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Saturday, 31 October 2020

99 Attributes of Allāh: Al-Mu'īd: The Restorer, The Re-Creator


Allāh is the Creator - The Al Khaliq (الخالق) and Al-Mubdi' (المبدئ - the Starter) of the entire universe and humanity. But all that He has created is time barred for a day will come when every living being will perish and lost in the dust. And then on the Day of Resurrections, He with His infinite powers will resurrect and restore all the living beings to be answerable for their deeds in their earthly life - for He is The  Al-Mu'īd "ٱلْمُعِيدُ " - The Restorer, The Re-Creator: The One Who Brings Back All.

Although, the attribute The  Al-Mu'īd "ٱلْمُعِيدُ "  has not been specifically mentioned in the Qur'an, it has been derived from many verses of Qur'an wherein Allah says that IF He has the capability to create a thing, isn't it easier for Him to recreate the same or restore it after has disintegrated. Herein under are some examples from Qur'an:

Surah 10. Yunus verse 34: 

قُلۡ هَلۡ مِنۡ شُرَكَآئِكُمۡ مَّنۡ يَّبۡدَؤُا الۡخَـلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيۡدُهٗ​ ؕ قُلِ اللّٰهُ يَـبۡدَؤُا الۡخَـلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيۡدُهٗ​ؕ فَاَنّٰى تُؤۡفَكُوۡنَ‏ 
Ask them: 'Is there any among those whom you associate with Allah in His divinity who brings about the creation of all beings in the first instance and will then repeat it?' Tell them: 'It is Allah Who brings about the creation of all beings and will then repeat it. How are you, then, being misled?
 This question has been posed to bring home to them the folly of the doctrine of shirk. The argument is this: When Allah originates the creation and has the power to bring it back again, where do the gods you have set up come in? If you think a little, you yourselves will realize that there is no room for anyone in the universe for any claim or title to your reverence or worship or servitude.
Surah 27. An-Naml verse 64:

اَمَّنۡ يَّبۡدَؤُا الۡخَـلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيۡدُهٗ وَمَنۡ يَّرۡزُقُكُمۡ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ​ؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ​ؕ قُلۡ هَاتُوۡا بُرۡهَانَكُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِيۡنَ‏ 
Who is it Who creates in the first instance and then repeats it? Who is it Who provides you with sustenance from the heavens and the earth?81 Is there any god associated with Allah (in these tasks)? Say: "Bring forth your evidence, if you are truthful.

Surah 29. Al-Ankabut verse 19:

اَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡا كَيۡفَ يُبۡدِئُ اللّٰهُ الۡخَـلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيۡدُهٗ ؕ اِنَّ ذٰ لِكَ عَلَى اللّٰهِ يَسِيۡرٌ‏ 
Have they never observed how Allah creates for the first time and then repeats it? Indeed (to repeat the creation of a thing) is even easier for Allah (than creating it for the first time).

Surah 85. Al-Buruj verse 13:
اِنَّهٗ هُوَ يُبۡدِئُ وَيُعِيۡدُ​ ۚ‏ 
He it is Who creates for the first time and He it is Who will create again,

Linguistically, the root word of this Attribute means: to return, to go back. We supplicate thus: "Lord! We plead to You to grant us a return to Your House," that is, to go back to the Ka`ba after having visited it or after having been there.

As mentioned before in the beginning, Al-Mubdi' (the Beginner) and Al-Mu'īd (the Restorer) are two opposite attributes. That is He is the one Who initially bestows the existence of everything, specially the living beings, and when this origination is not preceded by something like it, it is called a beginning; but when it is preceded by something like it, then it is called restoration - that is all things began with Him and are restored to Him; began in Him and in Him are restored.

You may refer to our post "
99 Attributes of Allāh" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran

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99 Attributes of Allah: Al-Mudhill - The Degrader


Most of the attributes of Allāh are expressive of His infinite mercy and benevolence to the mankind, for He loves His creations and ensures everyone gets a fare share of His love and mercy. HE gives to those who believe in Him and even to those who do not believe in Him.. But when theose who transgress the limits of disobedience, Allāh in His al might is the Al-Mudhill " ٱلْمُذِلُّ " - The Degrader, The Humiliator, The Giver of Dishonor, the Giver of Disgrace

قُلِ اللّٰهُمَّ مٰلِكَ الۡمُلۡكِ تُؤۡتِى الۡمُلۡكَ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ وَتَنۡزِعُ الۡمُلۡكَ مِمَّنۡ تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ​ ؕ بِيَدِكَ الۡخَيۡرُ​ؕ اِنَّكَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ‏ 
(3:26) Say: 'O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You give dominion to whom You will, and take away dominion from whom You will, and You exalt whom You will, and abase whom You will. In Your Hand is all good. Surely You are All-Powerful.

Although the attribute  Mudhill is not specifically used as one of the attributes of  Allāh in the Qur'ān, it has been derived from the 26th verse of Surah 3. Al-i'Imran quoted above. The word is from the root dh-l-l which  classical Arabic means to be inglorious, abased, humble. According to Classical Arabic definitions, Mudhill is an intensive epithet which denotes exceeding lowness or baseness.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحَادُّونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي الْأَذَلِّينَ 
"Those who oppose Allah and His Prophet shall be (herded) among the most abased" (Quran, 58:20).

As long as His mercy prevails, all goes well, but when people  do not listen to His prophets who have been given Divine guidance to show the path of eternal truth, and humiliates them, then Allah's wisdom produces circumstances of humiliation and disgrace. Remember what happened to people of Prophet Lut (Lot, peace be upon him) when they transgressed and openly resorted to homosexuality and were even after the two beautiful guests (in fact angels sent as the last test for them). And when despite Prophet Lut's efforts to spare his guests, the wrath of Allah befell on them, saving the prophet and a few of his followers. Even Prophet Lut's wife also burnt alive for she secretly sided with her people.
In Surat al-A`raf it is mentioned: "(As for) those who took the calf (for a god), surely wrath from their Lord and disgrace in the life of this world shall overtake them" (Quran, 7:152).
The ruins of people of Ad and Thamud are but few reminders for the mankind as long as this world lives of the fate of the disbelievers and transgressors upon whom wrath of Allah befell and they obliterated forever.

Mudhill (degrader) is similar to, but much more intensive and unpleasant than, Al-Khafid (الخافض) (humbler). And Mudhill (dishonorer) is the opposite of Al-Mu'izz (المعز) (honourer).

May Allāh save us from His wrath and let us not be ever humiliated by disobeying Him. Aameen

You may refer to our post "99 Attributes of Allāh" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran

Photo | References1 | 2 | 3 |

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

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

The life of this world is nothing but a sport and a pastime


Play and amusement are for preparing our minds for the serious things of life: in themselves they are not serious. And if we take our worldly life as a preparation for the Eternal Home to which we are going, then we must understand that it is far more important than the ephemeral pleasures which may possibly seduce us in this life.

The 32nd verse of Surah 8. Al An'am is big caution and warning for those who prefer to enjoy the worldly life while forgetting about how it was be repaid painfully in the life of Hereafter:

وَ مَا الۡحَيٰوةُ الدُّنۡيَاۤ اِلَّا لَعِبٌ وَّلَهۡوٌ​ ؕ وَلَـلدَّارُ الۡاٰخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ لِّـلَّذِيۡنَ يَتَّقُوۡنَ​ؕ اَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ‏ 
(6:32) The life of this world is nothing but a sport and a pastime, and the life of the Hereafter is far better for those who seek to ward off their ruin. Will you not, then, understand?

This does not mean that earthly life has nothing serious about it and that it has been brought into being merely as a sport and pastime. What this observation means is that, compared with the true and abiding life of the Hereafter, earthly life seems, as it were, a sport, a transient pastime with which to amuse oneself before turning to serious business.

Earthly life has been likened to a sport and pastime for another reason as well. Since Ultimate Reality is hidden in this world, the superficially minded ones who lack true perception encounter many a thing which causes them to fall a prey to misconceptions. As a result of these misconceptions such persons indulge in a variety of actions which are so blatantly opposed to reality that their life seems to consist merely of sport and pastime. One who assumes the position of a king in this world, for instance, is no different from the person who plays the part of a king on the stage of a theatre. His head is bedecked with a crown and he goes about commanding people as if he were a king, even though he has no royal authority. He may later, if the director of the theatre wishes, be either dismissed from his royal office, put into prison or even be sentenced to death Plays of this kind go on all over the world. Saints and man-made deities are deemed to respond to human supplications even though they do not have a shred of authority to do so. Again, some people try to unravel the Unseen even though to do so lies altogether beyond their reach. There are those who claim to provide sustenance to others despite the fact that they are themselves dependent on others for their own sustenance. There are still others who think that they have the power either to bestow honour and dignity on human beings or to degrade them, either to confer benefits or to harm them. Such people go about trumpeting their own glory but their own foreheads bear the stamp of their humble bondage to their Creator. By just one twist of fortune such people may fall of their pedestal and be trampled under the feet of those upon whom they have been imposing their God-like authority.

All these people come to a sudden end with death. As soon as man crosses the boundaries of this world and steps into the Next, the reality will be fully manifest, all the misconceptions that he has entertained will be peeled away, and he will be shown the true worth of his belief and actions.
May Allah help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'anYou may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Photo | Reference: |  12 | 3
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.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that:
  • The plain translation has been taken from the Qur'ān officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [1]
  • 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. [2]  
In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided by [2], additional input has been interjected from following sources: 
  • Towards Understanding the Quran
  • Tafsir Ibn Khatir
  • Muhammad Asad Translation
  • Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
  • Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
  • Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
In addition the 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.

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Friday, 30 October 2020

Why Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is the most revered of all the Prophets


For the followers of all Divine faiths, other than Muslims, caricaturing and ridiculing their prophets, holy men and even God is but normal and under the garb of freedom of speech they can draw any caricature or drawing of revered religious personalities is just a matter of fun. But when it comes to Muslims, things are much much more different for them all prophets, and specially the last of all the prophets Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a very serious issue for the revere all prophets of Allah and place them in very high esteem - far above the level of ordinary humans whose caricatures or cartoons does not matter at all.

The followers of other Divine faiths perhaps do not understand the sensitivity of the issue when someone ridicules their prophet. And specially a prophet who was the last of all the prophets, in fact the seal of the prophethood - meaning by that till the world ends, there would not come any other prophet and that whatever message Allah had intended to convey to the mankind had come to an end. The same message which all the previous prophets, from Adam, Noah, Lot, Abraham, Moses and Christ (peace be upon them all) brought and conveyed to their followers. All Muslims revere all prophets including the few named here and always add "peace be upon him" after their name as a matter of respect. Whereas none of the followers of other faiths even respect their prophets and just call the Abraham, Moses or Christ. Interestingly, there has never been a caricature of their prophets or a drawing thereof.

But when it comes to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), their rules change in the name of freedom of speech and they come up most horribly figured caricatures depicting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This naturally intimidates Muslims all over the world and one feel a surge of anger all over the world. 
Most modern Muslims believe that visual depictions of all the prophets of Islam should be prohibited and are particularly averse to visual representations of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). One concern is that the use of images can encourage idolatry, but also creating an image might lead the artist to claim the ability to create, an ability only ascribed to God.
The recent incident in France is but one of the many such attempts to defame and debase the very revered personality of Prophet of Islam. And to add fuel to the fire, the French president takes the podium to announce that they would continue with the drawings and caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This has also sparked a fury in the people of France which have started targeting Muslims and desecrating masjids in France. I wonder how much damage would be done in action and reactions, but I sincerely believe that one day sanity would prevail and non Muslims will come to terms with Muslims and their sensitivities toward Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

And now coming over the question: Why Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the most revered all the prophets. First of all it goes beyond any doubt that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last prophet sent by God and is The Seal of the Prophets and is the last law-bearing prophet, the apex of man's spiritual evolution. 

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things." — The Qur'an – Chapter 33 Verse 40

It is through him that Allah revealed the Qur'an. the last of His Holy Scriptures, the only unadulterated of the all Holy Scriptures revealed before to Prophets Dawood, Musa and Eesa (David, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all). For tis very reasons, Muslims all over the world try to live a life as prescribed in the Qur'an and as lived by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His way of living (Sunnah) and his sayings (Hadith) are central to Muslim belief after Qur'an. 

Unlike Christ, who is considered as a son of God and even regarded at par with God, Muslims believe that Christ was just a prophet like all prophets before him and like Muhammad who was also given Holy Book, called Injeel in Islam and Bible in English. It is not understood then why Christians should not consider Muhammad as prophet of God and ridicule him in their speeches, writings and drawings. It is something from here that ways of Muslims and followers of other Divine faiths diverge. Despite their hatred to Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, the Muslims give due respect and revere all previous prophets, though they believe that all earlier Holy scriptures have been drastically adulterated by adding human injunctions. Qur'an on the other hand remains unadulterated to this day even after more than fourteen hundred years since its revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Allah and brought to him through Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel).

The Prophet of Allah had to endure extreme hardships at the hands of the non believers of Makkah and there were times that all limits were crossed and he was even manhandled and stoned. Yet under such trying times, Allah came to solace of His dearest prophet and told him that "A painful punishment lies in store for those who cause distress to the Messenger of Allah. (Surah 9. At Tauba verse 61)", and "(Surah Al Hijr 15:95) Surely We suffice to deal with those who scoff at you", "(Surah 33 Al Ahzab :57) Verily those who cause annoyance to Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in this world and in the Hereafter and has prepared for them a humiliating chastisement."  So even if today, non Muslims are hurting Muslims by ridiculing their revered Prophet, the importance and popularity of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will not hurt for only those are made a target who become a threat to others in popularity and reverence. 

Not only Muslims, sensible non Muslims also believe Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to be a model for all mankind. Michael H. Hart in book ‘100 most influential people in the world‘ mentions in his book:
My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level. Muhammad's role in the development of Islam was far more influential than Jesus' collaboration in the development of Christianity. 
Prophet Muhammad, Founder of Islam. Important religious, political and military leader who helped to unite Arabia under Islam. Whilst in seclusion in a mountain cave, Muhammad reported receiving a series of revelations from God; these revelations form the verses of the Qur'an, regarded by Muslims as the “Word of God” and around which the Islamic religion is based. From his first experiences in the cave, Muhammad reported receiving messages from God throughout his life. These messages form the Qur'an – which to Muslims is the word of God. Muslims believe Muhammad to be the final prophet in a tradition stretching back to Moses, Abraham and Jesus.
Barnaby Rogers on is one such writer who has written extensively on Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His exhaustive "The Prophet Muhammad: A Biography" is wonderful book to be read for it has helped many non Muslims to accept Islam. Herein under are some excerpts from the his book:
The Prophet Muhammad is a hero for all mankind. In his lifetime he established a new religion, Islam; a new state, the first united Arabia; and a new literary language, the classical Arabic of the Qur'an, for the Qur'an is believed to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel. A generation after his death he would be acknowledged as the founder of a world empire and a new civilization. Any one of these achievements would have been more than enough to permanently establish his genius. To our early twenty-first century minds, what is all the more astonishing is that he also managed to stay true to himself and retained to his last days the humility, courtesy and humanity that he had learned as an orphan shepherd boy in central Arabia. (Source)
No matter how much the non Muslims ridicule and debase the very personality of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it goes without sayin that it adds more to his popularity and reverence. And it is for this very reason that more and more non Muslims, socially Christians are entering in to the fold of Islam for they find the ultimate truth in Islam as contained in the Qur'an and as practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and followed by his followers which are ever on increase every day that passes.

It is time that sanity should prevail and non Muslims realize that debasing religious personalities, specially when it comes to prophets and in particular Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is affecting peace and religious harmony. They must understand the sensitivities of Muslims toward Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and they should not debase this most revered personality just for fun sake under the grab of freedom of speech.

Please visit our reference page Understanding Islam: Frequently Asked Q&A to find answers to more of your questions.

References:  | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
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Thursday, 29 October 2020

Surah Al Tariq -The Night Visitor : Exegesis 86th Chapter of Quran


Sūrah Aṭ-Ṭāriq " الطارق " is the eighty sixth sürah with 17 āyāt, part of the 30th Juzʼ  of the Holy Qur'ān. The Surah taken its name from the word at-tariq  " الطَّارِقِ " in its first verse. 

The style of its subject matter resembles that of the earliest Surahs revealed at Makkah, but this sürah was sent down at a stage when the disbelievers of Makkah were employing all sorts of devices and plans to defeat and frustrate the message of the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings).

It discuses two themes: first that man has to appear before God after death; second, that the Qur'an is a decisive Word which no plan or device of the disbelievers can defeat or frustrate.

We have already presented the overview / summary of the sürah. Let us now read the verse by verse translation and exegesis / tafseer in English. 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
وَالسَّمَاءِ وَالطَّارِقِ 
( 1 )   By the sky and the night comer 

The Sūrah opens with an oath.  Allah swears by the heaven or the sky.  The Arabic word used generally means everything above us, it is an infinite term.  Thus He swears by everything above us, and by the night visitor.  The word for night visitor, at-Tariq means anything that travels at night.  Just as the reader is pondering what a night visitor might be God is also asking a question.  What will make you understand what the night visitor is? That is, what will explain the night visitor to you? We are given the impression that it is serious, perhaps even beyond explanation.  It is, we are then told, the star of piecing brightness.  A star whose light penetrates or cuts through the darkness.

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
Qatadah and others have said, "The star has been named Tariq because it is only seen at night and it is hidden during the day.'' His view is supported by what has been mentioned in the authentic Hadith that prohibits a man to come to his family Taruq. This means that he comes to them unexpectedly at nighttime. 

Concerning Allah's statement, (Ath-Thaqib.) Ibn `Abbas said, "The illuminating.'' `Ikrimah said, "It is illuminating and it burns the Shaytan''

Muhammad Asad Explanation:
Some commentators assume that what is described here as at-tariq ("that which comes in the night") is the morning-star, because it appears towards the end of the night; others - like Zamakhshari or Raghib - understand by it "the star" in its generic sense. Now if we analyze the origin of this noun, we find that it is derived from the verb taraqa, which primarily means "he beat [something]" or "knocked [at something]"; hence, taraqa 'l-bab, "he knocked at the door". Tropically, the noun signifies "anything [or "anyone"] that comes in the night", because a person who comes to a house by night is expected to knock at the door (Taj al-'Arus). In the Qur'anic mode of expression, at-tariq is evidently a metaphor for the heavenly solace which sometimes comes to a human being lost in the deepest darkness of affliction and distress; or for the sudden, intuitive enlightenment which disperses the darkness of uncertainty; or, finally, for divine revelation, which knocks, as it were, at the doors of man's heart, and thus fulfils the functions of both solace and enlightenment. 

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
The appeal here is to single Sign, viz.: the Sky with its Night. Visitant; and the substantive proposition is in verse 4: "There is no soul but has a protector over it". In the last Sūrah we considered the persecution of Allah's votaries, and how Allah protects them. Here the same theme is presented in another aspect. In the darkest sky shines out most brilliantly the light of the most brilliant star. So in the night of spiritual darkness- whether through ignorance or distress shines the glorious star of Allah's revelation. By the same token the man of Faith and Truth has nothing to fear. Allah will protect His own.

This is explained in verse 3 below. The "Star of piercing brightness" is understood by some to be the Morning Star, by others to be the planet Saturn, by others again to be Sirius, or the Pleiads or shooting stars. I think it is best to take the "Star" in the collective or generic sense, for stars shine on every night in the year, and their piercing brightness is most noticeable on the darkest night.

 وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الطَّارِقُ 
( 2 )   And what can make you know what is the night comer?

 النَّجْمُ الثَّاقِبُ 
( 3 )   It is the piercing star

 إِن كُلُّ نَفْسٍ لَّمَّا عَلَيْهَا حَافِظٌ 
( 4 )   There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.

A Guardian: Allah Almighty Himself, who is looking after and watching over every creature, big or small, in the earth and heavens. He it is who has brought everything into existence, who is maintaining and sustaining everything in its place and position, and who has taken the responsibility to provide for every creature and to protect it from calamities till an appointed time. On this, an oath has been sworn by the heaven and by every star and planet which appears in the darkness of the night. (Although lexically, an-najm ath-thaqib "  النَّجْمُ الثَّاقِبُ  " (verse 3) is singular, it does not imply any one star but the star in the generic sense). The oath signifies that the existence of each star (among the countless stars and planets that shine in the sky at night) testifies to the fact that there is a Being who has created it, illuminated it, suspended it in space, and thus is watching over it in a manner that neither it falls from its place nor collides with any other of the countless stars in their movements, nor does any other star collide with it.

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
Every soul has a guardian over it from Allah that protects it from the calamities. 

This is as Allah says, " لَهُ مُعَقِّبَـتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ " - (For Him, there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah.) (13:11)

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
If man has a true spiritual understanding, he has nothing to be afraid of. He is protected by Allah in many ways that he does not even know. He may be an insignificant creature as a mere animal, but his soul raises him to a dignity above other creation. And all sorts of divine forces guard and protect him.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:
The actual words are: اِنۡ کُلُّ نَفۡسٍ لَّمَّا عَلَیۡہَا حَافِظٌ. Here the letter لَمَّا occurs in instead of ل merely to maintain the beat and rhythm of the verse. The guardians mentioned in the verse are appointed because a Day of Judgement is to come wherein the beliefs and deeds of each person will be presented for accountability. Thus it is said that to understand this, people must look at the sky whose strong network embraces them from all sides. Similarly, the stars should be observed whose eyes are always watching them. Who can dare escape from their protection? They are sentinels of God who never sleep. If man reflects, he will come to see that this great system bears witness that it is not difficult at all for God to appoint a guardian over each soul who observes everything he does. Hence, everyone should understand that this world is not an un-minded lot nor will its inhabitants go scot-free without being held accountable. Hence, a day of accountability is bound to come and no one will be able to escape this accountability.

Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle Explanation:
After swearing by heaven and its piercing stars Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala says, “There is no soul but that is has over it a protector,” [86:4] meaning every soul has a guardian over it from Allah that protects it from the calamities. Something similar was also said in Surah Ar-Ra’ad Ayah 11, “For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah.” This implies a strong assertion that there is an agent appointed by Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala to watch over every soul and keep a record of its actions and thoughts. People are not left to roam about the earth as they wish.

On the contrary, an accurate and immediate record is kept, on the basis of which reckoning will be made. This inference becomes clear as the soul feels that it is never alone even when without company. There is always the watcher who remains nearby even when one hides from all and is secure against any visitor or intruder. There is still the watcher who penetrates all covers and has access to all things concealed, in the same way as the piercing star tears through the night cover.

فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ 
( 5 )   So let man observe from what he was created.

After inviting man to ponder over the heavens, he is now being invited to consider his own self and see how he has been created, who is it who selects one spermatozoon from among billions of spermatozoa emitted by the father and combines it at some time with one ovum out of a large number of the ova produced by the mother, and thus causes a particular human being to be conceived? Then, who is it who after conception develops it gradually in the mother’s womb until it is delivered in the form of a living child? Then, who is it who in the mother’s womb itself brings about a certain proportion and harmony between its bodily structure and its physical and mental capabilities? Then, who is it who watches over it continuously from birth till death, protects it from disease, accidents and calamities and provides him with countless means of life and opportunities for survival in the world of which he is not even conscious, not to speak of having the power to provide these for himself. Is all this happening without the planning and supervision of One God?

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
How Man is created is a Proof of Allah's Ability to Return Him to Him: Allah says, (So, let man see from what he is created!) This is alerting man to the weakness of his origin from which he was created. The intent of it is to guide man to accept (the reality of) the Hereafter, because whoever is able to begin the creation then he is also able to repeat it in the same way. 

This is as Allah says, (And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it; and this is easier for Him.) (30:27)

Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle Explanation:
Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala then calls our attention towards the early stages of man’s creation, “So let man observe from what he was created,” [86:5]. Let man consider his origins and what has become of him. Who is it Who has been monitoring man’s development from conception till death? Who is it Who has been protecting man from diseases, accidents and calamities and providing him with countless means of life and opportunities for survival in the world? Is it all happening on its own?

The One Who so artistically designed man’s structure and taught each body cell its respective function is capable of resurrecting man for the Final Judgment. The resurrection has been mentioned here because the idolaters denied this final reckoning. Will someone who knows I’ll never be evaluated give his best to whatever he is doing? If there is course exam and we know we won’t be graded on it how much and how will we study?

 خُلِقَ مِن مَّاءٍ دَافِقٍ 
( 6 )   He was created from a fluid, ejected,

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
The female ovum has to be fertilized with the male sperm before a new animal can be born. Man as an animal has this humble origin. But he has been given the gift of certain faculties of receiving instruction (typified by Hearing) and of intellectual and spiritual insight (typified by Sight). His life has therefore a meaning: with a certain amount of free-will, he is to be vicegerent on earth (ii. 30). But he must be trained and tried, and that is the whole problem of human life.

 یخْرُجُ مِن بَيْنِ الصُّلْبِ وَالتَّرَائِبِ 
( 7 )   Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.

“A fluid gushing forth” means ejaculation of semen (maain) carrying the sperm (nutfa), one of the minute, usually actively motile gametes-a mature male reproductive cell in semen, which serves to fertilize the female ovum. Sperms are produced by testes. Each testes has 800 small tubules and each tube about 2 feet long, semeniferous tubules which produce sperms about 200-300 million every day. There are 2 valves around urethra. Both are tightly closed to hold and store semen before its expulsion. The inner valve stays tightly closed to prevent backward ejaculation into the urinary bladder and the outer valve intermittently contracts and relaxes 3-7 times along with surrounding muscles contraction to generate force for propelling the semen out (dafiqin). (Ref. Spinal Cord Medicine, Demos Medical Publishing Inc. New York USA, Chapter 26, Page 354).

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
the sexual fluid that comes out bursting forth from the man and the woman. Thus, the child is produced from both of them by the permission of Allah. 

Due to this Allah says, (Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.) meaning, the backbone (or loins) of the man and the ribs of the woman, which is referring to her chest. Shabib bin Bishr reported from `Ikrimah who narrated from Ibn `Abbas that he said, "The backbone of the man and the ribs of the woman. It (the fluid) is yellow and fine in texture. The child will not be born except from both of them (i.e., their sexual fluids).''

Muhammad Asad Explanation:
The plural noun tara'ib, rendered by me as "pelvic arch", has also the meaning of "ribs" or "arch of bones"; according to most of the authorities who have specialized in the etymology of rare Qur'anic expressions, this term relates specifically to female anatomy (Taj al-'Arus).

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
A man's seed is the quintessence of his body. It proceeds from his loins, i.e., from his back between the hip-bones and his ribs. His back-bone is the source and symbol of his strength and personality. In the spinal cord and in the brain is the directive energy of the central nervous system, and this directs all action, organic and psychic. The spinal cord is continuous with the Medulla Oblongata in the brain.

 إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَجْعِهِ لَقَادِرٌ
( 8 )   Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.

Sulb is the backbone (vertebral column) and taraib the ribs. There are 12 pairs of ribs. Of them, 7 pairs are called true ribs as each of them is attached between the vertebra (backbone) and the sternum (breast bone), and the remaining 5 are called false ribs as they are also attached to the vertebral column but not to sternum. Ejaculation is a highly complex process which requires smooth coordination of multiple sections of the nervous system. Mechanism of emission and propulsions is caused by 2 spinal cord centers. The spinal cord is 43-45 cm long and is continuation of brain tissue and occupies its place in the center of upper spinal bony vertebral column. It is the proper functioning, integrity and continuity of these 2 spinal cord centers located between vertebrae (sulb) and ribs (taraib) connecting spinal cord and sex organs along with the valves around urethra by the nerves which are responsible for ejaculation. (Ref. Spinal Cord Medicine, Demos Medical Publishing Inc. New York USA, Chapter 2, Page 16).

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
This means that He is able to return this man that is created from fluid gushed forth. In other words, He is able to repeat his creation and resurrect him to the final abode. This is clearly possible, because whoever is able to begin the creation then he surely is able to repeat it. Indeed Allah has mentioned this proof in more than one place in the Qur'an.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:
Ie., if He can create man with such an ordinary drop of fluid, then surely He can create Him again as well. Imam Amin Ahsan Islahi writes:

… This fluid is not a rarity nor does it originate from a place which is beyond the jurisdiction of God; it bursts forth from between the spine and chest and later providence fashions it into whatever form and structure it wants to and then brings it from the womb of the mother. (Amin Ahsan Islahi, Tadabbur-i Qur’an, vol. 9, 303)

يَوْمَ تُبْلَى السَّرَائِرُ 
( 9 )   The Day when secrets will be put on trial,

That is, His bringing man into existence and watching over him from the time conception takes place until death, is a clear proof that He can create him once again after death. If He had the power to create him in the first instance and man stays alive in the world by His power alone, what rational arguments can be presented for the conjecture that He does not have the power to do the same thing a second time? To deny this power man will even have to deny that God has brought him into existence, and the one who denies this may well come out one day with the claim that all books in the world have been printed accidentally, all cities of the world have been built accidentally, and there has occurred on the earth an explosion by chance which made all the factories start functioning automatically. The fact is that the creation of man, the structure of his body, the existence of the powers and capabilities working within him, and his survival as a living being all this is a much more complex process than all those works that have come to be accomplished through man, or are still in the process of being accomplished. If such a complex work with such wisdom, proportion and order could be accomplished just through a chance accident, what else could not be regarded as accidental by a mentally deranged person?

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
On the Day of Judgement the secrets will be tested. This means that they will be exposed and made manifest. Thus, the secret will be made open and that which is concealed will be well known. 

It is confirmed in the Two Sahihs on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Messenger of Allah said, (Every betrayer will have a flag raised for him behind his back, and it will be said, `This is the betrayal of so-and-so, the son of so-and-so.') 

 فَمَا لَهُ مِن قُوَّةٍ وَلَا نَاصِرٍ 
( 10 )   Then man will have no power or any helper.

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
Meaning, from other than himself. This statement means that he will not be able to save himself from the torment of Allah, and nor will anyone else be able to save him.

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
In that new world, all our actions, motives, thoughts, and imaginings of this life, however secret, will be brought into the open, and tested by the standards of absolute Truth, and not by false standards of custom, prejudice, or partiality. In that severe test, any adventitious advantages of this life will have no strength or force whatever, and cannot help in any way.

Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle Explanation:
on the Day of Judgment the secrets will be exposed and made manifest. Thus, that which is concealed will be well known. It is confirmed in the two Saheehs on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar radhiAllahu ‘anhu that the Messenger of Allah salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Every betrayer will have a flag raised for him behind his back, and it will be said, ‘This is the betrayal of so-and-so, the son of so-and-so.’”

What man does is evident to the people but the intentions, aims and secret motives working behind them remained hidden from the people. On the Resurrection Day all this will be laid bare and not only will the acts and deeds of every person be examined but it will also be seen what was his motive and intention and object of so acting. Likewise, it also remained hidden from the world, even from the doer of the act himself, what effects and influences of his act appeared in the world, to what extent they spread and for how long they continued to work. This secret too will be revealed on the Resurrection Day and it will be fully examined as to what were the consequences of the seed that a person sowed in the world, what fruit it bore and for how long it affected the later generations for better or for worse.

Man shall be helpless, with no supporter. Standing bare without cover and strength adds to the strains and hardships of the situation. This has a deep effect on the reader’s perception, as it moves from talking of the universe and the human soul to man’s creation and his remarkable journey, until he reaches the end when his secrets are exposed and he stands alone, powerless, without support.

وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الرَّجْعِ 
( 11 )   By the sky which returns [rain]

The hidden secrets: the acts of every person which remained a secret to the world as well as those affairs which came before the world only in their apparent form, but the intentions, aims and secret motives working behind them remained hidden from the people. On the Resurrection Day all this will be laid bare and not only will the acts and deeds of every person be examined but it will also be seen what was his motive and intention and object of so acting. Likewise, it also remained hidden from the world, even from the doer of the act himself, what effects and influences of his act appeared in the world, to what extent they spread and for how long they continued to work. This secret will also be revealed on the Resurrection Day and it will be fully examined as to what were the consequences of the seed that a person sowed in the world, what fruit it bore and for how long it affected the later generations for better or for worse.

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
Ibn `Abbas said, "Ar-raj` means rain.'' It has also been narrated from him that he said, "It means the clouds that contain rain.'' He also said, (By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.) "This means that it rains and then it rains (again).'' Qatadah said, "It returns the sustenance of the servants (creatures) every year. Were it not for this, they would all be destroyed and so would their cattle.''

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
The Firmament above is always the same, and yet it performs its diurnal round, smoothly and punctually. So does Allah's Revelation show forth the Truth, which like a circle is ever true to its centre,-which is ever the same, though it revolves through the changing circumstances of our present life.

Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle Explanation:
Ibn ‘Abbas radhiAllahu ‘anhu explains the word “Ar-raj’i” as rain. Raj’i literally means “to return” like we say in the statement inna lilahi wa inna ilahe rajeoun. In the context, it has been used metaphorically because rain does not fall just once but returns over and over again in the season as well as off season. Qatadah added, “It returns the sustenance of the servants (creatures) every year. Were it not for this, they would all be destroyed and so would their cattle.”

The rain which comes from the sky again and again and the vegetation which splits the earth and springs forth are two images describing one of the many manifestations of life, the life of plants and their origins.

The image of rain and verdure is not dissimilar to that of the night visitor, the piercing star as it splits covers and curtains. It is also similar to the scene depicting souls being searched and all that is concealed being thrown open. It is again the same sort of structure which tells of the Maker. Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala swears by these two creations and their two events, the returning rains and the earth splitting to bring out vegetation. The impact of the scene portrayed combines with the rhythm to strike a strong note of finality and decisiveness.

 وَالْأَرْضِ ذَاتِ الصَّدْعِ 
( 12 )   And [by] the earth which cracks open,

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
The earth seems hard, but springs can gush forth and vegetables sprout through it and make it green and soft. So is Truth: hard perhaps to mortals, but through the fertilizing agency of Revelation, it allows our inner personality to sprout and blossom forth.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:
The actual words are: وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ذَاتِ الصَّدۡعِ. The word صَدْع means “to split asunder.” It refers to the situation when rain opens the pores of the earth and by absorbing water, it becomes lush and verdant.

 إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلٌ فَصْلٌ 
( 13 )   Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,

Muhammad Asad Explanation:
Lit., "a decisive word", or "word of distinction", i.e., between the true and the false - in this case, belief in a continuation of life after "death", on the one hand, and a denial of its possibility, on the other. (Cf. 37:21, 44:40, 77:13 and {38}, and 78:17, where Resurrection Day is spoken of as "the Day of Distinction"; see also note [6] on 77:13.) [This is chronologically the earliest occurrence of the expression yawm al-fasl, which invariably relates to the Day of Resurrection (cf. 37:21, 44:40, 78:17, as well as verse {38} of the present surah): an allusion to the oft-repeated Qur'anic statement that on resurrection man will gain a perfect, unfailing insight into himself and the innermost motivation of his past attitudes and doings (cf. 69:1]

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
See the last two notes. Revelation-Allah's Truth-can pierce through the hardest crusts, and ever lead us back to the centre and goal of our life: for it separates Good from Evil definitely. It is not mere play or amusement, any more than the Sky or the Earth is. It helps us in the highest issues of our life.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:
Earlier, the Day of Judgement was substantiated through man’s creation; now a universal argument is cited in its support: just as a dead piece of land is brought to life by rain when new plants and vegetation sprout from it, so shall the dead remains of each person be brought to life at the behest of the Almighty on the Day of Judgement. This phenomenon of life after death is observed everyday. This is evidence to the Qur’anic claim about the Day of Judgement being a decisive word that is certainly no joke. Imam Amin Ahsan Islahi writes:

Just as in the previous surah, the rejecters of the Day of Judgement are warned not to make fun of the admonition sounded to them by the Qur’an and that the Qur’an is an exalted discourse revealed from the guarded tablet, similarly, at the end of this surah also a new style is adopted to inform its addressees of the fact that the day of accountability which the Qur’an is informing them of is an indubitable reality; one day, they shall have to face it come what may; hence they should not make fun of it; prudence demands that they should listen to it carefully and understand it and prepare for the advent of that day. (Amin Ahsan Islahi, Tadabbur-i Qur’an, vol. 9, 305)

Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle Explanation:
The oath is that this word, or the Qur’an, which states that people will return to life so as to face a trial, is the decisive word which admits of no frivolity. “Indeed, the Qur’an is a decisive statement. And it is not amusement,” [86:13-14]. Just as the falling of rain from the sky and the splitting of the earth is not jest but a serious reality, so is the news which the Qur’an gives that man has to return to his Creator. It is not an amusing statement but a definite and decisive reality; an unchangeable truth which has to be fulfilled. It puts an end to all arguments, doubts and uncertainties.

When this final statement of return and trial is made, there follows an address to the Messenger salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. At the time of revelation he had only a few believers who supported him in Makkah. They were suffering the brunt of the idolaters’ hostility and their plots against the Islamic message. The idolaters were tirelessly trying to smother the call. The address is made to the Prophet so as to encourage and reassure him, and to disparage what the schemers devise. It states that their scheming is only temporary; the battle is in Allah’s hands and under His command.

 وَمَا هُوَ بِالْهَزْلِ
( 14 )   And it is not amusement.

The words dhat ar-raje have been used for the sky. Literally raje means to return, but metaphorically this word is used for the rain in Arabic, for rain does not fall just once, but returns over and over again in the season and sometimes out of season as well. Another reason for calling the rain raje is that water rises as vapor from the oceans of the earth and then falls back as rain on the same earth.

إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًا 
( 15 )   Indeed, they are planning a plan,

That is, just as the falling of rain from the sky and the splitting of the earth to put out shoots is no jest but a serious reality, so also the news which the Qur'an gives that man has to return to his God is no jest but a definite and decisive reality and an unchangeable truth which has to be fulfilled.

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
Though Allah in His Mercy has provided a piercing light to penetrate our spiritual darkness, and made our beings responsive to the growth of spiritual understanding, just as the hard earth is responsive to the sprouting of a seed or the gushing of a stream, yet there are evil, unregenerate men who plot and scheme against the beneficent purpose of Allah. But their plots will be of no avail, and Allah's Purpose will prevail. It happened so with the Quraish who wanted to thwart the growth of Islam. It will be so in all ages.

Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle Explanation:
So, let the Prophet persevere and be patient, and let him and the believers be reassured, “Indeed, they are planning a plan. But I am planning a plan,” [86: 15-16].

The One Who created man from a drop and then guided, preserved and direction him without any strength, ability or will of his own; the One Who made the sky, the night visitor; the One Who sends rainfall from above and splits the earth for vegetation is All-Powerful over the enemies of the Prophet and the believers. If the disbelievers are making a plan to defeat the Prophet then Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is devising a plan of His own. So, do not be impatient. “… allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile,” [86:17]. There is wisdom behind this respite and delay which is short even though it may take up the whole length of this first life; for how short this life appears when compared with a life of limitless duration?

Allah’s benevolent and compassionate attitude towards His Messenger is noticeable here. It is Divine kindness which suggests Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is not unaware of what’s happening to him and has not left him alone.

“And upon Allah let the believers rely.” [Surah Ibraheem:11]

 وَأَكِيدُ كَيْدًا 
( 16 )   But I am planning a plan.

That is, these disbelievers are devising every kind of plan to defeat the invitation of the Qur'an; they wish to blow out this candle; they are creating all sorts of doubts In the people’s minds; they are inventing false accusations against the Prophet (peace be upon him) who has brought it, so as to frustrate his mission in the world and perpetuate the darkness of ignorance and unbelief which he is struggling so hard to remove.

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
The enemies of Allah are constantly doing that. But Allah-in whose hands is all good-has His plans also, against which the evil ones will have no chance whatever.

 فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًا 
( 17 )   So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.

That is, I am planning that none of their devices should succeed so that they are utterly defeated in their designs, and the light which they are trying their utmost to put out, spreads far and wide.

Ibn Kathir Explanation:
Meaning, a little while. This means that you will see what befalls them of torment, punishment and destruction. This is as Allah says, (We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We shall oblige them to (enter) a great torment.) (31:24) 

Yusuf Ali Explanation:
Gentle forbearance with Evil shows our trust in Allah and Allah's Plan: for it can never be frustrated. This does not mean that we should assist or compromise with evil, or fail to put it down where we have the power. It means patience and humility where we have no visible power to prevent Evil.

You may now like to listen to tafsir of the surah in two audio parts by Nouman Ali Khan by clicking Here:

You may refer to our Reference Page "114 Chapters (Sūrahs) of the Holy Qur'an" for translation, explanation and exegesis of other chapters of the Qur'an.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
Photo: Pixabay | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 67 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Reading the Holy Quran 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.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Holy Qur'an from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that:
  • The plain translation has been taken from the Holy Quran officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [1]
  • The exegesis of the chapters of the Holy 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.  [2]
In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided by [2], additional input has been interjected from following sources: 
In addition the 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.

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Wednesday, 28 October 2020

Resurgence of Islamophobia - Time Sanity Prevails


Islamophobia is nota new term anymore for now it has been used excessively over the years to show "growing concern" about Islam and the threat it makes to the Christian world for Islam has now become one of the fastest growing religion in the world. More and more non Muslims are embracing Islam for the ultimately come to the conclusion that word of Qur'an is more closer to the Divine Truth that what is being preached in the churches and synagogues.

Thus it makes Islam an easy target for the hard core follows of other faiths to target Islam on one pretext or the other to debase Islam and Muslims, specially those living in the non Muslim countries and make their living difficult under tougher anti Islam environment. They know that Muslims get intimidated and provoked easily when the very personality of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is targeted.  And in this regard, France is in the forefronts which by taking its Freedom of Speech law more often than not debase Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, by using social and print media.

Years ago, the publication of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical weekly magazine, left a very bad taste of France about Muslims living in France. And obviously this hurts Muslims not only in France but the world over to see demeaning caricatures of their beloved Prophet and get provoked. 
When this happened, at that time while much of the (Christian) world  rallied in solidarity with the publication, its irreverent cartoonists and their right to free speech, there were some saner rejections too. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, a U.S. organization that "defends the rights of Catholics," issued a statement titled "Muslims are right to be angry." In it, Donohue criticized the publication's history of offending the world's religiously devout, including non-Muslims. In fact his statement ended with a quote from U.S. founding father James Madison: "Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power." In other words, we may be free to speak, but we have to appreciate the value of that right.
And when they express their anger, the French government takes sides of its writers and cartoonists and support them for they cannot be prosecuted under the Freedom of Speech law. In fact they have never shown concerns of such publications which are in fact the main cause of Muslims' sharp reaction and protests.




The hate for Islam in France is not a new thing. Back in 1890, a play screened in Paris also targeted Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). And as reported in the history, the then Sultan of Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire took a very serious note of the insults being hurled on to Prophet of Allah and summoned the French ambassador to his court and showed his discontent in very blunt tone:
Read details at Facebook

The publication of caricatures, burning of copies of Qur'an and hates speeches are now gearing up in many countries across Europe, specially Fence, Norway and Denmark. The very recent issue of a French teacher showing the caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has further added fuel to fire, which ended up in sad event of murdering of the teacher by an 18 years old Chechen, who was instantly killed by police. While the Muslims condemned the act of the teacher, they also condemned the act of the young Chechen, for Islam does not allow killing people for difference of opinion. But at the same time, the people of France would understand the sentiments of Muslims and should not support those hurting their religion by pen or by tongue.

This time the reaction of the Muslim world is much sharper and instant than before and many a Muslim countries have banned French imports and taken of French made commodities off the the shelves. Turkey's president and prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, have severely criticized the French president who vowed to continue allowing caricatures and drawings and supporting French journalists and writers to continue with their anti Islam drive for he doesn't want to challenge the freedom of speech law of his country. Even the French non Muslims have started to tell Muslims to leave their country if they cannot respect their laws. But the point is why cannot the French people respect the sentiments of Muslims, which the largest single minority in France? Does it mean France is at war with its Muslim citizens?

Where this terrible state of affairs of intimidating and provoking Muslims will lead to? Cannot the non Muslims learn to respect the religious sentiments of Muslims rather than defending their right to freedom of speech. Instead of moving to the path of tolerance and religious harmony, I think the world is drifting apart more rapidly than before and the present wave of resurgence of Islamophobia will really hurt both Muslims and Non Muslims alike.

After the incident, the French president went public and severely attacked Islam over the death of a French teacher, for showing cartoons of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during a class on free speech. Not only this, just last month, he had refused to denounce the infamous magazine Charlie Hebdo after it decided to republish Prophet (PBUH) sketches, provoking French Muslims to react. When asked about his opinion on the matter, the French President said that he was in no position to deny the magazine its right of ‘free speech.’

Responding to the French president response, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan lambasted French President Macron for attacking Islam. 
Khan said that Macron deliberately hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world. PM Khan said that a real leader unites human beings rather than dividing them. This is a time when President Macron could have put healing touch & denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarization & marginalization that inevitably leads to radicalization. Instead, he encouraged Islamophobia by attacking Islam ‘rather than the terrorists who carry out violence, be it Muslims, White Supremacists or Nazi ideologists.’

Imran Khan also wrote to Mr. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook asking for Facebook to place a similar ban on Islamophobia and hate against Islam that has been put in place for the Holocaust.  

Here I may again refer to a quote from U.S. founding father James Madison: "Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power."  So let not French people, or any other non Muslim people and governments around the world misuse the liberty and freedom of expression for it may be endangered by the abuse of liberty and freedom laws. Let sanity prevail and let us not hurt feelings and sentiments, specially the religious sentiments, of others.

Meantime, the Turkish president too has expressed his dismay over the French president's response to the incident and has asked for sweeping boycott of French goods:
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