From: http://faridi.net/quran/
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
16:1
(Inevitable) cometh (to pass) the Command of Allah: seek ye not then to hasten it: Glory to Him, and far is He above having the partners they ascribe unto Him!
16:2
He doth send down His angels with inspiration of His Command, to such of His servants as He pleaseth, (saying): “Warn (Man) that there is no god but I: so do your duty unto Me.”
16:3
He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends: Far is He above having the partners they ascribe to Him!
16:4
He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man) becomes an open disputer!
16:5
And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat.
16:6
And ye have a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive them home in the evening, and as ye lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
16:7
And they carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not (otherwise) reach except with souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful,
16:8
And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for show; and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge.
16:9
And unto Allah leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn aside: if Allah had willed, He could have guided all of you.
16:10
It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
16:11
With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought.
16:12
He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the moon; and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise.
16:13
And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).
16:14
It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful.
16:15
And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves;
16:16
And marks and sign-posts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves.
16:17
Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive admonition?
16:18
If ye would count up the favours of Allah, never would ye be able to number them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
16:19
And Allah doth know what ye conceal, and what ye reveal.
16:20
Those whom they invoke besides Allah create nothing and are themselves created.
16:21
(They are things) dead, lifeless: nor do they know when they will be raised up.
16:22
Your Allah is one Allah: as to those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts refuse to know, and they are arrogant.
16:23
Undoubtedly Allah doth know what they conceal, and what they reveal: verily He loveth not the arrogant.
16:24
When it is said to them, “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” they say, “Tales of the ancients!”
16:25
Let them bear, on the Day of Judgment, their own burdens in full, and also (something) of the burdens of those without knowledge, whom they misled. Alas, how grievous the burdens they will bear!
16:26
Those before them did also plot (against Allah’s Way): but Allah took their structures from their foundations, and the roof fell down on them from above; and the Wrath seized them from directions they did not perceive.
16:27
Then, on the Day of Judgment, He will cover them with shame, and say: “Where are My ‘partners’ concerning whom ye used to dispute (with the godly)?” Those endued with knowledge will say: “This Day, indeed, are the Unbelievers covered with shame and misery,-
16:28
“(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of wrong-doing to their own souls.” Then would they offer submission (with the pretence), “We did no evil (knowingly).” (The angels will reply), “Nay, but verily Allah knoweth all that ye did;
16:29
“So enter the gates of Hell, to dwell therein. Thus evil indeed is the abode of the arrogant.”
16:30
To the righteous (when) it is said, “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” they say, “All that is good.” To those who do good, there is good in this world, and the Home of the Hereafter is even better and excellent indeed is the Home of the righteous,-
16:31
Gardens of Eternity which they will enter: beneath them flow (pleasant) rivers: they will have therein all that they wish: thus doth Allah reward the righteous,-
16:32
(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity, saying (to them), “Peace be on you; enter ye the Garden, because of (the good) which ye did (in the world).”
16:33
Do the (ungodly) wait until the angels come to them, or there comes the Command of thy Lord (for their doom)? So did those who went before them. But Allah wronged them not: nay, they wronged their own souls.
16:34
But the evil results of their deeds overtook them, and that very (Wrath) at which they had scoffed hemmed them in.
16:35
The worshippers of false gods say: “If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped aught but Him - neither we nor our fathers,- nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His.” So did those who went before them. But what is the mission of apostles but to preach the Clear Message?
16:36
For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the Command), “Serve Allah, and eschew Evil”: of the People were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).
16:37
If thou art anxious for their guidance, yet Allah guideth not such as He leaves to stray, and there is none to help them.
16:38
They swear their strongest oaths by Allah, that Allah will not raise up those who die: Nay, but it is a promise (binding) on Him in truth: but most among mankind realise it not.
16:39
(They must be raised up), in order that He may manifest to them the truth of that wherein they differ, and that the rejecters of Truth may realise that they had indeed (surrendered to) Falsehood.
16:40
For to anything which We have willed, We but say the word, “Be”, and it is.
16:41
To those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, after suffering oppression,- We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world; but truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater. If they only realised (this)!
16:42
(They are) those who persevere in patience, and put their trust on their Lord.
16:43
And before thee also the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
16:44
(We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may give thought.
16:45
Do then those who devise evil (plots) feel secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them up, or that the Wrath will not seize them from directions they little perceive?-
16:46
Or that He may not call them to account in the midst of their goings to and fro, without a chance of their frustrating Him?-
16:47
Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage - for thy Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy.
16:48
Do they not look at Allah’s creation, (even) among (inanimate) things,- How their (very) shadows turn round, from the right and the left, prostrating themselves to Allah, and that in the humblest manner?
16:49
And to Allah doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and on earth, whether moving (living) creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant (before their Lord).
16:50
They all revere their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they are commanded.
16:51
Allah has said: “Take not (for worship) two gods: for He is just One Allah: then fear Me (and Me alone).”
16:52
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth, and to Him is duty due always: then will ye fear other than Allah?
16:53
And ye have no good thing but is from Allah: and moreover, when ye are touched by distress, unto Him ye cry with groans;
16:54
Yet, when He removes the distress from you, behold! some of you turn to other gods to join with their Lord-
16:55
(As if) to show their ingratitude for the favours we have bestowed on them! then enjoy (your brief day): but soon will ye know (your folly)!
16:56
And they (even) assign, to things they do not know, a portion out of that which We have bestowed for their sustenance! By Allah, ye shall certainly be called to account for your false inventions.
16:57
And they assign daughters for Allah! - Glory be to Him! - and for themselves (sons,- the issue) they desire!
16:58
When news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief!
16:59
With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or bury it in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on?
16:60
To those who believe not in the Hereafter, applies the similitude of evil: to Allah applies the highest similitude: for He is the Exalted in Power, full of Wisdom.
16:61
If Allah were to punish men for their wrong-doing, He would not leave, on the (earth), a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: When their Term expires, they would not be able to delay (the punishment) for a single hour, just as they would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour).
16:62
They attribute to Allah what they hate (for themselves), and their tongues assert the falsehood that all good things are for themselves: without doubt for them is the Fire, and they will be the first to be hastened on into it!
16:63
By Allah, We (also) sent (Our apostles) to Peoples before thee; but Satan made, (to the wicked), their own acts seem alluring: He is also their patron today, but they shall have a most grievous penalty.
16:64
And We sent down the Book to thee for the express purpose, that thou shouldst make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe.
16:65
And Allah sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to the earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for those who listen.
16:66
And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it.
16:67
And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine, ye get out wholesome drink and food: behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise.
16:68
And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men’s) habitations;
16:69
Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
16:70
It is Allah who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known (much): for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.
16:71
Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others: those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favours of Allah?
16:72
And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for Allah’s favours?-
16:73
And worship others than Allah,- such as have no power of providing them, for sustenance, with anything in heavens or earth, and cannot possibly have such power?
16:74
Invent not similitudes for Allah: for Allah knoweth, and ye know not.
16:75
Allah sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the dominion of another; He has no power of any sort; and (the other) a man on whom We have bestowed goodly favours from Ourselves, and he spends thereof (freely), privately and publicly: are the two equal? (By no means;) praise be to Allah. But most of them understand not.
16:76
Allah sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way be directs him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one who commands Justice, and is on a Straight Way?
16:77
To Allah belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the Decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twingkling of an eye, or even quicker: for Allah hath power over all things.
16:78
It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that ye may give thanks (to Allah).
16:79
Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are signs for those who believe.
16:80
It is Allah Who made your habitations homes of rest and quiet for you; and made for you, out of the skins of animals, (tents for) dwellings, which ye find so light (and handy) when ye travel and when ye stop (in your travels); and out of their wool, and their soft fibres (between wool and hair), and their hair, rich stuff and articles of convenience (to serve you) for a time.
16:81
It is Allah Who made out of the things He created, some things to give you shade; of the hills He made some for your shelter; He made you garments to protect you from heat, and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He complete His favours on you, that ye may bow to His Will (in Islam).
16:82
But if they turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear Message.
16:83
They recognise the favours of Allah; then they deny them; and most of them are (creatures) ungrateful.
16:84
One Day We shall raise from all Peoples a Witness: then will no excuse be accepted from Unbelievers, nor will they receive any favours.
16:85
When the wrong-doers (actually) see the Penalty, then will it in no way be mitigated, nor will they then receive respite.
16:86
When those who gave partners to Allah will see their “partners”, they will say: “Our Lord! these are our ‘partners,’ those whom we used to invoke besides Thee.” But they will throw back their word at them (and say): “Indeed ye are liars!”
16:87
That Day shall they (openly) show (their) submission to Allah; and all their inventions shall leave them in the lurch.
16:88
Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah - for them will We add Penalty to Penalty; for that they used to spread mischief.
16:89
One day We shall raise from all Peoples a witness against them, from amongst themselves: and We shall bring thee as a witness against these (thy people): and We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims.
16:90
Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.
16:91
Fulfil the Covenant of Allah when ye have entered into it, and break not your oaths after ye have confirmed them; indeed ye have made Allah your surety; for Allah knoweth all that ye do.
16:92
And be not like a woman who breaks into untwisted strands the yarn which she has spun, after it has become strong. Nor take your oaths to practise deception between yourselves, lest one party should be more numerous than another: for Allah will test you by this; and on the Day of Judgment He will certainly make clear to you (the truth of) that wherein ye disagree.
16:93
If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.
16:94
And take not your oaths, to practise deception between yourselves, with the result that someone’s foot may slip after it was firmly planted, and ye may have to taste the evil (consequences) of having hindered (men) from the Path of Allah, and a Mighty Wrath descend on you.
16:95
Nor sell the covenant of Allah for a miserable price: for with Allah is (a prize) far better for you, if ye only knew.
16:96
What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure. And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions.
16:97
Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.
16:98
When thou dost read the Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan the rejected one.
16:99
No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.
16:100
His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with Allah.
16:101
When We substitute one revelation for another,- and Allah knows best what He reveals (in stages),- they say, “Thou art but a forger”: but most of them understand not.
16:102
Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.
16:103
We know indeed that they say, “It is a man that teaches him.” The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.
16:104
Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah,- Allah will not guide them, and theirs will be a grievous Penalty.
16:105
It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, that forge falsehood: it is they who lie!
16:106
Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.
16:107
This because they love the life of this world better than the Hereafter: and Allah will not guide those who reject Faith.
16:108
Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes Allah has sealed up, and they take no heed.
16:109
Without doubt, in the Hereafter they will perish.
16:110
But verily thy Lord,- to those who leave their homes after trials and persecutions,- and who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and patiently persevere,- Thy Lord, after all this is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
16:111
One Day every soul will come up struggling for itself, and every soul will be recompensed (fully) for all its actions, and none will be unjustly dealt with.
16:112
Allah sets forth a Parable: a city enjoying security and quiet, abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place: Yet was it ungrateful for the favours of Allah: so Allah made it taste of hunger and terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like a garment (from every side), because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought.
16:113
And there came to them an Apostle from among themselves, but they falsely rejected him; so the Wrath seized them even in the midst of their iniquities.
16:114
So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; and be grateful for the favours of Allah, if it is He Whom ye serve.
16:115
He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
16:116
But say not - for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,- “This is lawful, and this is forbidden,” so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah, will never prosper.
16:117
(In such falsehood) is but a paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Penalty.
16:118
To the Jews We prohibited such things as We have mentioned to thee before: We did them no wrong, but they were used to doing wrong to themselves.
16:119
But verily thy Lord,- to those who do wrong in ignorance, but who thereafter repent and make amends,- thy Lord, after all this, is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
16:120
Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah:
16:121
He showed his gratitude for the favours of Allah, who chose him, and guided him to a Straight Way.
16:122
And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the Righteous.
16:123
So We have taught thee the inspired (Message), “Follow the ways of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah.”
16:124
The Sabbath was only made (strict) for those who disagreed (as to its observance); But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment, as to their differences.
16:125
Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
16:126
And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.
16:127
And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from Allah; nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of their plots.
16:128
For Allah is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Quran: Sura Al-Mumenoon (The Believers)
From: http://faridi.net/quran/?chapter=23
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
23:1
The believers must (eventually) win through,-
23:2
Those who humble themselves in their prayers;
23:3
Who avoid vain talk;
23:4
Who are active in deeds of charity;
23:5
Who abstain from sex,
23:6
Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame,
23:7
But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;-
23:8
Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants;
23:9
And who (strictly) guard their prayers;-
23:10
These will be the heirs,
23:11
Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).
23:12
Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay);
23:13
Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;
23:14
Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!
23:15
After that, at length ye will die
23:16
Again, on the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up.
23:17
And We have made, above you, seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of (our) Creation.
23:18
And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).
23:19
With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits: and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment),-
23:20
Also a tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use it for food.
23:21
And in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: from within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat;
23:22
An on them, as well as in slips, ye side.
23:23
(Further, We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: He said, “O my people! worship Allah! Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?”
23:24
The chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: “He is no more than a man like yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you: if Allah had wished (to send messengers), He could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing (as he says), among our ancestors of old.”
23:25
(And some said): “He is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a time.”
23:26
(Noah) said: “O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!”
23:27
So We inspired him (with this message): “Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance: then when comes Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy family- except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth: And address Me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the Flood).
23:28
And when thou hast embarked on the Ark - thou and those with thee,- say: “Praise be to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who do wrong.”
23:29
And say: “O my Lord! enable me to disembark with thy blessing: for Thou art the Best to enable (us) to disembark.”
23:30
Verily in this there are Signs (for men to understand); (thus) do We try (men).
23:31
Then We raised after them another generation.
23:32
And We sent to them an apostle from among themselves, (saying), “Worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?”
23:33
And the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and on whom We had bestowed the good things of this life, said: “He is no more than a man like yourselves: he eats of that of which ye eat, and drinks of what ye drink.
23:34
“If ye obey a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain ye will be lost.
23:35
“Does he promise that when ye die and become dust and bones, ye shall be brought forth (again)?
23:36
“Far, very far is that which ye are promised!
23:37
“There is nothing but our life in this world! We shall die and we live! But we shall never be raised up again!
23:38
“He is only a man who invents a lie against Allah, but we are not the ones to believe in him!”
23:39
(The prophet) said: “O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood.”
23:40
(Allah) said: “In but a little while, they are sure to be sorry!”
23:41
Then the Blast overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves (floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong!
23:42
Then We raised after them other generations.
23:43
No people can hasten their term, nor can they delay (it).
23:44
Then sent We our apostles in succession: every time there came to a people their apostle, they accused him of falsehood: so We made them follow each other (in punishment): We made them as a tale (that is told): So away with a people that will not believe!
23:45
Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron, with Our Signs and authority manifest,
23:46
To Pharaoh and his Chiefs: But these behaved insolently: they were an arrogant people.
23:47
They said: “Shall we believe in two men like ourselves? And their people are subject to us!”
23:48
So they accused them of falsehood, and they became of those who were destroyed.
23:49
And We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance.
23:50
And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs.
23:51
O ye apostles! enjoy (all) things good and pure, and work righteousness: for I am well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.
23:52
And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).
23:53
But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself.
23:54
But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.
23:55
Do they think that because We have granted them abundance of wealth and sons,
23:56
We would hasten them on in every good? Nay, they do not understand.
23:57
Verily those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
23:58
Those who believe in the Signs of their Lord;
23:59
Those who join not (in worship) partners with their Lord;
23:60
And those who dispense their charity with their hearts full of fear, because they will return to their Lord;-
23:61
It is these who hasten in every good work, and these who are foremost in them.
23:62
On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear: before Us is a record which clearly shows the truth: they will never be wronged.
23:63
But their hearts are in confused ignorance of this; and there are, besides that, deeds of theirs, which they will (continue) to do,-
23:64
Until, when We seize in Punishment those of them who received the good things of this world, behold, they will groan in supplication!
23:65
(It will be said): “Groan not in supplication this day: for ye shall certainly not be helped by Us.
23:66
“My Signs used to be rehearsed to you, but ye used to turn back on your heels-
23:67
“In arrogance: talking nonsense about the (Qur’an), like one telling fables by night.”
23:68
Do they not ponder over the Word (of Allah), or has anything (new) come to them that did not come to their fathers of old?
23:69
Or do they not recognise their Apostle, that they deny him?
23:70
Or do they say, “He is possessed”? Nay, he has brought them the Truth, but most of them hate the Truth.
23:71
If the Truth had been in accord with their desires, truly the heavens and the earth, and all beings therein would have been in confusion and corruption! Nay, We have sent them their admonition, but they turn away from their admonition.
23:72
Or is it that thou askest them for some recompense? But the recompense of thy Lord is best: He is the Best of those who give sustenance.
23:73
But verily thou callest them to the Straight Way;
23:74
And verily those who believe not in the Hereafter are deviating from that Way.
23:75
If We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering in distraction to and fro.
23:76
We inflicted Punishment on them, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor do they submissively entreat (Him)!-
23:77
Until We open on them a gate leading to a severe Punishment: then Lo! they will be plunged in despair therein!
23:78
It is He Who has created for you (the faculties of) hearing, sight, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give!
23:79
And He has multiplied you through the earth, and to Him shall ye be gathered back.
23:80
It is He Who gives life and death, and to Him (is due) the alternation of Night and Day: will ye not then understand?
23:81
On the contrary they say things similar to what the ancients said.
23:82
They say: “What! when we die and become dust and bones, could we really be raised up again?
23:83
“Such things have been promised to us and to our fathers before! they are nothing but tales of the ancients!”
23:84
Say: “To whom belong the earth and all beings therein? (say) if ye know!”
23:85
They will say, “To Allah!” say: “Yet will ye not receive admonition?”
23:86
Say: “Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme?”
23:87
They will say, “(They belong) to Allah.” Say: “Will ye not then be filled with awe?”
23:88
Say: “Who is it in whose hands is the governance of all things,- who protects (all), but is not protected (of any)? (say) if ye know.”
23:89
They will say, “(It belongs) to Allah.” Say: “Then how are ye deluded?”
23:90
We have sent them the Truth: but they indeed practise falsehood!
23:91
No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!
23:92
He knows what is hidden and what is open: too high is He for the partners they attribute to Him!
23:93
Say: “O my Lord! if Thou wilt show me (in my lifetime) that which they are warned against,-
23:94
“Then, O my Lord! put me not amongst the people who do wrong!”
23:95
And We are certainly able to show thee (in fulfilment) that against which they are warned.
23:96
Repel evil with that which is best: We are well acquainted with the things they say.
23:97
And say “O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones.
23:98
“And I seek refuge with Thee O my Lord! lest they should come near me.”
23:99
(In Falsehood will they be) Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: “O my Lord! send me back (to life),-
23:100
“In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected.” - “By no means! It is but a word he says.”- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up.
23:101
Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another!
23:102
Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will attain salvation:
23:103
But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.
23:104
The Fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced.
23:105
“Were not My Signs rehearsed to you, and ye did but treat them as falsehood?”
23:106
They will say: “our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we became a people astray!
23:107
“Our Lord! bring us out of this: if ever we return (to Evil), then shall we be wrong-doers indeed!”
23:108
He will say: “Be ye driven into it (with ignominy)! And speak ye not to Me!
23:109
“A part of My servants there was, who used to pray ‘our Lord! we believe; then do Thou forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!”
23:110
“But ye treated them with ridicule, so much so that (ridicule of) them made you forget My Message while ye were laughing at them!
23:111
“I have rewarded them this Day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss…”
23:112
He will say: “What number of years did ye stay on earth?”
23:113
They will say: “We stayed a day or part of a day: but ask those who keep account.”
23:114
He will say: “Ye stayed not but a little,- if ye had only known!
23:115
“Did ye then think that We had created you in jest, and that ye would not be brought back to Us (for account)?”
23:116
Therefore exalted be Allah, the King, the Reality: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Throne of Honour!
23:117
If anyone invokes, besides Allah, Any other god, he has no authority therefor; and his reckoning will be only with his Lord! and verily the Unbelievers will fail to win through!
23:118
So say: “O my Lord! grant Thou forgiveness and mercy for Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!”
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
23:1
The believers must (eventually) win through,-
23:2
Those who humble themselves in their prayers;
23:3
Who avoid vain talk;
23:4
Who are active in deeds of charity;
23:5
Who abstain from sex,
23:6
Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame,
23:7
But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;-
23:8
Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants;
23:9
And who (strictly) guard their prayers;-
23:10
These will be the heirs,
23:11
Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).
23:12
Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay);
23:13
Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;
23:14
Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!
23:15
After that, at length ye will die
23:16
Again, on the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up.
23:17
And We have made, above you, seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of (our) Creation.
23:18
And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).
23:19
With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits: and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment),-
23:20
Also a tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use it for food.
23:21
And in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: from within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat;
23:22
An on them, as well as in slips, ye side.
23:23
(Further, We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: He said, “O my people! worship Allah! Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?”
23:24
The chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: “He is no more than a man like yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you: if Allah had wished (to send messengers), He could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing (as he says), among our ancestors of old.”
23:25
(And some said): “He is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a time.”
23:26
(Noah) said: “O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!”
23:27
So We inspired him (with this message): “Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance: then when comes Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy family- except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth: And address Me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the Flood).
23:28
And when thou hast embarked on the Ark - thou and those with thee,- say: “Praise be to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who do wrong.”
23:29
And say: “O my Lord! enable me to disembark with thy blessing: for Thou art the Best to enable (us) to disembark.”
23:30
Verily in this there are Signs (for men to understand); (thus) do We try (men).
23:31
Then We raised after them another generation.
23:32
And We sent to them an apostle from among themselves, (saying), “Worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?”
23:33
And the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and on whom We had bestowed the good things of this life, said: “He is no more than a man like yourselves: he eats of that of which ye eat, and drinks of what ye drink.
23:34
“If ye obey a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain ye will be lost.
23:35
“Does he promise that when ye die and become dust and bones, ye shall be brought forth (again)?
23:36
“Far, very far is that which ye are promised!
23:37
“There is nothing but our life in this world! We shall die and we live! But we shall never be raised up again!
23:38
“He is only a man who invents a lie against Allah, but we are not the ones to believe in him!”
23:39
(The prophet) said: “O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood.”
23:40
(Allah) said: “In but a little while, they are sure to be sorry!”
23:41
Then the Blast overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves (floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong!
23:42
Then We raised after them other generations.
23:43
No people can hasten their term, nor can they delay (it).
23:44
Then sent We our apostles in succession: every time there came to a people their apostle, they accused him of falsehood: so We made them follow each other (in punishment): We made them as a tale (that is told): So away with a people that will not believe!
23:45
Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron, with Our Signs and authority manifest,
23:46
To Pharaoh and his Chiefs: But these behaved insolently: they were an arrogant people.
23:47
They said: “Shall we believe in two men like ourselves? And their people are subject to us!”
23:48
So they accused them of falsehood, and they became of those who were destroyed.
23:49
And We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance.
23:50
And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs.
23:51
O ye apostles! enjoy (all) things good and pure, and work righteousness: for I am well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.
23:52
And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).
23:53
But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself.
23:54
But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.
23:55
Do they think that because We have granted them abundance of wealth and sons,
23:56
We would hasten them on in every good? Nay, they do not understand.
23:57
Verily those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
23:58
Those who believe in the Signs of their Lord;
23:59
Those who join not (in worship) partners with their Lord;
23:60
And those who dispense their charity with their hearts full of fear, because they will return to their Lord;-
23:61
It is these who hasten in every good work, and these who are foremost in them.
23:62
On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear: before Us is a record which clearly shows the truth: they will never be wronged.
23:63
But their hearts are in confused ignorance of this; and there are, besides that, deeds of theirs, which they will (continue) to do,-
23:64
Until, when We seize in Punishment those of them who received the good things of this world, behold, they will groan in supplication!
23:65
(It will be said): “Groan not in supplication this day: for ye shall certainly not be helped by Us.
23:66
“My Signs used to be rehearsed to you, but ye used to turn back on your heels-
23:67
“In arrogance: talking nonsense about the (Qur’an), like one telling fables by night.”
23:68
Do they not ponder over the Word (of Allah), or has anything (new) come to them that did not come to their fathers of old?
23:69
Or do they not recognise their Apostle, that they deny him?
23:70
Or do they say, “He is possessed”? Nay, he has brought them the Truth, but most of them hate the Truth.
23:71
If the Truth had been in accord with their desires, truly the heavens and the earth, and all beings therein would have been in confusion and corruption! Nay, We have sent them their admonition, but they turn away from their admonition.
23:72
Or is it that thou askest them for some recompense? But the recompense of thy Lord is best: He is the Best of those who give sustenance.
23:73
But verily thou callest them to the Straight Way;
23:74
And verily those who believe not in the Hereafter are deviating from that Way.
23:75
If We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering in distraction to and fro.
23:76
We inflicted Punishment on them, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor do they submissively entreat (Him)!-
23:77
Until We open on them a gate leading to a severe Punishment: then Lo! they will be plunged in despair therein!
23:78
It is He Who has created for you (the faculties of) hearing, sight, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give!
23:79
And He has multiplied you through the earth, and to Him shall ye be gathered back.
23:80
It is He Who gives life and death, and to Him (is due) the alternation of Night and Day: will ye not then understand?
23:81
On the contrary they say things similar to what the ancients said.
23:82
They say: “What! when we die and become dust and bones, could we really be raised up again?
23:83
“Such things have been promised to us and to our fathers before! they are nothing but tales of the ancients!”
23:84
Say: “To whom belong the earth and all beings therein? (say) if ye know!”
23:85
They will say, “To Allah!” say: “Yet will ye not receive admonition?”
23:86
Say: “Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme?”
23:87
They will say, “(They belong) to Allah.” Say: “Will ye not then be filled with awe?”
23:88
Say: “Who is it in whose hands is the governance of all things,- who protects (all), but is not protected (of any)? (say) if ye know.”
23:89
They will say, “(It belongs) to Allah.” Say: “Then how are ye deluded?”
23:90
We have sent them the Truth: but they indeed practise falsehood!
23:91
No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!
23:92
He knows what is hidden and what is open: too high is He for the partners they attribute to Him!
23:93
Say: “O my Lord! if Thou wilt show me (in my lifetime) that which they are warned against,-
23:94
“Then, O my Lord! put me not amongst the people who do wrong!”
23:95
And We are certainly able to show thee (in fulfilment) that against which they are warned.
23:96
Repel evil with that which is best: We are well acquainted with the things they say.
23:97
And say “O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones.
23:98
“And I seek refuge with Thee O my Lord! lest they should come near me.”
23:99
(In Falsehood will they be) Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: “O my Lord! send me back (to life),-
23:100
“In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected.” - “By no means! It is but a word he says.”- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up.
23:101
Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another!
23:102
Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will attain salvation:
23:103
But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.
23:104
The Fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced.
23:105
“Were not My Signs rehearsed to you, and ye did but treat them as falsehood?”
23:106
They will say: “our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we became a people astray!
23:107
“Our Lord! bring us out of this: if ever we return (to Evil), then shall we be wrong-doers indeed!”
23:108
He will say: “Be ye driven into it (with ignominy)! And speak ye not to Me!
23:109
“A part of My servants there was, who used to pray ‘our Lord! we believe; then do Thou forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!”
23:110
“But ye treated them with ridicule, so much so that (ridicule of) them made you forget My Message while ye were laughing at them!
23:111
“I have rewarded them this Day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss…”
23:112
He will say: “What number of years did ye stay on earth?”
23:113
They will say: “We stayed a day or part of a day: but ask those who keep account.”
23:114
He will say: “Ye stayed not but a little,- if ye had only known!
23:115
“Did ye then think that We had created you in jest, and that ye would not be brought back to Us (for account)?”
23:116
Therefore exalted be Allah, the King, the Reality: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Throne of Honour!
23:117
If anyone invokes, besides Allah, Any other god, he has no authority therefor; and his reckoning will be only with his Lord! and verily the Unbelievers will fail to win through!
23:118
So say: “O my Lord! grant Thou forgiveness and mercy for Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!”
Saturday, September 22, 2007
The Concept of Worship In Islam
From: www.the-islam-way.com
III&E Brochure Series; No. 5 (published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E))
Bismillahi ar-rahmani ar-raheemIn the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
The concept of worship in Islam is misunderstood by many people including some Muslims. Worship is commonly taken to mean performing ritualistic acts such as prayers, fasting, charity, etc. This limited understanding of worship is only one part of the meaning of worship in Islam. That is why the traditional definition of worship in Islam is a comprehensive definition that includes almost everything in any individual's activities. The definition goes something like this:
"Worship is an all inclusive term for all that God loves of external and internal sayings and actions of a person."
In other words, worship is everything one says or does for the pleasure of Allah. This, of course, includes rituals as well as beliefs, social activities, and personal contributions to the welfare of one's mfellow human-beings.
Islam looks at the individual as a whole. He is required to submit himself completely to Allah, as the Quran instructed the Prophet Muhammad to do
"Say (O Muhammad) my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death belong to Allah; He has no partner and I am ordered to be among thosewho submit, i.e.; Muslims." (6:162-163)
The natural result of this submission is that all one's activities should conform to the instructions of the one to whom the person issubmitting. Islam, being a way of life, requires that its followers model their life according to its teachings in every aspect, religious or otherwise. This might sound strange to some people who think of religion as a personal relation between the individual and God, having no impact on one's activities outside rituals.
As a matter of fact Islam does not think much of mere rituals when they are performed mechanically and have no influence on one's inner life. The Quran addresses the believers and their neighbors from among the People of the Book who were arguing with them about the change of the direction of Qibla in the following verse:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Prophets, and gives his beloved money to his relatives and the orphans and the needy and for the ransoming of captives and who observes prayer and pays the poor-due; and those who fulfill their promises when they have made one, and the patient in poverty and affliction and the steadfast in time of war; it is those who have proved truthful and it is those who are the God-fearing." (2:177)
The deeds in the above verse are the deeds of righteousness and they are only a part of worship. The Prophet told us about faith, which isthe basis of worship, that it "is made up of sixty and some branches; the highest of which is the belief in the Oneness of Allah, i.e., there is no God but Allah and the lowest in the scale of worship is removing obstacles and dirt from people's way."
Decent work is considered in Islam a type of worship. The Prophet said: "Whoever finds himself at the nightfall tired of hiswork, God will forgive his sins." Seeking knowledge is one of the highest types of worship. The Prophet told his companions that "seeking knowledge is a (religious) duty on every Muslim." In another saying he said: "Seeking knowledge for one hour is better than praying for seventy years." Social courtesy and cooperation are part of worship when done for the sake of Allah as the Prophet told us: "Receiving your friend with a smile is a type of charity, helping a person to load his animal is a charity and putting some water in your neighbor's bucket is a charity."
It is worth noting that even performing one's duties is considered a sort of worship. The Prophet told us that whatever one spends for his family is a type of charity; he will be rewarded for it if he acquires it through legal means. Kindness to members of one's family is an act of worship as when one puts a piece of food in his spouse's mouth. Not only this but even the acts we enjoy doing very much, when they are performed according to the instructions of the Prophet, are considered as acts of worship. The Prophet told his companions that they will be rewarded even for having sexual intercourse with their wives. The companions were astonished and asked: "How are we going to be rewarded for doing something we enjoy very much?" The Prophet asked them: "Suppose you satisfy your desires illegally; don't you think that you will be punished for that?" They replied, "Yes." "So," he said, "by satisfying it legally with your wives you are rewarded for it." This means they are acts of worship. Thus Islam does not consider sex a dirty thing that one should avoid. It is dirty and sinful only when it is satisfied outside marital life.
It is clear, from the previous discussion that the concept of worship in Islam is a comprehensive concept that includes all the positive activities of the individual. This of course is in agreement with the all inclusive nature of Islam as a way of life. It regulates human life on all levels: individual, social, economic, political and spiritual. That is why Islam provides guidance to the smallest details of one's life on all these levels. Thus following these details is following Islamic instructions in that specific area. It is a very encouraging element when one realizes that all his activities are considered by God as acts of worship. This should lead the individual to seek Allah's pleasure in his actions and always try to do them in the best possible manner whether he is watched by his superiors or he is alone. There is always the permanent supervisor, who knows everything, namely, Allah. Discussing the non-ritual worship in Islam first does not mean undervaluing the importance of the ritual ones. Actually ritualworship, if performed in true spirit, elevates man morally and spiritually and enables him to carry on his activities in all walks of life according to the Guidance of God. Among ritual worships, Salah (ritual prayer) occupies the key position for two reasons. Firstly, it is the distinctive mark of a believer. Secondly, it prevents an individual from all sorts of abominations and vices by providing him chances of direct communion with his Creator five times a day, wherein he renews his covenant with God and seeks His guidance again and again:
"You alone we worship and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path." (1:5,6)
Actually Salah is the first practical manifestation of Faith and also the foremost of the basis conditions for the success of thebelievers:
"Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their prayers." (23:1-2)
The same fact has been emphasized by the Prophet (PBUH) in a different way. He says:
"Those who offer their Salah with great care and punctuality, will find it a light, a proof of their Faith and cause of theirsalvation on the Day of Judgment.
After Salah, Zakah (poor-due) is an important pillar of Islam. In the Quran, Salah and Zakah mostly have been mentioned together many times. Like Salah, Zakah is a manifestation of faith that affirms that God is the sole owner of everything in the universe, and what men hold is a trust in their hand over which God made them trustees to discharge it as He has laid down:
"Believe in Allah and His messenger and spend of that over which He made you trustees." (57:7)
In this respect Zakah is an act of devotion which, like prayer, brings the believer nearer to his Lord.
Apart from this, Zakah is a means of redistribution of wealth in a way that reduces makes a fair contribution to socialstability. By purging the soul of the rich from selfishness and the soul of the poor from envy and resentment against society, it stops up the channels leading to class hatred and makes it possible for the springs of brotherhood and solidarity to gush forth. Such stability is not merely based on the personal feelings of the rich; it stands on a firmly established right which, if the rich denied it, would be exacted by force, if necessary.
Siyam (fasting during the day time of the month of Ramadan) is another pillar of Islam. The main function of fasting is to make the Muslim pure from "within" as other aspects of Shariah make him pure from "without." By such purity he responds to what is true and good and shuns what is false and evil. This is what we can perceive in the Quranic verse:
"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may gain piety." (2:183)
In an authentic tradition, the Prophet reported Allah as saying: "He suspends eating, drinking, and gratification of his sexual passion for My sake." Thus his reward is going to be according to God's great bounty.
Fasting, then, awakens the conscience of the individual and gives it scope for exercise in a joint experience for all society at the same time, thus adding further strength to each individual. Moreover, fasting offers a compulsory rest to the over-worked human machine for the duration of one full month. Similarly fasting reminds an individual of those who are deprived of life's necessities throughout the year or throughout life. It makes him realize the suffering of others, the less fortunate brothers in Islam, and thus promotes in him a sense of sympathy and kindness to them.
Lastly, we come to Al-Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of God in Makkah). This very important pillar of Islam manifests a unique unity, dispelling all kinds of differences. Muslims from all corners of the world wearing the same dress, respond to the call of Hajj in one voice and language; LABBAIK ALLAHUMMA LABBAIK (Here I am at your service O Lord!). In Hajj there is an exercise of strict self-discipline and control where not only sacred things are revered, but even the life of plants and birds is made inviolable so that everything lives in safety:
"And he that venerates the sacred things of God, it shall be better for him with his Lord." (22:30)"And he that venerates the waymarks of God, it surely is from devotion of the heart." (22:32)
Pilgrimage gives an opportunity to all Muslims from all groups, classes, organizations, and governments from all over the Muslim world to meet annually in a great congress. The time and venue of this congress has been set by their One God. Invitation to attend is open to every Muslim. No one has the power to bar anyone. Every Muslim who attends is guaranteed full safety and freedom as long as he himself does not violate its safety.
Thus, worship in Islam, whether ritual or non-ritual, trains the individual in such a way that he loves his Creator most and thereby gains an unyielding will and spirit to wipe out all evil and oppression from the human society and make the word of God dominant in the world.
III&E Brochure Series; No. 5 (published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E))
Bismillahi ar-rahmani ar-raheemIn the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
The concept of worship in Islam is misunderstood by many people including some Muslims. Worship is commonly taken to mean performing ritualistic acts such as prayers, fasting, charity, etc. This limited understanding of worship is only one part of the meaning of worship in Islam. That is why the traditional definition of worship in Islam is a comprehensive definition that includes almost everything in any individual's activities. The definition goes something like this:
"Worship is an all inclusive term for all that God loves of external and internal sayings and actions of a person."
In other words, worship is everything one says or does for the pleasure of Allah. This, of course, includes rituals as well as beliefs, social activities, and personal contributions to the welfare of one's mfellow human-beings.
Islam looks at the individual as a whole. He is required to submit himself completely to Allah, as the Quran instructed the Prophet Muhammad to do
"Say (O Muhammad) my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death belong to Allah; He has no partner and I am ordered to be among thosewho submit, i.e.; Muslims." (6:162-163)
The natural result of this submission is that all one's activities should conform to the instructions of the one to whom the person issubmitting. Islam, being a way of life, requires that its followers model their life according to its teachings in every aspect, religious or otherwise. This might sound strange to some people who think of religion as a personal relation between the individual and God, having no impact on one's activities outside rituals.
As a matter of fact Islam does not think much of mere rituals when they are performed mechanically and have no influence on one's inner life. The Quran addresses the believers and their neighbors from among the People of the Book who were arguing with them about the change of the direction of Qibla in the following verse:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Prophets, and gives his beloved money to his relatives and the orphans and the needy and for the ransoming of captives and who observes prayer and pays the poor-due; and those who fulfill their promises when they have made one, and the patient in poverty and affliction and the steadfast in time of war; it is those who have proved truthful and it is those who are the God-fearing." (2:177)
The deeds in the above verse are the deeds of righteousness and they are only a part of worship. The Prophet told us about faith, which isthe basis of worship, that it "is made up of sixty and some branches; the highest of which is the belief in the Oneness of Allah, i.e., there is no God but Allah and the lowest in the scale of worship is removing obstacles and dirt from people's way."
Decent work is considered in Islam a type of worship. The Prophet said: "Whoever finds himself at the nightfall tired of hiswork, God will forgive his sins." Seeking knowledge is one of the highest types of worship. The Prophet told his companions that "seeking knowledge is a (religious) duty on every Muslim." In another saying he said: "Seeking knowledge for one hour is better than praying for seventy years." Social courtesy and cooperation are part of worship when done for the sake of Allah as the Prophet told us: "Receiving your friend with a smile is a type of charity, helping a person to load his animal is a charity and putting some water in your neighbor's bucket is a charity."
It is worth noting that even performing one's duties is considered a sort of worship. The Prophet told us that whatever one spends for his family is a type of charity; he will be rewarded for it if he acquires it through legal means. Kindness to members of one's family is an act of worship as when one puts a piece of food in his spouse's mouth. Not only this but even the acts we enjoy doing very much, when they are performed according to the instructions of the Prophet, are considered as acts of worship. The Prophet told his companions that they will be rewarded even for having sexual intercourse with their wives. The companions were astonished and asked: "How are we going to be rewarded for doing something we enjoy very much?" The Prophet asked them: "Suppose you satisfy your desires illegally; don't you think that you will be punished for that?" They replied, "Yes." "So," he said, "by satisfying it legally with your wives you are rewarded for it." This means they are acts of worship. Thus Islam does not consider sex a dirty thing that one should avoid. It is dirty and sinful only when it is satisfied outside marital life.
It is clear, from the previous discussion that the concept of worship in Islam is a comprehensive concept that includes all the positive activities of the individual. This of course is in agreement with the all inclusive nature of Islam as a way of life. It regulates human life on all levels: individual, social, economic, political and spiritual. That is why Islam provides guidance to the smallest details of one's life on all these levels. Thus following these details is following Islamic instructions in that specific area. It is a very encouraging element when one realizes that all his activities are considered by God as acts of worship. This should lead the individual to seek Allah's pleasure in his actions and always try to do them in the best possible manner whether he is watched by his superiors or he is alone. There is always the permanent supervisor, who knows everything, namely, Allah. Discussing the non-ritual worship in Islam first does not mean undervaluing the importance of the ritual ones. Actually ritualworship, if performed in true spirit, elevates man morally and spiritually and enables him to carry on his activities in all walks of life according to the Guidance of God. Among ritual worships, Salah (ritual prayer) occupies the key position for two reasons. Firstly, it is the distinctive mark of a believer. Secondly, it prevents an individual from all sorts of abominations and vices by providing him chances of direct communion with his Creator five times a day, wherein he renews his covenant with God and seeks His guidance again and again:
"You alone we worship and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path." (1:5,6)
Actually Salah is the first practical manifestation of Faith and also the foremost of the basis conditions for the success of thebelievers:
"Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their prayers." (23:1-2)
The same fact has been emphasized by the Prophet (PBUH) in a different way. He says:
"Those who offer their Salah with great care and punctuality, will find it a light, a proof of their Faith and cause of theirsalvation on the Day of Judgment.
After Salah, Zakah (poor-due) is an important pillar of Islam. In the Quran, Salah and Zakah mostly have been mentioned together many times. Like Salah, Zakah is a manifestation of faith that affirms that God is the sole owner of everything in the universe, and what men hold is a trust in their hand over which God made them trustees to discharge it as He has laid down:
"Believe in Allah and His messenger and spend of that over which He made you trustees." (57:7)
In this respect Zakah is an act of devotion which, like prayer, brings the believer nearer to his Lord.
Apart from this, Zakah is a means of redistribution of wealth in a way that reduces makes a fair contribution to socialstability. By purging the soul of the rich from selfishness and the soul of the poor from envy and resentment against society, it stops up the channels leading to class hatred and makes it possible for the springs of brotherhood and solidarity to gush forth. Such stability is not merely based on the personal feelings of the rich; it stands on a firmly established right which, if the rich denied it, would be exacted by force, if necessary.
Siyam (fasting during the day time of the month of Ramadan) is another pillar of Islam. The main function of fasting is to make the Muslim pure from "within" as other aspects of Shariah make him pure from "without." By such purity he responds to what is true and good and shuns what is false and evil. This is what we can perceive in the Quranic verse:
"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may gain piety." (2:183)
In an authentic tradition, the Prophet reported Allah as saying: "He suspends eating, drinking, and gratification of his sexual passion for My sake." Thus his reward is going to be according to God's great bounty.
Fasting, then, awakens the conscience of the individual and gives it scope for exercise in a joint experience for all society at the same time, thus adding further strength to each individual. Moreover, fasting offers a compulsory rest to the over-worked human machine for the duration of one full month. Similarly fasting reminds an individual of those who are deprived of life's necessities throughout the year or throughout life. It makes him realize the suffering of others, the less fortunate brothers in Islam, and thus promotes in him a sense of sympathy and kindness to them.
Lastly, we come to Al-Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of God in Makkah). This very important pillar of Islam manifests a unique unity, dispelling all kinds of differences. Muslims from all corners of the world wearing the same dress, respond to the call of Hajj in one voice and language; LABBAIK ALLAHUMMA LABBAIK (Here I am at your service O Lord!). In Hajj there is an exercise of strict self-discipline and control where not only sacred things are revered, but even the life of plants and birds is made inviolable so that everything lives in safety:
"And he that venerates the sacred things of God, it shall be better for him with his Lord." (22:30)"And he that venerates the waymarks of God, it surely is from devotion of the heart." (22:32)
Pilgrimage gives an opportunity to all Muslims from all groups, classes, organizations, and governments from all over the Muslim world to meet annually in a great congress. The time and venue of this congress has been set by their One God. Invitation to attend is open to every Muslim. No one has the power to bar anyone. Every Muslim who attends is guaranteed full safety and freedom as long as he himself does not violate its safety.
Thus, worship in Islam, whether ritual or non-ritual, trains the individual in such a way that he loves his Creator most and thereby gains an unyielding will and spirit to wipe out all evil and oppression from the human society and make the word of God dominant in the world.
Muslims, We Are, But Why?
From: http://www.islamfortoday.com/
By: Sheikh Ahmad Kutty,
a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
“Islam is the rational choice for anyone who wishes to have a faith that does full justice to the demands of the three faculties of man: physical, intellectual and spiritual. Here is a concise listing of Islam’s unique features for which Islam is chosen as a way of life:
1-Islam is the only religion whose sources are authentically preserved and thus remains immaculately free of all human tampering and interpolations.
2-The Islamic scripture is free of mythical elements that are incongruous with modern man’s understanding of the world.
3-The Qur’an, the Islamic scripture, is fully compatible with the established facts of science; it clearly contains the signature of the author of the universe, as attested to by many objective seekers of truth, coming as they were from diverse religious and intellectual backgrounds. It also movingly records natural phenomena and enjoins the followers of the faith to respect and preserve nature and the creatures with whom we share the planet.
4-The Qur’an upholds the role of reason and equates those who fail to use their reason as being intellectually imbeciles; this is a far cry from the teachings of many religions which assume incompatibility of reason and revelation.
5-Islamic beliefs and practices are simple, natural and appeal to both reason and common sense.
6-In regards to most of the teachings of Islam, their benefits can be easily demonstrated by evidence of the human experience and by the objective observation of facts. Take for instance Islam’s ban of alcohol: statistics reveal that abstention from intoxicants alone could spare humanity from untold misery and suffering. The valuable resources squandered for intoxicants can alone solve all poverty related problems of the world. Add to this, the Islamic pillar of Zakah. If only the world’s rich were to part with 2.5 % of their excess wealth, humanity would have tackled the problem of poverty very easily.
7-Islam takes into account all of the Allah-given instincts and faculties of man/woman and therefore gives us a balanced program of life that caters to all of the basic needs of humans - physical, intellectual and spiritual, unlike many religions and ideologies which exaggerate one at the expense of the other.
8-Islam provides for us a living example of such a balanced role model in Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, whose life, unlike those of the great heroes and Prophets of other religions, is an open book easily accessible for anyone.
9-The Islamic story of creation is free of any of the consequences of the stigma of original sin which has weighed heavily in the consciousness of a large segment of humanity, often proving to be highly volatile, and resulting in hysterical explosions in both the individual and collective dimensions.
10-The Qur’an is anti-classical in its approach to knowledge, and stresses experiential knowledge, a fact which combines authentic science with authentic spirituality.
11-The Qur’an provides answers to questions that haunt every intelligent person, questions related to life after death, an area which is almost totally mysterious in other traditions.
12-Islamic teachings about the essential identity of human beings and its stress on human brotherhood can break the barriers separating humans from one another. This can save humanity from the dire consequences of nationalism and racism which tend to break up humanity artificially by creating and sustaining perpetual conflicts.
13-Islam promises us nothing but total freedom, liberation and bliss and the highest fulfillment and contentment that humans are capable of attaining.
14-Islamic history has provided us with a model society where justice, compassion, truth and transparency of justice were implemented at the human and natural levels.
15-Islam dispenses with all intermediaries between man and God and allows all humans to freely contact God, thus eliminating hierarchies and other sources of religious exploitation that has characterized religious history throughout the ages.”
By: Sheikh Ahmad Kutty,
a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
“Islam is the rational choice for anyone who wishes to have a faith that does full justice to the demands of the three faculties of man: physical, intellectual and spiritual. Here is a concise listing of Islam’s unique features for which Islam is chosen as a way of life:
1-Islam is the only religion whose sources are authentically preserved and thus remains immaculately free of all human tampering and interpolations.
2-The Islamic scripture is free of mythical elements that are incongruous with modern man’s understanding of the world.
3-The Qur’an, the Islamic scripture, is fully compatible with the established facts of science; it clearly contains the signature of the author of the universe, as attested to by many objective seekers of truth, coming as they were from diverse religious and intellectual backgrounds. It also movingly records natural phenomena and enjoins the followers of the faith to respect and preserve nature and the creatures with whom we share the planet.
4-The Qur’an upholds the role of reason and equates those who fail to use their reason as being intellectually imbeciles; this is a far cry from the teachings of many religions which assume incompatibility of reason and revelation.
5-Islamic beliefs and practices are simple, natural and appeal to both reason and common sense.
6-In regards to most of the teachings of Islam, their benefits can be easily demonstrated by evidence of the human experience and by the objective observation of facts. Take for instance Islam’s ban of alcohol: statistics reveal that abstention from intoxicants alone could spare humanity from untold misery and suffering. The valuable resources squandered for intoxicants can alone solve all poverty related problems of the world. Add to this, the Islamic pillar of Zakah. If only the world’s rich were to part with 2.5 % of their excess wealth, humanity would have tackled the problem of poverty very easily.
7-Islam takes into account all of the Allah-given instincts and faculties of man/woman and therefore gives us a balanced program of life that caters to all of the basic needs of humans - physical, intellectual and spiritual, unlike many religions and ideologies which exaggerate one at the expense of the other.
8-Islam provides for us a living example of such a balanced role model in Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, whose life, unlike those of the great heroes and Prophets of other religions, is an open book easily accessible for anyone.
9-The Islamic story of creation is free of any of the consequences of the stigma of original sin which has weighed heavily in the consciousness of a large segment of humanity, often proving to be highly volatile, and resulting in hysterical explosions in both the individual and collective dimensions.
10-The Qur’an is anti-classical in its approach to knowledge, and stresses experiential knowledge, a fact which combines authentic science with authentic spirituality.
11-The Qur’an provides answers to questions that haunt every intelligent person, questions related to life after death, an area which is almost totally mysterious in other traditions.
12-Islamic teachings about the essential identity of human beings and its stress on human brotherhood can break the barriers separating humans from one another. This can save humanity from the dire consequences of nationalism and racism which tend to break up humanity artificially by creating and sustaining perpetual conflicts.
13-Islam promises us nothing but total freedom, liberation and bliss and the highest fulfillment and contentment that humans are capable of attaining.
14-Islamic history has provided us with a model society where justice, compassion, truth and transparency of justice were implemented at the human and natural levels.
15-Islam dispenses with all intermediaries between man and God and allows all humans to freely contact God, thus eliminating hierarchies and other sources of religious exploitation that has characterized religious history throughout the ages.”
Quran: Sura Al-Furqan (The Criterion)
From: http://faridi.net/quran/?chapter=25
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
25:1
Blessed is He who sent down the criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all creatures;-
25:2
He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion: it is He who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.
25:3
Yet have they taken, besides him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt or good to themselves; nor can they control death nor life nor resurrection.
25:4
But the misbelievers say: “Naught is this but a lie which he has forged, and others have helped him at it.” In truth it is they who have put forward an iniquity and a falsehood.
25:5
And they say: “Tales of the ancients, which he has caused to be written: and they are dictated before him morning and evening.”
25:6
Say: “The (Qur’an) was sent down by Him who knows the mystery (that is) in the heavens and the earth: verily He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
25:7
And they say: “What sort of an apostle is this, who eats food, and walks through the streets? Why has not an angel been sent down to him to give admonition with him?
25:8
“Or (Why) has not a treasure been bestowed on him, or why has he (not) a garden for enjoyment?” The wicked say: “Ye follow none other than a man bewitched.”
25:9
See what kinds of comparisons they make for thee! But they have gone astray, and never a way will they be able to find!
25:10
Blessed is He who, if that were His will, could give thee better (things) than those,- Gardens beneath which rivers flow; and He could give thee palaces (secure to dwell in).
25:11
Nay they deny the hour (of the judgment to come): but We have prepared a blazing fire for such as deny the hour:
25:12
When it sees them from a place fAr off, they will hear its fury and its ranging sigh.
25:13
And when they are cast, bound together into a constricted place therein, they will pLead for destruction there and then!
25:14
“This day plead not for a single destruction: plead for destruction oft-repeated!”
25:15
Say: “Is that best, or the eternal garden, promised to the righteous? for them, that is a reward as well as a goal (of attainment).
25:16
“For them there will be therein all that they wish for: they will dwell (there) for aye: A promise to be prayed for from thy Lord.”
25:17
The day He will gather them together as well as those whom they worship besides Allah, He will ask: “Was it ye who let these My servants astray, or did they stray from the Path themselves?”
25:18
They will say: “Glory to Thee! not meet was it for us that we should take for protectors others besides Thee: But Thou didst bestow, on them and their fathers, good things (in life), until they forgot the Message: for they were a people (worthless and) lost.”
25:19
(Allah will say): “Now have they proved you liars in what ye say: so ye cannot avert (your penalty) nor (get) help.” And whoever among you does wrong, him shall We cause to taste of a grievous Penalty.
25:20
And the apostles whom We sent before thee were all (men) who ate food and walked through the streets: We have made some of you as a trial for others: will ye have patience? for Allah is One Who sees (all things).
25:21
Such as fear not the meeting with Us (for Judgment) say: “Why are not the angels sent down to us, or (why) do we not see our Lord?” Indeed they have an arrogant conceit of themselves, and mighty is the insolence of their impiety!
25:22
The Day they see the angels,- no joy will there be to the sinners that Day: The (angels) will say: “There is a barrier forbidden (to you) altogether!”
25:23
And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in this life), and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about.
25:24
The Companions of the Garden will be well, that Day, in their abode, and have the fairest of places for repose.
25:25
The Day the heaven shall be rent asunder with clouds, and angels shall be sent down, descending (in ranks),-
25:26
That Day, the dominion as of right and truth, shall be (wholly) for (Allah) Most Merciful: it will be a Day of dire difficulty for the Misbelievers.
25:27
The Day that the wrong-doer will bite at his hands, he will say, “Oh! would that I had taken a (straight) path with the Apostle!
25:28
“Ah! woe is me! Would that I had never taken such a one for a friend!
25:29
“He did lead me astray from the Message (of Allah) after it had come to me! Ah! the Evil One is but a traitor to man!” Then the Apostle will say:
25:30
“O my Lord! Truly my people took this Qur’an for just foolish nonsense.”
25:31
Thus have We made for every prophet an enemy among the sinners: but enough is thy Lord to guide and to help.
25:32
Those who reject Faith say: “Why is not the Qur’an revealed to him all at once? Thus (is it revealed), that We may strengthen thy heart thereby, and We have rehearsed it to thee in slow, well-arranged stages, gradually.
25:33
And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the truth and the best explanation (thereof).
25:34
Those who will be gathered to Hell (prone) on their faces,- they will be in an evil plight, and, as to Path, most astray.
25:35
(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister;
25:36
And We command: “Go ye both, to the people who have rejected our Signs:” And those (people) We destroyed with utter destruction.
25:37
And the people of Noah,- when they rejected the apostles, We drowned them, and We made them as a Sign for mankind; and We have prepared for (all) wrong-doers a grievous Penalty;-
25:38
As also ‘Ad and Thamud, and the Companions of the Rass, and many a generation between them.
25:39
To each one We set forth Parables and examples; and each one We broke to utter annihilation (for their sins).
25:40
And the (Unbelievers) must indeed have passed by the town on which was rained a shower of evil: did they not then see it (with their own eyes)? But they fear not the Resurrection.
25:41
When they see thee, they treat thee no otherwise than in mockery: “Is this the one whom Allah has sent as an apostle?”
25:42
“He indeed would well-nigh have misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were constant to them!” - Soon will they know, when they see the Penalty, who it is that is most misled in Path!
25:43
Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god his own passion (or impulse)? Couldst thou be a disposer of affairs for him?
25:44
Or thinkest thou that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle;- nay, they are worse astray in Path.
25:45
Hast thou not turned thy vision to thy Lord?- How He doth prolong the shadow! If He willed, He could make it stationary! then do We make the sun its guide;
25:46
Then We draw it in towards Ourselves,- a contraction by easy stages.
25:47
And He it is Who makes the Night as a Robe for you, and Sleep as Repose, and makes the Day (as it were) a Resurrection.
25:48
And He it is Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy, and We send down pure water from the sky,-
25:49
That with it We may give life to a dead land, and slake the thirst of things We have created,- cattle and men in great numbers.
25:50
And We have distributed the (water) amongst them, in order that they may celebrate (our) praises, but most men are averse (to aught) but (rank) ingratitude.
25:51
Had it been Our Will, We could have sent a warner to every centre of population.
25:52
Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur’an).
25:53
It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed.
25:54
It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things).
25:55
Yet do they worship, besides Allah, things that can neither profit them nor harm them: and the Misbeliever is a helper (of Evil), against his own Lord!
25:56
But thee We only sent to give glad tidings and admonition.
25:57
Say: “No reward do I ask of you for it but this: that each one who will may take a (straight) Path to his Lord.”
25:58
And put thy trust in Him Who lives and dies not; and celebrate his praise; and enough is He to be acquainted with the faults of His servants;-
25:59
He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between, in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority): Allah Most Gracious: ask thou, then, about Him of any acquainted (with such things).
25:60
When it is said to them, “Adore ye (Allah) Most Gracious!”, they say, “And what is (Allah) Most Gracious? Shall we adore that which thou commandest us?” And it increases their flight (from the Truth).
25:61
Blessed is He Who made constellations in the skies, and placed therein a Lamp and a Moon giving light;
25:62
And it is He Who made the Night and the Day to follow each other: for such as have the will to celebrate His praises or to show their gratitude.
25:63
And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!”;
25:64
Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing;
25:65
Those who say, “Our Lord! avert from us the Wrath of Hell, for its Wrath is indeed an affliction grievous,-
25:66
“Evil indeed is it as an abode, and as a place to rest in”;
25:67
Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes);
25:68
Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit fornication; - and any that does this (not only) meets punishment.
25:69
(But) the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy,-
25:70
Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful,
25:71
And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah with an (acceptable) conversion;-
25:72
Those who witness no falsehood, and, if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable (avoidance);
25:73
Those who, when they are admonished with the Signs of their Lord, droop not down at them as if they were deaf or blind;
25:74
And those who pray, “Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.”
25:75
Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven, because of their patient constancy: therein shall they be met with salutations and peace,
25:76
Dwelling therein;- how beautiful an abode and place of rest!
25:77
Say (to the Rejecters): “My Lord is not uneasy because of you if ye call not on Him: But ye have indeed rejected (Him), and soon will come the inevitable (punishment)!”
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
25:1
Blessed is He who sent down the criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all creatures;-
25:2
He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion: it is He who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.
25:3
Yet have they taken, besides him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt or good to themselves; nor can they control death nor life nor resurrection.
25:4
But the misbelievers say: “Naught is this but a lie which he has forged, and others have helped him at it.” In truth it is they who have put forward an iniquity and a falsehood.
25:5
And they say: “Tales of the ancients, which he has caused to be written: and they are dictated before him morning and evening.”
25:6
Say: “The (Qur’an) was sent down by Him who knows the mystery (that is) in the heavens and the earth: verily He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
25:7
And they say: “What sort of an apostle is this, who eats food, and walks through the streets? Why has not an angel been sent down to him to give admonition with him?
25:8
“Or (Why) has not a treasure been bestowed on him, or why has he (not) a garden for enjoyment?” The wicked say: “Ye follow none other than a man bewitched.”
25:9
See what kinds of comparisons they make for thee! But they have gone astray, and never a way will they be able to find!
25:10
Blessed is He who, if that were His will, could give thee better (things) than those,- Gardens beneath which rivers flow; and He could give thee palaces (secure to dwell in).
25:11
Nay they deny the hour (of the judgment to come): but We have prepared a blazing fire for such as deny the hour:
25:12
When it sees them from a place fAr off, they will hear its fury and its ranging sigh.
25:13
And when they are cast, bound together into a constricted place therein, they will pLead for destruction there and then!
25:14
“This day plead not for a single destruction: plead for destruction oft-repeated!”
25:15
Say: “Is that best, or the eternal garden, promised to the righteous? for them, that is a reward as well as a goal (of attainment).
25:16
“For them there will be therein all that they wish for: they will dwell (there) for aye: A promise to be prayed for from thy Lord.”
25:17
The day He will gather them together as well as those whom they worship besides Allah, He will ask: “Was it ye who let these My servants astray, or did they stray from the Path themselves?”
25:18
They will say: “Glory to Thee! not meet was it for us that we should take for protectors others besides Thee: But Thou didst bestow, on them and their fathers, good things (in life), until they forgot the Message: for they were a people (worthless and) lost.”
25:19
(Allah will say): “Now have they proved you liars in what ye say: so ye cannot avert (your penalty) nor (get) help.” And whoever among you does wrong, him shall We cause to taste of a grievous Penalty.
25:20
And the apostles whom We sent before thee were all (men) who ate food and walked through the streets: We have made some of you as a trial for others: will ye have patience? for Allah is One Who sees (all things).
25:21
Such as fear not the meeting with Us (for Judgment) say: “Why are not the angels sent down to us, or (why) do we not see our Lord?” Indeed they have an arrogant conceit of themselves, and mighty is the insolence of their impiety!
25:22
The Day they see the angels,- no joy will there be to the sinners that Day: The (angels) will say: “There is a barrier forbidden (to you) altogether!”
25:23
And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in this life), and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about.
25:24
The Companions of the Garden will be well, that Day, in their abode, and have the fairest of places for repose.
25:25
The Day the heaven shall be rent asunder with clouds, and angels shall be sent down, descending (in ranks),-
25:26
That Day, the dominion as of right and truth, shall be (wholly) for (Allah) Most Merciful: it will be a Day of dire difficulty for the Misbelievers.
25:27
The Day that the wrong-doer will bite at his hands, he will say, “Oh! would that I had taken a (straight) path with the Apostle!
25:28
“Ah! woe is me! Would that I had never taken such a one for a friend!
25:29
“He did lead me astray from the Message (of Allah) after it had come to me! Ah! the Evil One is but a traitor to man!” Then the Apostle will say:
25:30
“O my Lord! Truly my people took this Qur’an for just foolish nonsense.”
25:31
Thus have We made for every prophet an enemy among the sinners: but enough is thy Lord to guide and to help.
25:32
Those who reject Faith say: “Why is not the Qur’an revealed to him all at once? Thus (is it revealed), that We may strengthen thy heart thereby, and We have rehearsed it to thee in slow, well-arranged stages, gradually.
25:33
And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the truth and the best explanation (thereof).
25:34
Those who will be gathered to Hell (prone) on their faces,- they will be in an evil plight, and, as to Path, most astray.
25:35
(Before this,) We sent Moses The Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister;
25:36
And We command: “Go ye both, to the people who have rejected our Signs:” And those (people) We destroyed with utter destruction.
25:37
And the people of Noah,- when they rejected the apostles, We drowned them, and We made them as a Sign for mankind; and We have prepared for (all) wrong-doers a grievous Penalty;-
25:38
As also ‘Ad and Thamud, and the Companions of the Rass, and many a generation between them.
25:39
To each one We set forth Parables and examples; and each one We broke to utter annihilation (for their sins).
25:40
And the (Unbelievers) must indeed have passed by the town on which was rained a shower of evil: did they not then see it (with their own eyes)? But they fear not the Resurrection.
25:41
When they see thee, they treat thee no otherwise than in mockery: “Is this the one whom Allah has sent as an apostle?”
25:42
“He indeed would well-nigh have misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were constant to them!” - Soon will they know, when they see the Penalty, who it is that is most misled in Path!
25:43
Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god his own passion (or impulse)? Couldst thou be a disposer of affairs for him?
25:44
Or thinkest thou that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle;- nay, they are worse astray in Path.
25:45
Hast thou not turned thy vision to thy Lord?- How He doth prolong the shadow! If He willed, He could make it stationary! then do We make the sun its guide;
25:46
Then We draw it in towards Ourselves,- a contraction by easy stages.
25:47
And He it is Who makes the Night as a Robe for you, and Sleep as Repose, and makes the Day (as it were) a Resurrection.
25:48
And He it is Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy, and We send down pure water from the sky,-
25:49
That with it We may give life to a dead land, and slake the thirst of things We have created,- cattle and men in great numbers.
25:50
And We have distributed the (water) amongst them, in order that they may celebrate (our) praises, but most men are averse (to aught) but (rank) ingratitude.
25:51
Had it been Our Will, We could have sent a warner to every centre of population.
25:52
Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur’an).
25:53
It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed.
25:54
It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things).
25:55
Yet do they worship, besides Allah, things that can neither profit them nor harm them: and the Misbeliever is a helper (of Evil), against his own Lord!
25:56
But thee We only sent to give glad tidings and admonition.
25:57
Say: “No reward do I ask of you for it but this: that each one who will may take a (straight) Path to his Lord.”
25:58
And put thy trust in Him Who lives and dies not; and celebrate his praise; and enough is He to be acquainted with the faults of His servants;-
25:59
He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between, in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority): Allah Most Gracious: ask thou, then, about Him of any acquainted (with such things).
25:60
When it is said to them, “Adore ye (Allah) Most Gracious!”, they say, “And what is (Allah) Most Gracious? Shall we adore that which thou commandest us?” And it increases their flight (from the Truth).
25:61
Blessed is He Who made constellations in the skies, and placed therein a Lamp and a Moon giving light;
25:62
And it is He Who made the Night and the Day to follow each other: for such as have the will to celebrate His praises or to show their gratitude.
25:63
And the servants of (Allah) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!”;
25:64
Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing;
25:65
Those who say, “Our Lord! avert from us the Wrath of Hell, for its Wrath is indeed an affliction grievous,-
25:66
“Evil indeed is it as an abode, and as a place to rest in”;
25:67
Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes);
25:68
Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit fornication; - and any that does this (not only) meets punishment.
25:69
(But) the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy,-
25:70
Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful,
25:71
And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah with an (acceptable) conversion;-
25:72
Those who witness no falsehood, and, if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honourable (avoidance);
25:73
Those who, when they are admonished with the Signs of their Lord, droop not down at them as if they were deaf or blind;
25:74
And those who pray, “Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.”
25:75
Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven, because of their patient constancy: therein shall they be met with salutations and peace,
25:76
Dwelling therein;- how beautiful an abode and place of rest!
25:77
Say (to the Rejecters): “My Lord is not uneasy because of you if ye call not on Him: But ye have indeed rejected (Him), and soon will come the inevitable (punishment)!”
What the Qur'an Teaches: God’s Signs in the Universe
From: Arab News, http://www.aljazzerah.info/
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Do you not see how your Lord causes the shadow to lengthen when, had He so willed, He could have indeed made it stand still? But then We have made the sun its guide. And then, little by little, We draw it in toward Ourselves.
(The Standard, Al-Furqan: 25: 45-46)
These two verses begin a passage which concentrates on great wonders in the universe that testify to God’s existence and the unique system He has put in place to control and conduct everything that happens anywhere in the universe. It directs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to look carefully at these signs and interact with them. Such interaction, particularly when it is done with open heart and mind, is sufficient to redress any lingering effects of the hardship caused by the unbelievers. He will be looking at the great horizons against which the schemes and hostility of unbelievers is reduced to insignificance.
The Qur’an always directs people’s hearts and minds to reflect on what they see in the universe. It alerts them to receive the message they give with a new, clear feeling that interacts with such scenes and their message. They will then definitely recognize the work of God’s hand in all that they see, hear and feel. They will have much to reflect upon and strengthen their bond with God through His work.
When man lives in the universe with open heart and mind, alert soul and sensation, his life rises above the petty concerns of this world. His sense of life is heightened as he feels, at every moment, that the universe around him is much larger and greater than his own world, while all that he sees and feels come into being through one and the same will, are subject to the same law, and submit to one creator. He will realize that he is but one of countless creatures that submit to God, and that God’s hand is visible in all that he sees, hears and feels.
The feelings of fearing God alone will be mixed in his consciousness with parallel feelings of friendliness and trust. These feelings will fill his soul and his whole world, imparting a mixture of love and reassurance that accompany man in his life journey and remain with him until he meets God. He could not fail to experience such feelings when everything around him, throughout his life, is made by God, according to His fine and elaborate system of creation.
We will see in this passage how the surah paints the scene of shadows extending then gently contracting, before we move to a scene of the quiet night of deep slumber and the bustling day of tireless activity. We then see the winds as heralds of God’s mercy, followed by water pouring down from the skies to quicken barren land. We see the salty sea and the sweet water of rivers, and the barrier between them preventing them from mixing. Then we look at a different type of fluid, the semen giving rise to human life. We contemplate how the heavens and the earth were created in six days, and look at the star constellations in the sky, with the sun as a lamp lightening the world for us, and the moon giving us splendid light at night. We also contemplate the succession of night and day without fail.
As it paints these images, the surah directs our hearts and minds to reflect that they are all of God’s creation, reminding us of His power and fine planning. It shows how singular the unbelievers’ attitude is when they associate partners with God and worship alongside Him some entities that can cause them neither benefit nor harm. Those unbelievers are so ignorant that they speak impudently about God and support one another in denying Him. It is a very strange attitude, particularly when seen against such a multitude of universal signs of God’s creation. We will look at these scenes and images as we discuss this passage over the next few weeks.
“Do you not see how your Lord causes the shadow to lengthen when, had He so willed, He could have indeed made it stand still? But then We have made the sun its guide. And then, little by little, We draw it in toward Ourselves.”
The image of shadow and shade imparts to a troubled and tired soul a feeling of comfort, relaxation and security, as if it is a gentle, compassionate hand that wipes away pain and worry, giving comfort and energy. Is this God’s purpose as He directs the Prophet, who has suffered the ridicule and opposition leveled at him by the unbelievers, to contemplate the shadow? In the hard fight the Prophet was going through in Makkah, facing determined opposition and wicked scheming, his soul must have felt the burden too heavy, with only a small number of believers supporting him against the overwhelming majority of unbelievers. Not only so, but he was not allowed then to retaliate against physical aggression, or to repel hostile ridicule.
In this troubled atmosphere passages of the Qur’an were revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) to serve as a healing balsam, comforting shade and kind blessing. It provided him with support in the midst of determined denial and opposition. Shade, particularly when considered against a hot desert background, gives an image that is in full harmony with the whole atmosphere of the surah that is full of compassion and blessings.
The surah shows the shadow as God’s hand gently stretches it before it easily contracts it: “Do you not see how your Lord causes the shadow to lengthen.” Then, “little by little, We draw it in toward Ourselves.” The shadow is faint darkness made by different bodies when sun rays rebound against them during the day. It moves along with the movement of the earth in relation to the sun, changing its position, length and shape. The sun points it with its light and heat, determining its area and length. When we follow how the shadow changes shape and extent, we experience a feeling of comfort and we are gently alert to the fact that it is an aspect of God’s work.
When the sun starts on its decline, we see shadows lengthen and lengthen. Then all of a sudden all shadows disappear as the sun sets. Where have all the shadows gone? God’s unseen hand has collected them all as the deep darkness of the night gathers and spreads all over our world.
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Do you not see how your Lord causes the shadow to lengthen when, had He so willed, He could have indeed made it stand still? But then We have made the sun its guide. And then, little by little, We draw it in toward Ourselves.
(The Standard, Al-Furqan: 25: 45-46)
These two verses begin a passage which concentrates on great wonders in the universe that testify to God’s existence and the unique system He has put in place to control and conduct everything that happens anywhere in the universe. It directs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to look carefully at these signs and interact with them. Such interaction, particularly when it is done with open heart and mind, is sufficient to redress any lingering effects of the hardship caused by the unbelievers. He will be looking at the great horizons against which the schemes and hostility of unbelievers is reduced to insignificance.
The Qur’an always directs people’s hearts and minds to reflect on what they see in the universe. It alerts them to receive the message they give with a new, clear feeling that interacts with such scenes and their message. They will then definitely recognize the work of God’s hand in all that they see, hear and feel. They will have much to reflect upon and strengthen their bond with God through His work.
When man lives in the universe with open heart and mind, alert soul and sensation, his life rises above the petty concerns of this world. His sense of life is heightened as he feels, at every moment, that the universe around him is much larger and greater than his own world, while all that he sees and feels come into being through one and the same will, are subject to the same law, and submit to one creator. He will realize that he is but one of countless creatures that submit to God, and that God’s hand is visible in all that he sees, hears and feels.
The feelings of fearing God alone will be mixed in his consciousness with parallel feelings of friendliness and trust. These feelings will fill his soul and his whole world, imparting a mixture of love and reassurance that accompany man in his life journey and remain with him until he meets God. He could not fail to experience such feelings when everything around him, throughout his life, is made by God, according to His fine and elaborate system of creation.
We will see in this passage how the surah paints the scene of shadows extending then gently contracting, before we move to a scene of the quiet night of deep slumber and the bustling day of tireless activity. We then see the winds as heralds of God’s mercy, followed by water pouring down from the skies to quicken barren land. We see the salty sea and the sweet water of rivers, and the barrier between them preventing them from mixing. Then we look at a different type of fluid, the semen giving rise to human life. We contemplate how the heavens and the earth were created in six days, and look at the star constellations in the sky, with the sun as a lamp lightening the world for us, and the moon giving us splendid light at night. We also contemplate the succession of night and day without fail.
As it paints these images, the surah directs our hearts and minds to reflect that they are all of God’s creation, reminding us of His power and fine planning. It shows how singular the unbelievers’ attitude is when they associate partners with God and worship alongside Him some entities that can cause them neither benefit nor harm. Those unbelievers are so ignorant that they speak impudently about God and support one another in denying Him. It is a very strange attitude, particularly when seen against such a multitude of universal signs of God’s creation. We will look at these scenes and images as we discuss this passage over the next few weeks.
“Do you not see how your Lord causes the shadow to lengthen when, had He so willed, He could have indeed made it stand still? But then We have made the sun its guide. And then, little by little, We draw it in toward Ourselves.”
The image of shadow and shade imparts to a troubled and tired soul a feeling of comfort, relaxation and security, as if it is a gentle, compassionate hand that wipes away pain and worry, giving comfort and energy. Is this God’s purpose as He directs the Prophet, who has suffered the ridicule and opposition leveled at him by the unbelievers, to contemplate the shadow? In the hard fight the Prophet was going through in Makkah, facing determined opposition and wicked scheming, his soul must have felt the burden too heavy, with only a small number of believers supporting him against the overwhelming majority of unbelievers. Not only so, but he was not allowed then to retaliate against physical aggression, or to repel hostile ridicule.
In this troubled atmosphere passages of the Qur’an were revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) to serve as a healing balsam, comforting shade and kind blessing. It provided him with support in the midst of determined denial and opposition. Shade, particularly when considered against a hot desert background, gives an image that is in full harmony with the whole atmosphere of the surah that is full of compassion and blessings.
The surah shows the shadow as God’s hand gently stretches it before it easily contracts it: “Do you not see how your Lord causes the shadow to lengthen.” Then, “little by little, We draw it in toward Ourselves.” The shadow is faint darkness made by different bodies when sun rays rebound against them during the day. It moves along with the movement of the earth in relation to the sun, changing its position, length and shape. The sun points it with its light and heat, determining its area and length. When we follow how the shadow changes shape and extent, we experience a feeling of comfort and we are gently alert to the fact that it is an aspect of God’s work.
When the sun starts on its decline, we see shadows lengthen and lengthen. Then all of a sudden all shadows disappear as the sun sets. Where have all the shadows gone? God’s unseen hand has collected them all as the deep darkness of the night gathers and spreads all over our world.
From Moro to Muslimah-One God, One People ,One Belief
From: www.studying-islam.org
Author/Source:
Khadijah Rivera (www.angelfire.com/pq/Andalusia)
En el Nombre’ de Ala’ el Compasivo el Misericordioso Al-hamdulilah, it has been part of our illustrious Islamic history to send messengers to different lands to spread the teachings of Al Islam. But for converts to spread the message in their land of choice it’s only the beginning of there Islamic duty! As Hispanic Americans it is our belief that we should utilize our gift of a second language to teach our brethren right here in the USA our adopted homeland. And with that in mind I come humbly before you to present this paper on how da’wah has developed and it’s future in America. As Br. Muhammad Abdul Khabeer will testify Islam was brought to the Americas with the New World. On board Christopher Columbus’ ship were the Astrolabe and the Muslim who could work it. For without it, Columbus would have never reached the New World. Prior to that, the Muslims of Andalucia had enjoyed a rich and glorious history in Muslim Spain for over 700 years. Bringing science and Islam at the forefront of their lives. They breathed Islam in their architecture and rich culture. Their intermarriages and adoption of the “new faith” brought unity rather than segregation for hundreds of years. For the Muslims allowed synagogues and churches to be built and allowed citizens to worship God the Almighty so long as they paid taxes to the Muslims. Our Hispanic roots were merged permanently with the prosperous Islamic culture. I can almost see my Puerto Rican late grandmother turn to me as I said:? “Bendicion abuelita? ” (Blessings Grandma?) and her response was? “Que Dios te bendiga” (May God bless you) where upon I would respond? “Te veo el proximo sabado” (See you next week) and she would say? “Si Dios Quiere” Another words, “Inshallah”.So we also brought that aspect of our daily lives to the new world as her parents were from Spain. Dr. Thomas Ballentine Irving the leading authority on Muslim Spain once gave me as a gift, pages of Andalucian recipes. It had no pork products, which are so common in Spanish cooking today. Inshallah this books printing is a project that we hope to promote among our jummaat.When the Muslims were expelled from Spain many of them left as Mude’jar Artisans. Once they arrived in the New World and Latin America they built churches with Islamic architecture and beautiful lines and fountains. Our lives were so intertwined that we could hardly distinguish one from the other. So that today when da’wah is given to a Christian it is so much easier for them to accept it. I also believe that the mere fact that a Hispanic is giving the da’wah assists greatly for it is more of a natural move and inclination to the faith. I use to wonder why during Malcolm X ‘s period many more Hispanics were not invited to Islam. But now I sigh with a great relief for that. We are a nation of mostly pious people who took religion seriously throughout history. Whether via Andalucia or the Crusades or the Conquistadors it was always a deep commitment to a higher truth.In New York City I found a Puerto Rican family who taught their children Islam as babies and now they can be joyful that they have Hafiz and upright Muslims. One of the main reasons we come is for the security it brings our family life and the love it fosters between our children and even our non-Muslim extended family. Br. Mustafa was known for standing across the street from the big churches with a table full of literature and invite congregates to learn about Al –Islam. In Ohio we have Aisha Moreno of Ecuadorian decent who once asked me how could she do da’wah if she was mostly home. And I told her that if she were sincere they would knock at her door. She has since been teaching from her home and has weekly halaqahs in Spanish and English. In Miami we had 5 shahadahs in one weekend! All over the country masses of Hispanics have found inner peace in a faith that is akin to their own culture. PIEDAD was very active in NYC where we began our work in 1987. Our first seminar was at a club where we brought food and invited our extended non -Muslim family. The founders of PIEDAD were not all-Spanish speaking; in fact we had a Kashmiri sister and a Pakistani who understood the importance of da’wah to Latinos. Although we are known for our numerous seminars with speakers like: Iman Siraj Wahaj, Mohammed Nasim, Dr. Thomas Irving, Dr Omar Kasule and others, truth is it was never as productive as our One on One da’wah. It was this personalization of the deen that assisted us. Here we could speak freely and clearly use the dua’ that releases our tongue so that we may be understood.I remember the day I met Br Yasin he was 17 years old and he wanted to go to Afghanistan. His family did not allow him and he wanted us to convince them. Well that was his objective but that is not what happened. His elder parents were afraid of his new religion and felt is was pure fanaticism, which could get their son killed. We spent what seemed to be hours trying to explain to this humble couple the virtues of Islam. Whereas they complained about their son and how he took down their portraits from the wall and the infamous Christmas tree in all it’s glory. Oh yes, they believed he was totally crazy. Why he didn’t even eat! We asked him if perhaps he was eating at night and explained what fasting was. “Oh yes” answered his father.” He is like a little mouse and eats when we are in bed.” Al Hamdulilah it was clear to us this brother was in the deen. At this point we stopped and really listened to them. They needed their son home and needed to see the difference between Yasin now and then. We asked them what Yasin was doing before he committed to Islam. “ Oh the father said ” I was getting him out of jail constantly, h e was stealing hubcaps and getting drunk.”And now?“Oh no.”, with realization in his breath, ” not now! ”. That day Yasin’s father converted to Al Islam during Jumaah. Shortly after his nieces and his mother also converted. That is the miracle of Islam. It is as beautiful as it is wondrous.Certainly, da’wah to any specific group is enriching but also involves lots of frustration as well as time. PIEDAD began as da’wah directed to the overlooked Hispanic women in NYC. And has continued it’s specialization to that intimate group without keeping others from assistance and participation. Working with women was especially rewarding because we come from the same place. Our first step has always been to form sincere and deep friendships that allow mistakes and are non judgmental. Secondly, to teach only what we are sure is correct and for deeper questions always have a sheikh or imam available for advice. Third, and most important to assure the new Muslimah that Islam is for everyone and that we are not to separate ourselves from any other Muslims as “only Hispanic Muslims”. And last but not least, to seek Islamic knowledge for the rest of their lives and never be satisfied with their comprehension but to have the thirst of learning in their hearts solely for the pleasure of Almighty Allah swt.After a sister learns to make salat and has an elementary understanding of Islam she is directed to the nearest Islamic center to continue her studies and referred to books that she can study to further her knowledge. If a sister wishes to go further in order to serve Allah swt she may want to join us in da’wah and for that we do Daiyett training. Which are basically a continuation of their studies in Islam and the practice of the deen in the service of Allah swt. As we did in Houston Texas with Br. Hussein Shuote and Sr. Aisha Mohammad of NYC several years ago.It should noted that our specific outreach must often take on a more nurturing role in da’wah, as in the case of young Yasin and the impact of Islam on his family. Also, where single women come to PIEDAD whether young or old there is an urgency to learn their roles as Muslimahs in a household. The precious upbringing of our next generation as well as the shura needed to maintain a good Islamic marriage is at stake. Often we must seek help from the Islamic community to give a support network for these women. Al hamdulilah PIEDAD has outstanding sheikhs and imam’s assisting us 24/7. This paper is to be used to understand the need of da’wah to Hispanics due to their history and For the development of the Hispanic community I have purposely outlined a Wish List of goals we are setting for our enrichment and progress. We hope that you will assist in its general development and generate a discussion so that we may improve in our da’wah direction. Our wish list for Da’wah in the USA? Funding for Da’wah groups to assist them in their challenging work. And to allow them to work full time in their outreach efforts. Also to pay for postage and offices expenses. (Even the most modest home office has expenses.)? Scholarships-Network with International organizations to assist pious and bright brothers to be trained as Spanish speaking imams. And that they be available to settle in Latin America with a modest living stipend.? That Islamic Literature be translated in all levels and made available to Da’wah groups without cost. And in this way keep our general expenses down.? That the Latino Conferences be a vehicle to assist us in unification and sharing of our strategies. And also to flow with communication to all organizations.? That each group has access to an imam with Prior expertise in Da’wah to assist in training of new Muslims and the da’wah process. And that Imam is given a small stipend for their extra work. We will be calling on them at all hours of the night and for many different types of problems and questions.? That we have access to organizations who can fund at least one or two sisters per year who have need for Hajj, either due to illness, lack of funds or strong desire.? That Video and Audio production of material to be produced to assist the new Muslims in learning Quranic Arabic and Islam. This material must be available for free to Correction facilities throughout the United States. In their quest for economic security great numbers of our brothers and sisters are incarcerated for breaking of immigration laws.? That Shahadah Certificates should be available in Spanish and Arabic so that the new converts may travel to complete their Hajj requirements.? And finally and perhaps more importantly that the Big organizations understand that even though we are smaller than they, our desire is nonetheless equal and as significant!
Author/Source:
Khadijah Rivera (www.angelfire.com/pq/Andalusia)
En el Nombre’ de Ala’ el Compasivo el Misericordioso Al-hamdulilah, it has been part of our illustrious Islamic history to send messengers to different lands to spread the teachings of Al Islam. But for converts to spread the message in their land of choice it’s only the beginning of there Islamic duty! As Hispanic Americans it is our belief that we should utilize our gift of a second language to teach our brethren right here in the USA our adopted homeland. And with that in mind I come humbly before you to present this paper on how da’wah has developed and it’s future in America. As Br. Muhammad Abdul Khabeer will testify Islam was brought to the Americas with the New World. On board Christopher Columbus’ ship were the Astrolabe and the Muslim who could work it. For without it, Columbus would have never reached the New World. Prior to that, the Muslims of Andalucia had enjoyed a rich and glorious history in Muslim Spain for over 700 years. Bringing science and Islam at the forefront of their lives. They breathed Islam in their architecture and rich culture. Their intermarriages and adoption of the “new faith” brought unity rather than segregation for hundreds of years. For the Muslims allowed synagogues and churches to be built and allowed citizens to worship God the Almighty so long as they paid taxes to the Muslims. Our Hispanic roots were merged permanently with the prosperous Islamic culture. I can almost see my Puerto Rican late grandmother turn to me as I said:? “Bendicion abuelita? ” (Blessings Grandma?) and her response was? “Que Dios te bendiga” (May God bless you) where upon I would respond? “Te veo el proximo sabado” (See you next week) and she would say? “Si Dios Quiere” Another words, “Inshallah”.So we also brought that aspect of our daily lives to the new world as her parents were from Spain. Dr. Thomas Ballentine Irving the leading authority on Muslim Spain once gave me as a gift, pages of Andalucian recipes. It had no pork products, which are so common in Spanish cooking today. Inshallah this books printing is a project that we hope to promote among our jummaat.When the Muslims were expelled from Spain many of them left as Mude’jar Artisans. Once they arrived in the New World and Latin America they built churches with Islamic architecture and beautiful lines and fountains. Our lives were so intertwined that we could hardly distinguish one from the other. So that today when da’wah is given to a Christian it is so much easier for them to accept it. I also believe that the mere fact that a Hispanic is giving the da’wah assists greatly for it is more of a natural move and inclination to the faith. I use to wonder why during Malcolm X ‘s period many more Hispanics were not invited to Islam. But now I sigh with a great relief for that. We are a nation of mostly pious people who took religion seriously throughout history. Whether via Andalucia or the Crusades or the Conquistadors it was always a deep commitment to a higher truth.In New York City I found a Puerto Rican family who taught their children Islam as babies and now they can be joyful that they have Hafiz and upright Muslims. One of the main reasons we come is for the security it brings our family life and the love it fosters between our children and even our non-Muslim extended family. Br. Mustafa was known for standing across the street from the big churches with a table full of literature and invite congregates to learn about Al –Islam. In Ohio we have Aisha Moreno of Ecuadorian decent who once asked me how could she do da’wah if she was mostly home. And I told her that if she were sincere they would knock at her door. She has since been teaching from her home and has weekly halaqahs in Spanish and English. In Miami we had 5 shahadahs in one weekend! All over the country masses of Hispanics have found inner peace in a faith that is akin to their own culture. PIEDAD was very active in NYC where we began our work in 1987. Our first seminar was at a club where we brought food and invited our extended non -Muslim family. The founders of PIEDAD were not all-Spanish speaking; in fact we had a Kashmiri sister and a Pakistani who understood the importance of da’wah to Latinos. Although we are known for our numerous seminars with speakers like: Iman Siraj Wahaj, Mohammed Nasim, Dr. Thomas Irving, Dr Omar Kasule and others, truth is it was never as productive as our One on One da’wah. It was this personalization of the deen that assisted us. Here we could speak freely and clearly use the dua’ that releases our tongue so that we may be understood.I remember the day I met Br Yasin he was 17 years old and he wanted to go to Afghanistan. His family did not allow him and he wanted us to convince them. Well that was his objective but that is not what happened. His elder parents were afraid of his new religion and felt is was pure fanaticism, which could get their son killed. We spent what seemed to be hours trying to explain to this humble couple the virtues of Islam. Whereas they complained about their son and how he took down their portraits from the wall and the infamous Christmas tree in all it’s glory. Oh yes, they believed he was totally crazy. Why he didn’t even eat! We asked him if perhaps he was eating at night and explained what fasting was. “Oh yes” answered his father.” He is like a little mouse and eats when we are in bed.” Al Hamdulilah it was clear to us this brother was in the deen. At this point we stopped and really listened to them. They needed their son home and needed to see the difference between Yasin now and then. We asked them what Yasin was doing before he committed to Islam. “ Oh the father said ” I was getting him out of jail constantly, h e was stealing hubcaps and getting drunk.”And now?“Oh no.”, with realization in his breath, ” not now! ”. That day Yasin’s father converted to Al Islam during Jumaah. Shortly after his nieces and his mother also converted. That is the miracle of Islam. It is as beautiful as it is wondrous.Certainly, da’wah to any specific group is enriching but also involves lots of frustration as well as time. PIEDAD began as da’wah directed to the overlooked Hispanic women in NYC. And has continued it’s specialization to that intimate group without keeping others from assistance and participation. Working with women was especially rewarding because we come from the same place. Our first step has always been to form sincere and deep friendships that allow mistakes and are non judgmental. Secondly, to teach only what we are sure is correct and for deeper questions always have a sheikh or imam available for advice. Third, and most important to assure the new Muslimah that Islam is for everyone and that we are not to separate ourselves from any other Muslims as “only Hispanic Muslims”. And last but not least, to seek Islamic knowledge for the rest of their lives and never be satisfied with their comprehension but to have the thirst of learning in their hearts solely for the pleasure of Almighty Allah swt.After a sister learns to make salat and has an elementary understanding of Islam she is directed to the nearest Islamic center to continue her studies and referred to books that she can study to further her knowledge. If a sister wishes to go further in order to serve Allah swt she may want to join us in da’wah and for that we do Daiyett training. Which are basically a continuation of their studies in Islam and the practice of the deen in the service of Allah swt. As we did in Houston Texas with Br. Hussein Shuote and Sr. Aisha Mohammad of NYC several years ago.It should noted that our specific outreach must often take on a more nurturing role in da’wah, as in the case of young Yasin and the impact of Islam on his family. Also, where single women come to PIEDAD whether young or old there is an urgency to learn their roles as Muslimahs in a household. The precious upbringing of our next generation as well as the shura needed to maintain a good Islamic marriage is at stake. Often we must seek help from the Islamic community to give a support network for these women. Al hamdulilah PIEDAD has outstanding sheikhs and imam’s assisting us 24/7. This paper is to be used to understand the need of da’wah to Hispanics due to their history and For the development of the Hispanic community I have purposely outlined a Wish List of goals we are setting for our enrichment and progress. We hope that you will assist in its general development and generate a discussion so that we may improve in our da’wah direction. Our wish list for Da’wah in the USA? Funding for Da’wah groups to assist them in their challenging work. And to allow them to work full time in their outreach efforts. Also to pay for postage and offices expenses. (Even the most modest home office has expenses.)? Scholarships-Network with International organizations to assist pious and bright brothers to be trained as Spanish speaking imams. And that they be available to settle in Latin America with a modest living stipend.? That Islamic Literature be translated in all levels and made available to Da’wah groups without cost. And in this way keep our general expenses down.? That the Latino Conferences be a vehicle to assist us in unification and sharing of our strategies. And also to flow with communication to all organizations.? That each group has access to an imam with Prior expertise in Da’wah to assist in training of new Muslims and the da’wah process. And that Imam is given a small stipend for their extra work. We will be calling on them at all hours of the night and for many different types of problems and questions.? That we have access to organizations who can fund at least one or two sisters per year who have need for Hajj, either due to illness, lack of funds or strong desire.? That Video and Audio production of material to be produced to assist the new Muslims in learning Quranic Arabic and Islam. This material must be available for free to Correction facilities throughout the United States. In their quest for economic security great numbers of our brothers and sisters are incarcerated for breaking of immigration laws.? That Shahadah Certificates should be available in Spanish and Arabic so that the new converts may travel to complete their Hajj requirements.? And finally and perhaps more importantly that the Big organizations understand that even though we are smaller than they, our desire is nonetheless equal and as significant!
7 Tips for Improving your Relationship with the Qur'an
From: www.studying-islam.org
Source amatullah@mweb.co.za
Are you one of those people who rarely touches the Qur'an? Or do you read daily, but don't find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Qur'an.1. Before you touch it, check your heart. The key to really benefiting from the Qur'an is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah's book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was described by his wife as a "walking Qur'an": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Qur'an, he lived it. 2. Do your Wudu (ablution). Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you you're not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him. 3. Read only 5 minutes everyday. Too often, we think we should read Qur'an for at least one whole hour. If you aren't in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more! 4. Make sure you understand what you've read. Five minutes of reading the Qur'an in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you're reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Qur'an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you've read that day. 5. Remember, the Qur'an is more interactive than a CD. In an age of "interactive" CD-Roms and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur'an is not like that. Remember that when you read Qur'an,you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention. 6. Don't just read, listen too. There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Qur'an, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qur'an reading, not as a replacement for it. 7. Make Dua (supplication). Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Qur'an. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
Source amatullah@mweb.co.za
Are you one of those people who rarely touches the Qur'an? Or do you read daily, but don't find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Qur'an.1. Before you touch it, check your heart. The key to really benefiting from the Qur'an is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah's book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was described by his wife as a "walking Qur'an": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Qur'an, he lived it. 2. Do your Wudu (ablution). Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you you're not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him. 3. Read only 5 minutes everyday. Too often, we think we should read Qur'an for at least one whole hour. If you aren't in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more! 4. Make sure you understand what you've read. Five minutes of reading the Qur'an in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you're reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Qur'an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you've read that day. 5. Remember, the Qur'an is more interactive than a CD. In an age of "interactive" CD-Roms and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur'an is not like that. Remember that when you read Qur'an,you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention. 6. Don't just read, listen too. There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Qur'an, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qur'an reading, not as a replacement for it. 7. Make Dua (supplication). Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Qur'an. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
Quran: Sura Hud
From: http://faridi.net/quran/?chapter=11
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
11:1
A. L. R. (This is) a Book, with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning), further explained in detail,- from One Who is Wise and Well-acquainted (with all things):
11:2
(It teacheth) that ye should worship none but Allah. (Say): “Verily I am (sent) unto you from Him to warn and to bring glad tidings:
11:3
“(And to preach thus), ‘Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But if ye turn away, then I fear for you the penalty of a great day:
11:4
‘To Allah is your return, and He hath power over all things.’”
11:5
Behold! they fold up their hearts, that they may lie hid from Him! Ah even when they cover themselves with their garments, He knoweth what they conceal, and what they reveal: for He knoweth well the (inmost secrets) of the hearts.
11:6
There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance dependeth on Allah: He knoweth the time and place of its definite abode and its temporary deposit: All is in a clear Record.
11:7
He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days - and His Throne was over the waters - that He might try you, which of you is best in conduct. But if thou wert to say to them, “Ye shall indeed be raised up after death”, the Unbelievers would be sure to say, “This is nothing but obvious sorcery!”
11:8
If We delay the penalty for them for a definite term, they are sure to say, “What keeps it back?” Ah! On the day it (actually) reaches them, nothing will turn it away from them, and they will be completely encircled by that which they used to mock at!
11:9
If We give man a taste of Mercy from Ourselves, and then withdraw it from him, behold! he is in despair and (falls into) blasphemy.
11:10
But if We give him a taste of (Our) favours after adversity hath touched him, he is sure to say, “All evil has departed from me:” Behold! he falls into exultation and pride.
11:11
Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.
11:12
Perchance thou mayest (feel the inclination) to give up a part of what is revealed unto thee, and thy heart feeleth straitened lest they say, “Why is not a treasure sent down unto him, or why does not an angel come down with him?” But thou art there only to warn! It is Allah that arrangeth all affairs!
11:13
Or they may say, “He forged it,” Say, “Bring ye then ten suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can, other than Allah!- If ye speak the truth!
11:14
“If then they (your false gods) answer not your (call), know ye that this revelation is sent down (replete) with the knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but He! will ye even then submit (to Islam)?”
11:15
Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter,- to them we shall pay (the price of) their deeds therein,- without diminution.
11:16
They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire: vain are the designs they frame therein, and of no effect and the deeds that they do!
11:17
Can they be (like) those who accept a Clear (Sign) from their Lord, and whom a witness from Himself doth teach, as did the Book of Moses before it,- a guide and a mercy? They believe therein; but those of the Sects that reject it,- the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. Be not then in doubt thereon: for it is the truth from thy Lord: yet many among men do not believe!
11:18
Who doth more wrong than those who invent a life against Allah? They will be turned back to the presence of their Lord, and the witnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied against their Lord! Behold! the Curse of Allah is on those who do wrong!-
11:19
“Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek in it something crooked: these were they who denied the Hereafter!”
11:20
They will in no wise frustrate (His design) on earth, nor have they protectors besides Allah! Their penalty will be doubled! They lost the power to hear, and they did not see!
11:21
They are the ones who have lost their own souls: and the (fancies) they invented have left them in the lurch!
11:22
Without a doubt, these are the very ones who will lose most in the Hereafter!
11:23
But those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord,- They will be companions of the gardens, to dwell therein for aye!
11:24
These two kinds (of men) may be compared to the blind and deaf, and those who can see and hear well. Are they equal when compared? Will ye not then take heed?
11:25
We sent Noah to his people (with a mission): “I have come to you with a Clear Warning:
11:26
“That ye serve none but Allah: Verily I do fear for you the penalty of a grievous day.”
11:27
But the chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: “We see (in) thee nothing but a man like ourselves: Nor do we see that any follow thee but the meanest among us, in judgment immature: Nor do we see in you (all) any merit above us: in fact we thing ye are liars!”
11:28
He said: “O my people! See ye if (it be that) I have a Clear Sign from my Lord, and that He hath sent Mercy unto me from His own presence, but that the Mercy hath been obscured from your sight? shall we compel you to accept it when ye are averse to it?
11:29
“And O my people! I ask you for no wealth in return: my reward is from none but Allah: But I will not drive away (in contempt) those who believe: for verily they are to meet their Lord, and ye I see are the ignorant ones!
11:30
“And O my people! who would help me against Allah if I drove them away? Will ye not then take heed?
11:31
“I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”
11:32
They said: “O Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”
11:33
He said: “Truly, Allah will bring it on you if He wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!
11:34
“Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him will ye return!”
11:35
Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Say: “If I had forged it, on me were my sin! and I am free of the sins of which ye are guilty!
11:36
It was revealed to Noah: “None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.
11:37
“But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood).”
11:38
Forthwith he (starts) constructing the Ark: Every time that the chiefs of his people passed by him, they threw ridicule on him. He said: “If ye ridicule us now, we (in our turn) can look down on you with ridicule likewise!
11:39
“But soon will ye know who it is on whom will descend a penalty that will cover them with shame,- on whom will be unloosed a penalty lasting:”
11:40
At length, behold! there came Our command, and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! We said: “Embark therein, of each kind two, male and female, and your family - except those against whom the word has already gone forth,- and the Believers.” but only a few believed with him.
11:41
So he said: “Embark ye on the Ark, In the name of Allah, whether it move or be at rest! For my Lord is, be sure, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!”
11:42
So the Ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, and Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (from the rest): “O my son! embark with us, and be not with the unbelievers!”
11:43
The son replied: “I will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water.” Noah said: “This day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom He hath mercy! “And the waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the Flood.
11:44
Then the word went forth: “O earth! swallow up thy water, and O sky! Withhold (thy rain)!” and the water abated, and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and the word went forth: “Away with those who do wrong!”
11:45
And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: “O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!”
11:46
He said: “O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!”
11:47
Noah said: “O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!”
11:48
The word came: “O Noah! Come down (from the Ark) with peace from Us, and blessing on thee and on some of the peoples (who will spring) from those with thee: but (there will be other) peoples to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end will a grievous penalty reach them from Us.”
11:49
Such are some of the stories of the unseen, which We have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thy people knew them. So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous.
11:50
To the ‘Ad People (We sent) Hud, one of their own brethren. He said: “O my people! worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. (Your other gods) ye do nothing but invent!
11:51
“O my people! I ask of you no reward for this (Message). My reward is from none but Him who created me: Will ye not then understand?
11:52
“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him (in repentance): He will send you the skies pouring abundant rain, and add strength to your strength: so turn ye not back in sin!”
11:53
They said: “O Hud! No Clear (Sign) that hast thou brought us, and we are not the ones to desert our gods on thy word! Nor shall we believe in thee!
11:54
“We say nothing but that (perhaps) some of our gods may have seized thee with imbecility.” He said: “I call Allah to witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin of ascribing, to Him,
11:55
“Other gods as partners! so scheme (your worst) against me, all of you, and give me no respite.
11:56
“I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of its fore-lock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.
11:57
“If ye turn away,- I (at least) have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make another people to succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. For my Lord hath care and watch over all things.”
11:58
So when Our decree issued, We saved Hud and those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves: We saved them from a severe penalty.
11:59
Such were the ‘Ad People: they rejected the Signs of their Lord and Cherisher; disobeyed His apostles; And followed the command of every powerful, obstinate transgressor.
11:60
And they were pursued by a Curse in this life,- and on the Day of Judgment. Ah! Behold! for the ‘Ad rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were ‘Ad the people of Hud!
11:61
To the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren. He said: “O my people! Worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him. It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer.”
11:62
They said: “O Salih! thou hast been of us! a centre of our hopes hitherto! dost thou (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers worshipped? But we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which thou invitest us.”
11:63
He said: “O my people! do ye see? if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself,- who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?
11:64
“And O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a symbol to you: leave her to feed on Allah’s (free) earth, and inflict no harm on her, or a swift penalty will seize you!”
11:65
But they did ham-string her. So he said: “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days: (Then will be your ruin): (Behold) there a promise not to be belied!”
11:66
When Our Decree issued, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves - and from the Ignominy of that day. For thy Lord - He is the Strong One, and able to enforce His Will.
11:67
The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning,-
11:68
As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were the Thamud!
11:69
There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, “Peace!” He answered, “Peace!” and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.
11:70
But when he saw their hands went not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: “Fear not: We have been sent against the people of Lut.”
11:71
And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed: But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob.
11:72
She said: “Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!”
11:73
They said: “Dost thou wonder at Allah’s decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!”
11:74
When fear had passed from (the mind of) Abraham and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with us for Lut’s people.
11:75
For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given to look to Allah.
11:76
O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth: for them there cometh a penalty that cannot be turned back!
11:77
When Our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: “This is a distressful day.”
11:78
And his people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of practising abominations. He said: “O my people! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if ye marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?”
11:79
They said: “Well dost thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!”
11:80
He said: “Would that I had power to suppress you or that I could betake myself to some powerful support.”
11:81
(The Messengers) said: “O Lut! We are Messengers from thy Lord! By no means shall they reach thee! now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): To her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: Is not the morning nigh?”
11:82
When Our Decree issued, We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay, spread, layer on layer,-
11:83
Marked as from thy Lord: Nor are they ever far from those who do wrong!
11:84
To the Madyan People (We sent) Shu’aib, one of their own brethren: he said: “O my people! worship Allah: Ye have no other god but Him. And give not short measure or weight: I see you in prosperity, but I fear for you the penalty of a day that will compass (you) all round.
11:85
“And O my people! give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.
11:86
“That which is left you by Allah is best for you, if ye (but) believed! but I am not set over you to keep watch!”
11:87
They said: “O Shu’aib! Does thy (religion of) prayer command thee that we leave off the worship which our fathers practised, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? truly, thou art the one that forbeareth with faults and is right-minded!”
11:88
He said: “O my people! see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and He hath given me sustenance (pure and) good as from Himself? I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look.
11:89
“And O my people! let not my dissent (from you) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of Lut far off from you!
11:90
“But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness.”
11:91
They said: “O Shu’aib! much of what thou sayest we do not understand! In fact among us we see that thou hast no strength! Were it not for thy family, we should certainly have stoned thee! for thou hast among us no great position!”
11:92
He said: “O my people! is then my family of more consideration with you than Allah? For ye cast Him away behind your backs (with contempt). But verily my Lord encompasseth on all sides all that ye do!
11:93
“And O my people! Do whatever ye can: I will do (my part): Soon will ye know who it is on whom descends the penalty of ignominy; and who is a liar! and watch ye! for I too am watching with you!”
11:94
When Our decree issued, We saved Shu’aib and those who believed with him, by (special) mercy from Ourselves: But the (mighty) blast did seize the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning,-
11:95
As if they had never dwelt and flourished there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed (from sight) as were removed the Thamud!
11:96
And we sent Moses, with Our Clear (Signs) and an authority manifest,
11:97
Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs: but they followed the command of Pharaoh and the command of Pharaoh was no right (guide).
11:98
He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them into the Fire (as cattle are led to water): But woeful indeed will be the place to which they are led!
11:99
And they are followed by a curse in this (life) and on the Day of Judgment: and woeful is the gift which shall be given (unto them)!
11:100
These are some of the stories of communities which We relate unto thee: of them some are standing, and some have been mown down (by the sickle of time).
11:101
It was not We that wronged them: They wronged their own souls: the deities, other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them no whit when there issued the decree of thy Lord: Nor did they add aught (to their lot) but perdition!
11:102
Such is the chastisement of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastisement.
11:103
In that is a Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind will be gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony.
11:104
Nor shall We delay it but for a term appointed.
11:105
The day it arrives, no soul shall speak except by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched and some will be blessed.
11:106
Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs:
11:107
They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.
11:108
And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break.
11:109
Be not then in doubt as to what these men worship. They worship nothing but what their fathers worshipped before (them): but verily We shall pay them back (in full) their portion without (the least) abatement.
11:110
We certainly gave the Book to Moses, but differences arose therein: had it not been that a word had gone forth before from thy Lord, the matter would have been decided between them, but they are in suspicious doubt concerning it.
11:111
And, of a surety, to all will your Lord pay back (in full the recompense) of their deeds: for He knoweth well all that they do.
11:112
Therefore stand firm (in the straight Path) as thou art commanded,- thou and those who with thee turn (unto Allah); and transgress not (from the Path): for He seeth well all that ye do.
11:113
And incline not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.
11:114
And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: For those things, that are good remove those that are evil: Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord):
11:115
And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
11:116
Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth - except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.
11:117
Nor would thy Lord be the One to destroy communities for a single wrong-doing, if its members were likely to mend.
11:118
If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people: but they will not cease to dispute.
11:119
Except those on whom thy Lord hath bestowed His Mercy: and for this did He create them: and the Word of thy Lord shall be fulfilled: “I will fill Hell with jinns and men all together.”
11:120
All that we relate to thee of the stories of the apostles,- with it We make firm thy heart: in them there cometh to thee the Truth, as well as an exhortation and a message of remembrance to those who believe.
11:121
Say to those who do not believe: “Do what ever ye can: We shall do our part;
11:122
“And wait ye! We too shall wait.”
11:123
To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him goeth back every affair (for decision): then worship Him, and put thy trust in Him: and thy Lord is not unmindful of aught that ye do.
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In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
11:1
A. L. R. (This is) a Book, with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning), further explained in detail,- from One Who is Wise and Well-acquainted (with all things):
11:2
(It teacheth) that ye should worship none but Allah. (Say): “Verily I am (sent) unto you from Him to warn and to bring glad tidings:
11:3
“(And to preach thus), ‘Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But if ye turn away, then I fear for you the penalty of a great day:
11:4
‘To Allah is your return, and He hath power over all things.’”
11:5
Behold! they fold up their hearts, that they may lie hid from Him! Ah even when they cover themselves with their garments, He knoweth what they conceal, and what they reveal: for He knoweth well the (inmost secrets) of the hearts.
11:6
There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance dependeth on Allah: He knoweth the time and place of its definite abode and its temporary deposit: All is in a clear Record.
11:7
He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days - and His Throne was over the waters - that He might try you, which of you is best in conduct. But if thou wert to say to them, “Ye shall indeed be raised up after death”, the Unbelievers would be sure to say, “This is nothing but obvious sorcery!”
11:8
If We delay the penalty for them for a definite term, they are sure to say, “What keeps it back?” Ah! On the day it (actually) reaches them, nothing will turn it away from them, and they will be completely encircled by that which they used to mock at!
11:9
If We give man a taste of Mercy from Ourselves, and then withdraw it from him, behold! he is in despair and (falls into) blasphemy.
11:10
But if We give him a taste of (Our) favours after adversity hath touched him, he is sure to say, “All evil has departed from me:” Behold! he falls into exultation and pride.
11:11
Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.
11:12
Perchance thou mayest (feel the inclination) to give up a part of what is revealed unto thee, and thy heart feeleth straitened lest they say, “Why is not a treasure sent down unto him, or why does not an angel come down with him?” But thou art there only to warn! It is Allah that arrangeth all affairs!
11:13
Or they may say, “He forged it,” Say, “Bring ye then ten suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can, other than Allah!- If ye speak the truth!
11:14
“If then they (your false gods) answer not your (call), know ye that this revelation is sent down (replete) with the knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but He! will ye even then submit (to Islam)?”
11:15
Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter,- to them we shall pay (the price of) their deeds therein,- without diminution.
11:16
They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire: vain are the designs they frame therein, and of no effect and the deeds that they do!
11:17
Can they be (like) those who accept a Clear (Sign) from their Lord, and whom a witness from Himself doth teach, as did the Book of Moses before it,- a guide and a mercy? They believe therein; but those of the Sects that reject it,- the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. Be not then in doubt thereon: for it is the truth from thy Lord: yet many among men do not believe!
11:18
Who doth more wrong than those who invent a life against Allah? They will be turned back to the presence of their Lord, and the witnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied against their Lord! Behold! the Curse of Allah is on those who do wrong!-
11:19
“Those who would hinder (men) from the path of Allah and would seek in it something crooked: these were they who denied the Hereafter!”
11:20
They will in no wise frustrate (His design) on earth, nor have they protectors besides Allah! Their penalty will be doubled! They lost the power to hear, and they did not see!
11:21
They are the ones who have lost their own souls: and the (fancies) they invented have left them in the lurch!
11:22
Without a doubt, these are the very ones who will lose most in the Hereafter!
11:23
But those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord,- They will be companions of the gardens, to dwell therein for aye!
11:24
These two kinds (of men) may be compared to the blind and deaf, and those who can see and hear well. Are they equal when compared? Will ye not then take heed?
11:25
We sent Noah to his people (with a mission): “I have come to you with a Clear Warning:
11:26
“That ye serve none but Allah: Verily I do fear for you the penalty of a grievous day.”
11:27
But the chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: “We see (in) thee nothing but a man like ourselves: Nor do we see that any follow thee but the meanest among us, in judgment immature: Nor do we see in you (all) any merit above us: in fact we thing ye are liars!”
11:28
He said: “O my people! See ye if (it be that) I have a Clear Sign from my Lord, and that He hath sent Mercy unto me from His own presence, but that the Mercy hath been obscured from your sight? shall we compel you to accept it when ye are averse to it?
11:29
“And O my people! I ask you for no wealth in return: my reward is from none but Allah: But I will not drive away (in contempt) those who believe: for verily they are to meet their Lord, and ye I see are the ignorant ones!
11:30
“And O my people! who would help me against Allah if I drove them away? Will ye not then take heed?
11:31
“I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”
11:32
They said: “O Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”
11:33
He said: “Truly, Allah will bring it on you if He wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!
11:34
“Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him will ye return!”
11:35
Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Say: “If I had forged it, on me were my sin! and I am free of the sins of which ye are guilty!
11:36
It was revealed to Noah: “None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.
11:37
“But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood).”
11:38
Forthwith he (starts) constructing the Ark: Every time that the chiefs of his people passed by him, they threw ridicule on him. He said: “If ye ridicule us now, we (in our turn) can look down on you with ridicule likewise!
11:39
“But soon will ye know who it is on whom will descend a penalty that will cover them with shame,- on whom will be unloosed a penalty lasting:”
11:40
At length, behold! there came Our command, and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! We said: “Embark therein, of each kind two, male and female, and your family - except those against whom the word has already gone forth,- and the Believers.” but only a few believed with him.
11:41
So he said: “Embark ye on the Ark, In the name of Allah, whether it move or be at rest! For my Lord is, be sure, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!”
11:42
So the Ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, and Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (from the rest): “O my son! embark with us, and be not with the unbelievers!”
11:43
The son replied: “I will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water.” Noah said: “This day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom He hath mercy! “And the waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the Flood.
11:44
Then the word went forth: “O earth! swallow up thy water, and O sky! Withhold (thy rain)!” and the water abated, and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and the word went forth: “Away with those who do wrong!”
11:45
And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: “O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!”
11:46
He said: “O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!”
11:47
Noah said: “O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!”
11:48
The word came: “O Noah! Come down (from the Ark) with peace from Us, and blessing on thee and on some of the peoples (who will spring) from those with thee: but (there will be other) peoples to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end will a grievous penalty reach them from Us.”
11:49
Such are some of the stories of the unseen, which We have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thy people knew them. So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous.
11:50
To the ‘Ad People (We sent) Hud, one of their own brethren. He said: “O my people! worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. (Your other gods) ye do nothing but invent!
11:51
“O my people! I ask of you no reward for this (Message). My reward is from none but Him who created me: Will ye not then understand?
11:52
“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him (in repentance): He will send you the skies pouring abundant rain, and add strength to your strength: so turn ye not back in sin!”
11:53
They said: “O Hud! No Clear (Sign) that hast thou brought us, and we are not the ones to desert our gods on thy word! Nor shall we believe in thee!
11:54
“We say nothing but that (perhaps) some of our gods may have seized thee with imbecility.” He said: “I call Allah to witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin of ascribing, to Him,
11:55
“Other gods as partners! so scheme (your worst) against me, all of you, and give me no respite.
11:56
“I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of its fore-lock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.
11:57
“If ye turn away,- I (at least) have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make another people to succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. For my Lord hath care and watch over all things.”
11:58
So when Our decree issued, We saved Hud and those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves: We saved them from a severe penalty.
11:59
Such were the ‘Ad People: they rejected the Signs of their Lord and Cherisher; disobeyed His apostles; And followed the command of every powerful, obstinate transgressor.
11:60
And they were pursued by a Curse in this life,- and on the Day of Judgment. Ah! Behold! for the ‘Ad rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were ‘Ad the people of Hud!
11:61
To the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren. He said: “O my people! Worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him. It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein: then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is (always) near, ready to answer.”
11:62
They said: “O Salih! thou hast been of us! a centre of our hopes hitherto! dost thou (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers worshipped? But we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which thou invitest us.”
11:63
He said: “O my people! do ye see? if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself,- who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?
11:64
“And O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a symbol to you: leave her to feed on Allah’s (free) earth, and inflict no harm on her, or a swift penalty will seize you!”
11:65
But they did ham-string her. So he said: “Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days: (Then will be your ruin): (Behold) there a promise not to be belied!”
11:66
When Our Decree issued, We saved Salih and those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves - and from the Ignominy of that day. For thy Lord - He is the Strong One, and able to enforce His Will.
11:67
The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning,-
11:68
As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were the Thamud!
11:69
There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, “Peace!” He answered, “Peace!” and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.
11:70
But when he saw their hands went not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: “Fear not: We have been sent against the people of Lut.”
11:71
And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed: But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob.
11:72
She said: “Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!”
11:73
They said: “Dost thou wonder at Allah’s decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!”
11:74
When fear had passed from (the mind of) Abraham and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with us for Lut’s people.
11:75
For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given to look to Allah.
11:76
O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth: for them there cometh a penalty that cannot be turned back!
11:77
When Our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: “This is a distressful day.”
11:78
And his people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of practising abominations. He said: “O my people! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if ye marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?”
11:79
They said: “Well dost thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!”
11:80
He said: “Would that I had power to suppress you or that I could betake myself to some powerful support.”
11:81
(The Messengers) said: “O Lut! We are Messengers from thy Lord! By no means shall they reach thee! now travel with thy family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back: but thy wife (will remain behind): To her will happen what happens to the people. Morning is their time appointed: Is not the morning nigh?”
11:82
When Our Decree issued, We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay, spread, layer on layer,-
11:83
Marked as from thy Lord: Nor are they ever far from those who do wrong!
11:84
To the Madyan People (We sent) Shu’aib, one of their own brethren: he said: “O my people! worship Allah: Ye have no other god but Him. And give not short measure or weight: I see you in prosperity, but I fear for you the penalty of a day that will compass (you) all round.
11:85
“And O my people! give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.
11:86
“That which is left you by Allah is best for you, if ye (but) believed! but I am not set over you to keep watch!”
11:87
They said: “O Shu’aib! Does thy (religion of) prayer command thee that we leave off the worship which our fathers practised, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? truly, thou art the one that forbeareth with faults and is right-minded!”
11:88
He said: “O my people! see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and He hath given me sustenance (pure and) good as from Himself? I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look.
11:89
“And O my people! let not my dissent (from you) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of Lut far off from you!
11:90
“But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness.”
11:91
They said: “O Shu’aib! much of what thou sayest we do not understand! In fact among us we see that thou hast no strength! Were it not for thy family, we should certainly have stoned thee! for thou hast among us no great position!”
11:92
He said: “O my people! is then my family of more consideration with you than Allah? For ye cast Him away behind your backs (with contempt). But verily my Lord encompasseth on all sides all that ye do!
11:93
“And O my people! Do whatever ye can: I will do (my part): Soon will ye know who it is on whom descends the penalty of ignominy; and who is a liar! and watch ye! for I too am watching with you!”
11:94
When Our decree issued, We saved Shu’aib and those who believed with him, by (special) mercy from Ourselves: But the (mighty) blast did seize the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning,-
11:95
As if they had never dwelt and flourished there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed (from sight) as were removed the Thamud!
11:96
And we sent Moses, with Our Clear (Signs) and an authority manifest,
11:97
Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs: but they followed the command of Pharaoh and the command of Pharaoh was no right (guide).
11:98
He will go before his people on the Day of Judgment, and lead them into the Fire (as cattle are led to water): But woeful indeed will be the place to which they are led!
11:99
And they are followed by a curse in this (life) and on the Day of Judgment: and woeful is the gift which shall be given (unto them)!
11:100
These are some of the stories of communities which We relate unto thee: of them some are standing, and some have been mown down (by the sickle of time).
11:101
It was not We that wronged them: They wronged their own souls: the deities, other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them no whit when there issued the decree of thy Lord: Nor did they add aught (to their lot) but perdition!
11:102
Such is the chastisement of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastisement.
11:103
In that is a Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind will be gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony.
11:104
Nor shall We delay it but for a term appointed.
11:105
The day it arrives, no soul shall speak except by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched and some will be blessed.
11:106
Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire: There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs:
11:107
They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.
11:108
And those who are blessed shall be in the Garden: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break.
11:109
Be not then in doubt as to what these men worship. They worship nothing but what their fathers worshipped before (them): but verily We shall pay them back (in full) their portion without (the least) abatement.
11:110
We certainly gave the Book to Moses, but differences arose therein: had it not been that a word had gone forth before from thy Lord, the matter would have been decided between them, but they are in suspicious doubt concerning it.
11:111
And, of a surety, to all will your Lord pay back (in full the recompense) of their deeds: for He knoweth well all that they do.
11:112
Therefore stand firm (in the straight Path) as thou art commanded,- thou and those who with thee turn (unto Allah); and transgress not (from the Path): for He seeth well all that ye do.
11:113
And incline not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.
11:114
And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: For those things, that are good remove those that are evil: Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord):
11:115
And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.
11:116
Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth - except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.
11:117
Nor would thy Lord be the One to destroy communities for a single wrong-doing, if its members were likely to mend.
11:118
If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people: but they will not cease to dispute.
11:119
Except those on whom thy Lord hath bestowed His Mercy: and for this did He create them: and the Word of thy Lord shall be fulfilled: “I will fill Hell with jinns and men all together.”
11:120
All that we relate to thee of the stories of the apostles,- with it We make firm thy heart: in them there cometh to thee the Truth, as well as an exhortation and a message of remembrance to those who believe.
11:121
Say to those who do not believe: “Do what ever ye can: We shall do our part;
11:122
“And wait ye! We too shall wait.”
11:123
To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him goeth back every affair (for decision): then worship Him, and put thy trust in Him: and thy Lord is not unmindful of aught that ye do.
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