MyISLAM

Monday, 7 November 2022

Mary: The Honored Mother of Jesus

Esteemed and loved by all Muslims and known as a pious and devout woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus was chosen above all other women.

Islam rejects the Christian notion that Jesus is part of a trinity that is God, and denies emphatically that either Jesus or his mother, Mary, are worthy of worship.

The Quran categorically states that there is no god but God.

{Such is God, your Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Creator of all things. So worship Him} (Al-An`am 6:102)

Muslims are required, however, to believe in and love all of the Prophets, including Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), who holds a special place in the Islamic creed.

His mother, Mary, holds a place of honor. As a young woman, Mary went into the House of Prayer in Jerusalem, her entire life dedicated to the worship and service of God.

Mary Hears the News of Jesus

While she was in seclusion from everybody, a man appeared before Mary. God said:

{She screened herself from them; We sent to her Our Spirit, and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.} (Maryam 19:17)

Mary was afraid and tried to flee. She appealed to God saying:

{Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (God) from you, if you do fear God.” The angel said: “I am only a Messenger from your Lord to you, announcing the gift of a righteous son.} (Maryam 19:18-19)

Mary was amazed and puzzled by these words. She was not married, rather a virgin who kept chaste. She asked incredulously:

{O my Lord! How will I have a son when no man has touched me?’ He said, ‘So (it will be): for God creates what He wills; when He has decreed something, He says to it only ‘Be’ – and it is.} (Al ‘Imran 3:47)

God created Adam from the dust of the earth, without either mother or father. He created Eve from Adam’s rib; and Jesus, He created without a father, but with a mother, the pious Virgin Mary. God, who has only to say ‘Be’ to a thing in order to bring it into existence, blew the spirit of Jesus into Mary via the Angel Gabriel.

{And We breathed into it through Our Spirit, and she testified to the truth of the Words of her Lord …} (At-Tahrim 66:12)

Then, as the time came for her to give birth, Mary decided to leave Jerusalem, and travelled towards the city of Bethlehem.

Even though Mary must have recalled the words of God, for her faith was strong and unwavering, this young woman was anxious and uneasy. But the angel Gabriel reassured her:

{O Mary, Verily God gives you glad tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and will be one of those who are near to God.} (Al `Imran 3:45)

Jesus is Born

{The pains of childbirth drove her to clutch at the trunk of a date-palm tree and she cried out in anguish:Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!} (Maryam 19:23)

Mary delivered her child right there, at the foot of the date tree. She was exhausted after the birth, and filled with distress and fear, but nevertheless she heard a voice calling out to her.

{Grieve not! Your Lord has provided you a stream of clear water under you; and shake the trunk of palm tree towards you; it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink and be glad…} (Maryam 19:24)

God provided Mary with water, as a stream suddenly appeared beneath the place she was sitting.

He also provided her with food; all she had to do was shake the trunk of the date tree.

Mary was scared and frightened; she felt so weak, having just given birth, so how could she possibly shake the immense trunk of a date tree?

But God continued to provide Mary with sustenance.

The next event was indeed another miracle, and as human beings we learn a great lesson from this.

Mary didn’t need to shake the date tree, which would have been impossible; she only had to make an effort. As she attempted to follow God’s command, fresh ripe dates fell from the tree and God said to Mary: {…eat, drink and be glad.} (Maryam 19:26)

Mary now had to take her new born child and go back to face her family. Of course she was afraid, and God knew this well. Thus He directed her not to speak.

It would not have been possible for Mary to explain how she had suddenly become the mother of a new born child. Since she was unmarried, her people would not believe her explanations:

And if you see any human being, say:

{Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (God) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.} (Maryam 19:26)

Mary came to her people carrying the child, and they immediately began accusing her; they exclaimed: ’what have you done? You are from a good family, and your parents were pious’.

As God had directed her, Mary did not speak, she merely pointed to the baby in her arms.

Then Jesus, son of Mary, spoke.

As a newborn baby, Jesus, the Prophet of God performed his first miracle. By the permission of God, he said:

{Verily! I am a slave of God. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet; and He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me prayer, and alms, as long as I live, and to be dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. And peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!} (Maryam 19:30-34)

Mary is referred to in the Quran as a siddiqah (truthful one):

The Messiah, son of Mary is but a messenger; messengers before him have indeed passed away; and his mother was a Siddiqah (a truthful woman); they both used to eat food. See how We make the communications clear to them, then behold, how they are turned away.(Al-Ma’idah 5:75)

But the Arabic word siddiqah implies more than just speaking the truth. It means that one has achieved a very high level of righteousness.

It means that one is truthful, not only with themselves and those around them, but also with God.

Mary was a woman who fulfilled her covenant with God, Whom she worshiped with full submission.

She was pious, chaste, and devout; the woman chosen above all other women to be the mother of Jesus was Mary, the daughter of `Imran.

Source: Islam Religion

Sunday, 6 November 2022

DID MUHAMMAD AUTHOR THE QURAN?

Who authored the Quran? Someone must have produced it! After all, how many desert men have stood up in the history of man and given the world a book like the Quran? The book has amazing details of past nations, prophets, and religions as well as accurate scientific information unavailable at the time. What was the source of all this? If we were to deny the divine origin of the Quran, we are left with only a few possibilities:

- The Prophet Muhammad authored it himself.

- He took it from someone else. In this case, he either took it from a Jew or a Christian or one of the foreigners in Arabia. The Meccans did not bother to accuse him of having taken it from one of them.

A brief response from God is:

"And they say, ‘Legends of the former peoples which he has written down, and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon.’ Say, [O Muhammad], ‘It has been revealed by He who knows [every] secret within the heavens and the earth. Indeed, He is ever Forgiving and Merciful.’" (Quran 25:5-6)

It was well known to his detractors that Muhammad, who was raised among them, never learned how to read or write from the time of his birth. They knew whom he befriended and where he had traveled; they acknowledged his integrity and honesty by calling him ‘Al-Ameen,’ the Reliable, the Trustworthy, the Honest.[1] Only in their revulsion against his preaching did they accuse him – and then it was anything they could dream up: He was accused of being a sorcerer, a poet and even an imposter! They could not make up their minds. God says:

"Look how they strike for you comparisons; but they have strayed, so they cannot [find] a way." (Quran 17:48)

Simply, God is aware of what is in the heavens and the earth, He knows the past and the present, and reveals the truth to His prophet.

Could Muhammad Have Authored It?

It is impossible that Muhammad could have authored the Quran due to the following reasons:

First, several occasions presented themselves where he could have fabricated revelation. For example, after the first revelation came, people awaited to hear more, but the Prophet did not receive anything new for months. The Meccans began making fun of him, ‘His Lord has abandoned him!’ This continued until the 93rd chapter, Ad-Doha, was revealed. The Prophet could have compiled something and presented it as the latest revelation to end the mockery, but he did not. Also, at one point during his prophethood, some of the hypocrites accused his beloved wife Aisha of being unchaste. The Prophet could have easily fabricated something to free her of blame, but he waited for many excruciating days, all spent in pain, mockery, and anguish, until revelation came from God freeing her from the accusation.

Second, there is internal evidence within the Quran that Muhammad was not its author. Several verses criticized him, and were on occasion strongly worded. How can an imposter prophet blame himself when it may run him into the danger of losing the respect, perhaps following, of his followers? Here are some examples:

"O Prophet! Why do you prohibit [yourself from] what God has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And God is Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 66:1)

"…while you concealed within yourself that which God is to disclose and you feared the people, while God has more right that you fear Him.." (Quran 33:37)

"It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire." (Quran 9:113)

"But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge] while he fears [God], from him you are distracted. No! Indeed, they [these verses] are a reminder." (Quran 80:8-11)

If he were to hide anything, he would have hid these verses, but he recited them faithfully.

"And he [Muhammad] is not a withholder of [knowledge of] the unseen. And it [the Quran] is not the word of a devil, expelled [from the heavens]. So where are you going? It is nothing but a reminder to the worlds." (Quran 81:24-27)

The Prophet is cautioned, perhaps warned, in the following verses:

"Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which God has shown you. And do not be an advocate for the deceitful. And seek forgiveness of God. Indeed, God is ever Forgiving and Merciful. And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, God loves not the one who is a habitually sinful deceiver. They conceal [their evil intentions and deeds] from the people, but they cannot conceal [them] from God, and He is with them [in His knowledge] when they spend the night in such as He does not accept of speech. And God ever is encompassing of what they do,. Here you are – those who argue on their behalf in [this] worldly life – but who will argue with God for them on the Day of Resurrection, or who will [then] be their representative? And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of God will find God Forgiving and Merciful. And whoever earns [i.e., commits] a sin only earns it against himself. And God is ever Knowing and Wise. But whoever earns an offense or a sin and then blames it on an innocent [person] has taken upon himself slander and manifest sin. And if it was not for the favor of God upon you, [O Muhammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And God has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of God upon you been great." (Quran 4:105-113)

These verses explain a situation in which a man from the Muslim inhabitants of Medina stole a piece of armor and hid it in the property of his Jewish neighbor. When the owners of the armor caught up with him he denied any wrongdoing, and the armor was discovered with the Jewish man. He, however, pointed to his Muslim neighbor, also denying his involvement in the crime. The people from the Muslim’s tribe went to the Prophet to plead on his behalf, and the Prophet began to incline towards them till the above verses were revealed clearing the Jewish man of wrongdoing. All this despite the Jew’s rejection of Muhammad’s prophethood! The verses instructed Prophet Muhammad himself not to side with the deceitful! The verses:

"…and do not be an advocate for the deceitful and seek forgiveness of God…and if it was not for the favor of God upon you, [O Muhammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you."

If Muhammad himself authored the Quran, thus being a lying imposter, he would have made sure that there was nothing in existence which could jeopardize the gaining of followers and supporters. The fact that the Quran, on various occasions, reprimands the Prophet in certain issues in which he had made in incorrect judgment is in itself a proof that it was not authored by him. - islamreligion.com

FOOTNOTES:

[1]‘Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources’ by Martin Lings, p. 34.

Saturday, 5 November 2022

The originality of Islam

To what extent does Islam differ from older heavenly religions?

How far is Islam original, if compared with Judaism and Christianity in particular?

The Holy Quran emphasises that monotheism, the Islamic fundamental belief, is in essence the same one as in Judaism and Christianity. In the Quran, Allah Says (what means): “Not an apostle did we send before you without this inspiration sent by us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve me” [Quran: 21:25]

He also Says (what means):"Say, 'O People of the Scripture! Do you resent us except [for the fact] that we have believe in Allah and what was revealed to us and what was revealed before and because most of you are defiantly disobedient?'” [Quran: 5:59].

Muslims, therefore, believe in the soundness of the belief of the older heavenly religions contained in the Old Testament and the Bible which were originally revealed to Moosaa (Moses) and to 'Eesaa (Jesus), may Allah exalt their mention, not the interpolations made by their followers through centuries. In the Holy Quran Allah Says (what means): "So woe to those who write the 'scripture' with their own hands, then say: 'This is from Allah,' in order to change it for a small price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn” [Quran: 2:79].

So severely does the Holy Quran condemn those forgers of lies against God that all Muslim scholars deny the existence of any sound, revealed books other than the Holy Quran, while the modern in the west have acknowledged all types of interpolation.

In addition, according to the Holy Quran there is among the Jews a section: "… who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, “This is from Allah,” but it is not from Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they know." [Quran: 3:78]. And: "Among the Jews are those who distort words from their (proper) places (i.e. usages) and say, 'We hear and disobey,' and 'Hear but be not heard,' and 'Raa’ina,' (i.e. 'give us time to hear you and listen to us') twisting their tongues and defaming the religion…” [Quran: 4:46]

So if Islamic belief is the same one as that of Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, it is not at all the belief which had been interpolated in the Old Testament.

Concerning Christianity, the situation is similar. The New Testment was written down a long time after Jesus had been raised to the heavens. His followers were being persecuted during this time. Also, many books were written as bibles besides the one which was officially selected and adopted near the beginning of the fourth century (A.D). The creed was, on subjective, converted into a trinity contrary to monotheism. The Christians had driven Christianity out of existence so that, when Prophet Muhammad (may Allah exalt his mention) was sent, he found nothing but shameful paganism in the hands of the Arab Christians.

Among the pagan Arabs, the religion of God was not luckier than among the Jews and Christians. Therefore, at the advent of Islam the laws of God they had heard were either alternated or abrogated; some of those were unknown, others were neglected.

What was the situation of Islam towards those legacies?

Islam refused all that was wrong, adopted all that was right, completed all that was defective and purified all that was diluted, whether in beliefs or in law, or in ethics:

(One) Islam rejected polytheism, incarnation, and assured pure monotheism (the oneness of God).

(Two) It also rejected the silly principle that was adopted by the Greeks, Romans, and Jews, which made animals responsible before courts of law. Islam based legal and moral responsibility on reason.

(Three) In legislation and ethics, Islam put an end to narrow-minded racism and adopted a legal system which prohibits all discrimination on racial, colour, or ethical grounds. Racism had been lawful at that time among the Arabs, Jews, and Christians at least in the first century (A.D). This Islamic moral and legal system caused a revolution in both ethics and law.

(Four) In the sphere of law, Islam confirmed the principle of wergild (blood money) for both injury and murder, which was applied by the Arabs before Islam, but was unknown in the Old Testament. In Mosaic law, there was only retribution of forgiveness.

(Five) In the sphere of law, too, Islam did not confirm slavery as a penalty upon theft, while it had been legal in the earlier systems of law. Thus, Islam closed a wide grate in the face of slavery and made man jump towards his liberation.

(Six) Islam set up the doctrine of individual responsibility to put an end to collective responsibility that was in effect among the Arabs. Thus, Islam inflamed a greater revolution than that caused by the rejection of racism and by establishing equality of all races, regardless of colour and ethnic differences.

To confirm the principle of individual responsibility, Islam rejected the doctrine of the original sin, in Christianity, and considered all people innocent till they attain the age of maturity and start to err. Islam also set up the principle: “That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another; And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives; And that his effort is going to be seen – Then he will be recompensed for it a full recompense” [Quran: 53:38-39].

This principle alone is sufficient for producing a chain of differences between the Islamic and Christian Ethics; the first and most original principle, therefore, is to reject the injustice of collective responsibility and original sin.

Thus, there have been several kinds of specific differences that characterise God’s sound religion from what was abrogated or alternated. With such original principles, Islam completed the legal and moral systems that had been known before its advent. This is why Muslim scholars have decided that the laws in previous heavenly religions are not ours, unless Islam prescribes them.

By Dr.Ahmed Abdurrahman

Professor of Ethics

- islamweb.net

Friday, 4 November 2022

Adam and Eve in The Bible and The Quran

There is a lot of common ground shared by the Judeo-Christian tradition and the Islamic tradition with regard to belief and practice.

Both the Bible and the Quran tell the story of the creation of the first man, Adam.

This story is significant for its universal appeal, as it tells how mankind began its earthly existence.

Indeed, the same story is repeated in several surahs, such as Al-Baqarah, Al-A`raf, and Ta-Ha.

In all these places, the emphasis is on the creation of Adam, and we should understand that Adam here stands for Man in the generic sense.

The Quran says what means:

{We created Man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape…} (Al-Hijr 15:26)

It also says what means:

{He began the creation of Man from clay, and made his progeny from a quintessence of fluid} (As-Sajdah 32:7-8)

The Creation of Eve

The creation of Eve is not described in the Quran as in the case of Adam; though it is stated that a “mate” was created with Adam, from the same nature and soul. The Quran says what means:

{It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her in love.} (Al-A`raf 7:189)

We find “Eve” as the name of the first woman at the beginning of Chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis, in the Bible. Though the Quran does not give her name, she is known in Islamic tradition by the Arabic name Hawwa`.

The Bible describes the creation of Eve in these terms:

[The Lord God said: ‘It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make him a help meet’… the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam… and He took one of his ribs… and made He a woman … and brought her unto the man … and … Adam said, “… She shall be called woman] (Genesis 2:18,21-3)

The Quran confirms that Hawwa` was indeed created out of Adam but is silent on the specific process of her creation. It states what means:

{O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered [like seeds] countless men and women;—reverence God, through whom ye demand your mutual [rights], and [reverence] the wombs [that bore you]: for God ever watches over you.} (An-Nisaa’ 4:1)

Both the descriptions in the Bible and the Quran clearly show that the creation of Hawaa’ also was unique as she was the only woman created from a man.

But unlike the Bible, the Quran does not say that Hawwa was created from Adam’s rib, but says that she was made “of like nature.”

We may note, however, that the biblical statement above is not contradicted by the Quran, and what is more, it is supported by the hadith reported by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him). He relates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Treat women kindly. Woman has been created from a rib and the most curved part of the rib is the uppermost. If you try to straighten it, you will break it and if you leave it alone, it will remain curved. So treat women kindly” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This does not mean that Islam views women as biologically warped, but only that their basic nature demands special consideration and kindness.

The rib implies that the process of creation of woman differed from Adam and was unique. The Bible says, “God said, ‘It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make for him a help meet,’” and the Quran speaks of humanity’s {Guardian-Lord… [creating] from a single person, …of like nature, his mate}.

We may say that the rib is symbolic of the husband’s duty to treat his wife as part of himself, as well as the wife’s dependence on the husband for care and protection.

Differences Between The Bible & The Quran

The few differences between the Biblical presentation of creation and the Quranic one can be summarized thus:

All the three religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam agree on one basic fact: Both men and women are created by God.

But the Judeo-Christian tradition teaches that Satan appeared in the form of a serpent before Eve and tempted her to eat from the forbidden tree and that it was Eve who seduced Adam to eat with her.

According to the Genesis story, God rebuked Adam for what he did, but the latter put all the blame on Eve:

[The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it] (Genesis 3:12)

Consequently, God said to Eve:

[I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you] (Genesis 3:16)

To Adam He said:

[Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree … cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life] (Genesis 3:17)

The Islamic view of the matter is clear from the verses that mean:

{By deceit he [Satan] brought them to their fall: when they tasted the tree, their shame became manifest to them and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that Satan was your avowed enemy?” They said: “Our Lord we have wronged our own souls and if You forgive us not and bestow not upon us Your mercy, we shall certainly be lost.”} (Al-A`raf 7:22-23)

A careful look into the two accounts of the story of the creation reveals some essential differences.

The Quran, contrary to the Bible, places equal blame on both Adam and Eve for their mistake. The Quran does not say that Eve tempted Adam to eat from the tree or even that she had eaten before him.

Eve in the Quran is not a seducer or deceiver. God, according to the Quran, punishes no one for another’s faults.

Both Adam and Eve committed a sin and then asked God for forgiveness and He forgave them both. So there is no question of a hereditary sin called Original Sin in Islam.

In short, the whole story clearly teaches us the divine directive for equality of the sexes, fairness, and justice in matters relating to men and women.

The following Islamic principles are brought to light also; that humans have freedom of will, responsibility for their choice of action and the consequent accountability before God.

And Allah knows best.

(From Ask About Islam archives)

Thursday, 3 November 2022

The chosen religion

Allah the All-Mighty Says (what means): "This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [Quran 5:3]

This was one of the last verses revealed chronologically to Prophet Muhammad (may Allah exalt his mention), marking the completion of the Quran and the perfection of Islam. Islam is complete and perfect and is not thereafter susceptible to addition or abrogation. Being eternal and universal, the Islamic Law, which was made by God (Allah) Himself, Who knows what is best for us under all circumstances, is resilient and adjustable to the changing conditions of time and place.

The perfection of Islam is manifest in the fact that God (Allah) has made it reign supreme and prevail over other religions. Allah’s favor upon the Muslims is manifest in the fact that He granted them true guidance, support and honor in this world and in the Hereafter. He has also chosen for them Islam as their religion because it is the Truth, and it is for this reason that He will not accept any other religion but Islam.

The Quran says (what means): "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the losers.” [Quran 3:85].

Islam gives its followers happiness in this world and eternal bliss in the life to come. Islam simply means total submission to the Will of Allah. Therefore, it is the same in essence, whether given to Nooh (Noah), Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosaa (Moses), 'Eesaa (Jesus), may Allah exalt their mention, or to Muhammad . For the message it calls to is the same, and the source of unity is the revelation from Allah (which means): "He has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He enjoined on Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus: namely that you should remain steadfast in religion and be not divided therein.” [Quran 42:13]

After the corruption of the older Scriptures, the Quran came with a twofold purpose -- to confirm the true and original message of Islam, and to stand as a witness to it, by confirming the truth and rejecting the falsehood, which over time came into the older Scriptures. Muslims are required to believe in the revealed Scriptures and to make no distinction between any of them, or the Messengers who brought them, may Allah exalt their mention, because they all come from the One True God.

The Quran says (what means): "Say (O Muhammad to the Jews and Christians): 'We believe in Allah and that which has been sent to us and that which has been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and to Al-Asbat, (the offspring of the twelve sons of Jacob) and that which has been given to Moses and Jesus, and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).” [Quran 2:136]

These Scriptures have not been retained in their original form, due to the human omissions and additions that have crept into them. The Quran is the only Divine Scripture, which has stood the test of time without any change, because it is the Truth from God (Allah), and the Truth never fades or diminishes. The Quran says (what means): "That which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad) of the Book (i.e., the Quran) is the Truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it.” [Quran 35:31]

The Truth contained in the Quran will never be compromised because Allah has taken upon Himself the responsibility of preserving it, as stated in the Quran (which means): "Verily We have sent the Reminder (i.e., the Quran), and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).” [Quran 15:9]

And also (what means): "Verily, it is an honorable well-fortified book of exalted power (because it is Allah's Speech, and He has protected it from corruption). No falsehood can approach it from before or after it: it is sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.” [Quran 41:41-42]

The revealed Scriptures before the advent of Prophet Muhammad  such as the Torah and the Injeel, were written long after the demise of the Prophets to whom they were revealed. The entire Quran, on the contrary, was completely written in the lifetime of the Prophet  on pieces of palm trees, parchments and bones. Besides, tens of thousands of the Prophet's Companions committed it to memory while it was being revealed.

The Quran is still memorized and read in its original language

(Arabic) and taught to millions of people around the world. In fact, with every succeeding generation of Muslims, the number of those who have committed the entire Quran to memory has increased. There is no other book, religious or otherwise, which has been given this unparalleled care in recorded history.

The care with which the unadulterated teachings of Islam have been authentically recorded and preserved throughout the ages, is a clear evidence of the universality of the message of Islam and the finality of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad . The Quran is now available in its original form without change of any kind. The perfect preservation of the Quran signifies the preservation of Islam.

That is why Allah Says in the Quran (what means): "Verily the only acceptable religion to Allah is Islam." [Quran 3:19]

Oneness of the Lord

Islam calls to the belief that the Creator of the universe is One and Unique without any partners. His nature is so sublime that it is far beyond our limited conceptions. He is not a mere abstract of philosophy. All the creatures testify to His Existence, and none is comparable to Him. The unity of design and the fundamental facts of creation and existence of the universe proclaim His Oneness.

He is Eternal, without beginning or end, the Absolute, Who is not limited by time or place or circumstance. He is the Creator, the Sustainer and the Planner of the whole universe. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. He has the most Beautiful Names and the Loftiest Attributes. His Knowledge extends to everything seen and unseen, present and future, near and far. His Grace and Mercy are unbounded. He is the All Mighty, the All Wise.

The Quran says (what means): "Say: 'He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none equal or comparable to Him.” [Quran 112:1-4]

And also (what means): "There is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” [Quran 42:11]

And also (what means): "He is the First (nothing is before Him), the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him) and Most Near (nothing is nearer than Him). And He has full knowledge of all things.”  [Quran 57:3]

And also (what means): "He is Allah, besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He is Allah besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped, the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above what they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Quran 59:23-24]

And also (what means): "And they attribute falsely without knowledge sons and daughters to Him. Be He Glorified! (For He is) above what they attribute to Him! He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have a son when He has no wife? He created all things, and He has full knowledge of everything. Such is Allah, your Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone). And He has the power to dispose of all affairs. No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle, Well-Aware.”  [Quran 6:100-103]

Tawheed, or monotheism, constitutes the essence of the teachings of Islam. It signifies that there is One Supreme Lord of the universe. He is Omnipotent and the Sustainer of the world and humankind. Unity pervades the whole universe. All of Allah's creatures testify to His Oneness. This can be seen in their complete submission to His Will.

The perpetual succession of day and night in the most orderly manner; the fixed course of the sun and the moon; the mighty stars; the ceaseless alternation of the seasons -- the functioning of the whole universe including its most subtle elements in a most precise and systematic manner tell us about the Wisdom, Power, Greatness and Divine skill of this Great Creator, Who is Allah. - islamweb.net

Wednesday, 2 November 2022

The Power of the Quran in Changing Hearts and Minds

Allah has revealed the best teaching, a self-consistent Book which repeats its contents in manifold forms whereat shiver the skins of those that hold their Lord in awe, and then their skins and their hearts soften for Allah’s remembrance… (Quran 39:23)

Allah Almighty, in His infinite Mercy, revealed many books to mankind throughout the ages. The Quran names four of them, namely the Bible, the Torah, the Psalms of David as well as the Noble Quran. Yet out of all those books, it is only the Quran that has not been changed in any way for over fourteen centuries.

Unlike the other books of God, which were tainted and some volumes even lost by the hands of man, the Quran is preserved just as God assured it would be.

The Attraction of the Quran

Whether you talk to born Muslims or Muslims who have embraced Islam during their lives, you’ll find one thing in common between both groups of people. Most, if not all, feel the magnetism of the Noble Quran in their lives. This holy book pulls people to read it, inspires their hearts and changes their minds. As it was revealed in the Noble Quran:

Those to whom We gave the Book before this, believe in it, and, when it is recited to them, they say, ‘We believe in it; surely it is the Truth from our Lord; even before it we were of those who surrender. (28:52-53)

Reverts to Islam, those who have chosen Islam over their birth religion and gone back to a natural state of Islam, have felt this undeniable pull more so than most.

I, personally, felt this pull when I was a young Christian mother grappling with the tragic death of my grandmother. On the same night I heard the heartbreaking news; I grieved in the darkness of my bedroom and had no idea how to cope with the loss.

Suddenly, I felt this intense urge to get up and read an English translation of the Quran that I had been given by a friend. It was sitting atop a high shelf and it was all I could do to stop myself from reading it right then and there. It would be a few more weeks of mourning before I decided to open the Quran and finally see what it was all about.

Answering the Unanswerable

Searching for the answers to life’s great questions can create a great deal of anguish. People from all faiths, and even non-faith, can often be found in a state of contemplation about this Universe and all that is in it.

Questions that require answers, but are seemingly unanswerable, can tug at the human soul like a thirsty cactus in an arid desert. Such as:

“Why were we created?”

“What is the purpose of life?’

“Why is there so much human suffering?”

These are just a few of the pressing questions that weigh heavily on the human mind and cause immense anguish for the person seeking an answer.

For me, I remember once seeing a close cousin of mine wake up at night screaming because she was so scared of death and did not know what would happen after she died.

I found myself also being afraid and would wake up in cold sweats as an adult in college. It wasn’t until I had begun to read the Quran that I found answers to all the questions, including there being life after death in Jannah, I ever had about religion.

As I continued to read the Quran, and soak the pages with tears of gratitude to the One and Only God for His guidance, I knew that I had to take the Shahadah and be counted amongst the Muslims. And I did just that over 22 years ago.

A Comfort in Difficult Times

Critics of Islam don’t want to know what path led you to the Islamic faith, whether by birth or choice. Rather, all Muslims are lumped together as “others” and placed under a shared ‘guilt by association’ in terms of the actions of a few misguided souls that engage in acts of terror.

During times where Muslims are misunderstood and maligned, it is the Noble Quran that pulls a believer back to read the pages within and recite this Final Message from God Almighty.

How many times have you felt distress or sheer panic in your life? And without even thinking, the words you’ve learned from the Quran float effortlessly out of your mouth. This is just one way that the Quran comforts believers.

For me, when there is a pressing situation or unexpected disaster in my life, I find that my lips start moving on their own as chapter Al Fatihah comes out of my non-Arabic speaking mouth in fluid Arabic.

The ease that is found within the Quran soothes the soul and brings a sense of calm to any situation. Even just listening to a recording of the Quran has a medicinal effect that both heals and brings relief to the human spirit. It is a true gift and mercy for all of mankind from our Creator.

Guide for Human Existence

In many non-Muslim societies we see countless people struggling with various aspects of life, such as drug addiction or another vice. Yet the Quran serves as a guidebook for living that tells Muslims how best to live, how to differentiate between right and wrong, and even outlines laws that help the weaker members of society.

The Quran has the power to change hearts and minds because it can reach those people who may have been shunned by society, such as the poor, the elderly, women and orphans. The Noble Quran uplifts these people with a captivating text that captures the heart and touches the human soul.

There is no other religious text or any book that could live up to a single chapter of the Quran. This Divine book is a mercy from God and truly a gift to humanity.

(From Discovering Islam’s archive)

- aboutislam.net

Tuesday, 1 November 2022

Trial and error: punctual equilibrium

Neo-Darwinists propound improbable new scenarios in their efforts to keep Darwinism alive

Most of the scientists who believe in evolution accept the neo-Darwinist theory of slow, gradual evolution. In recent decades, however, a different model has been proposed. Called “punctuated equilibrium”, this model rejects the Darwinist idea of a cumulative, step-by-step evolution and holds that evolution took place instead in big, discontinuous “jumps”.

The first vociferous defenders of this notion appeared at the beginning of the 1970s CE. Two American paleontologists, Niles Eldredge and Stephen Nay Gould, were well aware that the claims of the neo-Darwinist theory were absolutely refuted by fossil records. Fossils proved that living organisms did not originate by gradual evolution, but appeared suddenly and fully-formed. Neo-Darwinists were living with the fond hope -- they still do -- that the lost transitional forms would one day be found. Realising that this hope was groundless, Eldredge and Gould were nevertheless unable to abandon their evolutionary dogma, so they put forward a new model: punctuated equilibrium. This is the claim that evolution did not take place as a result of minor variations but rather in sudden and great changes.

This model was nothing but a model for fantasies. For instance, European paleontologist O.H. Shindewolf, who led the way for Eldredge and Gould, claimed that the first bird came out of a reptile egg as a “gross mutation”, that is, as a result of a huge “accident” that took place in the genetic structure. According to the same theory, some land-dwelling animals could have turned into giant whales having undergone a sudden and comprehensive transformation. These claims, totally contradicting all the rules of genetics, biophysics and biochemistry are about as scientific as the fairy tales about frogs turning into princes! Nevertheless, being distressed by the ``crisis that the neo-Darwinist assertion was in'', some evolutionist paleontologists embraced this theory, which had the distinction of being even more bizarre than neo-Darwinism itself.

The only purpose of this model was to provide an explanation for the unexplained gaps in fossil records that the neo-Darwinist model could not explain. However, it is hardly rational to attempt to explain the fossil gap in the evolution of birds with a claim that “a bird popped all of a sudden out of a reptile egg”, because by the evolutionists’ own admission, the evolution of one species to another requires a great and advantageous change in genetic information. However, no mutation whatsoever improves the genetic information or adds new information to it. Thus the “gross mutations” imagined by the punctuated equilibrium model would only cause “gross”, that is “great” reductions and impairments in the genetic information.

Moreover, the model of “punctuated equilibrium” collapses from the very first step by its inability to address the question of the origin of life, which is also the question that refutes the neo-Darwinist model from the outset. Since not even a single protein can have originated by chance, the debate over whether organisms made up of trillions of those proteins have undergone a “punctuated” or “gradual” evolution is senseless.

In spite of this, the model that comes to mind when “evolution” is discussed today is still neo-Darwinism, we must first examine the neo-Darwinist model and then look at the fossil record to test this model. After that, we will dwell upon the question of the origin of life, which invalidates both the neo-Darwinist model and all other evolutionist models such as “evolution by leaps”.

Before doing so, it may be useful to remind the reader that the reality we will be confronting at every stage is that the evolutionary scenario is a fairytale, a great deceit totally at variance with all scientific facts and evidence. It is a scenario that has been used to deceive the world for the past 140 years. Thanks to the latest scientific discoveries, its continued defence has at last become impossible.

The Quran states that Allah will show us His signs, in the world around us and within ourselves, at which the people of understanding will have increased faith. Unlike what evolutionist scientists would have us believe, Allah has not created the world in vain, it has a specific purpose and underlying design. In spite of misleading obscurantist agendas, it is our duty to unravel the truth and expose falsehood. - islamweb.net