“Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy”.
“One of the well known scientific principles is the principle of finding mistakes or looking for mistakes in a theory until it’s proved to be right (Falsification Test). What’s amazing is that the Holy Qur'an asks Muslims and non-muslims to try to find mistakes in this book and it tells them that they will never find any”. He also says about this verse: "No writer in the world has the courage to write a book and say that it’s empty of mistakes, but the Qur'an, on the contrary, tells you that it has no mistakes and asks you to try to find one and you won’t find any."
“When thou does read the Qur'an, seek Allah's protection from Satan the Rejected One” The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 16, Verse 98.
You see? Can this be the devil’s way to write a book? how can he write a book then tells you to ask God for protection from this devil before reading that book? Those are miraculous verses in this miraculous book! and has a logical answer to those who pretend that it’s from the devil”.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Man inclination to sin
Practical moral experience shows man's greater inclination to sin than his striving to do good. His ability to fall deep into sin seems to be greater than to soar up into the heights of virtue.
"..... verily, man's inner self does incite [him] to evil," and saved are only they upon whom my Sustainer bestows His grace." (12:53).
"Allah desires that He should make light your burdens, and man is created weak." 4.28
"..... verily, man's inner self does incite [him] to evil," and saved are only they upon whom my Sustainer bestows His grace." (12:53).
"Allah desires that He should make light your burdens, and man is created weak." 4.28
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Revile not & Day of Judgement
6:108. Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do.
The verses below contradicts the stories about Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) saving us on the day of judgement.
46:9. Say: I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that which is inspired in me, and I am but a plain warner.
6:188. Say: For myself I have no power to benefit, nor power to hurt, save that which Allah willeth. Had I knowledge of the Unseen, I should have abundance of wealth, and adversity would not touch me. I am but a warner, and a bearer of good tidings unto folk who believe.
The verses below contradicts the stories about Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) saving us on the day of judgement.
46:9. Say: I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that which is inspired in me, and I am but a plain warner.
6:188. Say: For myself I have no power to benefit, nor power to hurt, save that which Allah willeth. Had I knowledge of the Unseen, I should have abundance of wealth, and adversity would not touch me. I am but a warner, and a bearer of good tidings unto folk who believe.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Shantideva Quotes
- 1)If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?
Though they may hear the teachings, ponder them or meditate,
With minds like water seeping from a leaking jug,
Their learning will not settle in their memories.
3) Suffering also has its worth.
Through sorrow, pride is driven out
And pity felt for those who wander in samsara;
Evil is avoided, goodness seems delightful.
4)Take advantage of this human boat;
Free yourself from sorrow's mighty stream!
This vessel will be later hard to find.
The time that you have now, you fool, is not for sleep!
5)If you live for your happiness you will never be happy,
if you live for others happiness you will always be happy.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Are Women to be Beaten?
Are Women to be Beaten?
By Layth (e-mail: laytth@hotmail.com)
In some parts of the Middle East and other areas of the Muslim world, a woman may be beaten severely by her husband or male relatives for something as ridiculous as not having dinner prepared on time. It is a common theme amongst some male Muslims to beat their women whenever they think it is deserved and they can rest assured that the entire Islamic Scholars will be right behind them for support.
Although this may sound bizarre, the Muslim Scholars have told people that God has ordained in His holy book that women may be beaten if their male counter-part is not pleased with them. The verse that Muslims claim gives a green light to commit violence against their women-folk is the following:
[Yusufali Translation]: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear "Nushooz" disloyalty and ill-conduct , admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) "Idribuhun" beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all)." (4:34)
If indeed God had commanded men to beat their `disloyal` women, then we have no course of action but to `hear & obey`...However, there is more than meets the eye in accepting the common interpretation of verse 4:34 which is the subject of this article.
The Quran is best studied by placing all similar subject words/verses together (this approach is called `Tarteel` and has been advised by the Almighty in 73:4).
There are two key words that are central to deriving the correct meaning for this topic:
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Nushuz (translated above `disloyalty & ill-conduct)
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Idribuhun (translated above as `beat them`).
The first word `Nushooz` will give us an understanding of what the subject is all about...Is this about a woman who is disloyal and in ill-conduct (an adulteress or temptress perhaps?) Or, has this word been mistranslated based on a backdrop of social ignorance and male domination?
Nushooz means: `to rise / go above`.
This can be seen clearly in 58:11 where people are told to `Nushooz` from the place of gathering/sitting.
[Yusufali Translation]: O ye who believe! When ye are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room: (ample) room will Allah provide for you. And when ye are told "Inshuzoo" *to rise up, rise up Allah will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted (mystic) Knowledge. And Allah is well-acquainted with all ye do." (58:11)
* Notice how our translator [Yusufali] has given the correct translation in the verse, whereas in 4:34 it was all about `disloyalty & ill-conduct`.
Therefore, the issue we are dealing with here is not adultery or some other act of immorality, but rather it is the subject of a woman `rebelling / going against` her husband (going above them, not acknowledging the other, not listening, deserting them, etc.).
Let us read what the Quran tells us to do when it is the man that is doing the `Nushooz` and not the woman:
[Yusufali Translation]: If a wife fears cruelty or "Nushooz" **desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practise self-restraint, Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do." (4:128)
** Again, we see our translator [yusufali] magically giving the correct meaning by translating `Nushooz` as `desertion` when it just happened that the male was the subject matter!
The Quran tells us that if the man is the one who is doing the `Nushooz` then the couple need to reconcile or part since he obviously has rebelled against his wife (can't stand to be with her, finds himself wanting to leave from her presence, etc..)...The verse does not say that the woman should `beat` the man into submission or bring her men-folk to do so in order to knock some sense into him...It says they should talk, and reconcile, since obviously this is an issue which needs people to come-back into respecting and loving one another, or part ways.
Now to move back to the verse where the woman is the one doing the `Nushooz` using the correct translation:
"The men are to support the women by what God has gifted them over one another and for what they spend of their money. The upright women who are attentive, and keep private the personal matters for what God keeps watch over. As for those women from whom you fear a "Nushooz" desertion, then you shall advise them, and abandon them in the bedchamber, and "Idribuhun" Beat them?; if they obey you, then do not seek a way over them; God is High, Great.` (4:34)
If we look at the subject matter, it is of a woman who cannot stand her man and therefore has rebelled from him...As with the example of the man being the one rebelling, there are steps to `calm things down` and to bring harmony into the marriage...Beating a woman if she can't stand her man and has rebelled against him will only make her hate him more (not exactly a logical or practical solution to the problem).
Obviously now that the subject has been better understood, it is the second word "Idribuhun" which needs examination in light of the Quran.
"Have you not seen how God puts forth (Daraba) the example of a good word is like a good tree, whose root is firm and its branches in the sky." (The Message 14:24)
"For the poor who face hardship in the cause of God, they cannot go forth (Darban) in the land; the ignorant ones think they are rich from their modesty; you know them by their features, they do not ask the people repeatedly. And what you spend out of goodness, God is fully aware of it." (2:273)
Daraba (in its natural state) means: `to put forth`
The only reason this word can sometimes mean hit/strike is because a person is `putting forth` his hand when striking someone (see 8:12, 8:50, 47:27).
"And if you could only see as the Angels take those who have rejected, they "Yadriboon" strike their faces and their backs: `Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire!`" (8:50)
Looking back at 4:34, we see that the context of the verse (solving the wife's rejection of her husband) leads us to choose the natural meaning of "Darab" which is: `to put forth` and not the alternative meaning of `strike`.
"The men are to support the women by what God has gifted them over one another and for what they spend of their money. The upright women who are attentive, and keep private the personal matters for what God keeps watch over. As for those women from whom you fear a desertion, then you shall 1) advise them, and 2) abandon them in the bedchamber, and 3) "Idribuhun" let them go forth; if they obey you, then do not seek a way over them; God is High, Great." (4:34)
The approach of choosing the `best` understanding and/or meaning is both logical and, more importantly, in-line with the guidance for study we are given by God:
"The ones who listen to what is being said, and then follow the BEST of it. These are the ones whom God has guided, and these are the ones who possess intelligence." (39:18)
What we have now is a comprehensive list of steps in order for a man to deal with his wife who wants to desert her husband and can no longer stand to be with him...
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Talk about it. This is obviously the simplest and healthiest method since it opens the communication channel between both parties.
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Abstain from sharing the same bed. This is the 2nd approach the man is advised to use if they are unable to reconcile their problem as the lack of sexual contact may lead to the wife to cool down as intimate contact may simply inflame the situation if she is unable to stand her husband.
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Separate from each other. The 3rd and final line of advice is designed as a 'cooling-off' period and is mainly designed to help the wife re-think and examine the situation closely without the physical presence of her husband.
The logic and clarity of the above steps are a far cry from the wife beating and bashing claims which this article started off examining....
As for those who have been promoting the evil inherited from their forefathers while claiming falsely it was from God...
"And if they commit evil acts, they Say: `We found our fathers doing such, and God ordered us to it.` Say: `God does not order evil! Do you say about God what you do not know?` Say: `My Lord orders justice, and that you be devoted at every temple, and that you call on Him, while being faithful to Him in the system; as He initiated you, so you will return.` A group He has guided and a group have deserved misguidance; that is because they have taken the devils as allies besides God; and they think they are guided!" (7:28-30)
Questions / Issues
Below are some arguments/questions which have been presented in support of the understanding to `beat women` as claimed is the true meaning in 4:34.
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In Arabic, the word for `separate from them` is `IdribuANhun` and not `Idribuhun` as used in 4:34. Therefore `beat` is the correct meaning.
The people who raise such linguistic obstacles fail to notice that God uses the very same word `Darab` such as in 14:24 without any prefix.
"Have you not seen how God puts forth (Daraba) the example of a good word is like a good tree, whose root is firm and its branches in the sky." (The Message 14:24)
Would they claim by the very same linguistic argument that God is `beating` an example? Or, will they accept that without any prefix the word can mean to `put forth`?
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The word `Idrib` means `beat` if applied to a living object/thing and can mean otherwise if applied to a non-living object/thing.
This is mainly an argument put forth by groups who have preconceived notions and wish to keep believing that Islam is a mindless and barbaric system. The argument holds no merit based on linguistics or Arabic grammar. In-fact, the usage of the word `Idrib` as applied in verse 24:31 puts an end to this argument as the women are obviously not being commanded to `beat` their bosoms with their shawls, but rather they are commanded to `put-forth` their shawls:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and keep covered their private parts, and that they should not reveal their beauty except what is apparent, and let them put-forth (YaDribna) their shawls over their cleavage..." (24:31)
Collection of 4:34 Translations which do not use "beat/scourge/hit" (violence)
___________________________________________________________
"The ones who listen to what is being said, and then follow the best of it. These are the ones whom Allah has guided, and these are the ones who possess intelligence."
(Qur'an 39:18)
______________________
Laleh Bakhtiar______________________________________________________
From 'The Sublime Qur'an': more information
Dr. Kamal Omar_____________________________________________________
Ahmed Ali__________________________________________________________
(Ahmed Ali's entire Qur'an translation: here)
Free-minds_________________________________________________________
(Free-mind's entire Qur'an translation: here)
Dr Shabbir Ahmed & Liaquat Ali (QXP)___________________________________
Muhamed Ahmed with his daughter Samira_______________________________
(Late) AbdurRasheed Kamptee, Dr. Abdulazeez Abdulraheem,
Shaikh AbdulGhafoor Parekh__________________________________________
Friday, September 21, 2007
"How Can We Observe The Salaat Prayers By Following The Quran Alone?"
"How Can We Observe The Salaat Prayers By Following The Quran Alone?"
Edip Yuksel
"How can we observe the Salaat prayers by following the Quran alone?" is a favorite question among Sunni and Shiite Muslims who follow derivative texts, religious instruction, teachings and laws, all of which are written by men. With this question, both sects try to justify the necessity and proliferation of contradictory sectarian teachings, medieval Arab culture, oppressive laws filled with prohibitions and regulations--all falsely attributed to God and His prophet.
As a result, Monotheism is redefined as a "Limited Partnership", in which the recognition and submission to God alone becomes an oxymoron; a contradiction in terms in which other 'partners' are submitted to and accepted by these 'believers.' The most common set-up for Sunni shirk is: the Quran (God) + hadiths and sunnah (messenger) + the practice of the Prophet's companions + the practice of the companions of the Prophet's companions + the opinions of emams (qiyas and ijtihad) + consensus of "ulama" in a particular sect (ijma') + the comments and opinions of their students + the comments and opinions of early "ulama" + the comments and opinions of later "ulama" + the fatwas of living "ulama."
In Shiite version of shirk, in addition to the aforementioned partners, the 12 Infallible Emams (all relatives and descendants of the Prophet Muhammad starting with Ali) and the living substitute emam is added to the board of directors of the Holy Limited Partnership. The Quran is usually considered an ambigious book and is basically used for their justification of this "shirk," that is, setting partners with God. (For an extensive argument on this subject please see "19 Questions For Muslim Scholars" at http://www.moslem.org/yuksel).
Islam, which means Submission, is the state of mind of all people who submit to God alone. All messengers, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Jesus and all previous monotheists were Submitters ( 2:131; 5:111; 7:126; 10:72,84; 22:78; 27:31,42,91; 28:53; 72:14). Thus, the only religion approved by God is Submission to God (3:19). It is God Almighty who uses this attribute to describe those who submit to His law (22:78). Islam is referred to as the "Religion of Abraham" in many verses since Meccan idol worshipers were claiming that they were following their father Abraham (2:130,135; 3:95; 4:125; 6:161; 12:37-38; 16:123; 21:73; 22:78). And Muhammad was a follower of Abraham (16:123).
Ignorant of the fact that Ibrahim observed the contact prayers (21:73), many contemporary muslims challenge God by asking where we can find the number of units in each contact prayer. Ignorant of the fact that God claimed Quran to be complete (6:11-116), they do not "see" that ALL religious practices of Submission/Monotheism were established and practiced before the Quranic revelation (8:35; 9:54; 16:123; 21:73; 22:27; 28:27). Messengers after Abraham practiced Salaat prayers, obligatory charity, and fasting (2:43; 3:43; 11:87; 19:31,59; 20:14; 28:27; 31:17).
The Meccan mushriks used to believe that they were followers of Abraham. They were not worshipping "statutes" or "icons" as claimed by hadith fabricators, but they were praying for "shafaat" (intercession) from some holy names, such as al-Lat, al-Uzza, and al-Manaat (53:19-23). So, contrary to their false assertion of being monotheists (6:23), they were accused of being "Mushrik" or associating partners to God (39:3).
Sunni and Shiite scholars subsequently fabricated stories in an attempt to erase any similarities between themselves and the mushriks, but in doing so exposed their own inherent lies in contradictory descriptions of those statutes (For instance, see Al-Kalbi's classic book on statutes: Kitab-ul Asnam). Meccan mushriks who were proud of Abraham's legend could not practice the literal observance of idol-worship; they settled for a more metaphysical satanic trap by accepting intercession and man-made religious prohibitions (6:145-150; 39:3). They were metaphysical or spiritual idol worshipers.
Meccan Mushriks, during the era of Prophet Muhammad were respecting the Sacred Masjid built by Abraham (9:19). They were practicing the contact prayers, fasting, and pilgrimage (2:183,99; 8:35the meaning of this verse is deliberately distorted in traditional translations; 9:54; 107:4-6). Although they knew Zakat (obligatory charity) they were not fulfilling their obligation (53:34). During the time of the Prophet Muhammad people knew the meaning of "Salaat", "Zakat", "Sawm", and "Hajj". They were not foreign words.
God sent the Quran in their language. As with each proceeding Book, the revelation was given in it's time, in the langauge of the people receiving the revelation. God commands and reveals in a manner which can be both understood and observed, and then He details His requirements of His people throughout His Book (16:103; 26:195). Moreover, if God wants to add a new meaning to a known word, He informs us. For instance, the Arabic word "al-din" in 1:4 is explained in 82:15-19.
Verse 16:123 is a direct proof that all religious practices in Islam were intact when Muhammad was born. Thus, he was enjoined to "follow the religion of Abraham." If I ask you to ride a bicycle, it is assumed that you know what a bicycle is and you know or learn from others how to ride it. Similarly, when God enjoined Muhammad to follow the practices of Abraham (16:123), such practices must have been well known.
Nevertheless, contrary to the popular belief, the Quran details contact prayers. While neither Quran nor hadith books contain illustration for salaat or video clips showing how the prophets observed their salat, Quran does describe prayer. The Quranic description of Salaat prayer is much more superior for the following reasons:
1. The language of the Quran is superior to the language of hadiths. Hadiths are collections of narration containing numerous different dialects and are inflicted with chronic and endemic linguistic problems. The language of the Quran is much simpler as witnessed by those who study both the Quran and hadith. The eloquence of the Quranic language is emphasized in the Quran with a repeated rhetorical question (54:17, 22, 32, 40).
2. Hadith books may contain more details. But are those details helpful and consistent with the Quran? How does a believer decide between conflicting details? Does he just pick the word of his favorite Imam? If we follow the words of a particular, favorite imam, does that meant that we are really following the practice of the prophet? For instance, you may find dozens of hadiths in Sahih Muslim narrating that the Prophet Muhammad read al-Fatiha and bowed down, without reading any additional verses from the Quran. You will find many other hadiths claiming that the Prophet read this or that chapter after al-Fatiha. There are also many conflicting hadiths regarding ablution which is the source of different rituals among sects. Hadith, more or less of them compounding God's Word with contradictory details, cannot guide to the truth. It has become a necessary evil for ignorant believers and community leaders who manipulate them.
3. Hadith books narrate a silly story regarding the times of Salaat prayer and its ordinance. The story of Mirage is one of the longest hadiths in the Bukhari. Reportedly, after getting frequent advice from Moses by going up and down between the sixth and seventh heaven, Muhammad negotiated with God to reduce the number of prayers from 50 times a day (one prayer for every 28 minutes) to 5 times a day. This hadith portrays Muhammad as a compassionate union leader saving his people from God's unmerciful and impossible demand.
SALAAT PRAYER ACCORDING TO THE QURAN
Observing Salaat prayer is frequently mentioned together with giving charity and thus emphasizing the social consciousness and communal responsibility of those who observe the prayer (2:43,83,110; 4:77; 22:78; 107:1-7).
The Salaat prayer is observed to commemorate and remember God alone (6:162; 20:14). This remembrance protects Submitters from sins and harming others (29:45). Salaat prayer should be observed continuously until death (19:31; 70:23,34).
Ablution
To observe prayer one must make ablution (4:43; 5:6). Ablution is nullified only by sexual intercourse or passing urine or defecation. Ablution remains valid even if one has passed gas, shaking hands with the opposite sex, or a woman is menstruating. A menstruating woman may observe contact prayers, contrary to superstitious cultural beliefs (5:6; 2:222; 6:114-115).
Dress Code
There is not a particular dress code for prayer, in fact, if you wish you can pray nude in your privacy. Covering our bodies is a social and cultural necessity aimed to protect ourselves from harassment, misunderstanding and undesired consequences (7:26; 24:31; 33:59).
Times For Prayer
Quran mentions three periods of time in conjunction with Salaat prayer. In other words, the Quran qualifies the word "Salaat" by three different temporal words: (1) Salaat-al Fajr (Morning Prayer), (2) Salaat-al Esha (Evening Prayer), (3) Salaat-al Wusta (Middle/Noon Prayer). The Morning Prayer (24:58) and Evening Prayer (24:58) should be observed at both ends of the day, that is, early part of the night (11:114) and the Middle Prayer (2:238). (We will discuss the times of Salaat prayers later in detail at the end of this article).
Direction For Prayer
For the prayer one must face the Sacred Masjid built by Abraham, the Ka'ba (2:125, 143-150; 22:26). To find the correct qibla a person should keep in mind that the world is a globe, far different from Mercator's flat map. Since the prayer during emergency and fear is reduced to one unit, in normal conditions the prayer should be at least two units and during the prayer one must dramatically reduce his/her contact with the external world (4:101-103). Prayers, unlike fasting, cannot be performed later after they are missed; they must be observed on time (4:103).
Congregational Prayer
Believers, men and women, once a week are invited to a particular location to pray together every Juma (Congregational) Day. They go back to their work and normal daily schedule after the Congregational Prayer which could be led by either man or a woman (62:9-11). The mosques or masjids should be dedicated to God alone, thus, the invitation should be restricted to worship God alone, and no other name should be inscribed on the walls of masjids and none other than God should be commemorated (72:18-20). Those who go to masjids should dress nicely since masjids are for public worship and meetings (7:31).
Position For Prayer
One should start the Salaat prayer in standing position (2:238; 3:39; 4:102) and should not change his/her place except during unusual circumstances, such as while riding or driving (2:239). Submission to God should be declared physically and symbolically by first bowing down and prostrating (4:102; 22:26; 38:24; 48:29). This physical ritual is not required at the times of emergencies, fear, and unusual circumstances (2:239).
Comprehension And Purpose Of Prayer
We must comprehend the meaning of our prayers, as these are the moments in which we communicate directly with God (4:43). We must be reverent during our contact prayers (23:2). Along with understanding what we say, we can recall one of God's attributes, depending on our need and condition during the time of our prayer (17:111). Prayer is to commemorate God, and God Alone (6:162; 20:14; 29:45). Prayer is to praise, exalt and remember His greatness, His Mercy and ultimately our dependence on each of these attributes (1:1-7; 20:14; 17:111; 2:45). So that even mentioning other names besides God's contradicts our love and dependence on Him (72:18; 29:45).
Recitation During the Salaat Prayer
Prefering the Quran for recitation has practical benefits since believers from all around the world can pray together without arguing on which language to chose or which translation to use. The chapter al-Fatiha (The Opening) is the only chapter which addresses God in its entirety and is an appropriate prayer for Salaat. For non-Arabs it should not be too difficult to learn the meaning of words in al-Fatiha, since it consists of seven short verses. Those who are unable to learn the meaning of al-Fatiha should pray in the language that he or she understands. I see no practical reason for reciting in Arabic during individually observed prayers.
We should recite Salaat prayers in moderate tone, and we should neither try to hide our prayers nor try to pray it in public for political or religious demonstration (17:111). If it is observed with congregation, we should listen to the recitation of the men or women who leads the prayer (7:204; 17:111). After completing the Salaat prayer, we should continue remembering God (4:103).
Units of Prayer
The Quran does not specicify any number of units for prayers. It leaves it to our discretion. The units of the Congragational Prayer being 2 is revealing, since it is more likely to be accurately preserved.
Funeral Prayer
Funeral prayers are not obligatory. They are observed to remember those who died as monotheists and to provide community support for their relatives.
Sectarian Innovations
There are many sectarian innovations that differ from sect to sect. Some of the innovations are: combining the times of prayers, performing the prayers omitted at their proper times, shortening the prayers during normal trips, adding extra prayers such as "sunnah" and "nawafil," innovating a paid cleric occupation to lead the prayers, prohibiting women from leading the prayers, while sitting reciting a prayer "at-Tahiyatu" which addresses to the Prophet Muhammad as he is alive and omnipresent, adding Muhammad's name to the Shahada, reciting zumm-us Sura (extra chapters) after the al-Fatiha, indulging in sectarian arguments on details of how to hold your hands and fingers, washing mouth and nose as elements of taking ablution, brushing the teeth with "misvak" (a dry branch of a three beaten into fibers at one end as a toothbrush) just before starting the prayers, wearing turbans or scarves to receive more credits...
HOW MANY PRAYERS A DAY?
Only three Contact Prayers are mentioned by name in the Quran. In other words, the word "salaat" is qualified with descriptive words in three instances. These are:
1. Salaat-al Fajr-DAWN PRAYER (24:58; 11:114). 2. Salaat-al Esha-EVENING PRAYER (24:58; 17:78; 11:114) 3. Salaat-al Wusta- MIDDLE PRAYER (2:238; 17:78)
All of the verses that define the times of the prayers are attributable to one of these three prayers. Now let's see the related verses:
DAWN & EVENING PRAYERS by their names:
". . . This is be to be done in three instances: before the DAWN PRAYER, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the EVENING PRAYER. . ." (24:58).For other usage of the word "esha" (evening) see: 12:16; 79:46
The times of DAWN & EVENING PRAYERS defined:
"You shall observe the contact prayers at both ends of the daylight, that is, during the adjacent hours of the night. . . " (11:114)Traditional translators and commentators consider the last clause "zulfan minal layl" of this verse as a seperate prayer indicating to the "night" prayer. However, we consider that clause not as an addition but as an explanation of the previous ambigious clause; it explains the temporal direction of the ends of the day. The limits of "Nahar" (daylight) is marked by two distinct points: sunrise and sunset. In other words, two prayers should be observed not just after sunrise and before senset, but before sunrise and after sunset.
Furthermore, the traditional understanding runs into the problem of contradicting the practice of the very tradition it intend to promote. Traditionally, both morning and evening prayers are observed in a time period that Quranically is considered "LaYL" (night) since Layl starts from sunset and ends at sunrise. The word "Layl" in Arabic is more comprehensive than the word "night" used in English.
If the expression "tarafayin nahar" (both ends of the day) refers to morning and evening paryers which are part of "Layl" (night), then, the last clause cannot be describing another prayer time.
The time of NOON and EVENING PRAYER defined.
"You shall observe the contact prayer when the sun goes down until the darkness of the night. You shall also observe the Quran at dawn. Reading the Quran at dawn is witnessed." (17:78). The decline of the sun can be understood either its decline from the zenith marking the start of the Noon prayer or its decline behind the horizon marking the start of the Evening prayer. There are two opposing theories regarding the purpose of the usage of "duluk" (rub) in the verse; nevertheless, either understanding will not contradict the idea of 3 times a day since both Noon and Evening prayers are accepted.
MIDDLE PRAYER (Noon)
"You shall consistently observe the contact prayers, especially the MIDDLE PRAYER, and devote yourselves totally to God." (2:238).
Verse 38:32 implies that the time of the Middle prayer ends with sunset.
We can easily understand the MIDDLE prayer as a prayer between the two other prayers mentioned by name (Dawn and Evening).
The Old Testament has at least three verses referring to Contact Prayers (Salaat) and they confirm this understanding. Though we may not trust the Biblical translations verbatim, we may not consider them as errors since both internal and external consistency of the Biblical passages regarding the Contact Prayers are striking.
"And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded." (1 Samuel 20:41)
"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." (Psalms 55:16-17) (PS: crying aloud apparently means praying with passion).
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did afortime." (Daniel 6:10)The followers of Shiite sect observe 5 prayers in 3 times: morning, noon and evening. This strange practice perhaps was the result of a historical compromise with the dominant Sunni 5-times-a-day practice.
Edip Yuksel
"How can we observe the Salaat prayers by following the Quran alone?" is a favorite question among Sunni and Shiite Muslims who follow derivative texts, religious instruction, teachings and laws, all of which are written by men. With this question, both sects try to justify the necessity and proliferation of contradictory sectarian teachings, medieval Arab culture, oppressive laws filled with prohibitions and regulations--all falsely attributed to God and His prophet.
As a result, Monotheism is redefined as a "Limited Partnership", in which the recognition and submission to God alone becomes an oxymoron; a contradiction in terms in which other 'partners' are submitted to and accepted by these 'believers.' The most common set-up for Sunni shirk is: the Quran (God) + hadiths and sunnah (messenger) + the practice of the Prophet's companions + the practice of the companions of the Prophet's companions + the opinions of emams (qiyas and ijtihad) + consensus of "ulama" in a particular sect (ijma') + the comments and opinions of their students + the comments and opinions of early "ulama" + the comments and opinions of later "ulama" + the fatwas of living "ulama."
In Shiite version of shirk, in addition to the aforementioned partners, the 12 Infallible Emams (all relatives and descendants of the Prophet Muhammad starting with Ali) and the living substitute emam is added to the board of directors of the Holy Limited Partnership. The Quran is usually considered an ambigious book and is basically used for their justification of this "shirk," that is, setting partners with God. (For an extensive argument on this subject please see "19 Questions For Muslim Scholars" at http://www.moslem.org/yuksel).
Islam, which means Submission, is the state of mind of all people who submit to God alone. All messengers, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Jesus and all previous monotheists were Submitters ( 2:131; 5:111; 7:126; 10:72,84; 22:78; 27:31,42,91; 28:53; 72:14). Thus, the only religion approved by God is Submission to God (3:19). It is God Almighty who uses this attribute to describe those who submit to His law (22:78). Islam is referred to as the "Religion of Abraham" in many verses since Meccan idol worshipers were claiming that they were following their father Abraham (2:130,135; 3:95; 4:125; 6:161; 12:37-38; 16:123; 21:73; 22:78). And Muhammad was a follower of Abraham (16:123).
Ignorant of the fact that Ibrahim observed the contact prayers (21:73), many contemporary muslims challenge God by asking where we can find the number of units in each contact prayer. Ignorant of the fact that God claimed Quran to be complete (6:11-116), they do not "see" that ALL religious practices of Submission/Monotheism were established and practiced before the Quranic revelation (8:35; 9:54; 16:123; 21:73; 22:27; 28:27). Messengers after Abraham practiced Salaat prayers, obligatory charity, and fasting (2:43; 3:43; 11:87; 19:31,59; 20:14; 28:27; 31:17).
The Meccan mushriks used to believe that they were followers of Abraham. They were not worshipping "statutes" or "icons" as claimed by hadith fabricators, but they were praying for "shafaat" (intercession) from some holy names, such as al-Lat, al-Uzza, and al-Manaat (53:19-23). So, contrary to their false assertion of being monotheists (6:23), they were accused of being "Mushrik" or associating partners to God (39:3).
Sunni and Shiite scholars subsequently fabricated stories in an attempt to erase any similarities between themselves and the mushriks, but in doing so exposed their own inherent lies in contradictory descriptions of those statutes (For instance, see Al-Kalbi's classic book on statutes: Kitab-ul Asnam). Meccan mushriks who were proud of Abraham's legend could not practice the literal observance of idol-worship; they settled for a more metaphysical satanic trap by accepting intercession and man-made religious prohibitions (6:145-150; 39:3). They were metaphysical or spiritual idol worshipers.
Meccan Mushriks, during the era of Prophet Muhammad were respecting the Sacred Masjid built by Abraham (9:19). They were practicing the contact prayers, fasting, and pilgrimage (2:183,99; 8:35the meaning of this verse is deliberately distorted in traditional translations; 9:54; 107:4-6). Although they knew Zakat (obligatory charity) they were not fulfilling their obligation (53:34). During the time of the Prophet Muhammad people knew the meaning of "Salaat", "Zakat", "Sawm", and "Hajj". They were not foreign words.
God sent the Quran in their language. As with each proceeding Book, the revelation was given in it's time, in the langauge of the people receiving the revelation. God commands and reveals in a manner which can be both understood and observed, and then He details His requirements of His people throughout His Book (16:103; 26:195). Moreover, if God wants to add a new meaning to a known word, He informs us. For instance, the Arabic word "al-din" in 1:4 is explained in 82:15-19.
Verse 16:123 is a direct proof that all religious practices in Islam were intact when Muhammad was born. Thus, he was enjoined to "follow the religion of Abraham." If I ask you to ride a bicycle, it is assumed that you know what a bicycle is and you know or learn from others how to ride it. Similarly, when God enjoined Muhammad to follow the practices of Abraham (16:123), such practices must have been well known.
Nevertheless, contrary to the popular belief, the Quran details contact prayers. While neither Quran nor hadith books contain illustration for salaat or video clips showing how the prophets observed their salat, Quran does describe prayer. The Quranic description of Salaat prayer is much more superior for the following reasons:
1. The language of the Quran is superior to the language of hadiths. Hadiths are collections of narration containing numerous different dialects and are inflicted with chronic and endemic linguistic problems. The language of the Quran is much simpler as witnessed by those who study both the Quran and hadith. The eloquence of the Quranic language is emphasized in the Quran with a repeated rhetorical question (54:17, 22, 32, 40).
2. Hadith books may contain more details. But are those details helpful and consistent with the Quran? How does a believer decide between conflicting details? Does he just pick the word of his favorite Imam? If we follow the words of a particular, favorite imam, does that meant that we are really following the practice of the prophet? For instance, you may find dozens of hadiths in Sahih Muslim narrating that the Prophet Muhammad read al-Fatiha and bowed down, without reading any additional verses from the Quran. You will find many other hadiths claiming that the Prophet read this or that chapter after al-Fatiha. There are also many conflicting hadiths regarding ablution which is the source of different rituals among sects. Hadith, more or less of them compounding God's Word with contradictory details, cannot guide to the truth. It has become a necessary evil for ignorant believers and community leaders who manipulate them.
3. Hadith books narrate a silly story regarding the times of Salaat prayer and its ordinance. The story of Mirage is one of the longest hadiths in the Bukhari. Reportedly, after getting frequent advice from Moses by going up and down between the sixth and seventh heaven, Muhammad negotiated with God to reduce the number of prayers from 50 times a day (one prayer for every 28 minutes) to 5 times a day. This hadith portrays Muhammad as a compassionate union leader saving his people from God's unmerciful and impossible demand.
SALAAT PRAYER ACCORDING TO THE QURAN
Observing Salaat prayer is frequently mentioned together with giving charity and thus emphasizing the social consciousness and communal responsibility of those who observe the prayer (2:43,83,110; 4:77; 22:78; 107:1-7).
The Salaat prayer is observed to commemorate and remember God alone (6:162; 20:14). This remembrance protects Submitters from sins and harming others (29:45). Salaat prayer should be observed continuously until death (19:31; 70:23,34).
Ablution
To observe prayer one must make ablution (4:43; 5:6). Ablution is nullified only by sexual intercourse or passing urine or defecation. Ablution remains valid even if one has passed gas, shaking hands with the opposite sex, or a woman is menstruating. A menstruating woman may observe contact prayers, contrary to superstitious cultural beliefs (5:6; 2:222; 6:114-115).
Dress Code
There is not a particular dress code for prayer, in fact, if you wish you can pray nude in your privacy. Covering our bodies is a social and cultural necessity aimed to protect ourselves from harassment, misunderstanding and undesired consequences (7:26; 24:31; 33:59).
Times For Prayer
Quran mentions three periods of time in conjunction with Salaat prayer. In other words, the Quran qualifies the word "Salaat" by three different temporal words: (1) Salaat-al Fajr (Morning Prayer), (2) Salaat-al Esha (Evening Prayer), (3) Salaat-al Wusta (Middle/Noon Prayer). The Morning Prayer (24:58) and Evening Prayer (24:58) should be observed at both ends of the day, that is, early part of the night (11:114) and the Middle Prayer (2:238). (We will discuss the times of Salaat prayers later in detail at the end of this article).
Direction For Prayer
For the prayer one must face the Sacred Masjid built by Abraham, the Ka'ba (2:125, 143-150; 22:26). To find the correct qibla a person should keep in mind that the world is a globe, far different from Mercator's flat map. Since the prayer during emergency and fear is reduced to one unit, in normal conditions the prayer should be at least two units and during the prayer one must dramatically reduce his/her contact with the external world (4:101-103). Prayers, unlike fasting, cannot be performed later after they are missed; they must be observed on time (4:103).
Congregational Prayer
Believers, men and women, once a week are invited to a particular location to pray together every Juma (Congregational) Day. They go back to their work and normal daily schedule after the Congregational Prayer which could be led by either man or a woman (62:9-11). The mosques or masjids should be dedicated to God alone, thus, the invitation should be restricted to worship God alone, and no other name should be inscribed on the walls of masjids and none other than God should be commemorated (72:18-20). Those who go to masjids should dress nicely since masjids are for public worship and meetings (7:31).
Position For Prayer
One should start the Salaat prayer in standing position (2:238; 3:39; 4:102) and should not change his/her place except during unusual circumstances, such as while riding or driving (2:239). Submission to God should be declared physically and symbolically by first bowing down and prostrating (4:102; 22:26; 38:24; 48:29). This physical ritual is not required at the times of emergencies, fear, and unusual circumstances (2:239).
Comprehension And Purpose Of Prayer
We must comprehend the meaning of our prayers, as these are the moments in which we communicate directly with God (4:43). We must be reverent during our contact prayers (23:2). Along with understanding what we say, we can recall one of God's attributes, depending on our need and condition during the time of our prayer (17:111). Prayer is to commemorate God, and God Alone (6:162; 20:14; 29:45). Prayer is to praise, exalt and remember His greatness, His Mercy and ultimately our dependence on each of these attributes (1:1-7; 20:14; 17:111; 2:45). So that even mentioning other names besides God's contradicts our love and dependence on Him (72:18; 29:45).
Recitation During the Salaat Prayer
Prefering the Quran for recitation has practical benefits since believers from all around the world can pray together without arguing on which language to chose or which translation to use. The chapter al-Fatiha (The Opening) is the only chapter which addresses God in its entirety and is an appropriate prayer for Salaat. For non-Arabs it should not be too difficult to learn the meaning of words in al-Fatiha, since it consists of seven short verses. Those who are unable to learn the meaning of al-Fatiha should pray in the language that he or she understands. I see no practical reason for reciting in Arabic during individually observed prayers.
We should recite Salaat prayers in moderate tone, and we should neither try to hide our prayers nor try to pray it in public for political or religious demonstration (17:111). If it is observed with congregation, we should listen to the recitation of the men or women who leads the prayer (7:204; 17:111). After completing the Salaat prayer, we should continue remembering God (4:103).
Units of Prayer
The Quran does not specicify any number of units for prayers. It leaves it to our discretion. The units of the Congragational Prayer being 2 is revealing, since it is more likely to be accurately preserved.
Funeral Prayer
Funeral prayers are not obligatory. They are observed to remember those who died as monotheists and to provide community support for their relatives.
Sectarian Innovations
There are many sectarian innovations that differ from sect to sect. Some of the innovations are: combining the times of prayers, performing the prayers omitted at their proper times, shortening the prayers during normal trips, adding extra prayers such as "sunnah" and "nawafil," innovating a paid cleric occupation to lead the prayers, prohibiting women from leading the prayers, while sitting reciting a prayer "at-Tahiyatu" which addresses to the Prophet Muhammad as he is alive and omnipresent, adding Muhammad's name to the Shahada, reciting zumm-us Sura (extra chapters) after the al-Fatiha, indulging in sectarian arguments on details of how to hold your hands and fingers, washing mouth and nose as elements of taking ablution, brushing the teeth with "misvak" (a dry branch of a three beaten into fibers at one end as a toothbrush) just before starting the prayers, wearing turbans or scarves to receive more credits...
HOW MANY PRAYERS A DAY?
Only three Contact Prayers are mentioned by name in the Quran. In other words, the word "salaat" is qualified with descriptive words in three instances. These are:
1. Salaat-al Fajr-DAWN PRAYER (24:58; 11:114). 2. Salaat-al Esha-EVENING PRAYER (24:58; 17:78; 11:114) 3. Salaat-al Wusta- MIDDLE PRAYER (2:238; 17:78)
All of the verses that define the times of the prayers are attributable to one of these three prayers. Now let's see the related verses:
DAWN & EVENING PRAYERS by their names:
". . . This is be to be done in three instances: before the DAWN PRAYER, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the EVENING PRAYER. . ." (24:58).For other usage of the word "esha" (evening) see: 12:16; 79:46
The times of DAWN & EVENING PRAYERS defined:
"You shall observe the contact prayers at both ends of the daylight, that is, during the adjacent hours of the night. . . " (11:114)Traditional translators and commentators consider the last clause "zulfan minal layl" of this verse as a seperate prayer indicating to the "night" prayer. However, we consider that clause not as an addition but as an explanation of the previous ambigious clause; it explains the temporal direction of the ends of the day. The limits of "Nahar" (daylight) is marked by two distinct points: sunrise and sunset. In other words, two prayers should be observed not just after sunrise and before senset, but before sunrise and after sunset.
Furthermore, the traditional understanding runs into the problem of contradicting the practice of the very tradition it intend to promote. Traditionally, both morning and evening prayers are observed in a time period that Quranically is considered "LaYL" (night) since Layl starts from sunset and ends at sunrise. The word "Layl" in Arabic is more comprehensive than the word "night" used in English.
If the expression "tarafayin nahar" (both ends of the day) refers to morning and evening paryers which are part of "Layl" (night), then, the last clause cannot be describing another prayer time.
The time of NOON and EVENING PRAYER defined.
"You shall observe the contact prayer when the sun goes down until the darkness of the night. You shall also observe the Quran at dawn. Reading the Quran at dawn is witnessed." (17:78). The decline of the sun can be understood either its decline from the zenith marking the start of the Noon prayer or its decline behind the horizon marking the start of the Evening prayer. There are two opposing theories regarding the purpose of the usage of "duluk" (rub) in the verse; nevertheless, either understanding will not contradict the idea of 3 times a day since both Noon and Evening prayers are accepted.
MIDDLE PRAYER (Noon)
"You shall consistently observe the contact prayers, especially the MIDDLE PRAYER, and devote yourselves totally to God." (2:238).
Verse 38:32 implies that the time of the Middle prayer ends with sunset.
We can easily understand the MIDDLE prayer as a prayer between the two other prayers mentioned by name (Dawn and Evening).
The Old Testament has at least three verses referring to Contact Prayers (Salaat) and they confirm this understanding. Though we may not trust the Biblical translations verbatim, we may not consider them as errors since both internal and external consistency of the Biblical passages regarding the Contact Prayers are striking.
"And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded." (1 Samuel 20:41)
"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." (Psalms 55:16-17) (PS: crying aloud apparently means praying with passion).
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did afortime." (Daniel 6:10)The followers of Shiite sect observe 5 prayers in 3 times: morning, noon and evening. This strange practice perhaps was the result of a historical compromise with the dominant Sunni 5-times-a-day practice.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Some Great Quotes
Until you become an unbeliever in your own self,
you cannot become a believer in god.
Shaikh Abu-Said Abil-Khair
All those who are unhappy in the world are so
as a result of their desire for their own happiness.
All those who are happy in the world are so as a result of their
desire for the happiness of others.
Shantideva
The noise of the lover is only up to the time when he has not seen his Beloved.
Once he sees the Beloved, he becomes calm and quiet,
just as the rivers are boisterous before they join the ocean,
but when they do so, there are becalmed forever.
Moinuddin Chisti
Sayings of Hazrat Khwaja Mu'inuddin Hasan Chishti
The final discourse of Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chishti to his students, one month before his death:
Love all and hate none.Mere talk of peace will avail you naught.
Mere talk of God and religion will not take you far.
Bring out all the latent powers of your beingand reveal the full magnificence of your immortal self.
Be overflowing with peace and joy,and scatter them wherever you areand wherever you go.
Be a blazing fire of truth,be a beauteous blossom of loveand be a soothing balm of peace.With your spiritual light,dispel the darkness of ignorance;dissolve the clouds of discord and warand spread goodwill, peace, and harmony among the people.
Never seek any help, charity, or favorsfrom anybody except God.
Never go the court of kings,but never refuse to bless and help the needy and the poor,the widow, and the orphan, if they come to your door.
This is your mission, to serve the people.....Carry it out dutifully and courageously, so that I, as your Pir-o-Murshid,may not been ashamed of any shortcomings on your partbefore the Almighty God and our holy predecessorsin the Silsila on the Day of Judgment.
Sayings of Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chishti:
A friend of God must have affection like the Sun. When the sun rises, it is beneficial to all irrespective of whether they are Muslim, Christian, or Hindu.
A friend of God must be generous like a river. We all get water from the river to quench our thirst. It does not discriminate whether we are good or bad or whether we are a relation or a stranger.
A friend of God must display the hospitality like the earth. We are raised and cradled in its lap, and yet it is always under our feet.
The noise of the lover is only while he has not seen his Beloved. Once he sees the beloved, he becomes calm and quiet, just as the rivers are boisterous before they join the ocean, but when they do so, there are becalmed forever.
The Enlightened becomes perfect only when all else is removed from in-between him and the Friend. Either he remains or the Friend.
Whosoever received any blessings, received them due to his generosity.
The Enlightened is one, who does not keep anything dear to his heart except the remembrance of God.
There are such lovers of God, whom the love of God has made quiet to an extent that they do not know that there is anything else existing in the world.
When one comes on the path of love of the Friend, he becomes nonexistent (loses himself).
The heart of the Enlightened should be such that, it may efface everything, and may be exclusively devoted to the Glorious vision of the Friend.
There are four cardinal virtues of the individual self:
(i) refraining from begging in the state of poverty;
(ii) showing the attitude of being well-fed when feeling hungry;
(iii) maintaining a cheerfulness in the time of sorrow; and
(iv) befriending the enemy.
The spiritual disciple deserves to be called a Dervish only when he lives in the world with no self-interest.
The lovers of God hear the talk of the Friend directly.
A sin committed does not harm an individual so much as looking down upon one's own fellow human beings.
Love all and hate none.Mere talk of peace will avail you naught.
Mere talk of God and religion will not take you far.
Bring out all the latent powers of your beingand reveal the full magnificence of your immortal self.
Be overflowing with peace and joy,and scatter them wherever you areand wherever you go.
Be a blazing fire of truth,be a beauteous blossom of loveand be a soothing balm of peace.With your spiritual light,dispel the darkness of ignorance;dissolve the clouds of discord and warand spread goodwill, peace, and harmony among the people.
Never seek any help, charity, or favorsfrom anybody except God.
Never go the court of kings,but never refuse to bless and help the needy and the poor,the widow, and the orphan, if they come to your door.
This is your mission, to serve the people.....Carry it out dutifully and courageously, so that I, as your Pir-o-Murshid,may not been ashamed of any shortcomings on your partbefore the Almighty God and our holy predecessorsin the Silsila on the Day of Judgment.
Sayings of Khwaja Mu'inuddin Chishti:
A friend of God must have affection like the Sun. When the sun rises, it is beneficial to all irrespective of whether they are Muslim, Christian, or Hindu.
A friend of God must be generous like a river. We all get water from the river to quench our thirst. It does not discriminate whether we are good or bad or whether we are a relation or a stranger.
A friend of God must display the hospitality like the earth. We are raised and cradled in its lap, and yet it is always under our feet.
The noise of the lover is only while he has not seen his Beloved. Once he sees the beloved, he becomes calm and quiet, just as the rivers are boisterous before they join the ocean, but when they do so, there are becalmed forever.
The Enlightened becomes perfect only when all else is removed from in-between him and the Friend. Either he remains or the Friend.
Whosoever received any blessings, received them due to his generosity.
The Enlightened is one, who does not keep anything dear to his heart except the remembrance of God.
There are such lovers of God, whom the love of God has made quiet to an extent that they do not know that there is anything else existing in the world.
When one comes on the path of love of the Friend, he becomes nonexistent (loses himself).
The heart of the Enlightened should be such that, it may efface everything, and may be exclusively devoted to the Glorious vision of the Friend.
There are four cardinal virtues of the individual self:
(i) refraining from begging in the state of poverty;
(ii) showing the attitude of being well-fed when feeling hungry;
(iii) maintaining a cheerfulness in the time of sorrow; and
(iv) befriending the enemy.
The spiritual disciple deserves to be called a Dervish only when he lives in the world with no self-interest.
The lovers of God hear the talk of the Friend directly.
A sin committed does not harm an individual so much as looking down upon one's own fellow human beings.
Quran Comparison: Beating Wives
Quran Comparison: Beating Wives
By Ali Eteraz Posted on Sun Feb 18, 2007 at 08:27:03 PM EST Tags: quranproject (all tags)
For the sake of our Muhammad Asad Quran Distribution Project I was comparing the Saudi Noble Quran with the Muhammad Asad Quran on the issue of beating one's wife in verse 4:34.Here is how the Saudi Noble Quran translates 4:34:
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders to guard ( e.g. their chastity, their husband's property). As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful); but if they return to obedience, seek not against the means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great.There are no footnotes. No commentary.Now compare how Muhammad Asad translates 4:34:
Men shall take full care of women with the bounties which God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than on the latter, and with what they may spend out of their possessions. And the righteous women are the truly devout ones, who guard the intimacy which God has [ordained to be] guarded. And as for those women whose ill-will you have reason to fear, admonish them [first]; then leave them alone in bed; then beat them; and if thereupon they pay you heed, do not seek to harm them. Behold, God is indeed most high, great!
Note, both* of the Qurans contain a prescription to "beat" women in the event of adultery.However, the reason the Asad Quran is more valuable than the Noble Quran is because it offers a comprehensive commentary at the bottom of the page which The Noble Quran does not, and in that commentary, beating is invalidated.
It is this commentary, running throughout the Asad Quran, which is the reason for our support of the Muhammad Asad Quran. It is probably a good idea to expose more Muslims to commentary on Quranic verses, instead of letting them figure out what a verse means on their own, since more knowledge is better than less.
By reading the commentary in the Asad Quran, the reasonable Muslim will become convinced that beating is not a good idea. Meanwhile, The Saudi Noble Quran, which has no commentary, leaves the average reader with the impression that beating is OK. Here is the commentary at the bottom of the page from the Asad Quran:
Fn.4 It is evident from many authentic Traditions that the Prophet himself intensely detested the idea of beating one's wife, and said on more than one occasion, "Could any of you beat his wife as he would beat a slave, and then lie with her in the evening?" (Bukhari and Muslim). According to another Tradition, he forbade the beating of any woman with the words, "Never beat God's handmaidens" (Abu Da'ud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hibban and Hakim, on the authority of Iyas ibn 'Abd Allah; Ibn Hibban, on the authority of 'Abd Allah ibn 'Abbas; and Bayhaqi, on the authority of Umm Kulthum). When the above Qur'an-verse authorizing the beating of a refractory wife was revealed, the Prophet is reported to have said: "I wanted one thing, but God has willed another thing - and what God has willed must be best" (see Manar V, 74). With all this, he stipulated in his sermon on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, shortly before his death, that beating should be resorted to only if the wife "has become guilty, in an obvious manner, of immoral conduct", and that it should be done "in such a way as not to cause pain (ghayr mubarrih)"; authentic Traditions to this effect are found in Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Da'ud, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah. On the basis of these Traditions, all the authorities stress that this "beating", if resorted to at all, should be more or less symbolic - "with a toothbrush, or some such thing" (Tabari, quoting the views of scholars of the earliest times), or even "with a folded handkerchief" (Razi); and some of the greatest Muslim scholars ( e.g., Ash-Shafi'i) are of the opinion that it is just barely permissible, and should preferably be avoided: and they justify this opinion by the Prophet's personal feelings with regard to this problem.
The average Muslim believes in two sources of Islam, the Quran, and the Sunnah, the practice of Muhammad. Both are of equivalent weight in Islam because the Quran asks us to affirm the Sunnah. The Asad Quran, in the first sentence of its commentary, makes it very clear that beating a woman is "detested" by the Sunnah. Most Muslims are very unlikely to do anything that would offend the Prophet's sensibilities. The Asad Quran speaks up. The Noble Quran stays silent.
Finally, Asad's commentary quotes the Prophet's sermon where the Prophet states that beating should be allowed only when a woman has become guilty in an obvious manner. Jurists have historically taken this to mean that only an Islamic court of law can determine cases of adultery. Thus, Asad's Quran also points out the role of the state, while The Noble Quran makes no mention of this fact.
* There is a recent Quranic translation, by Laleh Bakhtiar, in which the Arabic verb translated as "beat" by Asad and others, is translated as "to go away." However, Ms. Bakhtiar's translation is not even out yet. Furthermore, being a "feminist" Quran, it is not likely that many conservative institutions, which is what we are targetting, would embrace it. Personally, I do find Bakhtiar's translation of the term compelling. Until this translation comes out and becomes more accepted, please, abide by the Prophet's Sunnah. Also, people should realize that a person who already thinks that beating a wife is against the Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah, is more likely to accept Bakhtiar's argument that the word does not mean beating at all.
By Ali Eteraz Posted on Sun Feb 18, 2007 at 08:27:03 PM EST Tags: quranproject (all tags)
For the sake of our Muhammad Asad Quran Distribution Project I was comparing the Saudi Noble Quran with the Muhammad Asad Quran on the issue of beating one's wife in verse 4:34.Here is how the Saudi Noble Quran translates 4:34:
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders to guard ( e.g. their chastity, their husband's property). As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful); but if they return to obedience, seek not against the means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great.There are no footnotes. No commentary.Now compare how Muhammad Asad translates 4:34:
Men shall take full care of women with the bounties which God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than on the latter, and with what they may spend out of their possessions. And the righteous women are the truly devout ones, who guard the intimacy which God has [ordained to be] guarded. And as for those women whose ill-will you have reason to fear, admonish them [first]; then leave them alone in bed; then beat them; and if thereupon they pay you heed, do not seek to harm them. Behold, God is indeed most high, great!
Note, both* of the Qurans contain a prescription to "beat" women in the event of adultery.However, the reason the Asad Quran is more valuable than the Noble Quran is because it offers a comprehensive commentary at the bottom of the page which The Noble Quran does not, and in that commentary, beating is invalidated.
It is this commentary, running throughout the Asad Quran, which is the reason for our support of the Muhammad Asad Quran. It is probably a good idea to expose more Muslims to commentary on Quranic verses, instead of letting them figure out what a verse means on their own, since more knowledge is better than less.
By reading the commentary in the Asad Quran, the reasonable Muslim will become convinced that beating is not a good idea. Meanwhile, The Saudi Noble Quran, which has no commentary, leaves the average reader with the impression that beating is OK. Here is the commentary at the bottom of the page from the Asad Quran:
Fn.4 It is evident from many authentic Traditions that the Prophet himself intensely detested the idea of beating one's wife, and said on more than one occasion, "Could any of you beat his wife as he would beat a slave, and then lie with her in the evening?" (Bukhari and Muslim). According to another Tradition, he forbade the beating of any woman with the words, "Never beat God's handmaidens" (Abu Da'ud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Hibban and Hakim, on the authority of Iyas ibn 'Abd Allah; Ibn Hibban, on the authority of 'Abd Allah ibn 'Abbas; and Bayhaqi, on the authority of Umm Kulthum). When the above Qur'an-verse authorizing the beating of a refractory wife was revealed, the Prophet is reported to have said: "I wanted one thing, but God has willed another thing - and what God has willed must be best" (see Manar V, 74). With all this, he stipulated in his sermon on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, shortly before his death, that beating should be resorted to only if the wife "has become guilty, in an obvious manner, of immoral conduct", and that it should be done "in such a way as not to cause pain (ghayr mubarrih)"; authentic Traditions to this effect are found in Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Da'ud, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah. On the basis of these Traditions, all the authorities stress that this "beating", if resorted to at all, should be more or less symbolic - "with a toothbrush, or some such thing" (Tabari, quoting the views of scholars of the earliest times), or even "with a folded handkerchief" (Razi); and some of the greatest Muslim scholars ( e.g., Ash-Shafi'i) are of the opinion that it is just barely permissible, and should preferably be avoided: and they justify this opinion by the Prophet's personal feelings with regard to this problem.
The average Muslim believes in two sources of Islam, the Quran, and the Sunnah, the practice of Muhammad. Both are of equivalent weight in Islam because the Quran asks us to affirm the Sunnah. The Asad Quran, in the first sentence of its commentary, makes it very clear that beating a woman is "detested" by the Sunnah. Most Muslims are very unlikely to do anything that would offend the Prophet's sensibilities. The Asad Quran speaks up. The Noble Quran stays silent.
Finally, Asad's commentary quotes the Prophet's sermon where the Prophet states that beating should be allowed only when a woman has become guilty in an obvious manner. Jurists have historically taken this to mean that only an Islamic court of law can determine cases of adultery. Thus, Asad's Quran also points out the role of the state, while The Noble Quran makes no mention of this fact.
* There is a recent Quranic translation, by Laleh Bakhtiar, in which the Arabic verb translated as "beat" by Asad and others, is translated as "to go away." However, Ms. Bakhtiar's translation is not even out yet. Furthermore, being a "feminist" Quran, it is not likely that many conservative institutions, which is what we are targetting, would embrace it. Personally, I do find Bakhtiar's translation of the term compelling. Until this translation comes out and becomes more accepted, please, abide by the Prophet's Sunnah. Also, people should realize that a person who already thinks that beating a wife is against the Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah, is more likely to accept Bakhtiar's argument that the word does not mean beating at all.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Why are Prayers Unanswered?
Why are Prayers Unanswered?
By Brother Layth (e-mail: laytth@hotmail.com)
How many times have you asked GOD for something?.
Did GOD answer your prayer every time?.
Did GOD answer your prayers at all!.
"When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided." (2:186)
How can this be!. If GOD is telling us in His holy book that He answers prayers...Then WHY is He ignoring mine!!!.
This is really the dilemma that most of us go through on a regular basis, and which eventually works at eroding our faith, belief, and contact with GOD.
If GOD is hearing us, why doesn't He answer?.
Is it because I am bad?.
Or is it because I am not praying the way He wants, or fasting the way He told us, or doing all the commands that He has sent?.
We tear ourselves apart trying to work out where the 'mistakes' are and why we are being ignored...
But, is GOD really ignoring us?. Can the words of the Lord be 'untruthful'?.
"GOD's promise- and GOD never breaks His promise- but most people do not know." (30:6)
Let us tackle this issue using GOD's own words for guidance:
"This Quran guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense." (17:9)
1. Can we ask GOD for 'worldly' items?.
This is really the 'million $' question!. Many people have been able to convince themselves that GOD hears all prayers, but that the rewards are all attained in the next life...not this Earthly one.
Let us see if that is true:
"He said, "My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a KINGSHIP never attained by anyone else. You are the Grantor. We committed the wind at his disposal, pouring rain wherever he wanted." (38:35-36)
It appears that Solomon request for a pure 'Earthly' Kingship was answered!.
"...Whenever Zachariah entered her sanctuary he found provisions with her. He would ask, "Mary, where did you get this from?" She would say, "It is from GOD. GOD provides for whomever He chooses, without limits." (3:37)
Here we find GOD providing 'Earthly' sustenance for Mary!.
"That is when Zachariah implored his Lord: "My Lord, grant me such a good child; You are the Hearer of the prayers. The angels called him when he was praying in the sanctuary: "GOD gives you good news of John; a believer in the word of GOD, honorable, moral, and a righteous prophet." (3:38-39)
And Zachariah asking for an "Earthly" son!.
Now that we have seen that asking for worldly items is a 'Reality'...Let us see what else we can ask for.
2. Can we ask GOD for things in the Hereafter?.
"And GOD cites as an example of those who believed the wife of Pharaoh. She said, "My Lord, build a home for me at You in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his works; save me from the transgressing people." (66:11)
Pharaoh's wife seeks a 'Heavenly' reward from GOD.
"My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and anyone who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women..." (71:28)
Noah seeks 'forgiveness' from the Lord (a heavenly reward).
"Anyone who commits evil, or wrongs his soul, then implores GOD for forgiveness, will find GOD Forgiving, Most Merciful." (4:110)
GOD's 'forgiveness' is (of course) Heavenly!.
Thus, we can ask for things in this life as well as the after-life!.
Now, if the Quran establishes both of the above facts, then WHY is it our prayers go unanswered!!!.
Pre-conditions:
The Quran tells us that GOD answers the calls that implore Him with 'conditions':
Condition # 1: GOD Alone is Implored.
"If you are afflicted in the middle of the sea, you forget your idols, EXCEPT HIM. But as soon as He saves you to the shore, you revert. Indeed, the human being is unappreciative." (17:67)
"When they ride on a ship, they implore GOD, devoting their prayers to ONLY HIM. But as soon as He saves them to the shore, they revert to idolatry." (29:65)
"When violent waves surround them, they implore GOD, sincerely devoting their prayers to ONLY HIM. But as soon as He saves them to the shore, some of them revert. None discards our revelations except those who are betrayers, unappreciative." (31:32)
"Who is the One who rescues those who become DESPERATE and call upon Him, relieves adversity, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is it another god with GOD? Rarely do you take heed." (27:62)
This condition is of a 'general' nature for those people who from time to time, especially when in great distress, implore on Him Alone from the heart...
Many people who believe in 'Special Abilities' for Jesus, Mohammed, the Saints, the Scholars, etc... will go-through life without having GOD answer their prayers or needs (GOD will however show every human being the way- Let him who wills believe, and he who wills reject).
However, in EXTREME cases, these very same people will unknowingly and unwittingly implore on 'GOD Alone' from the heart to save or help them...Yet, as soon as their crisis is over, they go back to having idols in their hearts and forget that it was Him 'Alone' that saved them (29:65).
Condition # 1: makes it clear why most of us go-through life without having GOD answer our calls and prayers...We all have many 'idols' in our lives (money, children, ego, power, prophets, saints, wise-men, etc..) which DISQUALIFIES us from having GOD answer our prayer.
Even the Prophets were not answered when they let something 'other' than GOD Alone get in the way:
"And Zan-Noon (Jonah), abandoned his mission in protest, thinking that we could not control him. He ended up imploring from the darkness: 'There is no god other than YOU. Be You glorified. I have committed a gross sin. We responded to him, and saved him from the crisis; we thus save the believers." (21:87-88)
Condition # 2: GOD Alone is Followed.
The real secret for knowing how to have your prayers ALWAYS answered (not just in times of distress) is to 'Live The Life' that is the path of 'GOD Alone':
"Those who proclaim: "1. Our Lord is GOD," then * 2. lead a righteous life (Istaqamu), the angels descend upon them: 'You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news that Paradise has been reserved for you. We are your allies in THIS LIFE, and in the Hereafter. You will have IN IT anything you desire for; you will have anything you ask." (41:30-31)
* The 'Straigh-Path' (Siraat Mustaqeem) can be found in the following verses: 6:151-153.
You see, many people say and believe that the 'Lord is GOD'...Yet their prayers go unanswered.
Many people 'lead a righteous life'...Yet their prayers go unanswered.
It is only when these 2 elements are put TOGETHER that the 'Special Formula' for having your prayers answered can come to work!.
The Angels become 'assigned' to these people as their 'Allies' and they carry the responsibility (from GOD) of meeting the needs and desires of these people (in this worldly life).
These TWO conditions are further enforced in the next verses:
"Who can utter better words than one who: 1. invites to GOD, 2. works righteousness, and says: 'I am one of the Submitters?" (41:33)
Thus, a Submitter is defined by these two terms (believes in GOD, works righteousness).
Condition # 2 : To have your prayers ALWAYS answered, you should be a Submitter (Believe in GOD & Lead a Righteous Life).
Being a Submitter, is also the surest way to enter Paradise:
"Surely, those who say: 1. Our Lord is GOD, then 2. lead a righteous life (Istaqamu), will have no fear, nor will they grieve. They have deserved Paradise, where they abide forever; a reward for their works." (46:13-14)
Condition # 3: What you ask is what you Get.
When speaking to GOD, we will ask for many things, and we will think of what to say and whether we want this or that thing...GOD does NOT respond to your 'words', but He will respond to what is asked from the 'Heart'.
Sometimes, a person may express a particular need or wish in his prayer directly, while thinking something to himself that expresses a different desire. GOD responds to the innermost desire.
Remember what the Angels have been committed to in Condition # 2?
"We are your allies in this life, and in the Hereafter. You will have in it anything you desire (tashtahoon); you will have anything you ask." (41:30-31)
The verse makes clear that what you 'Desire' will take PRECEDENCE over what you 'Ask for'.
So, if you are asking for a 'New House', but really desire a 'Child'...Then do not get upset if you are granted the 'Child' and not the 'House'.
Condition # 4: Only what is Good for you is given!.
While you may have truly asked for certain things (like change of job), GOD may not respond to your prayer since in it will be more harm than good.
GOD (in His ultimate Mercy for mankind) will only give you what is better (not worse).
"Fighting may be imposed on you, even though you dislike it. But you may dislike something which is good for you, and you may like something which is bad for you. GOD knows while you do not know." (2:216)
If a child asks a parent for a 'snake', then the parent out of 'Love' for his/her child can never meet such a request...The Lord is more Merciful and Loving than any human being can EVER be, thus only the good things will be given (even-though we may not see that).
"Proclaim: 'If you possessed my Lord's treasures of mercy, you would have withheld them, fearing that you might exhaust them. The human being is indeed stingy." (17:100)
Condition # 5: Patience in Observed.
Now that we understand how to have our prayers answered, we must also understand that GOD responds 'As' and 'When' He sees fit:
"He is not questioned about anything He does, while all others are questioned." (21:23)
The Lord is our creator, GOD, and Master...He would never do anything to 'Harm' us or inflict 'Pain' or 'Suffering' to His servants...Thus, we must allow GOD to answer our calls in the 'Best Manor' that He deems rather than in our own 'Selfish' manor, which may cause more harm than good.
"Moses said to his people, "Seek GOD's help, and be patient. The earth belongs to GOD, and He grants it to whomever He chooses from among His servants. The ultimate victory belongs to the righteous." (7:128)
"But if We give him a taste of (Our) favors after adversity hath touched him, he is sure to say, "All evil has departed from me:" Behold! he falls into exultation and pride. Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward." (11:10-11)
"I have rewarded them this Day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss..." (23:111)
"We did not send any messengers before you who did not eat food and walk in the markets. We thus test you by each other; will you steadfastly persevere? Your Lord is Seer." (25:20)
A Submitter doesn't keep asking "why wasn't this or that prayer answered?" or "why do these bad things happen to me, while I'm a good person?", etc., but rather looks to see how GOD is always responding to and giving him and how He never fails to answer prayers on terms far better than what we like to impose.
Condition # 6: GOD Alone is Remembered.
Once we ask GOD Alone for help or for 'something', we must NOT turn our backs to Him and expect that He will still be there to help us.
"He (Joseph) then said to the one to be saved: 'Remember me at your lord.' Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years." (12:42)
In the story of Joseph, we see how a 'righteous' man, a Messenger, was left to spend years in-prison because he did not 'Remember' to implore GOD Alone!.
Always keep GOD is your heart and in your mind...Without Him, we are all absolutely NOTHING.
WARNING!!!
Although the above tells us how to have our prayers answered, we should heed the advise of GOD who tells us:
"...Some people would say: 'Our Lord, give us of this world,' while having no share in the Hereafter." (2:200)
Do not be fooled by this world alone...For it is but an illusion.
"The life of this world is no more than illusion and vanity, while the abode of the Hereafter is far better for the righteous. Do you not understand?!" (6:32)
"Anyone who seeks the materials of this world should know that GOD possesses both the materials of this world and the Hereafter. GOD is Hearer, Seer." (4:134)
What your prayers should encompass is:
"Others would say: 'Our Lord, grant us good things in this world, and good in the Hereafter, and spare us the retribution of Hell. These will receive the share they have earned. GOD is most efficient in reckoning." (2:201-202)
There is no crime in being greedy for both this world AND the next, as long as the one being asked is GOD Alone!.
Conclusion:
Now that we have shown how GOD's system is at work, you should ask yourself: 'Are ALL my prayers being answered?'.
If the answer is 'No'...then you need to examine 2 elements in your life:
Do you believe in GOD Alone (no power or place for anything or anyone else)?;
Do you lead a 'Righteous' life? (as drawn-out by the 'Straight Path' 6:151-153).
By Brother Layth (e-mail: laytth@hotmail.com)
How many times have you asked GOD for something?.
Did GOD answer your prayer every time?.
Did GOD answer your prayers at all!.
"When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided." (2:186)
How can this be!. If GOD is telling us in His holy book that He answers prayers...Then WHY is He ignoring mine!!!.
This is really the dilemma that most of us go through on a regular basis, and which eventually works at eroding our faith, belief, and contact with GOD.
If GOD is hearing us, why doesn't He answer?.
Is it because I am bad?.
Or is it because I am not praying the way He wants, or fasting the way He told us, or doing all the commands that He has sent?.
We tear ourselves apart trying to work out where the 'mistakes' are and why we are being ignored...
But, is GOD really ignoring us?. Can the words of the Lord be 'untruthful'?.
"GOD's promise- and GOD never breaks His promise- but most people do not know." (30:6)
Let us tackle this issue using GOD's own words for guidance:
"This Quran guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense." (17:9)
1. Can we ask GOD for 'worldly' items?.
This is really the 'million $' question!. Many people have been able to convince themselves that GOD hears all prayers, but that the rewards are all attained in the next life...not this Earthly one.
Let us see if that is true:
"He said, "My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a KINGSHIP never attained by anyone else. You are the Grantor. We committed the wind at his disposal, pouring rain wherever he wanted." (38:35-36)
It appears that Solomon request for a pure 'Earthly' Kingship was answered!.
"...Whenever Zachariah entered her sanctuary he found provisions with her. He would ask, "Mary, where did you get this from?" She would say, "It is from GOD. GOD provides for whomever He chooses, without limits." (3:37)
Here we find GOD providing 'Earthly' sustenance for Mary!.
"That is when Zachariah implored his Lord: "My Lord, grant me such a good child; You are the Hearer of the prayers. The angels called him when he was praying in the sanctuary: "GOD gives you good news of John; a believer in the word of GOD, honorable, moral, and a righteous prophet." (3:38-39)
And Zachariah asking for an "Earthly" son!.
Now that we have seen that asking for worldly items is a 'Reality'...Let us see what else we can ask for.
2. Can we ask GOD for things in the Hereafter?.
"And GOD cites as an example of those who believed the wife of Pharaoh. She said, "My Lord, build a home for me at You in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his works; save me from the transgressing people." (66:11)
Pharaoh's wife seeks a 'Heavenly' reward from GOD.
"My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and anyone who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women..." (71:28)
Noah seeks 'forgiveness' from the Lord (a heavenly reward).
"Anyone who commits evil, or wrongs his soul, then implores GOD for forgiveness, will find GOD Forgiving, Most Merciful." (4:110)
GOD's 'forgiveness' is (of course) Heavenly!.
Thus, we can ask for things in this life as well as the after-life!.
Now, if the Quran establishes both of the above facts, then WHY is it our prayers go unanswered!!!.
Pre-conditions:
The Quran tells us that GOD answers the calls that implore Him with 'conditions':
Condition # 1: GOD Alone is Implored.
"If you are afflicted in the middle of the sea, you forget your idols, EXCEPT HIM. But as soon as He saves you to the shore, you revert. Indeed, the human being is unappreciative." (17:67)
"When they ride on a ship, they implore GOD, devoting their prayers to ONLY HIM. But as soon as He saves them to the shore, they revert to idolatry." (29:65)
"When violent waves surround them, they implore GOD, sincerely devoting their prayers to ONLY HIM. But as soon as He saves them to the shore, some of them revert. None discards our revelations except those who are betrayers, unappreciative." (31:32)
"Who is the One who rescues those who become DESPERATE and call upon Him, relieves adversity, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is it another god with GOD? Rarely do you take heed." (27:62)
This condition is of a 'general' nature for those people who from time to time, especially when in great distress, implore on Him Alone from the heart...
Many people who believe in 'Special Abilities' for Jesus, Mohammed, the Saints, the Scholars, etc... will go-through life without having GOD answer their prayers or needs (GOD will however show every human being the way- Let him who wills believe, and he who wills reject).
However, in EXTREME cases, these very same people will unknowingly and unwittingly implore on 'GOD Alone' from the heart to save or help them...Yet, as soon as their crisis is over, they go back to having idols in their hearts and forget that it was Him 'Alone' that saved them (29:65).
Condition # 1: makes it clear why most of us go-through life without having GOD answer our calls and prayers...We all have many 'idols' in our lives (money, children, ego, power, prophets, saints, wise-men, etc..) which DISQUALIFIES us from having GOD answer our prayer.
Even the Prophets were not answered when they let something 'other' than GOD Alone get in the way:
"And Zan-Noon (Jonah), abandoned his mission in protest, thinking that we could not control him. He ended up imploring from the darkness: 'There is no god other than YOU. Be You glorified. I have committed a gross sin. We responded to him, and saved him from the crisis; we thus save the believers." (21:87-88)
Condition # 2: GOD Alone is Followed.
The real secret for knowing how to have your prayers ALWAYS answered (not just in times of distress) is to 'Live The Life' that is the path of 'GOD Alone':
"Those who proclaim: "1. Our Lord is GOD," then * 2. lead a righteous life (Istaqamu), the angels descend upon them: 'You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news that Paradise has been reserved for you. We are your allies in THIS LIFE, and in the Hereafter. You will have IN IT anything you desire for; you will have anything you ask." (41:30-31)
* The 'Straigh-Path' (Siraat Mustaqeem) can be found in the following verses: 6:151-153.
You see, many people say and believe that the 'Lord is GOD'...Yet their prayers go unanswered.
Many people 'lead a righteous life'...Yet their prayers go unanswered.
It is only when these 2 elements are put TOGETHER that the 'Special Formula' for having your prayers answered can come to work!.
The Angels become 'assigned' to these people as their 'Allies' and they carry the responsibility (from GOD) of meeting the needs and desires of these people (in this worldly life).
These TWO conditions are further enforced in the next verses:
"Who can utter better words than one who: 1. invites to GOD, 2. works righteousness, and says: 'I am one of the Submitters?" (41:33)
Thus, a Submitter is defined by these two terms (believes in GOD, works righteousness).
Condition # 2 : To have your prayers ALWAYS answered, you should be a Submitter (Believe in GOD & Lead a Righteous Life).
Being a Submitter, is also the surest way to enter Paradise:
"Surely, those who say: 1. Our Lord is GOD, then 2. lead a righteous life (Istaqamu), will have no fear, nor will they grieve. They have deserved Paradise, where they abide forever; a reward for their works." (46:13-14)
Condition # 3: What you ask is what you Get.
When speaking to GOD, we will ask for many things, and we will think of what to say and whether we want this or that thing...GOD does NOT respond to your 'words', but He will respond to what is asked from the 'Heart'.
Sometimes, a person may express a particular need or wish in his prayer directly, while thinking something to himself that expresses a different desire. GOD responds to the innermost desire.
Remember what the Angels have been committed to in Condition # 2?
"We are your allies in this life, and in the Hereafter. You will have in it anything you desire (tashtahoon); you will have anything you ask." (41:30-31)
The verse makes clear that what you 'Desire' will take PRECEDENCE over what you 'Ask for'.
So, if you are asking for a 'New House', but really desire a 'Child'...Then do not get upset if you are granted the 'Child' and not the 'House'.
Condition # 4: Only what is Good for you is given!.
While you may have truly asked for certain things (like change of job), GOD may not respond to your prayer since in it will be more harm than good.
GOD (in His ultimate Mercy for mankind) will only give you what is better (not worse).
"Fighting may be imposed on you, even though you dislike it. But you may dislike something which is good for you, and you may like something which is bad for you. GOD knows while you do not know." (2:216)
If a child asks a parent for a 'snake', then the parent out of 'Love' for his/her child can never meet such a request...The Lord is more Merciful and Loving than any human being can EVER be, thus only the good things will be given (even-though we may not see that).
"Proclaim: 'If you possessed my Lord's treasures of mercy, you would have withheld them, fearing that you might exhaust them. The human being is indeed stingy." (17:100)
Condition # 5: Patience in Observed.
Now that we understand how to have our prayers answered, we must also understand that GOD responds 'As' and 'When' He sees fit:
"He is not questioned about anything He does, while all others are questioned." (21:23)
The Lord is our creator, GOD, and Master...He would never do anything to 'Harm' us or inflict 'Pain' or 'Suffering' to His servants...Thus, we must allow GOD to answer our calls in the 'Best Manor' that He deems rather than in our own 'Selfish' manor, which may cause more harm than good.
"Moses said to his people, "Seek GOD's help, and be patient. The earth belongs to GOD, and He grants it to whomever He chooses from among His servants. The ultimate victory belongs to the righteous." (7:128)
"But if We give him a taste of (Our) favors after adversity hath touched him, he is sure to say, "All evil has departed from me:" Behold! he falls into exultation and pride. Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward." (11:10-11)
"I have rewarded them this Day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss..." (23:111)
"We did not send any messengers before you who did not eat food and walk in the markets. We thus test you by each other; will you steadfastly persevere? Your Lord is Seer." (25:20)
A Submitter doesn't keep asking "why wasn't this or that prayer answered?" or "why do these bad things happen to me, while I'm a good person?", etc., but rather looks to see how GOD is always responding to and giving him and how He never fails to answer prayers on terms far better than what we like to impose.
Condition # 6: GOD Alone is Remembered.
Once we ask GOD Alone for help or for 'something', we must NOT turn our backs to Him and expect that He will still be there to help us.
"He (Joseph) then said to the one to be saved: 'Remember me at your lord.' Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years." (12:42)
In the story of Joseph, we see how a 'righteous' man, a Messenger, was left to spend years in-prison because he did not 'Remember' to implore GOD Alone!.
Always keep GOD is your heart and in your mind...Without Him, we are all absolutely NOTHING.
WARNING!!!
Although the above tells us how to have our prayers answered, we should heed the advise of GOD who tells us:
"...Some people would say: 'Our Lord, give us of this world,' while having no share in the Hereafter." (2:200)
Do not be fooled by this world alone...For it is but an illusion.
"The life of this world is no more than illusion and vanity, while the abode of the Hereafter is far better for the righteous. Do you not understand?!" (6:32)
"Anyone who seeks the materials of this world should know that GOD possesses both the materials of this world and the Hereafter. GOD is Hearer, Seer." (4:134)
What your prayers should encompass is:
"Others would say: 'Our Lord, grant us good things in this world, and good in the Hereafter, and spare us the retribution of Hell. These will receive the share they have earned. GOD is most efficient in reckoning." (2:201-202)
There is no crime in being greedy for both this world AND the next, as long as the one being asked is GOD Alone!.
Conclusion:
Now that we have shown how GOD's system is at work, you should ask yourself: 'Are ALL my prayers being answered?'.
If the answer is 'No'...then you need to examine 2 elements in your life:
Do you believe in GOD Alone (no power or place for anything or anyone else)?;
Do you lead a 'Righteous' life? (as drawn-out by the 'Straight Path' 6:151-153).
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