Qur'an 20081231

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

181. Allah has heard the taunt of those who say, "Truly Allah is indigent, and we are rich!" We shall certainly record their words, and their slaying the prophets in defiance of right, and We shall say, "Taste you the penalty of the scorching fire!"

182. This is because of that which your hands sent on before you, for Allah never harms those who serve God.

183. They said, "Allah took our promise not to believe in a messenger, unless he showed us a sacrifice consumed by fire." Say, "There came to you messengers before me, with Clear Signs, and even with what you ask for. Why then did you slay them, if you speak the truth?"

The Family of Imran 3:181-183
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There came to you messengers before me, with Clear Signs, and even with what you ask for. Why then did you slay them, if you speak the truth?

Qur'an 20081229

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

168. The ones that say, while they themselves sit, "If only they had listened to us, they would not have been slain." Say, "Avert death from your own selves, if you speak the truth."

169. Think not of those slain in Allah's way as dead. No, they live, finding their sustenance in the Presence of their Lord.

The Family of Imran 3:168-169
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Avert death from your own selves, if you speak the truth.

We approach the most famous aspect of Islamic philosophy: do we make like Gandhi, or do we fight back?

The biggest difference of reaction between Gandhi and prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) is that prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was commanded by God to fight back. After all, prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was in service to Allah.

What is "fighting in Allah's cause"? Allah is the Compassionate One , the Forgiving, the Merciful, the Just... and so on. Allah commands to fight oppression. But are you fighting oppression, or taking revenge? Or even worse, fullfilling your personal ambition? These motives are not hidden to God, and God will eventually make these motives plain to humans. Besides that, how can you justify being for the cause of Allah when you INTENTIONALLY hurt the innocent? When you DON'T EVEN TRY TO HELP the innocent you accidently hurt?

What is "oppression" in the Qur'an? In studying the Qur'an, I find that authority figures and organizations are under extremely close scrutiny by Allah. If authority figures and organizations hurt the worshippers of Allah, and the innocent, then this could be counted as oppression. The situation is complex of course, but as a Muslim, how can you go wrong if you make an effort to protect the worship of Allah and make it easy, and to protect the innocent? This counts as "fighting in Allah's cause"!

5:45 We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they wrongdoers.

Here we find a better option than revenge, and the Word of Allah is better than any human, no matter how educated he/she is. But since so few humans are willing to forgive, it results in the downward spiral of death and revenge, ever since the very first murder. In the case of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), the oppression was so overwhelming that God was the one who drew the line, and gave the Command to fight back. Then Judgement Day. Although it is too late to stop the domino effect to Judgment Day, we can still try to be compassionate like Allah.

Qur'an 20081228

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

165. What! When a single disaster smites you, although you smote with one twice as great, do you say, "Whence is this?" Say, "It is from yourselves, for Allah has Power over all things."

166. What you suffered on the day the two armies met was with the leave of Allah, in order that God might test the believers.

167. And the hypocrites also. These were told, "Come fight in the way of Allah, or drive." They said, "Had we known there would be a fight, we should have certainly followed you." They were that day nearer to unbelief than to faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts. But Allah has full knowledge of all they conceal.

The Family of Imran 3:165-167
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It is from yourselves, for Allah has Power over all things.

Being firm and fighting for good is extremely hard, when the apparent rewards for being evil are so tempting. The lesson is that life is short, and the rewards for good come in the Hereafter, and if God Wills, this life also. God is not unjust, it's only that our mortal perception of time is distorted.

Nevertheless, being mortal gives us excuses to bitch and whine. That's why being patient, and persistent with good deeds, translates to great strength.

3:162 Is the man who follows the Good Pleasure of Allah like the man who draws on himself the Wrath of Allah, and whose abode is hell? A woeful refuge!

Qur'an 20081226

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

154. After that of the distress, God sent down calm on a band of you overcome with slumber, while another band was stirred with anxiety by their own feelings, moved by wrong suspicions of Allah- suspicions due to ignorance. They said, "What affair is this of ours?" Say you, "Indeed, this affair is wholly Allah's." They hide in their minds what they dare not reveal to you. They say,"If we had had anything to do with this affair, we would not have been in the slaughter here." Say, "Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death." But that Allah might test what is in your breasts, and purge what is in your hearts. For Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts.

The Family of Imran 3:154
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Indeed, this affair is wholly Allah's.

Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death.

Qur'an 20081222

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

119. Ah! You are those who love them, but they love you not, though you believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, "We believe," but when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage. Say, "Perish in your rage. Allah knows well all the secrets of the heart."

120. If aught that is good befalls you, it grieves them, but if some misfortune overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if you are constant and do right, not the least harm will their cunning do to you, for Allah compasses round about all that they do.

The Family of Imran 3:119-120
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Perish in your rage. Allah knows well all the secrets of the heart.

Qur'an 20081219

95. Say, "Allah speaks the Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith. He was not of the pagans."

96. The first House appointed for humans was that at Bakkah, full of blessing, and of guidance for all kinds of beings.

97. In it are Signs manifest, the Station of Abraham: whoever enters it attains security. Pilgrimage thereto is a duty humans owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey. But if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of God's creatures.

98. Say, "O people of the Book! Why reject you the Signs of Allah, when Allah is Witness to all you do?"

99. Say, "O people of the Book! Why obstruct you those who believe, from the path of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, while you were yourselves witnesses? But Allah is not unmindful of all that you do."

100. O you who believe! If you listen to a faction among the people of the Book, they would render you apostates after you have believed!

The Family of Imran 3:95-100
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Allah speaks the Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith. He was not of the pagans.

O people of the Book! Why reject you the Signs of Allah, when Allah is Witness to all you do?

O people of the Book! Why obstruct you those who believe, from the path of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, while you were yourselves witnesses? But Allah is not unmindful of all that you do.

Qur'an 20081218

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

92. By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give of which you love. And whatever you give, of a truth Allah knows it well.

93. All food was lawful to the children of Israel, except what Israel made unlawful for itself, before the Law was revealed. Say,"Bring you the Law and study it, if you be men of truth."

94. If any after this, invent a lie and attribute it to Allah, they are indeed unjust wrongdoers.

The Family of Imran 3:92-94
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Bring you the Law and study it, if you be men of truth.

Qur'an 20081217

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

83. Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah? While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to God's Will, and to God shall they all be brought back.

84. Say, "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God do we bow our will."

The Family of Imran 3:83-84
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We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God do we bow our will.

Qur'an 20081216

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

72. A section of the people of the Book say, "Believe in the morning what is revealed to the believers, but reject it at the end of the day, perchance they may turn back."

73. "And believe no one unless he follows your religion." Say, "True guidance is the Guidance of Allah, lest a revelation be sent to someone like unto that which was sent unto you! Or that those should engage you in argument before your Lord?" Say, "All bounties are in the Hand of Allah: God grants them to whom God pleases, and Allah is the All-Caring, the Omniscient."

74. For God's Mercy, God specially chooses whom God pleases. For Allah is the Lord of bounties unbounded.

The Family of Imran 3:72-74
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True guidance is the Guidance of Allah, lest a revelation be sent to someone like unto that which was sent unto you! Or that those should engage you in argument before your Lord?

All bounties are in the Hand of Allah: God grants them to whom God pleases, and Allah is the All-Caring, the Omniscient.

Qur'an 20081215

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

64. Say: "O people of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, that we associate no partners with God, that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah." If they turn back, say you: "Bear witness that we are Muslims."

65. Ye people of the Book! Why dispute you about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you no understanding?

66. Ah! You are those who fell to disputing in matters of which you had some knowledge! But why dispute you in matters of which you have no knowledge? It is Allah who Knows, and you who know not!

67. Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian, but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's, and he joined not gods with Allah.

The Family of Imran 3:64-67
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O people of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, that we associate no partners with God, that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah.

Bear witness that we are Muslims.

Prophet Abraham was truly a remarkable person. In the Qur'an, Allah refers to him as a "friend". His name is mentioned in honor along with prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) in every congregational prayer. How is it that he acquired such a high rank in the Sight of God? Most of the prophets mentioned in the Qur'an were either wartime prophets (Muhammad, David, Solomon), or withstood severe oppression (Moses, Jesus, Joseph, Lot). There were some prophets who weren't subject to such extremes (Idris, Luqman), but they did not achieve the highest rank.

Then there was Abraham. He attained Awareness of God at a very young age (15/16), and since there is no mention in the Qur'an of visitation by angels until he got older, he reached Awareness of God by his own reckoning (no books, no human teachers), by the Leave of Allah. Banished by his own family of idolaters, he worked alone most of his life (no followers), in the desert, laying the foundations of the city of Mecca. When prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) visited heaven in the event of Isra'/Mi'raj, he found Abraham waiting in the highest heaven.

Qur'an 20081214

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

59. The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam. God created him from dust, then said to him, "Be!" And he was.

60. The Truth from your Lord alone, so be not of those who doubt.

61. If anyone disputes in this matter with you now after knowledge has come to you, say, "Come! Let us gather our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!"

62. This is the true account: there is no god except Allah. And Allah: God is indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

63. But if they turn back, Allah has full knowledge of those who do mischief.

The Family of Imran 3:59-63
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Come! Let us gather our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!

Qur'an 20081210

In the name ofAllah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

28. Let not the believers take for friends or helpers unbelievers rather than believers. If any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah except by way of precaution, that you may guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you Godself, for the final goal is to Allah.

29. Say, "Whether you hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all. God knows what is in the heavens, and what is on earth, and Allah has power over all things."

30. On the day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done, it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. But Allah cautions you Godself, and Allah is Full of Kindness to those that serve God.

31. Say, "If you do love Allah, follow me. Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful."

32. Say, "Obey Allah and God's messenger." But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.

The Family of Imran 3:28-32
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Whether you hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all. God knows what is in the heavens, and what is on earth, and Allah has power over all things.

If you do love Allah, follow me. Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful.

Obey Allah and God's messenger.

I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

Qur'an 20081209

In the name ofAllah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

23. Have you turned your vision to those who have been given a portion of the Book? They are invited to the Book of Allah to settle their dispute, but a party of them turn back and decline.

24. This because they say, "The fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days." For their forgeries deceive them as to their own religion.

25. But how, when We gather them together against a Day about which there is no doubt, and each soul will be paid out just what it has earned, without injustice?

26. Say, "O Allah! Lord of Power! You give Power to whom you please, and You strip off Power from whom You please. You endue with honor whom You please, and You bring low whom You please. In Your Hand is all Good. Verily, over all things You have Power."

The Family of Imran 3:21-26
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O Allah! Lord of Power! You give Power to whom you please, and You strip off Power from whom You please. You endue with honor whom You please, and You bring low whom You please. In Your Hand is all Good. Verily, over all things You have Power.

Those who killed the prophets of Allah, and those who killed people who teach just dealing with mankind have no clue of power, and the measure of time. Allah promises them a grievous penalty. They will get theirs, if not already.

Qur'an 20081208

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

12. Say to those who reject Faith, "Soon you will be vanquished, and gathered together to hell- an evil bed indeed!"

13. There has already been for you a Sign in the two armies that met: one was fighting in the Cause of Allah, the other resisting Allah; these saw with their own eyes twice their number. But Allah does support with God's aid whom God pleases. In this is a warning for such as have eyes to see.

14. Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons, heaped up hoards of gold and silver, horses branded and cattle, and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life, but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals.

15. Say, "Shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath. Therein is their eternal home, with companions pure, and in good pleasure of Allah. For in Allah's sight are God's servants."

16. Those who say,"Our Lord! We have indeed believed. Forgive us then our sins, and save us from the agony of the fire."

17. Those who show patience, firmness and self-control, who are true, who worship devoutly, who spend, and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning.

18. There is no god but God. That is the witness of Allah, God's angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but God, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

19. The Religion before Allah is Islam. Nor did the people of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is Swift in calling to account.

20. So if they dispute with thee, say, "I have submitted my whole self to Allah, and so have those who follow me." And say to the people of the Book, and those who are unlearned, "Do you submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance. But if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message. And in Allah's sight are God's servants.

The Family of Imran 3:12-20.
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Soon you will be vanquished, and gathered together to hell- an evil bed indeed!

Shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath. Therein is their eternal home, with companions pure, and in good pleasure of Allah. For in Allah's sight are God's servants.

Our Lord! We have indeed believed. Forgive us then our sins, and save us from the agony of the fire.

I have submitted my whole self to Allah, and so have those who follow me.

Do you submit yourselves?