Al-Anfaal:2

﴿إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـناً وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ﴾

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Al-Anfaal:2)

`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about the Ayah,

﴿إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ﴾

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts)

"None of Allah's remembrance enters the hearts of the hypocrites upon performing what He has ordained. They neither believe in any of Allah's Ayat nor trust (in Allah) nor pray if they are alone nor pay the Zakah due on their wealth. Allah stated that they are not believers.

He then described the believers by saying,

﴿إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ﴾

(The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts) and they perform what He has ordained,

﴿وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـناً﴾

(and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith) and conviction,

﴿وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ﴾

(and they put their trust in their Lord), having hope in none except Him. ''

Mujahid commented on,

﴿وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ﴾

(their hearts Wajilat),

"Their hearts become afraid and fearful.'' Similar was said by As-Suddi and several others. The quality of a true believer is that when Allah is mentioned, he feels a fear in his heart, and thus implements His orders and abstains from His prohibitions.

Allah said in a similar Ayah,

﴿وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَـحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُواْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُواْ اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَى مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴾

(And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (immoral sin) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; -- and none can forgive sins but Allah -- and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know) (3:135),

and,

﴿وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَى - فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِىَ الْمَأْوَى ﴾

(But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from vain desires. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.) (79:40-41)

Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that As-Suddi commented,

﴿إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ﴾

"A man might be thinking of committing injustice or a sin. But he abstains when he is told, `Have Taqwa of Allah', and his heart becomes fearful.'''

Allah's statement,

﴿وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـناً﴾

(And when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith;)

is similar to His statement,

﴿وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّن يَقُولُ أَيُّكُمْ زَادَتْهُ هَـذِهِ إِيمَـناً فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ ءامَنُواْ فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـناً وَهُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ ﴾

(And whenever there comes down a Surah, some of them (hypocrites) say: "Which of you has had his faith increased by it'' As for those who believe, it has increased their faith, and they rejoice) (9:124)


Al-Bukhari and other scholars relied on this Ayah (8:2) and those similar, as evidence that faith increases and varies in strength from heart to heart. This is also the view of the majority of the scholars of Islam, prompting some scholars, such as Ash-Shafi`i, Ahmad bin Hanbal and Abu `Ubayd to declare that this is the consensus of the Ummah, as we mentioned in the beginning of the explanation of Sahih Al-Bukhari. All the thanks and praises are due to Allah.

Allah said,

﴿وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ﴾

(And they put their trust in their Lord.)

Therefore, the believers hope in none except Allah, direct their dedication to Him alone, seek refuge with Him alone, invoke Him alone for their various needs and supplicate to Him alone. They know that whatever He wills, occurs and that whatever He does not will never occurs, that He alone is the One Who has the decision in His kingdom, without partners; none can avert the decision of Allah and He is swift in reckoning. Hence the statement of Sa`id bin Jubayr, "Tawakkul of Allah is the essence of faith".

The Believers Are Tested

﴿أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُواْ أَن يَقُولُواْ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لاَ يُفْتَنُونَ ﴾

(Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe,'' and will not be tested.) (29:2)

This is a rebuke in the form of a question, meaning that Allah will inevitably test His believing servants according to their level of faith, as it recorded in the authentic Hadith:

«أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ بَلَاءً الْأَنْبِيَاءُ، ثُمَّ الصَّالِحُونَ، ثُمَّ الْأَمْثَلُ فَالْأَمْثَلُ، يُبْتَلَى الرَّجُلُ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ، فَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِينِهِ صَلَابَةٌ زِيدَ لَهُ فِي الْبَلَاء»

(The people most severly tested are the Prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best. A man will be tested in accordance with the degree of his religious commitment; the stonger his religious commitment, the stronger his test.) 

This Ayah is like the Ayah,

﴿أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ جَـهَدُواْ مِنكُمْ وَيَعْلَمَ الصَّـبِرِينَ ﴾

(Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who fought (in His cause) and knowing those who are the patient) (3:142) 

There is a similar Ayah in Surat At-Tawbah. And Allah says:

﴿أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْاْ مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَآءُ وَالضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُواْ حَتَّى يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُ مَتَى نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلاَ إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ ﴾

(Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the help of Allah'' Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!) (2:214) 

Allah says here:

﴿وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَـذِبِينَ ﴾

(And We indeed tested those who were before them so that Allah will know those who are true, and will know those who are liars.) 

Meaning, He will make know which are sincere in their claim to be believers from those who are lying. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, knows what has happened in the past and what is yet to come, and He knows how that which will not happen would have happened if it were to happen. All the Imams of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah are agreed on this. This is the view of Ibn `Abbas and others concerning phrases such as the Ayah,

﴿إِلاَّ لِنَعْلَمَ﴾

(only that We know) (2:143). 

Meaning, only to see - because seeing has to do with what is there, but knowledge is broader than seeing, since it includes what is not present as well as what is.

﴿أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ ﴾

(Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us Evil is that which they judge!) 

Means, those who are not believers should not think that they will escape such trials and tests, for ahead of them lies a greater and more severe punishment. Allah says:

﴿أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا﴾

(Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us) 

Meaning, "escape'' from Us.

﴿سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ﴾

(Evil is that which they judge!) 

What they think is evil.

At-Tawbah : 51 (And in Allah let the believers put their trust)

﴿ قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَـنَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴾

Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our protector.'' And in Allah let the believers put their trust. (9:51)

﴿قُلْ﴾

(Say), 

to them,

﴿لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا﴾

(Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us.) 

for we are under His control and decree,

﴿هُوَ مَوْلَـنَا﴾

(He is our Mawla.), 

Master and protector,

﴿وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

(And in Allah let the believers put their trust)

and we trust in Him. Verily, He is sufficient for us and what an excellent guardian.

Ar-Rum : 22-23 - Happy Chinese New Year!

- Islam is not a race, it is a religion -

Assalamualaikum wrt wbt (Peace be upon you)

All praises to our God, The One and only. He is The Eternal, The Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him.

For this festive season, I'm wishing you very prosperous and happiest Chinese New Year celebrating with your loved ones. Happy Chinese New Year!. This is a special entry for my Chinese friend, of what was stated in holy Quran regarding our differences. Hope you enjoy it!.

﴿وَمِنْ ءَايَـتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَاخْتِلَـفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَنِكُمْ إِنَّ فِى ذلِكَ لأَيَـتٍ لِّلْعَـلَمِينَ - وَمِنْ ءايَـتِهِ مَنَامُكُم بِالَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَابْتِغَآؤُكُمْ مِّن فَضْلِهِ إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لاّيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ ﴾

And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge. - And among His signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking His bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen. (Ar-Rum 30:22-23)

Allah said:

﴿وَمِنْ ءَايَـتِهِ﴾

(And among His signs) 

indicating His magnificent power.

﴿خَلَقَ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالأَرْضَ﴾

(is the creation of the heavens and the earth,) 

The heavens with their vast height and brightness and beauty of the stars and planets, and the earth with its density and its mountains, valleys, seas, plains, animals and trees.

﴿وَاخْتِلَـفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ﴾

(and the difference of your languages) 

So, we see that some speak Arabic, and the Tatars have their own language, as do the Georgians, Romans, Franks, Berbers, Tou Couleurs (of Sudan), Ethiopians, Indians, Persians, Slavs, Khazars, Armenians, Kurds and others. Only Allah knows the variety of languages spoken among the sons of Adam. And the difference of their colors mentioned here refers to their appearance, for all the people of this world, from the time that Allah created Adam, and until the Hour begins, each of them has two eyes, two eyebrows, a nose, a forehead, a mouth and two cheeks, but none of them looks like another; there is bound to be some difference in posture, appearance and speech, whether it is apparent or is hidden and can only be noticed with careful observation. Each face has its own characteristics and does not look like another; even if there was a group of people who looked alike, having a beautiful or ugly characteristic in common, there would still be a difference between one person and the next.

﴿إِنَّ فِى ذلِكَ لأَيَـتٍ لِّلْعَـلَمِينَ﴾

(Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.)

﴿وَمِنْ ءايَـتِهِ مَنَامُكُم بِالَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَابْتِغَآؤُكُمْ مِّن فَضْلِهِ﴾

(And among His signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty.) 

Among His signs is the cycle of sleep that He has created during the night and the day, when people are able to cease moving and rest, so that their tiredness and exhaustion will go away. And He has enabled you to seek to earn a living and to travel about during the day, this is the opposite of sleep.

﴿إِنَّ فِى ذلِكَ لآيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ﴾

(Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen.) 

meaning, understand.

Regards,
I'm A Muslim.

Hud : 49 - For my Muslim's Brothers and Sisters in Egypt

- picture from http://english.aljazeera.net/ -

Assalamualaikum wrt wbt.

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

﴿تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنْبَآءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيْكَ مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلاَ قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَـذَا فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَـقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴾

(This is of the news of the Unseen which We reveal unto you; neither you nor your people knew it before this. So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for those who have Taqwa.) (11:49)

Allah, the Exalted, says to His Prophet concerning these stories and their like,

﴿مِنْ أَنبَآءِ الْغَيْبِ﴾

(of the news of the Unseen) 

from the information of the unseen of the past. Allah revealed it to you (the Prophet ) in the way that it occurred, as if he witnessed it himself.

﴿نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيْكَ﴾

(which We reveal unto you;) 

This means, "We teach it to you (Muhammad) as revelation from Us to you.''

﴿مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلاَ قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَـذَا﴾

(neither you nor your people knew it before this.) 

This means that neither you (Muhammad ) nor anyone of your people, have any knowledge of this. This is so that no one who rejects you can say that you learned it from him. Rather, it was Allah Who informed you of it in conformity with the true situation (of the story), just as the Books of the Prophets who were before you testify to. Therefore, you should be patient with the rejection of your people and their harming you. For verily, We shall help you and surround you with Our aid. Then, We will make the (good) end for you and those who follow you in this life and the Hereafter. This is what We did with the Messengers when We helped them against their enemies.

﴿إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ﴾

(Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe.) 

Allah also said,

﴿وَلَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا الْمُرْسَلِينَ - إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ الْمَنصُورُونَ ﴾

(And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our servants, the Messengers, that they verily, would be made triumphant.) (37:171-172) 

Then, Allah says,

﴿فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَـقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾

(So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for those who have Taqwa.)

"For my Muslim's brothers and sisters in Egypt, strengthen your belief, and be patient. Surely, the good end is for those who have Taqwa."

Regards,
I'm A Muslim

Today's New Day

Assalamualaikum wrt wbt.

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

Today, i have decided to start anew. A new day that only Allah would understand. He who the One that gave me strength to do what i supposed to do long ago. All praises be to Allah, I'm able to accomplished it the way it supposed to be. Now on and ever after, Allah is the only way of solution, to Him I worship, to Him again I ask for help.

﴿إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴾

You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help. (1:5)

This evening, i was astounded by 3 presentation by 3 different speakers. Each of them relates, to a point of which, God exist. Similarly, all of them point towards that God is Allah, the only One, and no others except Him. Subhanallah. The seminar really strengthen my belief to Islam, the only religion chosen by Allah.

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الأِسْلاَمَ دِيناً

This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (5:3)

"Oh Allah, keep us in the right path!" (1:6)

Regards,
I'm A Muslim

An Nahl : 125

ادْعُ إِلِى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَـدِلْهُم بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ 

(Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them with that which is best. Truly, your Lord best knows who has strayed from His path, and He best knows those who are guided.) (16:125)

Allah commands His Messenger Muhammad to invite the people to Allah with Hikmah (wisdom).

Ibn Jarir said: "That is what was revealed to him from the Book and the Sunnah.''

﴿وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ﴾

(and fair preaching) 

meaning, with exhortation and stories of the events that happened to people that are mentioned in the Qur'an, which he is to tell them about in order to warn them of the punishment of Allah.

﴿وَجَـدِلْهُم بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ﴾

(and argue with them with that which is best.) 

meaning, if any of them want to debate and argue, then let that be in the best manner, with kindness, gentleness and good speech, as Allah says elsewhere:

﴿وَلاَ تُجَـدِلُواْ أَهْلَ الْكِتَـبِ إِلاَّ بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنْهُمْ﴾

(And do not argue with the People of the Book, unless it be with that which is best, except for those who purposefully do wrong.) (29:46)

Allah commanded him to speak gently, as He commanded Musa and Harun to do when he sent them to Pharaoh, as He said:

﴿فَقُولاَ لَهُ قَوْلاً لَّيِّناً لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَى ﴾

(And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allah))(20: 44).

﴿إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ﴾

(Truly, your Lord best knows who has strayed from His path,) 

meaning, Allah already knows who is doomed (destined for Hell) and who is blessed (destined for Paradise). This has already been written with Him and the matter is finished, so call them to Allah, but do not exhaust yourself with regret over those who go astray, for it is not your task to guide them. You are just a warner, and all you have to do is convey the Message, and it is He Who will bring them to account.

﴿إِنَّكَ لاَ تَهْدِى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ﴾

(You cannot guide whom you love) (28:56)

﴿لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَـكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ﴾

(It is not up to you to guide them, but Allah guides whom He wills.) (2:72)

Ali 'Imran : 64

﴿قُلْ يأَهْلَ الْكِتَـبِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَآءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴾

(64. Say: "O people of the Scripture: Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah the same, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah.'' Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims.'')

This Ayah includes the People of the Book, the Jews and Christians, and those who follow their ways.

﴿قُلْ يأَهْلَ الْكِتَـبِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ﴾

(Say: "O people of the Scripture! Come to a word'')

`Word' - in Arabic - also means a complete sentence, as evident from this Ayah. Allah described this word as being one,

﴿سَوَآءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ﴾

(that is the same between us and you), 

an honest and righteous word that is fair to both parties. Allah then explained this word,

﴿أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئاً﴾

(that we worship none but Allah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him,) 

we worship neither a statue, cross, idol, Taghut (false gods), fire or anything else. Rather, we worship Allah Alone without partners, and this is the message of all of Allah's Messengers.

Allah said,

﴿وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ نُوحِى إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنَاْ فَاعْبُدُونِ ﴾

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "None has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)﴾"so worship Me (Alone and none else)'') (21:25) 

and,

﴿وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولاً أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُواْ الْطَّـغُوتَ﴾

(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities).'') (16:36)

Allah said next,

﴿وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ﴾

("and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah.'') 

Ibn Jurayj commented, "We do not obey each other in disobedience to Allah.''

﴿فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ﴾

(Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims.'') 

if they abandon this fair call, then let them know that you will remain in Islam as Allah has legislated for you.

We should mention that the letter that the Prophet sent to Heraclius reads,

"In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Heraclius, Leader of the Romans: peace be upon those who follow the true guidance. Embrace Islam and you will acquire safety, embrace Islam and Allah will grant you a double reward. However, if you turn away from it, then you will carry the burden of the peasants, and,

﴿يأَهْلَ الْكِتَـبِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَآءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ﴾

("O people of the Scripture: Come to a word that is the same between us and you, that we worship none but Allah (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah.'' Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims.'')''

Muhammad bin Ishaq and other scholars said that the beginning of Surah Al `Imran, and more than eighty verses thereafter; were revealed about the delegation of Najran. Az-Zuhri stated that the people of Najran were the first people to pay the Jizyah (tax money paid to the Muslim State). However, there is no disagreement that the Ayah that ordained the Jizyah (9:29) was revealed after the Fath (conquering Makkah, and therefore, after the delegation of Najran came to Al-Madinah). So, how can this Ayah (3:64) be contained in the Prophet's letter to Heraclius before the victory of Makkah, and how can we harmonize between the statements of Muhammad bin Ishaq and Az-Zuhri?.

The answer is that the delegation of Najran came before Al-Hudaybiyyah (before the victory of Makkah), and what they paid was in lieu of the Mubahalah; not as Jizyah. The Ayah about the Jizyah was later revealed, and its ruling supported what occurred with the Najran people. In support of this opinion, we should mention that in another instance, the ruling on dividing the booty into one - fifth (for the Prophet ) and four-fifths (for the fighters) agreed with the practice of `Abdullah bin Jahsh during the raid that he led before Badr.

An Ayah later on upheld the way `Abdullah divided the booty. Therefore, it is possible that the Prophet wrote this statement (Say, "O People of the Scripture. ..'') in his letter to Heraclius before the Ayah was revealed. Later on, the Qur'an agreed with the Prophet's statement, word by word.

It is also a fact that the Qur'an was revealed in agreement with what `Umar said regarding the captured disbelievers at Badr, the Hijab (Muslim woman code of dress), refraining from performing prayer for the hypocrites, and regarding his statements:

﴿وَاتَّخِذُواْ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَهِيمَ مُصَلًّى﴾

(And take you the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.) (2:125), 

 and,

﴿عَسَى رَبُّهُ إِن طَلَّقَكُنَّ أَن يُبْدِلَهُ أَزْوَجاً خَيْراً مِّنكُنَّ﴾

(It may be if he divorced you (all) that his Lord will give him instead of you, wives better than you.) (66:5).

An-Nisa' : 82

أَفَلاَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْءَانَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُواْ فِيهِ اخْتِلَـفاً كَثِيراً 

Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely, have found therein contradictions in abundance). (An-Nisa' : 82)

Allah commands them to contemplate about the Qur'an and forbids them from ignoring it, or ignoring its wise meanings and eloquent words. Allah states that there are no inconsistencies, contradictions, conflicting statements or discrepancies in the Qur'an, because it is a revelation from the Most-Wise, Worthy of all praise. Therefore, the Qur'an is the truth coming from the Truth, Allah.

This is why Allah said in another Ayah,

أَفَلاَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ

 (Do they not then think deeply in the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it))

Allah then said,

وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ

(Had it been from other than Allah,)

meaning, had it been fraudulent and made up, as the ignorant idolators and hypocrites assert in their hearts,

لَوَجَدُواْ فِيهِ اخْتِلَـفاً

(they would surely, have found therein contradictions), discrepancies and inconsistencies,

كَثِيراً

(in abundance).

However, this Qur'an is free of shortcomings, and therefore, it is from Allah. 

Similarly, Allah describes those who are firmly grounded in knowledge,

ءَامَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا

(We believe in it, all of it is from our Lord.) (Ali 'Imran : 7) 

meaning, the Muhkam sections (entirely clear) and the Mutashabih sections (not entirely clear) of the Qur'an are all true. So they understand the not entirely clear from the clear, and thus gain guidance. As for those in whose heart is the disease of hypocrisy, they understand the Muhkam from the Mutashabih; thus only gaining misguidance. Allah praised those who have knowledge and criticized the wicked.

Imam Ahmad recorded that `Amr bin Shu`ayb said that his father said that his grandfather said,

"I and my brother were present in a gathering, which is more precious to me than red camels. My brother and I came and found that some of the leaders of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah were sitting close to a door of his. We did not like the idea of being separate from them, so we sat near the room. They then mentioned an Ayah and began disputing until they raised their voices. The Messenger of Allah was so angry that when he went out his face was red. He threw sand on them and said to them,

«مَهْلًا يَا قَوْمِ، بِهَذَا أُهْلِكَتِ الْأُمَمُ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ، بِاخْتِلَافِهِمْ عَلى أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ، وَضَرْبِهِمِ الْكُتُبَ بَعْضَهَا بِبَعْضٍ، إِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ لَمْ يَنْزِلْ يُكَذِّبُ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا، إِنَّمَا يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا، فَمَا عَرَفْتُمْ مِنْهُ فَاعْمَلُوا بِهِ، وَمَا جَهِلْتُمْ مِنْهُ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلى عَالِمِه»

(Behold, O people! This is how the nations before you were destroyed, because of their disputing with their Prophets and their contradicting parts of the Books with other parts. The Qur'an does not contradict itself. Rather, it testifies to the truth of itself. Therefore, whatever of it you have knowledge in, then implement it, and whatever you do not know of it, then refer it to those who have knowledge in it. )" 

Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin `Amr said,

"I went to the Messenger of Allah one day. When we were sitting, two men disputed about an Ayah, and their voices became loud. The Prophet said,

«إِنَّمَا هَلَكَتِ الْأُمَمُ قَبْلَكُمْ بِاخْتِلَافِهِمْ فِي الْكِتَاب»

(Verily, the nations before you were destroyed because of their disagreements over the Book.) 

Muslim and An-Nasa'i recorded this Hadith.

Al-Maa-'idah : 32

أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْساً بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِى الاٌّرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً وَمَنْ أَحْيَـهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعا

 ...that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind...
(5:32)

Al-A`mash and others said that Abu Salih said that Abu Hurayrah said, "I entered on `Uthman when he was under siege in his house and said, `I came to give you my support. Now, it is good to fight (defending you) O Leader of the Faithful!' He said, `O Abu Hurayrah! Does it please you that you kill all people, including me' I said, `No.' He said, `If you kill one man, it is as if you killed all people. Therefore, go back with my permission for you to leave. May you receive your reward and be saved from burden.' So I went back and did not fight.'''

`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "It is as Allah has stated, (if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.) Saving life in this case occurs by not killing a soul that Allah has forbidden. So this is the meaning of saving the life of all mankind, for whoever forbids killing a soul without justification, the lives of all people will be saved from him.''

Similar was said by Mujahid; (And if anyone saved a life...) means, he refrains from killing a soul.

Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said that Allah's statement, (it would be as if he killed all mankind. .) means, "Whoever kills one soul that Allah has forbidden killing, is just like he who kills all mankind.''

Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "He who allows himself to shed the blood of a Muslim, is like he who allows shedding the blood of all people. He who forbids shedding the blood of one Muslim, is like he who forbids shedding the blood of all people.''

In addition, Ibn Jurayj said that Al-A`raj said that Mujahid commented on the Ayah, (it would be as if he killed all mankind,) "He who kills a believing soul intentionally, Allah makes the Fire of Hell his abode, He will become angry with him, and curse him, and has prepared a tremendous punishment for him, equal to if he had killed all people, his punishment will still be the same.''

Ibn Jurayj said that Mujahid said that the Ayah, (and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.) means, "He who does not kill anyone, then the lives of people are safe from him.''

A New Start

Assalamualaikum wrt wbt.

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. Praise be upon Him.

This is my new blog. I reset already all the posts and every each that related to me in my past blog. The reason why i do it, i really do not know. I just want to keep a distance from every one, and start writing back. I love to write, it is pleasure and refreshing, it just me and Allah swt with no one else interfering. It just sometimes i need to be alone, to look back upon myself and try anything to improve on it, what so-called muhasabah in Islam. So i believe this is my space, to let myself freely write, everything that i think and being away for a while from the reality of life.

Actually, this is my first this writing everything in English, before this it is totally bahasa as i’m Malay. But it challenge me to improve a lot in this part of writing, as i believe, English has a better translation to Quran rather than malay. I love to hear one preach in English, as the translation is easy and rather direct towards the real meaning of Quran itself. And the most important, for me, it gives me some sort of real feeling towards understanding Islam.

By the way, for a better start, i just want to quote a very brief surah, but rather important in our life.

Surah 1 - Al Fatiha

(THE OPENING)

1) In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

2) Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds;

3) Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

4) Master of the Day of Judgement.

5) Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

6) Show us the straight way,

7) The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

[This is the English translation of the meaning of the Quran (original text is by Abdullah Yusuf Ali: 1934), not the Quran itself. The Quran is in its original, pristine Arabic as it was revealed from Allah (the word for God in Arabic). Someone new to these verses may not fully understand the verses and may take them out of context. One must look into all the verses in relation to each other, the Sunnah and Hadith (example and traditions of the Prophet (s)), the context of revelation, Tafsir (commentaries), the original lexical Arabic and scholarly understanding to fully interpret the Quran's meaning.]

As this is the important surah that must be recited by Muslims all over the world, i believe, the meaning is always important. For those who want to just recite it, for them there are rewards from Allah swt. But for them who recite it with the intention of praying to Allah swt, for them there are much more than just recitation. Allah swt love to hear praying from us.

Regards,

I’m Muslim!