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Showing posts with label The Rebuttal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Rebuttal. Show all posts

Friday 21 June 2024

Responding to Misinterpretation of Qur'an: (Prophet) Mohammed (ﷺ) asked Muslims to turn to Christians to get the truth

There is no limit to raise objections about Islam by misinterpreting verses of Qur'an and twisting the facts by non Muslims, specially the people of the Book (that is Torah and the Gospel). I recently came across a post in which a Muslims has been quoted as saying that he adopted Christianity for a number of reasons, one being the topic of our post today. One of the reason he quoted for his conversion to Christianity is:

Mohammed is asking the Muslims to turn to Christians to get the truth (as mentioned in Surah 10 Yunus, verse 94)

I am amazed to hear this from a "former" Muslims for the reason that he seems as naïve about Qur'an, specially the above quoted verse. And at the same time the one who consolidated his "reasons" without himself reading the post with reference to the context and publishing it as a point scoring over Muslims.

Before I give the counter comments, let me make one thing very clear right from the outset. Qur'an is one book of merely six to seven hundred pages encompassing events from expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Paradise, going over mentions of all major prophets including Noah, Moses, Abraham, Eesa and civilizations like Ad and Thamud, and related anecdotes in mere summary form. It is for this reason that details of accounts are skipped for these have been discussed and mentioned in previous unadulterated scriptures. Now if Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been mentioned in Qur'an to consult the People of the Book, it is only as far the historical references, anecdotes and parables. and IN NO WAY to accept the teachings of prophets that have been written in a much later timeframe by people who were no way near to the earlier prophets. Thus whatever is written, specially in the Bible, is about Jesus and not the revelation from one true God.

Now coming over to the 94th verse of Surah 10. Yunus:

Quran 10:94 reads: "So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters."

The idea that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) asked Muslims to turn to Christians for the truth is not supported by any authentic Islamic texts. Instead, Islamic teachings emphasize that Muslims should seek guidance primarily from the Quran and the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad). Rather there are instances in the Quran where it is mentioned that the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) had knowledge of previous revelations and that some among them were aware of the coming of a new prophet, and yet the hide it for it would have underscored their faith. Remember, the chain of Divine Scriptures and commandments continued from Prophet Adam, and with each Book, the same theme was carried forward with amendments and add on for the Divine Commandments were gradually revealed. 

However, when it comes to mention of a prophet who was yet to come, the priests and religious scholars suppressed such information to uphold their faith as final. Quran mentions in Quran 2:146:

"Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him as they know their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it]."

There are many such verses in Qur'an that indicate that people of the previous scriptures had knowledge that could recognize the truth in the message brought by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). However, this is not an instruction for Muslims to seek the truth from them, but rather it acknowledges that the previous scriptures contained prophecies and signs about the coming of Muhammad (ﷺ).

While Muslims are encouraged to understand the messages of previous prophets and respect the People of the Book, the primary sources of truth and guidance in Islam remain the Quran and the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) did not direct Muslims to seek religious truth from Christians or Jews, but rather to acknowledge the shared heritage and to follow the final revelation given in the Quran.

Now let us specifically decipher the verse of Qur'an that "led a Muslim to accept Christianity:"

Explanation of Quran 10:94
This verse is addressed primarily to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) but also has a broader implication for all believers. Here are some key points to understand this verse:
Context and Background:
This verse is part of Surah Yunus (Jonah), which deals with themes of divine guidance, the truth of the Quran, and the consequences of accepting or rejecting that guidance. The verse addresses the idea of doubt and reassurance of the truth of the Quran.
Addressing Doubt:
The verse acknowledges the possibility of doubt, which is a natural human experience. However, it reassures that the revelation given to Muhammad (ﷺ) is true and from Allah.
It suggests that if there is any doubt, one should refer to those who have knowledge of previous scriptures (i.e., the Torah and the Gospel) because the Quran confirms the core messages found in those earlier revelations.
Consulting the People of the Book:
"Ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you" implies that people knowledgeable about the Torah and the Gospel could verify that the Quran's message aligns with the prophecies and teachings found in earlier scriptures.
This serves to confirm that the Quran is part of the same divine tradition and is consistent with previous revelations.
Reassurance of Truth:
The verse reassures the Prophet and believers that the truth has come from Allah. It emphasizes that the revelation of the Quran is certain and should not be doubted.
The mention of doubt is not to suggest that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself doubted, but it serves as a general principle for believers who might encounter doubts.

Broader Implications for Believers
  • Affirmation of Faith: The verse encourages believers to seek confirmation of their faith by understanding the continuity and consistency of divine messages throughout history.
  • Respect for Previous Scriptures
    • It emphasizes respect for the Torah and the Gospel and acknowledges the shared heritage between Islam and the previous Abrahamic faiths.
    • Muslims are encouraged to recognize the connections and confirmatory nature of the Quran with previous scriptures.
  • Addressing Doubts: The verse provides a method for addressing doubts by seeking knowledge and understanding, reinforcing the importance of knowledge in strengthening faith.
In view of the above explanation, Quran in fact reassures the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and all believers of the truth of the Quran, highlighting its consistency with previous scriptures and encouraging the seeking of knowledge to resolve doubts. It underscores the importance of understanding the continuity of divine revelation and strengthens the believer’s conviction in the truth of the Islamic message. 

Thus the concept that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) asked Muslims to turn to Christians for the truth is a misunderstanding. Islamic teachings emphasize that the Quran and Sunnah are the ultimate sources of truth and guidance for Muslims. Respect for previous revelations and prophets is integral to Islam, but the final and complete guidance is found in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Remember brothers and sisters in Islam, many of us do not have in depth knowledge of Qur'an nor we have ever read any authentic exegesis / tafsir of Qur'an and Hadith to brush our knowledge about Islam not only to be better Muslims, but also to responded to observations / lies about Islam and misinterpretation of Qur'an. The number of reasons listed by that some ex Muslim seems factious in the first place. But at the same time, such change of faith may occur when someone has a weak faith founded on Qur'anic and Hadith illiteracy. Such believers are easy targets for the well read missionaries who with their articulation and jugglery of words can mislead such believers of illiterate Muslims.

Let us know Islam well and let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
PhotoIf you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Thursday 20 June 2024

Responding to Misinterpretation of Qur'an: Prophet of Muslims did not know what will be done to him

Every other day I  read I come across objections and lies about Islam based on misinterpretation of verses of Qur'an only the purpose of point scoring and let down Islam and its Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ). Today we share yet another objection on Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as given below:
Such accusations are made when one is not well read and carried out adequate research to know why this verse was revealed in Qur'an and under what circumstances. From the face of it the verse shows that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was a blind man who did not know what will become of him nor his followers, who as per objections are also considered as blind, thus a blind leading the blind to fall into a pit.

Now let us go step by step. First let me reproduce the 9th verse of Surah 46. Al Ahqaf which is being referred to:

( 9 )   Say, "I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner."

To understand verse 9, we need to know the background: 

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) presented himself as Allah’s Messenger, the people of Makkah raised different kinds of objections against it. They said: What kind of a Messenger he is who has a family, who moves about in the streets, eats and drinks and lives a common man’s life. There is nothing special about him, which might distinguish him above the other people and therefore we may know that Allah has specially made this man His Messenger. Then they said: Had he ban appointed a Messenger by God, He would have sent an angel as an attendant with him who would have announced that he was God’s Messenger, and would have punished with a scourge every such person who had behaved insolently towards him. How strange that God should appoint a person as His Messenger and then should leave him alone to roam the streets of Makkah and suffer every kind of humiliation. If nothing else Allah should at least have created a magnificent palace and a blooming garden for His Messenger. He should not have been left to depend on his wife’s resources. Besides, these people demanded different kinds of miracles from him and asked news of the unseen. They thought that a person’s being God’s Messenger meant that he should possess supernatural powers to turn deserts at once turn into green fields. He should have the knowledge of the past and the future events and of everything hidden from others.

An answer to the same has been given in these sentences, and each sentence contains a world of meaning:

First, it is said: Tell them, I am not a novel Messenger. That is, my being appointed as a Messenger is not a novel event of its kind in the world so that you may have some confusion about the characteristics of a Messenger. Many Messengers have come to the world before me, and I am not any different from them. Never has a Messenger come who did not live a common man’s life. Never has an angel descended as an attendant with a Messenger, heralding his prophet-hood and carrying a whip before him. Never have gardens and palaces been created for a Messenger and never has a Messenger been spared of the hardships which I am suffering. Never has a Messenger shown a miracle by his own power, or known everything by his own knowledge. Then, how is it that you are bringing forth these strange criteria only to judge my Prophethood?

Now coming over the above quoted misinterpretation and its answer:

Then it is said: Tell them also, I do not know what shall befall you tomorrow nor what shall befall me. I am not a knower of the unseen so that everything of the past and present and future should be known to me, and I should have the knowledge of everything in the world. Not to speak of your future, I do not even know my own future. I only know that of which I am given knowledge by revelation. It is not a Messenger’s job to tell the whereabouts of the lost articles, or tell whether a pregnant woman will deliver a boy or a girl, or whether a sick patient will live or die

In conclusion, it is said: Say to them, I am no more than a plain warner. That is, I do not possess divine powers so that I may show you the wonderful miracles that you demand from me every next day. My only mission is that I should present the right way before the people, and should warn of an evil end those who do not accept it

Let me explain the above said verse again to make it more clear to understand and shun any misunderstanding germination in some minds. This verse emphasizes several key aspects of the prophetic mission of Muhammad (ﷺ) and his role in the broader context of divine revelation.

Key Points
Continuity with Previous Messengers:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is instructed to say that he is not a new or unique phenomenon among the messengers. This means he is part of a long line of prophets who came before him, delivering the same essential message of monotheism and submission to Allah.

This emphasizes the continuity of the message of Islam with previous revelations given to prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all).

Limited Knowledge of the Unseen:

The Prophet (ﷺ) acknowledges that he does not have knowledge of the unseen, including what will happen to him or to his people in the future. This underscores the human aspect of the Prophet and distinguishes him from Allah, who is the only knower of the unseen.

This is a reminder that ultimate knowledge and decision-making lie with Allah alone.

Adherence to Revelation:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) declares that he follows only what is revealed to him by Allah. His teachings and actions are based on divine guidance rather than personal opinions or desires. This stresses the importance of the Quran and Sunnah as the primary sources of guidance for Muslims.

Role as a Warner:

The verse concludes by describing the Prophet (ﷺ) as a "clear warner." His primary role is to warn people about the consequences of their actions and to call them to the worship of Allah alone. The term "clear warner" indicates that his message is straightforward, clear, and meant to be understood by all.

Implications for Muslims (and everyone else) to understand Qur'an and the wisdom of Divine Revelations:

Following the Prophet's Example:

Muslims are encouraged to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by adhering strictly to the Quran and Sunnah, recognizing that these are the true sources of guidance.

Humility and Reliance on Allah:

The verse teaches humility by showing that even the Prophet (ﷺ) does not possess knowledge of the unseen or control over future events. This should inspire Muslims to place their trust and reliance on Allah.

Unity of the Prophetic Message:

Understanding that Muhammad (ﷺ) is part of a long line of messengers highlights the unity of the message of all prophets, fostering a sense of continuity and respect for previous scriptures and prophets.

To sum up, this verse serves as a profound reminder of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) place within the prophetic tradition, his adherence to divine revelation, and his role as a warner. It calls Muslims to follow the clear and revealed guidance, remain humble, and trust in Allah’s ultimate knowledge and wisdom. And that they should never take any of the previous prophets / messengers and Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) as well to take them as fortune tellers and predicting the events yet to unfold. The followers of any prophet / messenger should try to understand the warnings being sounded by them, as directed by the Lord of the universe, the one and the only God Almighty without any associates, Muslims call Allah. If one has the wisdom to object, then one should have the wisdom to first carryout a research of the information about a particular religion and then raise an objection, rather than misinterpreting an information based on no or very shallow knowledge.

So let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Resource References: | 1

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Wednesday 19 June 2024

Responding to objections about Islam: Quran claims there is no change in words of Allah, But Allah also says He changes old verses with new ones

Qur'an is often the target of the non Muslims, specially those who see a high rate of reversion of their followers to Islam. Thus there is every effort to downplay the Qur'an by finding faults in its verses and presenting Qur'an not as a Divine Scripture but a brainchild of Islamic Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). However, despite severe criticism, more and more non Muslims are finding the Divine Wisdom contained in Qur'an. But on the other hand, many are engrossed in finding verses that could be twisted to suit their malice intentions. 

However, it is generally seen that most of the objections are raised by those who have never read Qur'an, specially in the reference to the context, and take out one odd verse to confront the Muslims and telling them that that even  God, Allah of Muslims, has made mistakes and (God forbids) does not know what He intend saying. We, in our previous posts have tried to reply many such objections / lies and disinformation about Islam which are consolidated in out reference page: The Rebuttal

Today we take yet another objection by non Muslims, which is elf explanatory by the captions so added:
Before we answer the observation, let us go back to the time of revelation of Qur'an in the seventh century AD to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.  Qur'an was revealed on the most stubborn, and motile people of the time: The Bedouins. They were in the habit of gambling, drinking, free sex, keeping as many slaves as they could keep. While they had lust for women, they also detested birth of a baby girl and resorted to inhuman act of burying the newly born baby girls alive. Such were the habits that were drilled into them and were not easy to remove.

And that is the reason, Qur'an was revealed slowly and gradually spanned over a period of 23 years to condition the newly reverted Muslims to conform to the principles and tenets of Islam. Thus many a earlier verses were replaced with new ones to supersede the older commandments with new ones so that newly reverted Muslims continue to be updated for the final commandments of Allah.

The concept changing older verses / commandments with new ones is known as "abrogation" (Naskh) in Islamic theology. Abrogation means that certain verses of the Quran were replaced or superseded by later verses. This phenomenon is mentioned in the Quran and has been a topic of discussion among Islamic scholars.

Quranic References to Abrogation: Qur'an explains the concept of abrogation of verses as under
  • "We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?" (Surah 2. Al Baqara:106:)
  • "And when We substitute a verse in place of a verse - and Allah is most knowing of what He sends down - they say, 'You, [O Muhammad], are but an inventor [of lies].' But most of them do not know." (Surah An-Naḥl 16. [Arabic: الْنَّحْل; The Bee ]:101:
Reasons for Abrogation
  • Gradual Implementation of Laws: Abrogation allowed for the gradual introduction and implementation of Islamic laws and principles. This gradual approach made it easier for the early Muslim community to adapt to significant changes.
  • Contextual Relevance: Some verses were revealed to address specific circumstances or issues faced by the early Muslim community. As circumstances changed, new verses were revealed to provide updated guidance.
  • Testing Obedience and Faith: Abrogation served as a test of the believers' faith and obedience. It tested their willingness to follow Allah's guidance, even when it changed.
Examples of Abrogation in the Quran
  • Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol drinking was deep rooted in the Bedouin culture and the reverted Muslims could not break away from this menace. Since drinking has a deep impact on the logical thinking process of a man, it had to be abolished. Likewise women when intoxicated could easily be lured in by the lustful men for unlawful sex. That is why this otherwise deep rooted menace from the lives of Muslims needed to eradicated. The Qur'an addresses the consumption of wine (intoxicants) in several verses, gradually prohibiting it in a few stages. Here are the main references and what they say about drinking wine:
    • Initial Stance: Moderation in alcohol consumption.  "They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, 'In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.'" (Surah Al Baqara 2:219)
    • Prohibition During Prayer: Prayer, As salat, is a means of one to one communication between the servant and his Master. Thus one should be in perfect and clear state of mind when offering prayer, or in other words talking to Allah. Therefore in the second stage a commandment was revealed: "O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying..." (Surah An-Nisa (4:43). This verse prohibits approaching prayers in a state of intoxication, emphasizing the importance of being clear-minded during worship.
    • Final Stance: Complete prohibition. "O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?" (Surah 5. Al-Ma'idah - The Table Spread:90-91)
    • The Qur'an's approach to prohibiting wine (intoxicants) was gradual, first highlighting its harm, then restricting its use during prayer, and finally completely forbidding it. The complete prohibition is aimed at preventing the negative social and spiritual impacts of intoxication, such as enmity, distraction from worship, and moral decay.
  • Direction of Prayer (Qibla):
    • Initial Direction: Praying towards Jerusalem. "The foolish among the people will say, 'What has turned them away from their qibla, which they used to face?'" (Surah Al Baqara 2:142)
    • Final Direction: Praying towards the Kaaba in Mecca. "So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer]." (Surah Al Baqara2:144)
Scholarly Perspectives
  • Classical Scholars: Many classical Islamic scholars, such as Imam Al-Suyuti and Imam Al-Qurtubi, wrote extensively about abrogation, providing examples and explaining the wisdom behind it.
  • Modern Interpretations: Some modern scholars and thinkers argue for a more nuanced understanding of abrogation, suggesting that it reflects the dynamic and contextual nature of divine guidance.
In light of few examples quoted above, the concept of Abrogation in the Quran reflects Allah's wisdom in providing guidance that is both contextually relevant and progressively suitable for the evolving circumstances of the Muslim community. It illustrates the adaptability and responsiveness of Islamic law to the needs of its followers. This concept is rooted in the belief that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is best for humanity and provides guidance accordingly.

So let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Friday 14 June 2024

Responding to objections/lies about Islam: Allah of Muslims is merciless and unloving

The purpose of the Divine faiths was to provide guidance to the mankind and to foster love and inter-faith harmony so that world could live in peace. Unfortunately, the social media is flooded with posts and misinformation about Islam, targeting not only Muslims, but "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ).  The sentiments aired against Islam and "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) are sometimes so derogatory that one really feels pity on those who concoct such allegations. In addition to written material, caricatures depicting "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) are a shameful act.

On the contrary, Muslims, respect and honour all previous messengers and prophets, and respect the unpolluted Divine Scripturas, and make sure no words unbecoming of the previous prophets or sentiments are aired to degrade their status. The Muslims only differ on the concept of Trinity, which makes Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him)  another god, at par with the one and only God, we Muslims call Allah. Perhaps this is the main reason that followers of Jesus get annoyed for Muslims not accepting him as a god. 

And from here on, an unending misinformation is unleashed, labelling Allah of Muslims as unjust, unloving and merciless. On the contrary, Jesus is portrayed as the most loving god and his sacrifice while absorbing sins of all his followers, leaving them clean of whatever sins they have committed or will be committing in futures. Muslims on the contrary believe no such concept of original sin and know that whatever sins they will commit, they will be answerable for those on the Day of the Judgement. 

As for mercy and love, the Allah of Muslims is far more merciful, loving and kind, besides being the most forgiving for all those who believe in Him, take Him as the Only Lord of the world without any associates, and repent of their sins and seek forgiveness.

The mindset about Islam, "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) generally germinates due to lack of knowledge about Isla, Qur'an and Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The lack of knowledge compounded by lies about Islam drilled in the mindset by the religious men, pastors, priests and monks, thus, results in criticism about Islam. It is with this regard, I am writing this post to clear the mindset of the non Muslims, something that is being researched by many a non Muslims around the world and many a stark enemies of Islam are reverting to Islam.

In fact Qur'an abounds in verses that show fathomless latitude to the sinners and the wrongdoers and show how Merciful Allah is and how leverage He gives to the sinners and the wrongdoers to repent their sins and return to him seeking His forgiveness.  Of course no gets automatically absolved of one's sins, like followers of Jesus believe, and unless a sinner seeks forgiveness, his sins will not be erased or forgiven.

Let us go step by step to know how much merciful, kind and loving is Allah to his servants as against the lies so levelled against "Allah of Muslims" and Islam:

Allah's Mercy and Forgiveness
Allah Himself describe Him as "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) and "Ar-Rahim" (The Most Compassionate) in Qur'an. The Qur'an emphasizes that Allah's mercy encompasses all things and that He is willing to forgive those who repent sincerely.

"Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" (Quran 39:53)

Unlimited Leverage for Repentance
Wrongdoers are given many opportunities to repent and seek forgiveness. Repentance (Tawbah) is highly encouraged, and Allah promises to forgive those who turn to Him with sincerity.

"And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful." Quran 4:110:

In one of Hadiths ( mentioned in Sahih Muslim, Book 37, as Hadith 6644): Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying:

"Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: 'O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.'"

The above quoted verse form Qur'an and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ should be enough and an eye opener for those who label "Allah of Muslims" as unkind, merciless and unloving.

Encouragement to Refrain from Sin
Allah encourages believers to avoid sin and wrongdoing, emphasizing that while Allah is forgiving, it is better to avoid sins in the first place.

"If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise]." (Quran 4:31)

Ultimate Forgiveness is in Allah's Hands
Musch to the dismay of many non Muslims who beleive that their prophets, idols and saints can write off their sins, it must be cautioned that the Ultimate forgiveness is at the discretion of Allah, and He can choose to forgive whom He wills. This highlights the importance of seeking Allah's pleasure and striving to live a righteous life.

"Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whom He wills and forgives whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent." Quran (5:40)

Divine Justice and Accountability
While Allah is merciful, He is also just. Those who persist in wrongdoing without repentance will face consequences, either in this life or the hereafter. The balance between mercy and justice ensures that while forgiveness is available, accountability is inevitable for those who do not repent.

"This is for what your own hands have sent before [to the Judgment], and because Allah is not ever unjust to His servants." (Quran 3:182)

Allah of Muslims is merciless to those who associate someone with Him
Having enumerated many a examples of mercy and kindness of Allah, let us also remember that there is only one thing for which no mercy will be shown by Allah, and this the sin of Shirk - associating someone with Allah and a partner in His dominion of which He is the sole Master. Since this aspect of mercilessness of Allah is tangent to the concept of trinity, Allah of Muslims is portrayed as unkind and merciless.

In Islam, shirk (Arabic: شِرْك) is considered one of the gravest sins. The term "shirk" comes from the Arabic root word "sharika," which means to share or associate. In the religious context, shirk specifically refers to accepting other divinities or powers alongside Allah as associates., thereby violating the fundamental concept of Tawhid, which is the oneness and absolute unity of Allah. 

So someone is perturbed over mercilessness of Allah of Muslims on His complete discontentment for those committing shirk, they needs to think it over earnestly, objectively, logically and without tainted input from others. Many are doing it, and thousands and thousands have pondered over it, got the truth known and REVERTED TO ISLAM.

* Please read our exclusive post: 
In conclusion, Allah provides significant latitude to wrongdoers in terms of opportunities for repentance and forgiveness. However, His justice ensures that persistent wrongdoing without repentance will result in consequences. The balance between mercy and justice is a key aspect of Islamic teachings on the treatment of wrongdoers.

However, despite the information shared above, which otherwise abound the social media, many non Muslims take out verses from Qur'an and refer to them out of context to portray "Allah of Muslims" as unjust, merciless and unloving. We at our end can only share one to one knowledge of Qur'an and Hadith to add to the knowledge of the unknowers so that they can carryout more research on Islam to know the facts themselves rather than lies fed to them.

Let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Friday 7 June 2024

Responding to Objections on Islam: If fasting is a pillar of Islam, why (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) enforced it after 14 years of proclamation of Islam

A lot of objections have been raised and still being raised about various facets of Islam. Generally these objections arise from ignorance of history of development of Islam or mere as point scoring, specially for Muslims who have not had in depth knowledge of Islam. We have in our previous posts on "Responding to Objections / Lies about Islam" have tried to answer many such queries. 

Today we take on yet another objection which someone asked me in comments box of one of my post. The objection is:

If fasting is a pillar of Islam, why (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) enforced it after 14 years of proclamation of Islam

Before we give a detailed reply to the objection, it would be prudent to understand few basics:
  • Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was merely a messenger and prophet of Allah. His job was to convey to others what he was directed to do so. He at his own, therefore, could not say a word or proclaim anything unless the commandment of enforcing an act was Divinely delivered to him (generally through the arch angel Jibraeel or the Gabriel). 
  • Secondly, the revelations which were received by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in Makkah were different from the ones received in Medinah. 
    • Since the aim in Makkah was to invite the pagans of Makkah to Islam, the revelations were generally short and their theme revolved around (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) subjects pertaining to Tawheed, Prophethood, the Hereafter, and words of comfort for the Prophet ﷺ by narrating incidents from the past. Therefore we see that Surahs / chapters that are marked as Makki surahs / chapters are short and well focused to the infidels and inviting them to Islam.
    • The Madni revelations were reveled when the Muslim state of Medinah started to evolve and there was requirement to laydown rules to govern the lives of Muslims. Thus we see the Madni Surahs / Chapters generally consist of family and social laws, injunctions of Jihad and details of legislations - including fasting as well. Therefore we see in contrast to Makki surahs, the Madni surahs are rather too long, elaborative and directional. Take for example the 2nd chapter of Qur'an, Surah al Baqarah (The Cow) was is spanned over first two and a half chapters of Qur'an.
With this background, let us talk of enforcement of Fasting as one of the important pillar of Islam, in fact the third of five pillars of Islam (Others being Shahadah, Prayers / Salaat, Zakat [obligatory charity] and Hajj). Why the proclamation of different laws and directions was done mostly in the last ten years of enforcement of Islam and that too in Medinah is based on cerein ground realities, such as:
  • Those who reverted to Islam had lived a life of infidelity for centuries. Therefore it was not prudent to subject them to hard decisions right from the outset.
  • Take for example the menace of slavery. Slavery is part of the pagan culture and slaves, both male and female, were taken after overcoming another tribe and enslaving all able bodied men and women as slaves. These slaves were subjected to very hard life by  their rich masters who had absolute rights over them. Therefore abolishment of slavery could not have been done with one act. In fact through many revelations, the slavery was abolished in stages till the new Muslim understood the philosophy of not subjecting men and women to one's wishes and be their masters. 
  • Likewise, gambling and drinking, which were also embeded in the pagan life was abolished in stages and the final abolishment came in Medinah.
In the  same way, fasting, which entailed a very rigorous response from the new Muslims was not enforced straightaway in the initial stages of proclamation of Islam for two reasons:
  • In Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) did not have a state of his own to proclaim acts that needed conditioning and lot of persuasion.
  • Since the weather conditions of Arabia are rather harsh, it is difficult to abstain from food and water due to extreme heat of the day. One could only abstain form food and water, and many other things otherwise Halal / permissible, unless one was highly motivated, understood many WHYs, only then one could deside to endure the rigours of fasting during the long hours of the entire day.
  • Therefore, it was necessary to prepare the Muslims through gradual development and establishment of Islamic practices and community structure. 
We must understand that Fasting is primarily an exercise of devotion to willingly renounce oneself, for a definite period of time, from all bodily appetites in order to form spiritual discipline and self-control. Muslims are prohibited from eating or drinking from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib) when the adhan is sounded. It is considered time to begin fasting when a person standing outside can tell a white thread from a black thread, i.e. the light of the dawn and the darkness of the night.

Therefore, newly reverted Muslims needed to be conditioned to adapt themselves to the rigours of fasting. Herein under are factors which required a lot of time, fourteen years in case of enforcing fasting:
  • Gradual Revelation: Progressive Revelation: The Qur'an was revealed progressively over 23 years to address the evolving needs and circumstances of the early Muslim community. Early revelations focused on foundational beliefs, such as the oneness of God, the afterlife, and moral conduct.
  • Community Development: Community Building: In the initial years, the focus was on building a cohesive and strong community, especially given the challenges Muslims faced in Mecca, including persecution and social ostracism. This period required strengthening the faith and solidarity of the believers.
  • Social and Economic Stability: Economic and Social Stability: By the time fasting was prescribed, the Muslim community had migrated to Medina, where they enjoyed greater stability and autonomy. This allowed for the implementation of more structured forms of worship and communal practices.
  • Spiritual Maturity: Spiritual Preparedness: The early Muslims needed to develop their spiritual and moral foundation before undertaking more rigorous forms of worship. By the time fasting was prescribed, the community had matured spiritually and was better prepared to observe this demanding practice.
  • Legal and Social Framework: Establishment of Laws and Practices: The Medinan period saw the establishment of many social, economic, and legal norms in Islam. With the community more established and organized, it was appropriate to introduce fasting as a mandatory practice, as part of a broader framework of worship and piety.
  • Lessons from Previous Communities: Learning from Previous Revelations: Islam acknowledges the practices of previous Abrahamic faiths. Fasting was a well-known practice among Jews and Christians, and its introduction into Islam came at a time when the community could appreciate its significance and benefits, drawing lessons from these traditions.
  • Preparation for Greater Trials: Preparation for Future Challenges: Fasting not only purifies the soul but also builds resilience and self-discipline. As the Muslim community faced various trials and responsibilities, fasting served as a means to strengthen their resolve and readiness for future challenges.
  • Divine Wisdom: Ultimately, the timing of religious prescriptions in Islam is believed to be guided by divine wisdom, ensuring that the community could fully comprehend, accept, and practice these commands in the most beneficial manner.
Thus, the prescription of fasting 14 years after the proclamation of Islam was a strategic and well-timed step in the progressive establishment of Islamic practices, ensuring the community was adequately prepared spiritually, socially, and structurally to undertake this significant act of worship.

It was then that in the second year of Hijrah from Medinah (which was fourteen years after proclamation of Islam), Allah ordained Muslims to fast. This commandment is given in the 183-185th verses of Surah Al Baqarah as mentioned below:
  • "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183)
  • "[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew." Surah Al-Baqarah (2:184)
  • "The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful." Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185)
Note: The context of the revelation of these verses is significant as it came at a time when the Muslim community in Medina was becoming more established and organized. The establishment of fasting during Ramadan was part of the broader development of Islamic practices and legal framework that was taking place during the early Medinan period.

This in very brief the reasons of enforcement of fasting after 14 years of proclamation of Islam. We should not say things in the air without first carrying out a little research, for an effort to know the answers to one's objections is abundantly available in the internet, social media and now the AI through ChatGPT. 
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page). Also read our following posts:
You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Resource References: | ChatGPT | Wikipedia | 1 | 2 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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