Qur'an: None can touch it except the purified

I seek refuge with Allah from the Satan the outcast, In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Christians, Muslims and Jews believe in a Prophet named Abraham, peace be upon him, who lived a few thousand years ago. He was opposed to idol worship by his community. What did his community think was the best way to handle him? The Qur'an in Chapter 21, Verses 68-69 tells us that:

They said, "Burn him and protect your gods if you do (anything at all)!"  We said "O Fire! Be you cool, and (a means of)) safety for Abraham!"

There are some people who have set Sep. 11, 2010 as "International Burn the Qur'an" day. These people need to understand that the Qur'an says in the very beginning (Chapter 2, Verses 2-4):

This is the Book in which there is no doubt. It is a guidance for the God-conscious people who believe in the Unseen, establish worship, and spend in charity out of what We have provided for their sustenance; who believe in this revelation (the Qur'an), which is revealed to you (O Muhammad) and the Revelations sent before you (Torah, Psalms, Gospel, etc.), and firmly believe in the Hereafter.

The above verses make it mandatory for Muslims to believe in Torah, Psalms and Gospel and the Prophets Moses, David, Jesus, etc., peace be upon them all. You won't find this in Hinduism or Buddhism or even Judaism, which does not accept Jesus or the Gospel. In fact, the Qur'an makes the following statement about Torah in Chapter 21 Verse 48:

In the past We granted to Moses and Aaron the Criterion (for judgment) and a Shining Light and a Message for those who would do right―

Unfortunately, the "burn-the Qur'an" people do not get it. They should read and try to get the verses 75-81 from Chapter 56 of the Qur'an:

Nay, I swear by the places of the stars -  And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if you but knew - That (this) is indeed a noble Qur'an.  In a Book kept hidden, which none can touch save the purified (angels), a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. Would you scorn a scripture such as this?

The Qur'an was not revealed on paper. So the burning of the paper will not eliminate it. Nor was it created by a human being that the death of the human being would end it.

The Holy Qur'an is available on several media: Books, CDs, cell phones, web pages, audio tapes and, to top it all, thousands of people who have memorized it. So these guys need to do much more to achieve their foolish objective.

The Qur'an challenges people with this "burn-the-Qur'an" attitude in Chapter 2, verses 23-24:

If you are in doubt concerning what We have revealed to Our servant (Muhammad, Allah's Blessings be upon him), then produce one Chapter like this and call your witnesses besides Allah to assist you, if you are truthful in your claim. But if you are unable to do so, and you can never do so, then fear the hell fire whose fuel is humans and stones, prepared for the unbelievers.

To disappoint the "burn-the Qur'an" group further, let me quote a few verses here.

Allah says about the Qur'an in the Qur'an Chapter 15, Verse 9:

We have sent down the Reminder, and We will preserve it.

Allah says about Islam in the Qur'an Chapter 61, Verse 8:

Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light (Islam) (by blowing) with their mouths: but Allah will complete (the revelation of) His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it).

Mosque

Allah the Glorified commanded Muslims to honor and enliven the mosque with His remembrance:

In houses [mosques], which Allah has ordered to be raised, in them His name is glorified in the mornings, and in the evenings (Quran 24:36).

Ibn Abbaas, Mujahid, and Al-Hasan commented: “The ‘houses’ are those mosques that were dedicated to the worship of Allah. And verily, the mosques light up the earth for the inhabitants of the heavens, just as stars light up the heavens for the inhabitants of the earth.”

The Blessed Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “The bazaars (markets) are the worst of places, and the mosques the best of places.”


And who is more unjust than the one who prevents people from the mosques of  Allah, and His name should be celebrated? ―Whose zeal is (in fact) to ruin them? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear. For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world and in the Hereafter, an exceeding torment. (Quran 2:114)

December 6, 1992: Hindu fanatics celebrating demolition of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya

Ahmici, near Vitez, Lasva Valley, Central Bosnia. May 21, 1993...United Nations peacekeeper  guards against ambush outside Ahmici's desecrated mosque.

Bibi-Heybat Mosque was blown up in 1934 as result of the Soviet anti-religious campaign.

Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light (by blowing) with their mouths: but Allah will complete His Light, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it). (Quran 61:8).

Makkah is turning green

Just returned from Umrah. This year we went to Madinah first then Makkah.

On June 27, 2010, on our way to Makkah, may be about twenty five miles from it, I started noticing greenery. The whole desert looked like a faint green meadow. Then that reminded me of a hadith:

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The Hour will not be established until the land of the Arabs returns to being pastures and rivers." (Sahih Muslim).

This greenery was not the result of some intentional gardening or landscaping that we see in the city. This is the desert I am talking about, and it was miles and miles of land.

With this, we see one more of the prophecies of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, come true.

For other minor signs, you may visit the following web site: http://www.discoveringislam.org/minor_signs.htm

Prophet Abraham: I do not love things that set

Noble Qur'an Chapter 6, Verses 74-80

(Remember) when Abraham said unto his father Azar: You take idols for gods? Lo! I see you and your folk in plain error (74). Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he might be of those possessing certainty (75). When the night grew dark upon him he (Abraham) beheld a star. He said: This is my Lord. But when it set, he said: I love not things that set (76). And when he saw the moon uprising, he exclaimed: This is my Lord. But when it set, he said: Unless my Lord guide me, I surely shall become one of the folk who are astray (77). And when he saw the sun uprising, he cried: This is my Lord! This is greater! And when it set he exclaimed: O my people! Lo! I am free from all that you associate (with Him) (78). Lo! I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and the earth, as one by nature upright, and I am not of the idolaters (79). His people argued with him. He said: You dispute with me concerning Allah when He has guided me? I fear not at all you set up beside Him unless my Lord wills anything. My Lord includes all things in His knowledge. Will you not then remember? (80)

Six-story-tall 'King of King's' (TouchDown) statue of Jesus outside the Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio before the lightning struck it on Monday June 15, 2010.

This is what remained.

O mankind! Here is an example for your understanding,  so pay heed to it. Those deities whom you call besides Allah cannot create a single fly, even if they all combined their forces. Rather, if the fly took something from them, they cannot even get it back. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought! (22:73) They do not render to Allah the homage due to Him. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty (22:74). Allah chooses His messengers from the angels and (also) from human beings. Lo! Allah is Hearer, Seer (22:75) He knows all that is before them and all that is behind them, and unto Allah all things are returned (22:76)

This Buddha statue, situated at the center of Hussain Sagar, an artificial lake in the city of Hyderabad, is one of India’s most famous Buddhist statues. This figure stands at a full 17 meters (56 feet) tall and weighs 320 tons. The single largest monolithic statue in all of India, it was sculpted by a group of artisans from a single piece of stone. Tragically, during the statue’s installation in 1992 the figure tipped over and fell into the lake, causing the death of 8 workers. The government recovered the statue and restored it to its full height and stature.

And relate to them the story of Abraham from the book (the Qur'ân), he was a truthful Prophet. (19:41) When he said to his father: "O my father, why do you worship something that can neither hear nor see, nor avail you in any way? (19:42)

Those whom they invoke besides Allah create nothing and are themselves created (16:20).

A idol of Ganesh discarded into some body of water after the festival.

(They are things) dead, lifeless: nor do they know when they will be raised up (Noble Qur'an -16:21).

So you think there is no God? Then answer this

It is We Who have created you: why will you not witness the Truth? (57) Do you then see?― The (human semen) that you emit,― (58) Is it you who create it (i.e. make this semen into a perfect human being), or are We the Creator? (59)

We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated (60) From changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (Forms) that you know not. (61) And you certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do you not celebrate His praises? (62)

See the seed you sow in the ground? (63) Is it you that cause it to grow or are We the Cause? (64) Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and you would be left in wonderment (65) (Saying) "We are indeed left with debts (for nothing): (66) "Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)." (67)

See the water you drink? (68) Do you bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We? (69) Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do you not give thanks? (70)

See the fire you light? (71) Is it you who grow the tree that feeds the fire, or do We grow it? (72) We have made it a reminder (of our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts. (73)

Then celebrate with praises the name of the Lord, the Supreme: (74) Furthermore I call to witness the setting of the Stars― (75) And that is indeed a mighty adjuration if you but knew― (76) That this is indeed a Qur'an most honourable, (77) In a Book well-guarded, (78) Which none shall touch but those who are clean: (79) A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. (80) Is it such a Message that you would hold in light esteem? (81) And have you made it your livelihood that you should declare it false? (82)

Then why do you not (intervene) when (the soul of the dying man) reaches the throat (83) And while you (sit) looking on― (84) But We are nearer to the dying person than you are, and yet see not (85) Then why do you not if you are exempt from (future) account― (86) Call back the soul, if you are true (in your claim of Independence)? (87)

Thus then, if he (the dying person) be of those Nearest to Allah, (88) (there is for him) Rest and Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights. (89)

And if he be of the Companions of the Right Hand (people who do good deeds will be given their records of all their deeds in this world in their right hand on the Day of Judgment) (90) (for him is the salutation) "Peace be unto you", from the Companions of the Right Hand. (91)
And if he be of those who treat (truth/the Qur'an) as Falsehood, who go wrong (92) For him is Entertainment with Boiling Water, (93) And burning in Hell-Fire. (94) Verily, this is the Very Truth and Certainty. (95) So celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme. (96)

A wolf talks in human voice

It is narrated in Musnad of Ahmad, Vol.3, Page 83, by Abi Saeed Al-Khudri, a companion of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, that a wolf spoke to one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, near Al-Madinah.

While the shepherd was amongst his sheep, a wolf attacked a sheep and took it away. The shepherd chased the wolf and took the sheep back.

The wolf sat on its tail and addressed the shepherd saying: "Be afraid of Allah, you have taken the provision from me which Allah gave me."

The shepherd said: "What an amazing thing! A wolf sitting on its tail speaks to me in the language of a human being."

The wolf said: "Shall I tell you something more amazing than this? There is Muhammad (the Messenger of Allah) in Yathrib (Al-Madina) informing the people about the news of the past."

Then the shepherd proceeded (towards Al-Madina) driving his sheep till he entered Al- Madina (city), cornered his sheep to one side and came to Allah's Messenger (Muhammad ) and informed the whole story.

Allah's Messenger ordered for the proclamation of a congregational prayer, then he came out and asked the shepherd to inform the people (about his story) and he informed them.

Then Allah's Messenger said: "He (the shepherd) has spoken the truth . By Him (Allah) in Whose Hands my soul is, the Day of Resurrection will not be established till the beasts of prey speak to the human beings, and the stick lash and the shoe-laces of a person speak to him, and his thigh informs him about his family as to what happened to them after him.

(My interpretation about "the thigh informing a person about his family" refers to his cell phone. Many people now keep the cell phones near the thigh, either in the pocket of the trousers or on the belt.)

{The hadeeth is quoted from Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, Page 83. Musnad Abi Saeed Al-Khudri}.

Islam gives freedom to follow one's religion

A lot of people try to paint an incorrect picture of Islam. They say Islam was spread through sword, that Islam forces people to become Muslim whether they like it or not.

Below are a few verses from the Qur'an.
1) "If it had been the will of your Lord that all the people of the world should be believers, all the people of the earth would have believed! Would you then compel mankind against their will to believe?" (10:99)

If it had been Allah's Plan or Will not to grant the limited free-will that He has granted to human beings, His omnipotence could have made all mankind alike: all would then have had faith, but that faith would have reflected no merit on them. In the actual world as it is, humans have been endowed with various faculties and capacities, so that they should strive and explore, and bring themselves into harmony with Allah's Will. Hence faith becomes a moral achievement, and to resist faith becomes a sin. As a complementary proposition, people of faith must not be impatient or angry if they have to contend against unfaith. And most important of all, they must guard against the temptation of forcing faith, i.e., imposing it on others by physical compulsion. Forced faith is no faith. They should strive.

2) "(O Prophet Muhammad) proclaim: 'This is the Truth from your Lord. Now let him who will, believe in it, and him who will, deny it.'" (18:29)
Our choice of free will involves a corresponding personal responsibility. We are offered the truth: again and again it is pressed on our attention. If we reject it, we must take all the terrible consequences that are prefigured in the fire of hell. Its flames and roof will completely enclose us like a tent. Ordinarily there is water to quench the heat of thirst: here the only drink will be like molten brass, thick, heavy, burning, sizzling. Before it reaches the mouth of the unfortunates, drops of it will scald their faces as it is poured out.

3) "If they turn away from thee (O Muhammad) they should know that We have not sent you to be their keeper. Your only duty is to convey My message." (42:48)
If the people do pay heed to the warning or reject it, Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, (or his followers) is not responsible for bringing about the penalty or for forcing people to come to the right path (Islam). He is not a guard set over them to free them from the need of exercising their limited free-will.

4) "Let there be no compulsion in religion." (2:256)
Compulsion is incompatible with religion because: (1) religion depends on faith and will, and these would be meaningless if induced by force; (2) Truth and error have been so clearly shown up by the mercy of Allah that there should be no doubt in the minds of any person of goodwill as to the fundamentals of faith; (3) Allah's protection is continous, and His plan is always to lead us from the depths of darkness into the clearest light.

Prophet Muhammad's love for non-Muslims

In the tenth year of his prophethood, Prophet Muhammad with his companion Zaid bin Harisa visited the city of Ta’if near Makkah to invite people to Islam. The people of Ta’if were very happy with their lives; they had a beautiful valley to live in, enjoyed good food and passed their time in ease and comfort. They also were not willing to listen to this newcomer who was telling them to give up their worshipping of idols and to listen and bow to this One God who they couldn’t even see.

The leaders of the Ta'if made it impossible for the two of them to preach Islam, and treated Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the worst possible manner. They made street boys run after them and throw stones at them. These boys were merciless and they pelted them with stones so much that their shoes filled with blood. They took refuge in a garden and laid down to rest.

Allah, the Exalted, the Mighty, was so displeased with the people of Ta’if for their treatment of His honorable Prophet that He sent down angel Gabreil to tell Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that if the Prophet so wished, Allah would crush the whole valley of Ta’if along with its non-believers under the mountains surrounding them.

And what do you think our dear Prophet said? Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was such a compassionate and forgiving person that instead of asking for revenge on the people of Ta’if, he asked Allah, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful, to forgive them and made prayers that Allah may show the people of Ta’if the right path. This was the level of compassion and mercy that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had for his enemies, for the people who had caused him great pain and had completely rejected him and his message.

Free from the Sins of Adam and Eve

Talking of freedom of speech, Islam gives the greatest freedom. Contrary to Christianity, Islam says a child is born free of any sin. No one is guilty of the sin of anybody else including the sins of Adam and Eve.

So no one is guilty of the sin of Adam and Eve. Why should anyone be? It would be totally unfair for me to be the guilty of someone else's sin.

This freedom from the sin of Adam and Eve also makes moot the theory of Jesus coming down to clean everyone from the sins of Adam and Eve. This theory had a catch: one had to believe in Jesus as a son of God to get this "coupon" of freedom from the sins of Adam and Eve. Wait a minute. What about those people who died before Jesus' arrival? They never had a chance.

Everyone Read About Prophet Muhammad, pbuh

I am asking everyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, to study Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him on May 31, 2010.

Somone came up with an idea that everyone show draw Prophet Muhammad. For what? Just to challenge some authority. That's it. If it irritates Muslims it is more fun for this person. It achieves nothing. It is waste of time, intellect and money.

My aim is to impart knowledge to everyone. Let's learn who this Prophet Muhammad was. What did he preach? What did he want?

Basically, his mission was same as that of all other prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Jesus, John, David, Solomon, etc. Their mission was to guide the humanity to Paradise. To protect them from hell.

People usually like to have a picture of things they love. So what's wrong in having a picture of a prophet?

Muslims do not like pictures or idols of any living creature. It leads to idol worship. That's how the people of Noah did. They made statues of some pious people and later started worshipping them.