understandings and belief that may not be true.
So rather than try to understand these fallacies that we may believe we ignore them.
A description of a submitter should be truth-seeker, a person who loves the truth irrespective where it takes us.
[43:78] "We have given you the truth, but most of you hate the truth."
We all consider ourselves virtuous. We think that we would be on the side of righteousness.
We try to avoid the disconnect we would feel to think that some of our beliefs may not be true.
Don’t believe everything you think.
My favorite definition of Truth is that which does not change.
If we think we have the truth then that means there is no evidence that will change our belief
But as Submitters we are constantly learning and evolving our beliefs. Foundationally our belief in God, in the last Day and leading a righteous life should never change, but as we learn our understanding continues to evolve and progress.
But the only way that is going to happen is by being receptive to different points of views.
Most people, when presented with differing points of views, will become immediately defensive.
They see a different point of view as an attack on themselves
[8:8] For He has decreed that the truth shall prevail, and the falsehood shall vanish, in spite of the evildoers.
[17:81] Proclaim, "The truth has prevailed, and falsehood has vanished; falsehood will inevitably vanish.”
If our beliefs are true they will stand on their own
The truth doesn’t need us to exagerate, to fabricate or morph the other side argument to make it seem more appealing
It is tempting to demonize the other side before you assess the validity of their argument
Often times people believe that “My side is right the other side are terrible human beings”
Or they cannot perceive how a decent human being can have a different opinion than they do
They think that anyone who disagrees with me is an idiot = they can’t be right and they must be stopped
We need to separate the beliefs we hold from ourselves
This form of tribalism will not draw us any closer to God.
You Shall Not Bear False Witness
[4:135] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both. Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
In the Quran God tells us:
How to Spread God's Message
[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.
It is tempting when debating with others to frame their argument in the weakest form imaginable or even worse to twist the other sides viewpoints to make them seem ridiculous to believe
This is called a straw-man argument
When we do this we are being intellectually dishonest
We are framing the other side in a manner that they are not representing and when we do this we are bearing false witness:
[5:8] O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice. You shall be absolutely equitable, for it is more righteous. You shall observe GOD. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
When we lie we are revealing our insecurity and trying to preserve our egos
Create the strongest form of argument for the other side. One that they agree to and then begin to tear it down. At the same time you understand your position even better
If the end goal is to come to the truth and better understanding then we shouldn’t be insecure in our belief.
Ad hominem attack
Example of Moses (fugitive, hardly speak, crazy)
Example of Noah (worst among us first to follow you)
[26:111] They said, "How can we believe with you, when the worst among us have followed you?"
Be Lenient
[66:3] The prophet had trusted some of his wives with a certain statement, then one of them spread it, and GOD let him know about it. He then informed his wife of part of the issue, and disregarded part. She asked him, "Who informed you of this?" He said, "I was informed by the Omniscient, Most Cognizant.”
Just like God overlooks many of our sins, give people the benefit of the doubt. If they say they meant something else in their message or that they misspoke give them that courtesy.
When we are being intellectually dishonest we are attempting to exalt ourselves to make our argument look stronger than it is
[28:83] We reserve the abode of the Hereafter for those who do not seek exaltation on earth, nor corruption. The ultimate victory belongs to the righteous.
[53:32] They avoid gross sins and transgressions, except for minor offenses. Your Lord's forgiveness is immense. He has been fully aware of you since He initiated you from the earth, and while you were embryos in your mothers' bellies. Therefore, do not exalt yourselves; He is fully aware of the righteous.
Washing Hands
The year was 1846, and there was a Hungarian doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis.
Who was trying to figure out why so many women in maternity wards were dying from puerperal fever — commonly known as childbed fever.
He studied two maternity wards in the hospital. One was staffed by all male doctors and medical students, and the other was staffed by female midwives. And he counted the number of deaths on each ward.
When Semmelweis crunched the numbers, he discovered that women in the clinic staffed by doctors and medical students died at a rate nearly five times higher than women in the midwives' clinic.
But why?
Semmelweis went through the differences between the two wards and started ruling out ideas.
Right away he discovered a big difference between the two clinics.
In the midwives' clinic, women gave birth on their sides. In the doctors' clinic, women gave birth on their backs. So he had women in the doctors' clinic give birth on their sides. The result had "no effect.”
Then Semmelweis noticed that whenever someone on the ward died of childbed fever, a priest would walk slowly through the doctors' clinic, past the women's beds with an attendant ringing a bell. This time Semmelweis theorized that the priest and the bell ringing so terrified the women after birth that they developed a fever, got sick and died.
So Semmelweis had the priest change his route and ditch the bell. This too had no effect.
By now, Semmelweis was frustrated. He took a leave from his hospital duties and traveled to Venice. He hoped the break and a good dose of art would clear his head.
When Semmelweis got back to the hospital, some sad but important news was waiting for him. One of his colleagues, a pathologist, had fallen ill and died.
"This often happened to the pathologists," back then. "There was nothing new about the way he died. He pricked his finger while doing an autopsy on someone who had died from childbed fever." And then he got very sick himself and died.
Semmelweis studied the pathologist's symptoms and realized the pathologist died from the same thing as the women he had autopsied. This was a revelation: Childbed fever wasn't something only women in childbirth got sick from. It was something other people in the hospital could get sick from as well.
But it still didn't answer Semmelweis' original question: "Why were more women dying from childbed fever in the doctors' clinic than in the midwives' clinic?"
The death of the pathologist offered him a clue.
"The big difference between the doctors' ward and the midwives' ward is that the doctors were doing autopsies and the midwives weren’t.
Keep in mind that this was before the scientific understanding of germs
So Semmelweis hypothesized that there were cadaverous particles, little pieces of corpse, that students were getting on their hands from the cadavers they dissected. And when they delivered the babies, these particles would get inside the women who would develop the disease and die.
If Semmelweis' hypothesis was correct, getting rid of those cadaverous particles should cut down on the death rate from childbed fever.
So he ordered his medical staff to start cleaning their hands and instruments not just with soap but with a chlorine solution. Chlorine, as we know today, is about the best disinfectant there is. He chose the chlorine because he thought it would be the best way to get rid of any smell left behind by those little bits of corpse.
And when he imposed this, the rate of childbed fever fell dramatically.
You'd think everyone would be thrilled. Semmelweis had solved the problem! But they weren't thrilled.
For one thing, doctors were upset because Semmelweis' hypothesis made it look like they were the ones giving childbed fever to the women.
And Semmelweis was not very tactful. He publicly berated people who disagreed with him and made some influential enemies.
Eventually, the doctors gave up the chlorine hand-washing, and Semmelweis — he lost his job.
Semmelweis kept trying to convince doctors in other parts of Europe to wash with chlorine, but no one would listen to him.
And it wasn’t until decades later that germ theory was commonly accepted among doctors who accepted that they needed to wash their hands to reduce the spread of germs.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/01/12/375663920/the-doctor-who-championed-hand-washing-and-saved-women-s-lives
If these were doctors then you could assume that for their generation they were the more educated, and this is one of the problems with increased knowledge is that we are more susceptible to fool ourselves.
I could imagine that the excuses the doctors came up with and the arguments they put forward to justify why they were not the problem for the deaths of so many mom’s and their childs.
One of the quotes from one of the doctors was something in the lines of
“Docotrs are gentlemen, and a gentleman’s hands are not dirty”
It is easy to think that the people of the past were stupid that if it was you - you would have saw the evidence and not hesitated to wash your hands
I heard that Jordan Peterson used to teach a class where he would go through the atrocities that took place in Nazi Germany in WWII and the few people in Germany who risked their lives trying to help the victims and to show the people in the class that if they lived in Germany during that time most likely they wouldn’t be one of the heroins but most likely a neutral party (Doing nothing) or one of the Nazis
It is a tough pill to swallow, but here is another more light-hearted example
Deflategate
Deflategate was a National Football League (NFL) controversy involving the allegation that the New England Patriots deliberately deflated footballs used in their victory against the Indianapolis Colts in the American Football Conference (AFC) Championship Game of the 2014–15 NFL playoffs. The controversy resulted in Patriots quarterback Tom Brady being suspended for four games and the team being fined $1 million and losing two draft picks.
Now I have no clue if this was done by malintent or not, but what was interesting was that in a nationwide poll
75% of all participants believed that Tom Brady and the Patriots were guilty and that they were intentionally deflating the ball for the advantage
But in only 4 states only ~23% of voters thought he was guilty.
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut
New England is a geographical region comprising six states of the northeastern United States: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
The four states closest to where the New England Patriots play in Massachusetts overwhelmingly thought Tom Brady was innocent.
Falsification
Corpse and Psychiatrist
Hugh Ross vs. Athiest Debate - what would convince you that your viewpoint is wrong
How to tell if someone is receptive to swaying? Define what would it take to be proven wrong?
The Torah and The Quran
[28:48] Now that the truth has come to them from us, they said, "If only we could be given what was given to Moses!" Did they not disbelieve in what was given to Moses in the past? They said, "Both (scriptures) are works of magic that copied one another." They also said, "We are disbelievers in both of them." [28:49] Say, "Then produce a scripture from GOD with better guidance than the two, so I can follow it, if you are truthful.”
Never wrestle with a pig you will get dirty and the pig will like it
[6:35] If their rejection gets to be too much for you, you should know that even if you dug a tunnel through the earth, or climbed a ladder into the sky, and produced a miracle for them (they still would not believe). Had GOD willed, He could have guided them, unanimously. Therefore, do not behave like the ignorant ones. [6:36] The only ones to respond are those who listen. GOD resurrects the dead; they ultimately return to Him.
Responsibility for the viewer
If we are going to make a judgment in some issue we should do our best to be equitable and just
[4:58] GOD commands you to give back anything the people have entrusted to you. If you judge among the people, you shall judge equitably. The best enlightenment indeed is what GOD recommends for you. GOD is Hearer, Seer.
[2:182] If one sees gross injustice or bias on the part of a testator, and takes corrective action to restore justice to the will, he commits no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Investigate Rumors Before Believing Them
[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.
[17:35] You shall give full measure when you trade, and weigh equitably. This is better and more righteous. [17:36] You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them. [17:37] You shall not walk proudly on earth —you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains. [17:38] All bad behavior is condemned by your Lord.
Humility
[25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.
[52:26] They will say, "We used to be kind and humble among our people.
Ends Do Not Justify The Means
Be Honest With All People
[3:75] Some followers of the scripture can be trusted with a whole lot, and they will give it back to you. Others among them cannot be trusted with a single dinar; they will not repay you unless you keep after them. That is because they say, "We do not have to be honest when dealing with the gentiles!" Thus, they attribute lies to GOD, knowingly.
[24:33] Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace. Those among your servants who wish to be freed in order to marry, you shall grant them their wish, once you realize that they are honest. And give them from GOD's money that He has bestowed upon you. You shall not force your girls to commit prostitution, seeking the materials of this world, if they wish to be chaste. If anyone forces them, then GOD, seeing that they are forced, is Forgiver, Merciful.
Trust in God and be truthful in all your affairs because ultimately it is God who determines the outcomes
Example of Joseph - if his garment is torn from the back or the front
[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.
Intellectual honesty is an applied method of problem solving, characterized by an unbiased, honest attitude, which can be demonstrated in a number of different ways:
- One's personal belief does not interfere with the pursuit of truth;
- Relevant facts and information should not be purposefully omitted even when such things may contradict one's hypothesis;
- Facts are presented in an unbiased manner, and not twisted to give misleading representations or to support one view over another;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_honesty
Do what pleases God and trust in Him and He alone will support you
[3:161] If GOD supports you, none can defeat you. And if He abandons you, who else can support you? In GOD the believers shall trust.
[25:33] Whatever argument they come up with, we provide you with the truth, and a better understanding.
Friday Jul 13, 2018
Friday Jul 13, 2018
So who is the Quran for? Is it for the Arabs? Yes, it is written in Arabic, but it surprisingly does not speak well of the Arabs. It is interesting that the group of people that is addressed the most is the Children of Israel
[68:52] It is in fact a message to the world.
[38:87] "This is a reminder for the world.
Arabs only mentioned ~9 times in the Quran and most the mentions do not speak highly of them
Moses is the most frequently cited prophet in the Quran
Muhammad mentioned 4 times
Jesus / Adam each mentioned 25 times
Abraham 69 times
Moses is mentioned 136
The Quran is a book meant for the Children of Israel (39 times)
Divine Commandments to All Jews: "You Shall Believe in This Quran."
[2:40] O Children of Israel, remember My favor, which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your part of the covenant, that I fulfill My part of the covenant, and reverence Me. [2:41] You shall believe in what I have revealed herein, confirming what you have; do not be the first to reject it. Do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price, and observe Me. [2:42] Do not confound the truth with falsehood, nor shall you conceal the truth, knowingly.
[2:47] O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I blessed you more than any other people. [2:48] Beware of the day when no soul can avail another soul, no intercession will be accepted, no ransom can be paid, nor can anyone be helped.
Interesting that God sent Moses to Pharaoh who had a speech impediment and similarly God sent the Quran in Arabic to the Children of Israel
[2:49] Recall that we saved you from Pharaoh's people who inflicted upon you the worst persecution, slaying your sons and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting test from your Lord. [2:50] Recall that we parted the sea for you; we saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people before your eyes. [2:51] Yet, when we summoned Moses for forty nights, you worshiped the calf in his absence, and turned wicked. [2:52] Still, we pardoned you thereafter that you may be appreciative. [2:53] Recall that we gave Moses scripture and the statute book, that you may be guided.
As expected from the Creator's final message, one of the prominent themes in the Quran is the call for unity among all believers, and the repeated prohibition of making any distinction among God's messengers. If the object of worship is one and the same, there will be absolute unity among all believers. It is the human factor, i.e., devotion and prejudice to such powerless humans as Jesus, Muhammad, and the saints that causes division, hatred, and bitter wars among the misguided believers. A guided believer is devoted to God ALONE, and rejoices in seeing any other believer who is devoted to God ALONE, regardless of the name such a believer calls his or her religion.
Unity of All Submitters
[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
Honoring Previous Scripture
[5:44] We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD's scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD's revelations, are the disbelievers.
The Gospel of Jesus: Guidance and Light
[5:46] Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah, and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous. [5:47] The people of the Gospel shall rule in accordance with GOD's revelations therein. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD's revelations are the wicked.
Quran: The Ultimate Reference
[5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny—all of you—then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.
A Witness From the Children of Israel
[46:10] Proclaim: “What if it is from God, and you disbelieved in it? A witness from the Children of Israel has borne witness to a similar phenomenon, and he has believed, while you have turned too arrogant to believe. God does not guide the wicked.”
The following quotation is taken from STUDIES IN JEWISH MYSTICISM , (Association for Jewish Studies, Cambridge, Mass., Joseph Dan & Frank Talmage, eds., Page 88, 1982).
The quotation refers to the work of Rabbi Judah the Pious (12th Century AD):
The people [Jews] in France made it a custom to add [in the morning prayer] the words: " 'Ashrei temimei derekh [blessed are those who walk the righteous way]," and our Rabbi, the Pious, of blessed memory, wrote that they were completely and utterly wrong. It is all gross falsehood, because there are only nineteen times that the Holy Name is mentioned [in that portion of the morning prayer]...
and similarly you find the word 'Elohim nineteen times in the pericope of Ve-'elleh shemot. . . .
Similarly, you find that Israel were called "sons" nineteen times, and there are many other examples. All these sets of nineteen are intricately intertwined, and they contain many secrets and esoteric meanings, which are contained in more than eight large volumes. . .
Furthermore, in this section there are 152 (19x8) words. ...
The Quran's Common Denominator
[74:30] Over it is nineteen.
[74:31] We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19)
(1) to disturb the disbelievers,
(2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture),
(3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful,
(4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and
(5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts,
and the disbelievers; they will say, "What did GOD mean by this allegory?" GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people. [74:32] Absolutely, (I swear) by the moon. [74:33] And the night as it passes. [74:34] And the morning as it shines.
One of the Great Miracles
[74:35] This is one of the great miracles. [74:36] A warning to the human race.
Common Link Between Jews, Christians and Muslims is Abraham
Submission (Islam): Abraham's Religion
[2:135] They said, "You have to be Jewish or Christian, to be guided." Say, "We follow the religion of Abraham—monotheism—he never was an idol worshiper."
No Distinction Among God's Messengers
[2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.”
[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" originally…
[16:123] Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham,* the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.
Abraham was the one who was given the Salat (Contact Prayer)
[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 Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat).* To us, they were devoted worshipers.
Children of Israel doing Salat 5:12
[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.”
Moses doing Salat 10:87
[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.”
Jesus doing Salat 19:31
[19:27] She came to her family, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have committed something that is totally unexpected. [19:28] "O descendant of Aaron, your father was not a bad man, nor was your mother unchaste." [19:29] She pointed to him. They said, "How can we talk with an infant in the crib?" [19:30] (The infant spoke and) said, "I am a servant of GOD. He has given me the scripture, and has appointed me a prophet. [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.
Losing the Contact Prayers (Salat)
[19:59] After them, He substituted generations who lost the Contact Prayers (Salat), and pursued their lusts. They will suffer the consequences.
Many Messengers / One Message
[2:253] These messengers; we blessed some of them more than others. For example, GOD spoke to one, and we raised some of them to higher ranks. And we gave Jesus, son of Mary, profound miracles and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Had GOD willed, their followers would not have fought with each other, after the clear proofs had come to them. Instead, they disputed among themselves; some of them believed, and some disbelieved. Had GOD willed, they would not have fought. Everything is in accordance with GOD's will.
Satan’s claim - “I am better than he”
To prove we worship God Alone we have to show that we are willing to kill our egos
One of the test at the time of Muhammad was that he changed their direction of prayer from Mecca (specifically towards the Kaaba) to Jerusalem
Abolition of Bigotry and Prejudice
[2:142] The fools among the people would say, "Why did they change the direction of their Qiblah?" Say, "To GOD belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a straight path." We thus made you an impartial community, that you may serve as witnesses among the people, and the messenger serves as a witness among you. We changed the direction of your original Qiblah only to distinguish those among you who readily follow the messenger from those who would turn back on their heels. It was a difficult test, but not for those who are guided by GOD. GOD never puts your worship to waste. GOD is Compassionate towards the people, Most Merciful.
Qiblah Restored to Mecca
[2:144] We have seen you turning your face about the sky (searching for the right direction). We now assign a Qiblah that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid. Wherever you may be, all of you shall turn your faces towards it. Those who received the previous scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything they do. [2:145] Even if you show the followers of the scripture every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qiblah. Nor shall you follow their Qiblah. They do not even follow each others' Qiblah. If you acquiesce to their wishes, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will belong with the transgressors.
Abraham built Kaaba 2:127 and 22:26 -27
[22:26] We appointed Abraham to establish the Shrine: "You shall not idolize any other god beside Me, and purify My shrine for those who visit it, those who live near it, and those who bow and prostrate. [22:27] "And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations."
[2:125] We have rendered the shrine (the Ka'aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate.”
Abraham Delivered All the Practices of Submission (Islam)
[2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient. [2:128] "Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful. [2:129] "Our Lord, and raise among them a messenger to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the scripture and wisdom, and purify them. You are the Almighty, Most Wise.”
[2:130] Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous. [2:131] When his Lord said to him, "Submit," he said, "I submit to the Lord of the universe."
[2:132] Moreover, Abraham exhorted his children to do the same, and so did Jacob: "O my children, GOD has pointed out the religion for you; do not die except as submitters." [2:133] Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, "What will you worship after I die?" They said, "We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters." [2:134] Such is a community from the past. They are responsible for what they earned, and you are responsible for what you earned. You are not answerable for anything they have done.
Becca/Baca/Mecca
Psalm 84:4 - 7
4 How blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; even the autumn rain covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.
[3:95] Say, "GOD has proclaimed the truth: You shall follow Abraham's religion—monotheism. He never was an idolator." [3:96] The most important shrine established for the people is the one in Becca; a blessed beacon for all the people. [3:97] In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham. Anyone who enters it shall be granted safe passage. The people owe it to GOD that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it. As for those who disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone.
HaJJ
Exodus 5:1
Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”
The Hebrew word in Exodus 5:1 for “festival” is “wə-yā-ḥōg-gū”
This word “Hag” means to make pilgrimage or to make pilgrim’s feast
It is linked to the Arabic word Hajj which means pilgrimage
One of the related words to Hag means “a festival sacrifice”
Exodus 5:2-3
2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”
[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by GOD for your own good. You shall mention GOD's name on them while they are standing in line. Once they are offered for sacrifice, you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.
Wilderness
The Hebrew word “mid-bawr” translated as wilderness in Exodus 5:1, is also used in Numbers 1:1 and 1:19.
Numbers 1:1
1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying:
19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so did he number them in the wilderness of Sinai.
If you look at the definition of this word it also means “desert”
Mount Sinai - no one knew for sure where it is located
Mountain of Fire - Documentary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabal_al-Lawz
Many believe that Mount Sinai was not in they Sinai Peninsula but in northwest Saudi Arabia Hereb (Jebel Al-Lawz) Also known as the Mountain of Moses
In Midyan ~420 miles from Cairo
~600 miles from Mecca
Moses went to Midyan (Arabian peninsula) (Medina) Jethro / Shuaib
[20:40] "Your sister walked to them and said, 'I can tell you about a nursing mother who can take good care of him.' We thus returned you to your mother, that she may be happy and stop worrying. And when you killed a soul, we saved you from the grievous consequences; indeed we tested you thoroughly. You stayed years with the people of Midyan, and now you have come back in accordance with a precise plan.
[28:22] As he traveled towards Midyan, he said, "May my Lord guide me in the right path." [28:23] When he reached Midyan's water, he found a crowd of people watering, and noticed two women waiting on the side. He said, "What is it that you need?" They said, "We are not able to water, until the crowd disperses, and our father is an old man.”
http://biblehub.com/hebrew/4057.htm
http://biblehub.com/hebrew/2287.htm
Circle
The alternate form of the primitive root of Hag is Khug which means: to describe a circle or to draw a circle
Phylactery - a small leather box containing Hebrew text worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law
The phylacteries contain 4 passages of scripture
- Exodus 13:1-10
- Exodus 13:11-16
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Deuteronomy 11:13-2
Connected to a wrap that is wrapped 7 times around the left arm
Muslims also circle the Kaaba 7 times during Hajj
http://biblehub.com/bdb/2287.htm
[17:107] Proclaim, "Believe in it, or do not believe in it." Those who possess knowledge from the previous scriptures, when it is recited to them, they fall down to their chins, prostrating. [17:108] They say, "Glory be to our Lord. This fulfills our Lord's prophecy." [17:109] They fall down on their chins, prostrating and weeping. For it augments their reverence. [17:110] Say, "Call Him GOD, or call Him Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names."
[10:93] We have endowed the Children of Israel with a position of honor, and blessed them with good provisions. Yet, they disputed when this knowledge came to them. Your Lord will judge them on the Day of Resurrection regarding everything they disputed.
[2:120] Neither the Jews, nor the Christians, will accept you, unless you follow their religion. Say, "GOD's guidance is the true guidance." If you acquiesce to their wishes, despite the knowledge you have received, you will find no ally or supporter to help you against GOD. [2:121] Those who received the scripture, and know it as it should be known, will believe in this. As for those who disbelieve, they are the losers. [2:122] O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I blessed you more than any other people. [2:123] Beware of the day when no soul will help another soul, no ransom will be accepted, no intercession will be useful, and no one will be helped.
[3:98] Say, "O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD, when GOD is witnessing everything you do?" [3:99] Say, "O followers of the scripture, why do you repel from the path of GOD those who wish to believe, and seek to distort it, even though you are witnesses?" GOD is never unaware of anything you do. [3:100] O you who believe, if you obey some of those who received the scripture, they will revert you, after having believed, into disbelievers. [3:101] How can you disbelieve, when these revelations of GOD are being recited to you, and His messenger is in your midst? Whoever holds fast to GOD will be guided in the right path. [3:102] O you who believe, you shall observe GOD as He should be observed, and do not die except as Submitters.
Isaiah 42:6
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 43:10-13
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I am the Lord, and apart from Me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Requirements of the Test
[6:158] Are they waiting for the angels to come to them, or your Lord, or some physical manifestations of your Lord? The day this happens, no soul will benefit from believing if it did not believe before that, and did not reap the benefits of belief by leading a righteous life. Say, "Keep on waiting; we too are waiting."
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. [6:160] Whoever does a righteous work receives the reward for ten, and the one who commits a sin is requited for only one. No one suffers the slightest injustice. [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. [6:163] "He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit." [6:164] Say, "Shall I seek other than GOD as a lord, when He is the Lord of all things? No soul benefits except from its own works, and none bears the burden of another. Ultimately, you return to your Lord, then He informs you regarding all your disputes." [6:165] He is the One who made you inheritors of the earth, and He raised some of you above others in rank, in order to test you in accordance with what He has given you. Surely, your Lord is efficient in enforcing retribution, and He is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
The Quran: God's Message to the Jews and Christians
[5:15] O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you to proclaim for you many things you have concealed in the scripture, and to pardon many other transgressions you have committed. A beacon has come to you from GOD, and a profound scripture. [5:16] With it, GOD guides those who seek His approval. He guides them to the paths of peace, leads them out of darkness into the light by His leave, and guides them in a straight path.
Unity of All Submitters
[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.