Responding to a misinterpreted verse of Qur’an - God excellent Planner or Deceiver

Arabic is one of the most rich language of all the languages being spoken in the world today. And when it comes to the Quranic Arabic, it become much more difficult to interpret and unless an exegete or scholar is thoroughly mastered the Quranic Arabic and well versant with the history and environment prevailing at the time of revelation of a particular verse, the meaning of the Qur'an may not accurate. This is the reason why many non Muslims who when read the translation of Qur'an, they come across verses that confuse them and thus result in misinterpretation of some verses as a means of point scoring for having found a flaw.

Recently, when I shared one of the 99 attributes of Allah in my group, a non Muslim asked me to add yet one more attribute of Allah being a deceiver. When I asked as as to how has he concluded such an unbecoming attribute associated with Allah, he readily quoted the 54th verse of Surah 3.Al-i'Imran given here in under:

وَمَكَرُوۡا وَمَكَرَاللّٰهُ ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَيۡرُ الۡمَاكِرِيۡنَ

The actual and contextual meaning of the verse (3:54) is "Then they schemed (against the Messiah), and Allah countered their schemes by schemes of His own. Allah is the best of schemers." 

But it is generally misinterpreted and the word "وَاللّٰهُ خَيۡرُ الۡمَاكِرِيۡنَ" is translated as Allah is the bigger deceiver in the above verse.  

Like the objector mentioned above, the verse from Surah Al-Imran (3:54), is often cited for having a dual meaning regarding Allah's role in planning and deception. Let us explain the verse with reference to the context and it will be clear at the end of the explanation that Allah is the best of planners and NOT best of deceivers.

First understand the word Makr that is so confusing to some:

• In the context of the Quran and Islamic teachings: the Arabic word "makr" (مكر) generally refers to "deception, plotting, or cunning," but can also be used to describe God's strategy or plan, often in a way that is beyond human comprehension. 
• Here's a more detailed explanation:
• General Meaning: Makr, in modern Arabic, often implies evil plotting or cunning. 
• In the Quran: The Quran uses "makr" to describe both human and divine actions, with the context determining the specific meaning. 
• Divine Makr: When used in the context of Allah (God), "makr" can refer to Allah's subtle and often hidden plans, which are beyond human understanding. 
• Human Makr: When used in the context of humans, "makr" generally refers to deceitful or cunning actions. 
• Example: The verse in Al-Anfal:30, "Remember when the disbelievers plotted to imprison, kill or expel you. They plotted, and Allah planned something else, and Allah is the best of planners." (Al-Anfal:30) illustrates how humans plot (makr), but Allah's plan (makr) is superior. 

The Context

This verse appears in the context of the story of the plot against Prophet 'Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) by those who sought to kill him. In this particular situation, the enemies of Jesus, having failed to refute his message, decided to deceive the people and crucify him. However, Allah had a different plan. Instead of allowing Jesus to be crucified, Allah raised him up to Himself and instead a man resembling Prophet Isa was caught and subsequently crucified. Thus those who thought they were plotting against him were outwitted by the Divine will. 

The Dual Meaning

The dual meaning here revolves around the two concepts:

• Allah as the Best Planner: The verse emphasizes that while humans and disbelievers may have their own plans (in this case, to kill Jesus), Allah's plan supersedes all others. His wisdom and knowledge are perfect, and no matter how much effort people put into their schemes, Allah's plan will always prevail. The verse assures the believers that Allah is in control, and His plan is always the best.
• Allah as the Best Deceiver (in the sense of outwitting): The term "deceiver" (makr) can be interpreted in this context not in the negative sense of dishonesty or evil, but in the sense of outwitting or thwarting the plans of the enemies. In Arabic, "makr" has the connotation of plotting or devising a strategy, which can be used to describe both positive and negative actions, depending on the context. While the enemies were planning to deceive, Allah's plan was superior and outmaneuvered theirs. Allah’s "deception" (makr) here refers to how He thwarted the enemies' plans in a way that was beyond their understanding, showing that human schemes are nothing compared to the infinite power and wisdom of Allah.
• Changing Face: 
• It is presumed that the face of man who helped the Romans disclosing the whereabouts of Jesus (sws) in his secluded abode at the mount of olive Jesus was made to resemble Jesus (sws). Consequently, the Jews crucified him and kept on humiliating him. On the other hand, they were not even able to lay hands on Jesus (sws).
• And as for who was crucified, let us read Surat An-Nisā' (The Women) - سورة النساء: And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah ." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it.

Contextual Understanding

In Islamic theology, Allah is never seen as engaging in deception or lying in the way that humans do. The concept of "deception" in this context is different from its negative human connotation. It's about outwitting or turning a situation around to fulfill a higher purpose, which is often described as "divine wisdom." The key here is understanding that Allah's "deception" is part of His perfect justice and control, ensuring that the outcome aligns with His will.

And in the very next verse, Allah unfolds his scheme to Jesus:

(3:55) (And it was part of His scheme) when Allah said: 'O Jesus! I will recall you51 and raise you up to Me and will purify you (of the company) of those who disbelieve,52 and will set your followers above the unbelievers till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me you shall return, and I will judge between you regarding what you differed.

This verse thus demonstrates the supremacy of Allah's will and plan, showing that no matter how powerful or clever human schemes may seem, Allah's plan is always the most potent. The dual meanings of "planner" and "deceiver" highlight Allah's ultimate control over all affairs, and that His wisdom will always outshine the efforts of those who seek to oppose His divine plan.

You may now like to watch an informative video explaining the 54th verse of Surah 3. Al' Imran:

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 similar theme in our series of posts related to: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

| Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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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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.

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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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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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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

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.

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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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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: 

• What is the Reality of Shirk - the sin of idolatry or polytheism (Scholars' Viewpoint) [Link]
• The Sin of Shirk - Associating Partners with God 

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.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More