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Archive for the ‘Holy Quran study’ Category

At this link you will find the text of a khutba I delivered in 2009 on the concept and mention of ‘truth’ in the Holy Quran, and its great importance.

Often a discussion relating to a worldly matter can shed light on the teachings of the Quran. The example I have in mind here is a discussion at a workplace about certain facilities that the employees are granted regarding their working conditions, such as flexible working hours. It was being discussed whether there should be rules clearly defining the extent of these facilities or if your boss could simply use his commonsense about how much to allow, when to allow it, etc.

People agreed that using commonsense and judgment was far preferable to laying down exact rules. You can’t cover every situation when drawing up rules, and it might lead to unfairness at times, because rules might not cover some circumstance whereas fairness would allow it.

This reminded me of the following verses of the Holy Quran:

“O you who believe, ask not about things which if made known to you would give you trouble; and if you ask about them when the Quran is being revealed, they will be made known to you. Allah pardons this; and Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing. A people before you indeed asked such questions, then became disbelievers therein. ” (5:101-102)

If you ask to be given too many rules in matters of details to cover all kinds of situations (as many Muslims do when they ask for fatwas about all sorts of things), you will only end up facing trouble when you try to abide by them. You will then try to wriggle out of them.

So, in matters of details it is best to use your judgment and commonsense and apply the basic principles which are the essentials.

An objection has been raised that whereas in one or two places the Holy Quran says:

“Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, they have their reward with their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.” — 2:62

but in another verse it says:

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” — 3:85.

The first verse says that people of other religions will get reward from their Lord, but the second one says that they will be losers in the hereafter.

What 3:85 means is clear from the verse preceding it. Let me first quote only a part of it:

“Say: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us, … and to Him we submit.” — 3:84

If this was all that 3:84 had said, i.e. that belief in Allah and belief in the revelation that came to Muslims is what constitutes Islam, then indeed one could justifiably claim that 3:85 means that whoever is simply a non-Muslim, and does not believe in “that which is revealed to us”, will be a loser in the hereafter.

But 3:84 does not only say “We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us,”, even though these words are quite sufficient to describe and identify Islam. In full it says:

“Say: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.”

The words which I omitted earlier, and which I have placed in italics above, point out a particular aspect of Islam. Islam, as such, is adequately covered by the words “We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us”. Therefore what 3:85 means by “whoever seeks a religion other than Islam” are those who go against the particular teaching mentioned here, i.e. they do not accept the teaching that revelation also came to other prophets besides their own prophets, nor the teaching that no distinction should be made between prophets.

Examples of making a distinction are: (1) To believe that Jesus was partly Divine but other prophets were mortals; (2) To regard only Jesus as sinless and other prophets as having committed sins; (3) To believe in the truth of Moses etc. by applying some criteria but to reject the Prophet Muhammad even though he fulfills the same criteria.

The teaching of Islam that revelation from God came to all nations through their prophets establishes the equality of all nations, and belief in all such prophets is the basis of peace and mutual respect between followers of different religions. The notion that revelation from God came only to one’s own nation, because it is the favourite and chosen one of God, leads to concepts of national superiority over others, and hatred and prejudice against people of other religions and nations. Such are the doctrines or religions that will not be accepted by God and lead to their adherents being losers in the end. “Not accepted by God” means they do not lead to human development but debasement.

According to 2:62, by believing in God and the Hereafter and doing good, any person gains. According to 3:85, by being narrow-minded and looking down on other nations as deprived of Divine revelation, while believing one’s own nation to be the chosen one of God, a person loses.

I thank Allah for enabling me to complete these studies, and I wish you all Eid Mubarak.

For completion, I have prepared 30 studies even though for some people (like me) Ramadan has been of 29 fasts this year.

Fast 30 (A – Allah, a remembrance)
Fast 29 (W – War)
Fast 28 (T – Taqdir, ‘Predestination’)
Fast 27 (S – State, or true Islamic rule)
Fast 26 (S – Sins)
Fast 25 (R – Revelation)
Fast 24 (R – Religion)
Fast 23 (Q – The Holy Quran)
Fast 22 (P – Prophets)

Fast 21 (P – Prayer)
Fast 20 (N – Nature, the natural environment)
Fast 19 (M – Muhammad, the Holy Prophet)
Fast 18 (M – Morals required of a Muslim)
Fast 17 (L – Light)
Fast 16 (K – Knowledge, Part 2)
Fast 15 (K – Knowledge, Part 1)

Fast 14 (J – Jihad)
Fast 13 (I – Islam)
Fast 12 (H- Humanity)
Fast 11 (G- Goodness)
Fast 10 (F – Forgiveness)
Fast 9 (F- Faith)
Fast 8 (E- Evidence)

Fast 7 (D – Day)
Fast 6 (C – Charity)
Fast 5 (B – Belief)
Fast 4 (A – Allah)
Fast 3 (A – Allah. A- Abraham)
Fast 2 (A – Allah. A- Abraham)
Fast 1 (A – Allah. A- Abraham)

This year, each day’s topic will correspond to a letter of the alphabet in sequence. Some letters may spread over more than one day, and some letters may be omitted, to fit 30 days.

Zahid Aziz

Submitted by Ikram.

 
The Quran has the academic and architectural strength to directly withstand any challenges to its integrity. This integrity has withstood test of time spanning fifteen centuries. Actually Quran itself uniquely puts forth arguments and challenges to any doubters. See for yourselves if Quran failed on any of such challenges:

Quran identifies its Source:

 10:37. This Qur’ân is not such as could have been devised (by anyone), besides Allâh. On the contrary (Allâh has revealed it as) a confirmation of all the previous Scriptures and is a clear and detailed explanation of the divine Law. It is wanting in nought, containing nothing doubtful, disturbing, harmful or destructive and there is no false charge in it. (It proceeds) from the Lord of the worlds.

Quran assures its Divine arrangement:

25:3. … We have arranged it in an excellent (form and order of) arrangement (and free of all contradictions) so that We may thereby lend strength to your heart.

 39:1. The orderly arrangement and authentic compilation of this wonderfully perfect Book is from Allâh, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

 41:2. The compilation and orderly arrangement (of this Qur’ân) proceeds from the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful (God).

 75:17. The responsibility of its collection and its arrangement lies on Us.

Quran guarantees its Divine authenticity by challenging its readers as follows: 

 2:23. And if you have any doubt as to (the truthfulness of the Qur’ân) which We have revealed to Our servant from time to time, produce a single Sûrah (- Qur’ânic chapter) like any of (the chapters of) this, summoning (to your assistance) all your helpers (that you have) beside Allâh, if you are truthful (in your doubts),

4:82. Why do they not ponder over the Qur’ân? Had it been from anyone other than Allâh, they would surely have found a good deal of inconsistency therein.

 11:13. Do they say, `He has forged this (Qur’ân)?’ Say (to them in reply), `If you are truthful (in your objection then) bring ten forged chapters like it, calling upon whom you can (for your help) apart from Allâh.’

11:14. But if they do not respond to you, then know that this (Qur’ân) which has been revealed is (replete) with (that which is only within) Allâh’s knowledge and that there is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship save Him. Will you then be the submitting ones (after knowing all this)?

28:49. Say, `If (Moses and Muhammad are both fraudulent and) you speak the truth, then bring a Book from Allâh which is a better guide than these two (- the Torah and the Qur’ân), that I may follow it.’

 29:48. (Prophet!) you read no book, nor did you write one with your own hand before this (Qur’ân was revealed). (Had it been so,) those who declare (it) as false could then (have the cause to) entertain some doubts. [Note: Attention is drawn to the fact that Muhammad was illiterate]

Quran also gurantees its Divine everlasting protection from adulteration:

15:9. Verily, it was We, We Ourself Who have revealed this Reminder (- the Qur’ân); and it is We Who are, most certainly, its Guardian.

The Messenger had no interference in the Message:

 10:15. When Our clear verses are recited to them, those who fear not the meeting with Us, nor do they cherish any hope (for the same,) say, `Bring a Qur’ân other than this one or (at least) make some changes in it.’ Say (to them), `It is not for me to introduce changes in it of my own accord. I follow nothing but what is revealed to me. Truly if I disobey my Lord I fear the punishment of a great (dreadful) Day.’

 42:52. (Prophet!) just so (as We sent revelations to other Prophets), We revealed to you the Word by Our command. (Before this revelation) you did not know what the Divine Book was nor (which of) the faith (it teaches), but We made it (- Our revelation to you) a light, whereby We guide such of our servants as We will. And truly you are guiding (mankind) on to the straight and right path,

The Messenger is admonished against altering the Message no matter what: 

17:73. And they had spared nothing in causing you (the severest) affliction with the purpose to turn you away from the revelations given to you, that you might forge in Our name something different from that which We have revealed to you. In that case they would surely have taken you for a special friend.

17:74. And if We had not made you firm and steadfast, you might have inclined towards them a little.

17:75. In that case (if you had been one to forge a lie against Us) We would have made you taste multiple sufferings in this life and multiple sufferings in death, (and) then you would have found for yourself no helper against Us. (But you remained steadfast).

 69:44. Had he (- Muhammad) forged and attributed some saying to Us (and said, `This is what Allâh has revealed to me’).

69:45. We would have certainly seized him strongly by the right hand (and so deprived him of all his power),

69:46. And then surely We would have cut off his jugular vein;

69:47. Then none of you could have stopped (Us) from (punishing) him (and thus stood in Our way of dealing justly).

The Messenger is absolved of allegations of “forgery” of the Message:

 46:7. When Our clear Messages are recited to them, these disbelievers say with regard to the Truth when it comes to them, `This is an obvious sorcery.’

46:8. Do they say, `He himself has forged this (Qur’ân)?’ Say, `If I have forged it, you have no power to help me in anyway against Allâh, He knows what nonsensical talk you are indulging in. Sufficient is He for a witness between me and you. And He is the Great Protector, the Ever Merciful.’

 [The Holy Quran – translated by Allamah Nooruddin]

Submitted by Bashir.

Chapter 4 Does the sunna abrogate the Koran?

1. Imam Shafi vehemently denied that the Koran had ever abrogated the sunna, or that the sunna had ever abrogated the Koran (see Burton).

2. Imam Shafi argued that the Koran only abrogated the Koran and the sunna only abrogated the sunna (see Burton).

Burton writes: We have heard that the death penalty for adultery allegedly introduced by Muhammad still formed part of the Islamic Law. Shafi’s contemporaries continued to argue, as their teachers had argued, that that is but one instance of the of the abrogation of the Koran by the sunna…..But the stubborn fact remained obvious to everyone with eyes to see : that earlier punishment had been established by the Koran:24:2—

“The adulteress and the adulterer, flog each of them (with) a hundred stripes, and let not pity for them detain you from obedience to Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day, and let a party of believers witness their chastisement.”

Burton writes: Imam shafi was driven to accept the there were some koranic verses that were no longer in the Koran.

Note: In early Islam all the judges(qazis) that were present in Islamic nations, they ruled based on the Koran. Their day to day modus operandi was based on the Koran and the sunna (this is pre-Bukhari).

Submitted by Bashir.

INTRODUCTION

In the light of certain hadith from Muslim and Bukhari I would like to re-open the theory of NASKH. As we all know, ahmadis(q and L) do not believe in this theory. The main reason why ahmadis dont believe in this is in terms of Jihad as well as the theory that the KOran is perfect and without contradictory material.

Muslims have always believed that the tone of language that was used in chapter 9 superseceded all previous announcements on the subject of Jihad. Ahmadis dont believe this at all. Ahmadis believe that the Koran is to be understood collectively and situationally. Again, if the ahmadis believed in the abrogation theory, then they would be forced to believe that the Jihad in Chapter 9, supercedes the level of jihad as written before that.

In this introdution I will only post 1 or 2 traditions from Muslim and Bukhari. I would appreciate it if some scholars would give me their insight on the matter in the light of the data presented. Chapter 1 will be written by me very soon.

Here is the first chunk of data to be examined by all.

Sahih Muslim

Book 003, Number 0675:
Abu al. ‘Ala’ b. al-Shikhkhir said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) abrogated some of his commands by others, just as the Qur’an abrogates some part with the other.

Sahih Muslim

Book 004, Number 1317:
Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported: This verse was revealed (in this way):” Guard the prayers and the ‘Asr prayer.” We recited it (in this very way) so long as Allah desired. Allah, then, abrogated it and it was revealed:” Guard the prayers, and the middle prayer.” A person who was sitting with Shaqiq (one of the narrators in the chain of transmitters) said: Now it implies the ‘Asr prayer. Upon this al-Bara’ said: I have already informed you how this (verse) was revealed and how Allah abrogated it, and Allah knows best. Imam Muslim said: Ashja’i narrated it from Sufyan al-Thauri, who narrated it from al-Aswad b. Qais, who narrated it from ‘Uqba, who narrated it from al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib who said: We recited with the Prophet (may peace be upon him) (the above-mentioned verse like this, i. e. instead of Salat al- Wusta, Salat al-‘Asr

Sahih Bukhari

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 68:
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

This Verse:–“Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it..” (2.284) was abrogated.

——————————————————————————–
Volume 6, Book 60, Number 69:
Narrated Marwan Al-Asghar:

A man from the companions of Allah’s Apostle who I think, was Ibn ‘Umar said, “The Verse:–“Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it….” was abrogated by the Verse following it.”

I thank Allah for enabling me to complete this, and I hope that our visitors benefitted from it.

I have completed 30 articles, even though Ramadan is 29 days in many places this year.

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Submitted by Rashid Jahangiri

FFree Thinker Video ‘Prophets of Islam’

On YouTube a video is posted.

I posted my comments:

According to Holy Quran (HQ), Allah sent His prophets in EVERY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION and in EVERY ERA.
Yes, Confucius, Buddha, Rama, Krishna, Cyrus etc were all prophets.

Why all such names are not mentioned in HQ?
Because HQ is NOT book of history and genealogy like Bible.

Why HQ has only names of prophets that came in Arabs/ Middle East?
Because HQ was revealed among Arabs and that too among Quraish, so only those names of prophets are mentioned in HQ which were familiar to Arabs of that region.

To answer your question about purity of HQ, I will refer you to read the INTRODUCTION portion of HQ translation done by Allama Noor Ud Din and his son and daughter in-law. This HQ introduction answers ALL of your question that you raised in your video:
You may read its reviews on amazon:
The Holy Quran by Allamah Nooruddin

Link to FFree Thinker Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LEsEHSji8

Note by Zahid Aziz: Some consider Dhu-l-Kifl (21:85) to be “the one from Kapilvastu”, i.e. Buddha. The lotus is an important symbol of Buddhism. The Quran refers to the lote tree in connection with a high spiritual experience (53:13-17). Quite strangely, the Arabic for Lote tree here is Sidrah, not much different from the name Siddhārtha of Buddha!

Submitted by Ikram.

 
Standards for a Divine as outlined in Quran

Islam is a living religion; periodic revival of the Message of Quran through persons who have and will claim to be divines is expected. Any such claimant to divine-hood and those who follow him have to meet the standards set in the Quran, which were originally outlined for Muhammad PBUH and the Umma. The following is a sampler of those standards.

La ilaha ill-Allah, Muhammad-ur rasul-ullah

“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”

The above declaration is the fundamental oath for a Muslim. It identifies the source of belief (Allah) and the messenger (Muhammad PBUH). By referring to Muhammad PBUH as “The Messenger,” the oath precludes any future messengers i.e. prophets. It also prevents a Muslim from alluding to Muhammad PBUH as no more than a human, unlike other religions whose followers over period of time, out of love for their respective messenger coupled with their ancestral and inherent idolatrous traditions, attributed godliness to their messengers. Thus this oath preserves the fundamental monotheistic pristinity of Islam.

33:40. Muhammad is no father to any man among you…

Muhammad PBUH had no male lineage. Irrespective, his descendents have no inherited divine status. However, it does not prevent them from attaining spiritual elevation and leadership through self-refinement.

39:3. Beware! sincere and true obedience is due to Allâh alone. Those who choose others as a patron beside Him (say), `We serve them only that they may bring us near to Allâh in station.’ (It is absolutely wrong.)…

Thus patronizing any person, even Muhammad PBUH, cannot be used as a crutch by anyone for a spiritual uplift. Muhammad PBUH thus cannot be invoked.

2:79. It is not given to a human being that Allâh should give him the Book, the sovereignty and the prophethood and then he should say to the people, `Be servants to me beside Allâh.’ He would rather say, `Be you the sole devotees of (Allâh) the Lord, for you teach the Book and because you study (it).’

Despite the colossal personal character of Muhammad PBUH, he is by decree barred from self-exaltation before fellow Muslims, as even an imagination of such an act would defeat the pristinity and the very purpose of the Message. Such hygiene in faith must be followed posthumously as well.

2:151. Just as (the Ka`bah is a means to your guidance so,) We have sent to you a great Messenger from among yourselves who recites to you Our Messages and purifies you and teaches you the Book and the Wisdom and teaches you what you did not know.

And that Muhammad PBUH was just not only a mail carrier of the Message, but an actual living manifestation of the Message and a teacher of the Message, both during his lifetime and afterwards as well. There is no obscurity in Muhammad’s intentions and actions.

6:20. Those whom We have given this perfect Book recognise him (-the Prophet Muhammad) as they recognise their own sons…

10:16. …I had indeed lived among you a (whole) lifetime before this (claim to Prophethood. Was not my truthfulness undisputed?). Will you not then refrain (from opposing me)?’

Muhammad PBUH is just not a stranger riding through a town in history but is a real life figure who lived a “human” life to its fullest, a life that has a very detailed historical record. He showed no disparity between professing, preaching and practicing of the faith.

17:95. Say, `Had there been angels on the earth (in place of human beings) walking about secure and sound We (too) would have invariably sent down an angel from heaven as a Messenger to them.’

46:9. Say, `I am no novel (Apostle) among the Messengers nor do I know what will be done to me (on your behalf) or to you. I simply follow what is revealed to me and I am nought but a plain Warner.’

72:20. Say, `I invoke only my Lord and I associate no one with Him (as His partner).’

And that Muhammad PBUH was just a humble non-super-human Messenger whose duty and burden were deliverance of the Message. Attributing to him any mythological miracles or non-human attributes would be absurd.

7:188. Say, `I have no power over (bringing) any gain or (avoiding) any harm to myself save to the extent that Allâh will. And had I known the unseen I would surely have secured a great deal of good (for myself) and no harm would ever have come to me. I am only a Warner (to the wicked) and a Bearer of good tidings (to the people who believe)

And Muhammad PBUH, despite having succeeded in a momentous and almost a non-human task within his own lifetime, is no more than a mere mortal.

108:1. Verily, We have bestowed upon you (O Muhammad!) abundance of good (both of this life and of the Hereafter).

And history is witness to the success of Muhammad PBUH, both during his lifetime and afterwards, and to the failure of his opposition, of both individuals and institutions. And what a success! (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_100&oldid=291047691)

7:157. `Those who follow this perfect Messenger, the Arab Prophet whom they find described in the Torah and the Evangel which are with them, who enjoins upon them that which is right and forbids them that which is wrong, and who makes lawful for them all the pure and good things, and makes unlawful all the impure and bad things, and who relieves them of their heavy burden and shackles that weigh them down. Indeed those who believe in him and honour him and serve him and follow the light that has been sent down with him, it is these who will attain their goal.’

In summary, the purpose of Muhammad (PBUH) and his entrusted Message is simply to unburden the mankind from the idols that are still rampant physically, socially and in the minds.

[The Holy Quran – Translation by Allamah Nooruddin]