Quran Talk

The Only Religion Approved by God

Submission: The Only Religion

[3:19] The only religion approved by GOD is "Submission." Ironically, those who have received the scripture are the ones who dispute this fact, despite the knowledge they have received, due to jealousy. For such rejectors of GOD's revelations, GOD is most strict in reckoning.

Abraham: Original Messenger of Islam*

[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. 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.

Moral Argument

[91:6] The earth and Him who sustains it.

[91:7] The soul and Him who created it.

[91:8] Then showed it what is evil and what is good.

[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."

Why Our Children Don’t Think There Are Moral Facts

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/02/why-our-children-dont-think-there-are-moral-facts/?_r=0

The Moral Argument

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxiAikEk2vU

The Moral Argument for the Existence of God 1of2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42j9fKhURi8

The Moral Argument for the Existence of God 2of2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXEUbWs7bYs

Are You Sleeping?

We don't know we ares sleeping until we wake up.

Preoccupation With the Wrong Life

[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.

[30:8] Why do they not reflect on themselves? GOD did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them, except for a specific purpose, and for a specific life span. However, most people, with regard to meeting their Lord, are disbelievers.

Love God the Most

[2:165] Yet, some people set up idols to rival GOD, and love them as if they are GOD. Those who believe love GOD the most. If only the transgressors could see themselves when they see the retribution! They will realize then that all power belongs to GOD alone, and that GOD’s retribution is awesome.

Mark 12:28 - 30
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.
Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer,
he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus,
“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

John Lennox Recap

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful 

A.L.M. 

This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous; 

who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.

2:0-3

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?

41:53

The creation of the heavens and the earth is even more awesome than the creation of the human being, but most people do not know.

40:57 

Is Belief in the Supernatural Irrational- John Lennox at Harvard

When our miracles were presented to them, clear and profound, they said, "This is obviously magic."

27:13

They said, "If only miracles could come down to him from his Lord!" Say, "All miracles come only from GOD; I am no more than a manifest warner."

29:50

Prolonged Gratification

Appreciative vs Unappreciative 

Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.

14:7

"I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me.

12:14

They are the ones whose hearts rejoice in remembering GOD. Absolutely, by remembering GOD, the hearts rejoice.

13:28

He should choose the difficult path.

90:11

... Anyone who reverences GOD, He makes everything easy for him.

65:4

Happiness: Now and Forever 

Absolutely, GOD's allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. 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.

10:62-64

Delayed Gratification

Whoever seeks the rewards of the Hereafter, we multiply the rewards for him. And whoever seeks the materials of this world, we give him therefrom, then he receives no share in the Hereafter.

42:20

The Best Psychology (Part II)

These Are All the Words We Need 

If all the trees on earth were made into pens, and the ocean supplied the ink, augmented by seven more oceans, the words of GOD would not run out. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.

31:27

He should choose the difficult path. 

Which one is the difficult path? 

The freeing of slaves. 

Feeding, during the time of hardship. 

Orphans who are related. 

Or the poor who is in need. 

And being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind. 

These have deserved happiness.

90:11-18

Quran and Freedom of Speech

The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.

25:63

Grossness of Murder

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.

5:32

The Best Psychology (Part I)

Have you noted those who received a portion of the scripture, and how they choose to stray, and wish that you stray from the path?

4:44

Does Truth Change

Everyone on earth perishes.
Only the presence of your Lord lasts. Possessor of Majesty and Honor.
Which of your Lord's marvels can you deny?

55:26-28

The truth has prevailed, and falsehood has vanished; falsehood will inevitably vanish."
17:81

Say "The truth has come; while falsehood can neither initiate anything, nor repeat it."

34:49

God is our Boss

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?

16:76

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."

2:285

Wisdom the Real Wealth

GOD raises those among you who believe, and those who acquire knowledge to higher ranks. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.

58:11

Unending Appreciation

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.

14:34

Good Reason for Everything

There is a Good Reason for Everything
[18:78] He said, "Now we have to part company. But I will explain to you everything you could not stand.

​

Valuing God's Message

...Distinguished from the rest are those among you who spend before the victory and strive. They attain a greater rank than those who spend after the victory and strive. For each, GOD promises salvation. GOD is Cognizant of everything you do.

57:10

Coyote & the Road Runner

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.

35:43

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.

13:42

Why Are We Here?

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.

33:72

Quran & Criminal Justice

2:179 Equivalence is a life saving law for you, O you who possess intelligence, that you may be righteous.

Quran & Liberty

16:125-126

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.

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.

2:190-191

"GOD does not love the aggressors...Oppression is worse than murder."

Admission Test

We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast. 

2:155

You will certainly be tested, through your money and your lives, and you will hear from those who received the scripture, and from the idol worshipers, a lot of insult. If you steadfastly persevere and lead a righteous life, this will prove the strength of your faith.

3:186

God's Timing

And we made the earth habitable; a perfect design.

51:48

Waste

He is the One who established gardens, trellised and untrellised, and palm trees, and crops with different tastes, and olives, and pomegranate -fruits that are similar, yet dissimilar. Eat from their fruits, and give the due alms on the day of harvest,* and do not waste anything. He does not love the wasters.

 

6:141

Perfect Happiness

Absolutely, GOD's allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

They are those who believe and lead a righteous life.

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.

10:62-64

Ego...

Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?

 

25:43

Who's your God?

O you who believe, you shall remember GOD frequently.

 

33:41

David's Exemplary Piety

Be patient in the face of their utterances, and remember our servant David, the resourceful; he was obedient.

 

38:17

Buried vs. Planted

"...You see them bowing and prostrating, as they seek GOD's blessings and approval. Their marks are on their faces, because of prostrating. This is the same example as in the Torah. Their example in the Gospel is like plants that grow taller and stronger, and please the farmers...."

 

48:29

Heavy Message

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.

 

59:21

Submit Willingly or Unwillingly

Are they seeking other than GOD's religion, when everything in the heavens and the earth has submitted to Him, willingly and unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned?

 

3:83

 

To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.

 

13:15

God's Promise vs. The Devil's Promise

The devil promises you poverty and commands you to commit evil, while GOD promises you forgiveness from Him and grace. GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.

 

2:268

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

This is to provide them with fruits, and to let them manufacture with their own hands whatever they need. Would they be thankful?

36:35

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.

2:143

Kings & Queens

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.

24:55

Light

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 whoever wills (to be guided). GOD thus cites the parables for the people. GOD is fully aware of all things.

24:35 

Decision

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."

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.

19:75-76

Encryption

"O you hidden secret. 
Come out and warn." 

74:1-2 

"This is an honorable Quran.
In a protected book.
None can grasp it except the sincere." 
56:77-79 

Episode 21 - Chapter 2 Verse 62

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.

Episode 20 - Chapter 2: Verses 54 - 61

QuranTalk - Episode 20 - Chapter 2: Verses 54 - 61

Episode 19 - Chapter 2: Verses 40-53

Recitation & Discussion of Chapter 2 Verses 40-53

Episode 18 - Chapter 2: Verses 30-39

Recitation and discussion of Chapter 2 "The Heifer" verses 30-39

Episode 17 - Dr. Rashad Khalifa, What life is all about part 3 of 3

Dr. Rashad Khalifa's audio "What life is all about" part 3 of 3

Episode 16 - Dr. Rashad khalifa, What Life Is All About part 2 of 3

Dr. Rashad khalifa's audio: "What Life Is All About" part 2 of 3

Episode 15 - Dr. Rashad Khalifa, What Life Is All About part 1 of 3

Audio "What Life Is All About" from Dr. Rashad Khalifa, we broke up into 3 parts - this is the first of the three part series

Episode 14 - Chapter 2 : Verses 20 - 29

[2:20] The lightning almost snatches away their eyesight. When it lights for them, they move forward, and when it turns dark, they stand still. If GOD wills, He* can take away their hearing and their eyesight. GOD is Omnipotent. [2:21] O people, worship only your Lord - the One who created you and those before you - that you may be saved. [2:22] The One who made the earth habitable for you, and the sky a structure. He sends down from the sky water, to produce all kinds of fruits for your sustenance. You shall not set up idols to rival GOD, now that you know.

Episode 13 - Was Rashad Khalifa a Messenger of God?

[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." [5:19] O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you, to explain things to you, after a period of time without messengers, lest you say, "We did not receive any preacher or warner." A preacher and warner has now come to you. GOD is Omnipotent.*

Episode 12 - Was Muhammad the Final Messenger?

Muhammad was the final prophet, not the final messenger. [33:40] Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.

Messenger and Prophet

Prophet = Nabi = Bring new scripture Messenger = Rasoul = Confirm existing scripture [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. [2:101] Now that a messenger from GOD has come to them,* and even though he proves and confirms their own scripture, some followers of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) disregard GOD's scripture behind their backs, as if they never had any scripture. [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."

Charity in the Quran

The Best Investment

[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.

Charity

[2:265] The example of those who give their money seeking GOD's pleasure, out of sincere conviction, is that of a garden on high fertile soil; when heavy rain falls, it gives twice as much crop. If heavy rain is not available, a drizzle will suffice. GOD is Seer of everything you do.

What to Give

[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.

Episode 9 - Chapter 2 verses 1-19

Chapter 2 - The Heifer [2:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful [2:1] A.L.M. [2:2] This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous;