In the Name of Allah,
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
If I make mistake, it is from my ego, and if I am right about something, it is from Allah. May Allah forgive me for the mistakes.
Islamic Center of Windermere?
Before going to Hajj, I sent an email asking for a meeting to discuss building a Mussala on the Winter Garden Vineland Rd (CR 535). I had some people responded to it, but I didn't get enough time to setup the meeting.
Let's meet at Maghrib on December 25, 2010 (I chose it since it is a day off for most). It comes to around 5:25 PM. Please contact me, and I will provide the directions. This is open to all ethnicity, races, school of thoughts, and origins, as Islam is.
Adnan Jumani
ajumani@hotmail.com
407-873-2187
Question: Is punishment to "Tauheen-e-Risalat" (Insulting Prophethood) part of Islam?
I received this question from one of the sisters on this thread, and I will try to provide on this topic, from what I can understand.
Following article provides a good story of the law in Pakistan
http://www28.brinkster.com/mushrf/070104/law.htm
It seems that the writer worries about common people being lead to commit these insults as well. Well, if the common people are that neive, then we certainly have a proplem on our hand, but that cannot be the basis of laws, as we have Allah's laws. At the heart of this matter are the ahadith where punishments were given to Non-Muslims who known to disrespect Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). However, if we look back to those ahadith, every single one of them involved spying or fighting against Muslims, which no nation tolerate. No punishment was ever given for someone to not become Muslim or becoming Non-Muslim after being a Muslim. Following article provides the otherside of the story.
http://islamexplains.blogspot.com/2010/09/apostasy-and-compulsion-in-religion.html
This Law in Pakistan is not based on any evidence from Quran and Sunnah that logically support this idea. It should be changed right away, if they fear Allah.
Pakistan wants to punish someone for insulting Prophet (PBUH), when they have no law to punish someone for insulting Allah. Is there any insult bigger than to say Allah beget a son, or he is three-in-one? Do they love the prophet more than Allah?
Are we to kill every non-Muslim who insult Allah by praying to others? No, we don't because we are better then this, and because Allah has prohibited us from compelling anyone to become Muslim "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (Quran 2:256)
Please do not follow your desires to hurt someone who insults you, unless Islam allows for it, and Islam is certainly forbidding punishing anyone for just insulting another human without harming including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), UNLESS THEY ARE EXPILICITLY FIGHTING AGAINST ISLAM.
Question: "But I want to Know that to see Non-mehram is allowed for man or woman?so upto my Knowledge it is also haram to see intentionaly to na-mehram. Although you can watch nature or kids programe but one is not suppose to see na-mehram even one is Scholar. As one can listen but dont see a na-mehram intentionally.
If I am wrong I beg Allah to forgive me."
I received this question from a sincere Muslim who wanted to make sure that what I said didn't encourage Islamic activity.
First of all, it is possible that I made a mistake, and if I see it I will admit and ask for forgiveness.
However, what I mentioned was that the technology of transmitting video is allowed, and it is similar to how we live otherwise, so all the rules we use to use our eyes, we should apply them to TV.
Of course we can see Non-Mehram. It all depends upon the context. Our prophet (PBUH) used to have women in the Masjid asking him questions, and there are many situation where it is impossible to avoid it.
Surah Nur verse 30 provides guidelines for men to follow, and verse 31 provides guidelines to follow for women.
Idea is that we should be fearful to Allah, and lower our gaze when it could lead to temptations. If watching a certain program TV comes close to that limit, we should avoid that program. Similarly, if our interaction with non-mehrem threatens our iman, we should avoid that. It is all about the intention. I hope watching a scholar explain Islam doesn't tempt some women, and if it does, they should turn it off.
For that reason, Hijab is fardh, and Niqab is not. Niqab is optional, and forbidden during worship, as you know. (evidences are clear)
If a man asks women in his families to avoid contact with non-mehrem, he should do the same, but it is impossible because they will encounter women at work and markets. So, I am more concerned about women getting short end of the stick. Islam liberates women not limit them.
For example, I have seen couples, where women are covered head to toe, and doesn't speak, but men are clean shaved, wearing shorts, or gazing all around walmart enjoying women. This is hypocricy. There are different rules for women, yes, but I would never ask my wife to avoid certain contact, unless I am willing to do same.
Just follow the fardh of Hijab, and be easy on yourself.
Question: Aren't you looking down upon people who don't follow Islam the same way as you do?
I paraphrased the above question, and hope I did justice to the intention of the questioner.
First, practicing Muslim is any Muslim who is concerned about his or her level of obedience to Allah and working towards improving it regardless of their current standing. So, this brother is already a practicing Muslim by participating in the discussion.
Answer is Yes. I do look down upon sin and act of disobedience to Allah, but not upon the person who is doing it. One of the reason we don't practice Islam is that we have nuetralize general dislike of certain sins and we don't advise the open sinner.
There is a difference between sin happening by mistake when a person is trying to follow Islam, and a person openly admit sinning and is satisfied with it. For example, drinking alcohol has become an acceptable act among certain families, and they would tell you that they beleive in Allah, and they can't be perfect so a little bit of sin is ok. This should never be tolerated. As Muslims we should make it difficult for someone to disobey Allah. Best action is to make them realize publicly that Alcohol is haram, and openly drinking is not a good influence on your kids, and avoid their gatherings if they don't stop.
Lets lookdown upon every sin, and love each Muslim regardless. It can be done.
JazakAllah Khairin
A struggling Muslim
AbuArman (Adnan)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Its time for action!
In the name of Allah,
All praise is due to Allah, the Creator, the Sustainer.
"Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;" (Quran 42:38)
I know many of you don't live in Orlando, but you are welcome to help in what I am about to say.
I live on Winter Garden Vineland Rd (CR 535) which is one of the two roads in disney area. We have a wonderful Masjid at S. Apopka-Vineland Rd (SR 535), which is one of the best Masajid in the USA. It has been , and will be our main Masjid for years to come, InshaAllah.
I have been torn apart by the distance of the Masjid from my home, because if I go for Asar, I could stay there for Maghrib, and then I could stay uptil I'sha as well. However, my family feels deprive of my presence, and I remember the command of Prophet (PBUH) to keep the family happy.
If I go back home, it is very difficult to drive back for next prayer time. So, it is pretty clear what i am trying to say here. It has been very difficult to pray in Jamah. I pray in Jamah with my family at home sometimes, but sometimes I would like to pray in Jamah with more people.
Now, there are many Muslims who live on this side of the town, and some are very dedicated to Islam. I have noticed that some of them have not gone to Masjid for months, and I am sure they are trying to, but the distance makes it harder, may be.
I have an idea to establish a Musallah (not a masjid) on Winter Garden Vineland Rd (CR 535). I have looked around for space and there may be opportunities there. I have spoken to some neighbours in recent days, and they have shown similar feelings.
In the tradition of Prophet (PBUH), I would like to seek advice on whether this is needed, or not. Any advice will be helpful.
I know there are two Imams of two Masajid in the area on this email thread, and this could be a great opportunity to motivate more Muslims towards community. I have no desire to be part of leadership of anything, so any of the Masjid can head this. However, if there is no interest, we locals have to do something.
If you are in the similar situation as I am, please reply to me to participate. If there is already a similar plan in progress, please let me know, and I would like to help progress it faster.
We can meet for our first Mushwara on December 3, 2010 at a location to be decided later, if there is response.
One brother liked this idea so much that he suggested to buy the Church in fornt of my home and convert into a masjid. I admire his entusiasm, but thats not required I think. Not yet atleast. I love the location though.
Goal is to provide a clean and peaceful place for people to pray in congregation.
Again, please contact me with your contact information. Forward this to anyone you think is affected by this.
Adnan Jumani
ajumani@hotmail.com
407-873-2187
This is the time to act, if you think this is worthy cause.
May Allah help us make the right decision.
JazakAllah Khairin
AbuArman
A struggling Muslim
All praise is due to Allah, the Creator, the Sustainer.
"Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;" (Quran 42:38)
I know many of you don't live in Orlando, but you are welcome to help in what I am about to say.
I live on Winter Garden Vineland Rd (CR 535) which is one of the two roads in disney area. We have a wonderful Masjid at S. Apopka-Vineland Rd (SR 535), which is one of the best Masajid in the USA. It has been , and will be our main Masjid for years to come, InshaAllah.
I have been torn apart by the distance of the Masjid from my home, because if I go for Asar, I could stay there for Maghrib, and then I could stay uptil I'sha as well. However, my family feels deprive of my presence, and I remember the command of Prophet (PBUH) to keep the family happy.
If I go back home, it is very difficult to drive back for next prayer time. So, it is pretty clear what i am trying to say here. It has been very difficult to pray in Jamah. I pray in Jamah with my family at home sometimes, but sometimes I would like to pray in Jamah with more people.
Now, there are many Muslims who live on this side of the town, and some are very dedicated to Islam. I have noticed that some of them have not gone to Masjid for months, and I am sure they are trying to, but the distance makes it harder, may be.
I have an idea to establish a Musallah (not a masjid) on Winter Garden Vineland Rd (CR 535). I have looked around for space and there may be opportunities there. I have spoken to some neighbours in recent days, and they have shown similar feelings.
In the tradition of Prophet (PBUH), I would like to seek advice on whether this is needed, or not. Any advice will be helpful.
I know there are two Imams of two Masajid in the area on this email thread, and this could be a great opportunity to motivate more Muslims towards community. I have no desire to be part of leadership of anything, so any of the Masjid can head this. However, if there is no interest, we locals have to do something.
If you are in the similar situation as I am, please reply to me to participate. If there is already a similar plan in progress, please let me know, and I would like to help progress it faster.
We can meet for our first Mushwara on December 3, 2010 at a location to be decided later, if there is response.
One brother liked this idea so much that he suggested to buy the Church in fornt of my home and convert into a masjid. I admire his entusiasm, but thats not required I think. Not yet atleast. I love the location though.
Goal is to provide a clean and peaceful place for people to pray in congregation.
Again, please contact me with your contact information. Forward this to anyone you think is affected by this.
Adnan Jumani
ajumani@hotmail.com
407-873-2187
This is the time to act, if you think this is worthy cause.
May Allah help us make the right decision.
JazakAllah Khairin
AbuArman
A struggling Muslim
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Muslim covenant with Christians
In the Name of Allah
All praise due to Allah.
Once again, I was sitting in the Masjid after Maghrib, and across the room, "Jamat" members were busy convincing people to join their group. I know that their intentions are sincere, but It never attracted me to visit random masajid and stay overnight. I chose to stay in my masjid and talk to people here as I know them better.
Anyways, thats a topic for another day. While I was sitting there reading Quran, one of the brothers I enjoy talking to, came over and start discussing on how "They" (Christians, USA, Jews, or some other group that I didn't follow) have conspired to create flood in Pakistan by using microwave laser by melting a glacier.
First, I thought he was joking, then I realized that he was sincere. Now, I didn't have any knowledge on this, so I only asked for evidence, which he pointed to some newspaper in 1970 talking about an invention. Now, he may be right, but it is not easy to believe.
During our long conversation, something came across to me that was very disturbing. There was a genuin disdain towards Non-Muslim in general. I tried to quote him the ayahs where Allah has instructed us to try to keep peace with Non-Muslim, unless they attack.
In the light of that event, I would like to share two letters beloved Rasool (PBUH) wrote to calrify the rules of engagement for us with Christian in particular. Please read them, and apply them as you see them fit.
Prophet Muhammad’s Letter to Christians
In 628 C.E. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) granted a Charter of Privileges to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt.Sinai. It consisted of several clauses covering all aspects of human rights including such topics as the protection of Christians, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war.
An English translation of that document is presented here:
Letter to the Monks of St. Catherine Monastery
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”
A Letter from the Prophet Muhammad To The Assyrian Christians
“God has told me in a vision what to do, and I confirm His command by giving my solemn promise to keep this agreement.
To the followers of the Islam I say: Carry out my command, protect and help the Nazarene nation in this country of ours in their own land. Leave their places of worship in peace; help and assist their chief and their priests when in need of help, be it in the mountains, in the desert, on the sea, or at home. Leave all their possessions alone, be it houses or other property, do not destroy anything of their belongings, the followers of Islam shall not harm or molest any of this nation, because the Nazarenes are my subjects, pay tribute to me and will help the Muslims. No tribute, but what is agreed upon, shall be collected from them, their church buildings shall be left as they are, they shall not be altered, their priests shall be permitted to teach and worship in their own way-the Nazarenes have full liberty of worship in their churches and homes. None of their churches shall be torn down, or altered into a mosque, except by the consent and free will of the Nazarenes. If any one disobeys this command, the anger of God and His Prophet shall be upon him.
“The tribute paid the Nazarenes shall be used to promote the teachings of Islam and shall be deposited at the treasury of Beth
Almal. A common man shall pay one denar (piece of money), but the merchants and people who own mines of gold and silver and are rich shall pay twelve denars. Strangers and people who have no houses or other settled property shall not have taxes levied upon them. If a man inherits property he shall pay a settled sum to the Baitulmal treasury. The Christians are not obliged to make war on the enemies of Islam, but if an enemy attacks the Christians, the Muslims shall not deny their help, but give them horses and weapons, if they need them, and protect them from evils from outside and keep the peace with them. The Christians are not obliged to turn Muslims, until God’s will makes them believers.
“The Muslims shall not force Christian women to accept Islam, but if they themselves wish to embrace it, the Muslims shall be kind to them.
“If a Christian woman is married to a Muslim and does not want to embrace Islam, she has liberty to worship at her own church according to her own religious belief, and her husband must not treat her unkindly on account of her religion. If any one disobeys this command, he disobeys God and his prophet and will be guilty of a great offense.
“If the Nazarenes wish to build a church, their Muslim neighbors shall help them. This shall be done, because the Christians have obeyed us and have come to us and pleaded for peace and mercy.
“If there be among the Christians a great and learned man the Muslims shall honor him and not be envious of his greatness.
“If any one is unjust and unkind to the Christians he will be guilty of disobeying the Prophet of God.
“The Christians should not shelter an enemy of Islam or give him horse, weapon or any other help. If a Muslim is in need the Christian shall for three days and nights be his host and shelter him from his enemies. The Christians shall, furthermore, protect the Mohammedan women and children and not deliver them up to the enemy or expose them to view. If the Nazarenes fail to fulfil these conditions, they have forfeited their right to protection, and the agreement is null and void.
“This document shall be entrusted to the Christian chief and head of their church for safe keeping.”
The peace of God be over them all! This agreement is written by Moavijah Ben Sofian, according to the dictates of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, in the 4th year of the Hegira in the city of Medina.
And the quran says:
Al Qur`an says: “And abuse not those whom they call upon besides
Allah, lest exceeding the limits, they abuse Allah through ignorance.
Thus to every people have We made their deeds fair-seeming; then to
their Lord is their return so he will inform them of what they did”
(6:109)
Al Qur’an says: “Those who restrain their anger and pardon men. And Allah loves the doer of good (to others)” (3: 133)
Please don't fall into the trap of Shaitan and treat the peaceful Non-Muslims with harshness.
And Allah knows best!
JazakAllah
AbuArman
A struggling Muslim
All praise due to Allah.
Once again, I was sitting in the Masjid after Maghrib, and across the room, "Jamat" members were busy convincing people to join their group. I know that their intentions are sincere, but It never attracted me to visit random masajid and stay overnight. I chose to stay in my masjid and talk to people here as I know them better.
Anyways, thats a topic for another day. While I was sitting there reading Quran, one of the brothers I enjoy talking to, came over and start discussing on how "They" (Christians, USA, Jews, or some other group that I didn't follow) have conspired to create flood in Pakistan by using microwave laser by melting a glacier.
First, I thought he was joking, then I realized that he was sincere. Now, I didn't have any knowledge on this, so I only asked for evidence, which he pointed to some newspaper in 1970 talking about an invention. Now, he may be right, but it is not easy to believe.
During our long conversation, something came across to me that was very disturbing. There was a genuin disdain towards Non-Muslim in general. I tried to quote him the ayahs where Allah has instructed us to try to keep peace with Non-Muslim, unless they attack.
In the light of that event, I would like to share two letters beloved Rasool (PBUH) wrote to calrify the rules of engagement for us with Christian in particular. Please read them, and apply them as you see them fit.
Prophet Muhammad’s Letter to Christians
In 628 C.E. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) granted a Charter of Privileges to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt.Sinai. It consisted of several clauses covering all aspects of human rights including such topics as the protection of Christians, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war.
An English translation of that document is presented here:
Letter to the Monks of St. Catherine Monastery
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”
A Letter from the Prophet Muhammad To The Assyrian Christians
“God has told me in a vision what to do, and I confirm His command by giving my solemn promise to keep this agreement.
To the followers of the Islam I say: Carry out my command, protect and help the Nazarene nation in this country of ours in their own land. Leave their places of worship in peace; help and assist their chief and their priests when in need of help, be it in the mountains, in the desert, on the sea, or at home. Leave all their possessions alone, be it houses or other property, do not destroy anything of their belongings, the followers of Islam shall not harm or molest any of this nation, because the Nazarenes are my subjects, pay tribute to me and will help the Muslims. No tribute, but what is agreed upon, shall be collected from them, their church buildings shall be left as they are, they shall not be altered, their priests shall be permitted to teach and worship in their own way-the Nazarenes have full liberty of worship in their churches and homes. None of their churches shall be torn down, or altered into a mosque, except by the consent and free will of the Nazarenes. If any one disobeys this command, the anger of God and His Prophet shall be upon him.
“The tribute paid the Nazarenes shall be used to promote the teachings of Islam and shall be deposited at the treasury of Beth
Almal. A common man shall pay one denar (piece of money), but the merchants and people who own mines of gold and silver and are rich shall pay twelve denars. Strangers and people who have no houses or other settled property shall not have taxes levied upon them. If a man inherits property he shall pay a settled sum to the Baitulmal treasury. The Christians are not obliged to make war on the enemies of Islam, but if an enemy attacks the Christians, the Muslims shall not deny their help, but give them horses and weapons, if they need them, and protect them from evils from outside and keep the peace with them. The Christians are not obliged to turn Muslims, until God’s will makes them believers.
“The Muslims shall not force Christian women to accept Islam, but if they themselves wish to embrace it, the Muslims shall be kind to them.
“If a Christian woman is married to a Muslim and does not want to embrace Islam, she has liberty to worship at her own church according to her own religious belief, and her husband must not treat her unkindly on account of her religion. If any one disobeys this command, he disobeys God and his prophet and will be guilty of a great offense.
“If the Nazarenes wish to build a church, their Muslim neighbors shall help them. This shall be done, because the Christians have obeyed us and have come to us and pleaded for peace and mercy.
“If there be among the Christians a great and learned man the Muslims shall honor him and not be envious of his greatness.
“If any one is unjust and unkind to the Christians he will be guilty of disobeying the Prophet of God.
“The Christians should not shelter an enemy of Islam or give him horse, weapon or any other help. If a Muslim is in need the Christian shall for three days and nights be his host and shelter him from his enemies. The Christians shall, furthermore, protect the Mohammedan women and children and not deliver them up to the enemy or expose them to view. If the Nazarenes fail to fulfil these conditions, they have forfeited their right to protection, and the agreement is null and void.
“This document shall be entrusted to the Christian chief and head of their church for safe keeping.”
The peace of God be over them all! This agreement is written by Moavijah Ben Sofian, according to the dictates of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, in the 4th year of the Hegira in the city of Medina.
And the quran says:
Al Qur`an says: “And abuse not those whom they call upon besides
Allah, lest exceeding the limits, they abuse Allah through ignorance.
Thus to every people have We made their deeds fair-seeming; then to
their Lord is their return so he will inform them of what they did”
(6:109)
Al Qur’an says: “Those who restrain their anger and pardon men. And Allah loves the doer of good (to others)” (3: 133)
Please don't fall into the trap of Shaitan and treat the peaceful Non-Muslims with harshness.
And Allah knows best!
JazakAllah
AbuArman
A struggling Muslim
Friday, September 17, 2010
Apostasy, and Compulsion in Religion
In the Name of Allah,
All praise due to Allah, in whose hands is my life, the Creator, the Sustainer.
I was sitting down in the Masjid after Maghrib yesterday absorbing the peace. Then, I saw one of my dear brother coming towards me. We greeted each other. I was talking to him about the benefits of reading tafsir instead of just reading the meaning of Quran.
All of a sudden, he asked me a string of questions that caught me off gaurd.
He said, "I was reading Surah Buqra, and Allah says that there is no compulsion in Religion, but yet I hear the scholars give fatwa of death for people leaving Islam. Why?"
I had researched that topic, and had the answer in the back of my head, but it did not come to me at that time, so I tried to give him explaination, but I saw that he wasn't satisfied with the answer. I told him that, if this is an order of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) then we don't have to understand before we follow it.
I would like to give him the correct answer, and others may be interested in it.
Islam can not be forced upon anyone, as everyone knows that. Similarly, if someone has decided to walk away from Islam, threatning him with punishment is same as compelling him towards Islam. We are not allowed to force, threaten, black mail, peer pressure anyone to become or stay muslim.
"Let there be no compulsion in religion" (Quran 2:256)
What is Apostasy?
In common terms, it means some one who denies after accepting. So, if a Muslim denies the oneness of God, and message brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH, that person is a Murtid (Apostate).
Once a person become becomes a Non-Muslim, we must treat him like one. Islam forbid us from killing Non-Muslim, unless they are threat to our existence, meaning as a self defence. Following hadith makes it very clear the Prophet (PBUH) didn't kill people who rejected his message.
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
A bedouin gave the Pledge of allegiance to Allah's Apostle for Islam. Then the bedouin got fever at Medina, came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge," But Allah's Apostle refused. Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Prophet refused Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Prophet refused. The bedouin finally went out (of Medina) whereupon Allah's Apostle said, "Medina is like a pair of bellows (furnace): It expels its impurities and brightens and clears its good. (Book 89 #318)
Following ahadith are usually quoted in support for death penalty.
Bukhari (83:37) - "Allah's Apostle never killed anyone except in one of the following three situations: (1) A person who killed somebody unjustly, was killed (in Qisas,) (2) a married person who committed illegal sexual intercourse and (3) a man who fought against Allah and His Apostle and deserted Islam and became an apostate."
Narrated Ikrima:
Ali burnt some people and this news reached Ibn 'Abbas, who said, "Had I been in his place I would not have burnt them, as the Prophet said, 'Don't punish (anybody) with Allah's Punishment.' No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, 'If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.' " (Bukhari 52:260)
Narrated 'Ikrima:
Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'" (Bukhari 84:57)
Narrated Abu Musa:
A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu'adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu'adh asked, "What is wrong with this (man)?" Abu Musa replied, "He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism." Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle (Bukhari 89:271)
Narrated Abu Burda:
Abu Musa said, "I came to the Prophet along with two men (from the tribe) of Ash'ariyin, one on my right and the other on my left, while Allah's Apostle was brushing his teeth (with a Siwak), and both men asked him for some employment. The Prophet said, 'O Abu Musa (O 'Abdullah bin Qais!).' I said, 'By Him Who sent you with the Truth, these two men did not tell me what was in their hearts and I did not feel (realize) that they were seeking employment.' As if I were looking now at his Siwak being drawn to a corner under his lips, and he said, 'We never (or, we do not) appoint for our affairs anyone who seeks to be employed. But O Abu Musa! (or 'Abdullah bin Qais!) Go to Yemen.'" The Prophet then sent Mu'adh bin Jabal after him and when Mu'adh reached him, he spread out a cushion for him and requested him to get down (and sit on the cushion). Behold: There was a fettered man beside Abu Muisa. Mu'adh asked, "Who is this (man)?" Abu Muisa said, "He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism." Then Abu Muisa requested Mu'adh to sit down but Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down till he has been killed. This is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice. Then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed. Abu Musa added, "Then we discussed the night prayers and one of us said, 'I pray and sleep, and I hope that Allah will reward me for my sleep as well as for my prayers.'" (Bukhari 84:58)
If we read these ahadith translation by themselves, someone may get the idea that anyone who leaves Islam need to be killed, but these ahadith talking about apostates who got arrested opposing Islam. Quran and ahadith regarding Prophet (PBUH) have not a single reference for that. In fact, Quran is full of Ayahs where Allah has mentioned Hypocrates, apostates, etc with no worldly punishment, and hadith at the top clearly shows Prophet (PBUH) didn't apply death penalty for leaving Islam. For example, following verse of the Quran
"A section of the people of the Book urge some from among themselves: why not affirm, in the early part of the day, belief in that which has been revealed unto the believers and repudiate it in the latter part of the day, perchance they may turn away from their faith." (3.73)
The people of the Book mentioned in this verse are the Jews of Medina. Theirs was a Jewish tactic to create doubt among the Muslims in the hope that some of them might thereby by beguiled into repudiating Islam. How could it be possible for the Jews to have enacted this plan if death was a penalty for apostasy? Had anyone been executed for commuting this crime, that would have been a deterrent for others who would not follow in their footsteps.
What about the ahadith where Sahabah have killed many muslims turned non-muslim?
First of all, ahadith quoted above are not strong enough to override verse from Quran because they are showing interpretations of companions not narration of exact order of Prophet (PBUH), and they can only be used if there wasn't clear proof from Quran and direct actions of Prophet (PBUH). Also, there are other ahadith which contradict the claim. These people were threat to Islamic state, and their punishment is death. Interestingly, Most of the countries in the world have death penalty for treason, which is exactly what Islam has prescribed. Following document refute all claims in details.
http://www.alislam.org/library/books/mna/chapter_7.html
If there was a club, and the rule was that once you become member, you are not allowed to leave. If you try to leave, you will be killed. How many people would join that club willingly.
So, to apply the rule of apostasy, one have to have an Islamic State, and the person who is leaving Islam have to be working against Islam.
Prophet (PBUH) was sent as a mercy towards us, and not to establish a Mafia that has gang members running around looking for defectors to chop off their heads.
I would like to end with verse from the Quran. If these verses are not clear proof for someone, they are certainly misguided. May Allh show us the correct path, and save us from opressing fellow humans. And Allah Knows best!
[And so, [O Prophet,] exhort them; your task is only to exhort. You can not compel them [to believe].] (Al-Ghashiyah 88:21-22)
JazakAllah
AbuArman
A struggling Muslim
All praise due to Allah, in whose hands is my life, the Creator, the Sustainer.
I was sitting down in the Masjid after Maghrib yesterday absorbing the peace. Then, I saw one of my dear brother coming towards me. We greeted each other. I was talking to him about the benefits of reading tafsir instead of just reading the meaning of Quran.
All of a sudden, he asked me a string of questions that caught me off gaurd.
He said, "I was reading Surah Buqra, and Allah says that there is no compulsion in Religion, but yet I hear the scholars give fatwa of death for people leaving Islam. Why?"
I had researched that topic, and had the answer in the back of my head, but it did not come to me at that time, so I tried to give him explaination, but I saw that he wasn't satisfied with the answer. I told him that, if this is an order of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) then we don't have to understand before we follow it.
I would like to give him the correct answer, and others may be interested in it.
Islam can not be forced upon anyone, as everyone knows that. Similarly, if someone has decided to walk away from Islam, threatning him with punishment is same as compelling him towards Islam. We are not allowed to force, threaten, black mail, peer pressure anyone to become or stay muslim.
"Let there be no compulsion in religion" (Quran 2:256)
What is Apostasy?
In common terms, it means some one who denies after accepting. So, if a Muslim denies the oneness of God, and message brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH, that person is a Murtid (Apostate).
Once a person become becomes a Non-Muslim, we must treat him like one. Islam forbid us from killing Non-Muslim, unless they are threat to our existence, meaning as a self defence. Following hadith makes it very clear the Prophet (PBUH) didn't kill people who rejected his message.
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
A bedouin gave the Pledge of allegiance to Allah's Apostle for Islam. Then the bedouin got fever at Medina, came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge," But Allah's Apostle refused. Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Prophet refused Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Prophet refused. The bedouin finally went out (of Medina) whereupon Allah's Apostle said, "Medina is like a pair of bellows (furnace): It expels its impurities and brightens and clears its good. (Book 89 #318)
Following ahadith are usually quoted in support for death penalty.
Bukhari (83:37) - "Allah's Apostle never killed anyone except in one of the following three situations: (1) A person who killed somebody unjustly, was killed (in Qisas,) (2) a married person who committed illegal sexual intercourse and (3) a man who fought against Allah and His Apostle and deserted Islam and became an apostate."
Narrated Ikrima:
Ali burnt some people and this news reached Ibn 'Abbas, who said, "Had I been in his place I would not have burnt them, as the Prophet said, 'Don't punish (anybody) with Allah's Punishment.' No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, 'If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.' " (Bukhari 52:260)
Narrated 'Ikrima:
Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'" (Bukhari 84:57)
Narrated Abu Musa:
A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu'adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu'adh asked, "What is wrong with this (man)?" Abu Musa replied, "He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism." Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle (Bukhari 89:271)
Narrated Abu Burda:
Abu Musa said, "I came to the Prophet along with two men (from the tribe) of Ash'ariyin, one on my right and the other on my left, while Allah's Apostle was brushing his teeth (with a Siwak), and both men asked him for some employment. The Prophet said, 'O Abu Musa (O 'Abdullah bin Qais!).' I said, 'By Him Who sent you with the Truth, these two men did not tell me what was in their hearts and I did not feel (realize) that they were seeking employment.' As if I were looking now at his Siwak being drawn to a corner under his lips, and he said, 'We never (or, we do not) appoint for our affairs anyone who seeks to be employed. But O Abu Musa! (or 'Abdullah bin Qais!) Go to Yemen.'" The Prophet then sent Mu'adh bin Jabal after him and when Mu'adh reached him, he spread out a cushion for him and requested him to get down (and sit on the cushion). Behold: There was a fettered man beside Abu Muisa. Mu'adh asked, "Who is this (man)?" Abu Muisa said, "He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism." Then Abu Muisa requested Mu'adh to sit down but Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down till he has been killed. This is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice. Then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed. Abu Musa added, "Then we discussed the night prayers and one of us said, 'I pray and sleep, and I hope that Allah will reward me for my sleep as well as for my prayers.'" (Bukhari 84:58)
If we read these ahadith translation by themselves, someone may get the idea that anyone who leaves Islam need to be killed, but these ahadith talking about apostates who got arrested opposing Islam. Quran and ahadith regarding Prophet (PBUH) have not a single reference for that. In fact, Quran is full of Ayahs where Allah has mentioned Hypocrates, apostates, etc with no worldly punishment, and hadith at the top clearly shows Prophet (PBUH) didn't apply death penalty for leaving Islam. For example, following verse of the Quran
"A section of the people of the Book urge some from among themselves: why not affirm, in the early part of the day, belief in that which has been revealed unto the believers and repudiate it in the latter part of the day, perchance they may turn away from their faith." (3.73)
The people of the Book mentioned in this verse are the Jews of Medina. Theirs was a Jewish tactic to create doubt among the Muslims in the hope that some of them might thereby by beguiled into repudiating Islam. How could it be possible for the Jews to have enacted this plan if death was a penalty for apostasy? Had anyone been executed for commuting this crime, that would have been a deterrent for others who would not follow in their footsteps.
What about the ahadith where Sahabah have killed many muslims turned non-muslim?
First of all, ahadith quoted above are not strong enough to override verse from Quran because they are showing interpretations of companions not narration of exact order of Prophet (PBUH), and they can only be used if there wasn't clear proof from Quran and direct actions of Prophet (PBUH). Also, there are other ahadith which contradict the claim. These people were threat to Islamic state, and their punishment is death. Interestingly, Most of the countries in the world have death penalty for treason, which is exactly what Islam has prescribed. Following document refute all claims in details.
http://www.alislam.org/library/books/mna/chapter_7.html
If there was a club, and the rule was that once you become member, you are not allowed to leave. If you try to leave, you will be killed. How many people would join that club willingly.
So, to apply the rule of apostasy, one have to have an Islamic State, and the person who is leaving Islam have to be working against Islam.
Prophet (PBUH) was sent as a mercy towards us, and not to establish a Mafia that has gang members running around looking for defectors to chop off their heads.
I would like to end with verse from the Quran. If these verses are not clear proof for someone, they are certainly misguided. May Allh show us the correct path, and save us from opressing fellow humans. And Allah Knows best!
[And so, [O Prophet,] exhort them; your task is only to exhort. You can not compel them [to believe].] (Al-Ghashiyah 88:21-22)
JazakAllah
AbuArman
A struggling Muslim
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Answering question on Fate
In the Name of Allah,
"Assalam Alaikum Adnan,
I did not comprehend the explanation to the first question at all. Please elaborate in simple words especially the second paragraph, it is very confusing?
Thanks from another struggling muslim!"
I received the above question in response to an earlier post below.
http://islamexplains.blogspot.com/2010/06/concept-of-time-fate-and-free-will.html
First of all, I am very glad that atleast one person read my email, and tried to understand it.
So, let me try to clarify my earlier explaination about Fate.
I would like to setup the background for the answer. So, Allah is the creator, which means nothing created him, and he doesn't depend upon anything. Everything else that exist is created by him. True nature of Allah cannot be understood by the creation, but he has revealed alot of information about himslef through his Messengers.
مُتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مَّصۡفُوفَةٍ۬ۖ وَزَوَّجۡنَـٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ۬٠
"Reclining on ranged couches. And we wed them unto fair ones with wide, lovely eyes." (Quran 52:20)
"Praise be to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who appointeth the angels messengers having wings two, three and four. He multiplieth in creation what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things." (35:1)
Abu Tha’labah al-Khushani said: “The Messenger of Allaah said: ‘The jinn are of three types: a types that has wings, and they fly through the air; a type that looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then resumes its journey.” [Shaykh al-Albaani said in al-Mishkaat (2/1206, no. 4148): al-Tahhaawi and Abu’l-Shaykh reported it with a saheeh isnaad]
Allah created several types of creations. Some are intelligent among them. Out of the intelligent ones, there are two categories, one is created with free will, other without. Malaikaa (Angels) and Hoorin A'yn (perfectly obedient servants in Paradise) are the ones mentioned who don't have free will. By the way, there is a misconception that Hoorayn are females. I have not seen any evidence for that. They are companions which some people translate to females. Jinnat (Deamons), and Insaan (Humans) are the ones with free will. There is also another category of creation that can only think with the permission of Allah like earth, will, on the day of judgement.
In fact, everything Allah created is Muslim, including stones, trees, sun, moon, stars, and they are created in the state of submission to Allah (Islam), and they cannot change their state. For example, stone will not walk and move to a shade. Humans and Jinn are born Muslims, because they have to disobey to become non-muslim, and they are allowed to change their state, and to disobey.
"And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not." (Quran 2:30)
Now, Angels and Hoorayn are created in the state of obedience, where they are free to think, but cannot break Allah's commands, as they are created in that fashion. For example, when Adam was created, Angels asked a question, which proves that they can think and are free to make a statement to Allah.
Jinn were created first, and dwelled the earth for a long period of time, and then Humans were created to replace Jinn on earth as leaders. Jinn are restricted to their reality, and are forbidden to intitate control over Humans in normal circumstances. That is why Iblis was mad, and our only sworn enemy, only if we understand.
So, Fate of all creations except Jinn and Humans is easy to understand, as they don't chose. Fate for Jinn and Human is the bigger question. In fact only confusion is how can we have a choice, when what we will chose is already known. No Muslim denies that Allah has knowledge of events before they occur. Question remains whether Humans and Jinns are going to be judged on something that Allah decided for us.
First of all, Allah is the most perfect Judge, and he will never punish us, if we did not chose to commit dis-obedience, freely. On the contrary, his Mercy superceeds his Anger, and he will forgive our sins, IF AND ONLY IF we repent (this is another discussion). Ah! I pitty ones that are proud on their sins, and yet expect forgiveness.
Fate is the information Allah preserved in the "Loh-e-Mahfooz", but knowing the outcome by third party doesn't remove free will. Now, if we all can read our fate, then there will be no free will. Guess what! Not knowing the future is the favour from Allah to give us a choice.
For example, if you see a man jumping from a very tall building, you can turn around and tell your friend "Man! He will die". Now, you are most likely correct, but you are not God, so your calculation could be wrong, and the person may live. Does that mean you pushed this man? NO. It just means that, with your experience, you can tell with a certainity that this person's actions are taking him to death.
So, Allah's experience is infinitely perfect, and he can predict accurately what will be the outcome of all the choices we make, but we are free to make that choice. Alternative would be that our free will depends upon him not knowing, which is not even true for humans in the above example. Knowing doesn't equate to deciding.
However, If he wanted, Allah can certainly chose for us and punish yes for something he decided, and no creation can stop him, right? But, he is kind in nature, and has created us to chose to worship him. If we chose not to worship him, and Go to club and dance with Music at the Salat against his orders, he will punish us.
Last but not least, look around you, and see how much sins humans are comitting, and even Shirk (ask help from someone other than Allah) is being allowed. This proves certainly that either Allah doesn't exist, or Allah has provided us free will. And, we know that he does exist, so we do have the free will.
Being a Muslim means to have faith in Allah, and our faith should be in Allah's Mercy that he will not punish us for something that we were not allowed to chose.
Now, stop all sinning you doing intentionally thinking you don't have free will, and become a practicing Muslim. Just Kidding!!! Do try to change though.
A struggling Muslim
Adnan
"Assalam Alaikum Adnan,
I did not comprehend the explanation to the first question at all. Please elaborate in simple words especially the second paragraph, it is very confusing?
Thanks from another struggling muslim!"
I received the above question in response to an earlier post below.
http://islamexplains.blogspot.com/2010/06/concept-of-time-fate-and-free-will.html
First of all, I am very glad that atleast one person read my email, and tried to understand it.
So, let me try to clarify my earlier explaination about Fate.
I would like to setup the background for the answer. So, Allah is the creator, which means nothing created him, and he doesn't depend upon anything. Everything else that exist is created by him. True nature of Allah cannot be understood by the creation, but he has revealed alot of information about himslef through his Messengers.
مُتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ۬ مَّصۡفُوفَةٍ۬ۖ وَزَوَّجۡنَـٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ۬٠
"Reclining on ranged couches. And we wed them unto fair ones with wide, lovely eyes." (Quran 52:20)
"Praise be to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who appointeth the angels messengers having wings two, three and four. He multiplieth in creation what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things." (35:1)
Abu Tha’labah al-Khushani said: “The Messenger of Allaah said: ‘The jinn are of three types: a types that has wings, and they fly through the air; a type that looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then resumes its journey.” [Shaykh al-Albaani said in al-Mishkaat (2/1206, no. 4148): al-Tahhaawi and Abu’l-Shaykh reported it with a saheeh isnaad]
Allah created several types of creations. Some are intelligent among them. Out of the intelligent ones, there are two categories, one is created with free will, other without. Malaikaa (Angels) and Hoorin A'yn (perfectly obedient servants in Paradise) are the ones mentioned who don't have free will. By the way, there is a misconception that Hoorayn are females. I have not seen any evidence for that. They are companions which some people translate to females. Jinnat (Deamons), and Insaan (Humans) are the ones with free will. There is also another category of creation that can only think with the permission of Allah like earth, will, on the day of judgement.
In fact, everything Allah created is Muslim, including stones, trees, sun, moon, stars, and they are created in the state of submission to Allah (Islam), and they cannot change their state. For example, stone will not walk and move to a shade. Humans and Jinn are born Muslims, because they have to disobey to become non-muslim, and they are allowed to change their state, and to disobey.
"And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not." (Quran 2:30)
Now, Angels and Hoorayn are created in the state of obedience, where they are free to think, but cannot break Allah's commands, as they are created in that fashion. For example, when Adam was created, Angels asked a question, which proves that they can think and are free to make a statement to Allah.
Jinn were created first, and dwelled the earth for a long period of time, and then Humans were created to replace Jinn on earth as leaders. Jinn are restricted to their reality, and are forbidden to intitate control over Humans in normal circumstances. That is why Iblis was mad, and our only sworn enemy, only if we understand.
So, Fate of all creations except Jinn and Humans is easy to understand, as they don't chose. Fate for Jinn and Human is the bigger question. In fact only confusion is how can we have a choice, when what we will chose is already known. No Muslim denies that Allah has knowledge of events before they occur. Question remains whether Humans and Jinns are going to be judged on something that Allah decided for us.
First of all, Allah is the most perfect Judge, and he will never punish us, if we did not chose to commit dis-obedience, freely. On the contrary, his Mercy superceeds his Anger, and he will forgive our sins, IF AND ONLY IF we repent (this is another discussion). Ah! I pitty ones that are proud on their sins, and yet expect forgiveness.
Fate is the information Allah preserved in the "Loh-e-Mahfooz", but knowing the outcome by third party doesn't remove free will. Now, if we all can read our fate, then there will be no free will. Guess what! Not knowing the future is the favour from Allah to give us a choice.
For example, if you see a man jumping from a very tall building, you can turn around and tell your friend "Man! He will die". Now, you are most likely correct, but you are not God, so your calculation could be wrong, and the person may live. Does that mean you pushed this man? NO. It just means that, with your experience, you can tell with a certainity that this person's actions are taking him to death.
So, Allah's experience is infinitely perfect, and he can predict accurately what will be the outcome of all the choices we make, but we are free to make that choice. Alternative would be that our free will depends upon him not knowing, which is not even true for humans in the above example. Knowing doesn't equate to deciding.
However, If he wanted, Allah can certainly chose for us and punish yes for something he decided, and no creation can stop him, right? But, he is kind in nature, and has created us to chose to worship him. If we chose not to worship him, and Go to club and dance with Music at the Salat against his orders, he will punish us.
Last but not least, look around you, and see how much sins humans are comitting, and even Shirk (ask help from someone other than Allah) is being allowed. This proves certainly that either Allah doesn't exist, or Allah has provided us free will. And, we know that he does exist, so we do have the free will.
Being a Muslim means to have faith in Allah, and our faith should be in Allah's Mercy that he will not punish us for something that we were not allowed to chose.
Now, stop all sinning you doing intentionally thinking you don't have free will, and become a practicing Muslim. Just Kidding!!! Do try to change though.
A struggling Muslim
Adnan
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Concept of Time, Fate, and Free Will
In the Name of Allah,
[It (the Qur'an) is a Book We have sent down to you, full of blessing, that they may ponder over its verses and that people of intelligence take heed.] (Saad 38:29)
PLEASE DO NOT READ BELOW IF YOU ARE NOT A THINKER.
Since I was a child, concept of time has always been my interest. When I read fiction and non-fiction about time-travel, it sparked many ideas and questions in my mind. In fact, I was sure that Time Travel is possible, but when I start reading Quran, I realized that Allah has already told us that some people slept for centuries in a cave, which is time travel.
Here are some of the questions.
1) If God created us and wrote our destiny, how do we have free will?
2) How was Mohammad (PBUH) able to see people in Hell and Paradise, when no one has entered yet?
3) How was Mohammad (PBUH) to travel to seventh heaven and beyond in one night?
4) How long would we be in afterlife?
All of these questions are interesting ones, there are many explaination given for them. Let me explain my point of view on these.
1) If God created us and wrote our destiny, how do we have free will?
Yes, Allah created The Pen, and told it to write everything he will create and everything about it. It includes, what all of us will do , including if we will go to Hell or Paradise. Now, on the face of this, it sounds like we don't have the free will, if our actions are known, but a deep analysis reveals that thats not true.
Allah in his infinite wisdom know everything that will happen, because if he doesn't he will not be All knowing. However, we don't know what he knows about us, or what is written. So, in the absence of that knowledge, we can keep striving for salvation.
Also, knowing what we will do doesn't mean he decided for us. For example, on your way to school, you see your friend still not ready for school, and when you reach school you tell everyone that your friend will be late today. Now, you knew that you friend will be late, but it doesn't mean your friend can blame you for making him late. Of course there is no comparison to Allah, but he has provided us free will to chose the right or wring path, otherwise it wouldn't have been fair for him to judge us.
Also, our free will is limited to our intention, but all the movements including brain sparks (thoughts) are carried by the angels. For example, if you make intention to raise your hand to scratch your face, intention is yours, but you can't move your hand unless Allah permits, and Angels make it happen. If we were to have free will in action, it would nullify many of Allah's attribute. As you remember, reward of good deeds depend upon intentions and not actions.
Next three question are connected to each other, so let's tackle them together. They are all related to our concept of time.
So, within the creation of Allah, he created a concept of progression. Everthing is progressing towards an end stage. If we think for a second, our concept of time is deduced from this progression. Earth rotating around its access gives us a day. Moon rotating around earth gives us a month and year. Our bodies growing and aging gives us life spans. Now there are some of Allah's creation where progression is very slow or different. For example, Angels are not limited to progression as we see it. In fact, they seem to go and come back through out our history without aging.
Now, everything Allah created has an end, and it will die, but some are progressing faster. I argue that concept of time in our world is even more explicit. Our universe is like a watch that was wound a long time ago, and it is winding down to its end. And, we know that there are seven firmaments (heavens) and lowest is our reality which has the slowest progression of time. It is clear in the following.
"He arranges (every) affair from the heavens to the earth, then it (affair) will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thousand years of your reckoning (i.e. reckoning of our present world's time)." (Quran 32:5)
Above verses and hadith clearly shows the difference of progression in time through seven firmaments. It takes 500 years to reach from earth to boundries of duniya. Then, the heaven surrounding the duniya is 500 years thick, so it takes 1000 years of our time for something to reach the highest point of creation at the highest speed possible for us in Duniya (not planet earth but the lowest reality).
"The angels and the Rûh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years,..." (Quran 70:4)
"Allaah passes judgement between His slaves on a Day the length of which will be “like fifty thousand years”, ..." (Saheeh Muslim)
In the above verse and hadith, Allah is revealing the length of the day of judgment when sun will be overthrown, mening lower reality will cease to exist, and the progression of time will change.
One can go on for hours on the knowledge in Quran on time, but let's move on to the next point. So, we know that there are different time progression at different levels of creation. So, there must be a highest place where progression stops. Naturally that exist outside the boundaries of creation or close to it, known as SidratulMuntaha (Lote tree of the extreme limit).
"It is na on the authority of Abdullah (b. Umar) that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was taken for the Night journey, he was taken to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha, which is situated on the sixth heaven, where terminates everything that ascends from the earth and is held there, and where terminates every- thing that descends from above it and is held there. (It is with reference to this that) Allah said:” When that which covers covered the lote-tree” (al-Qur’an, Iiii. 16). He (the narrator) said: (It was) gold moths." (Saheeh Muslim)
During the ascention of our Prophet (PBUH) reached that tree which is the edge of all creation.
"During the night of Isra' and Mi`raj, the Prophet was taken up to a point where he heard the screeching of the Pens (writing the divine Decree)."(Shaykh Muhammad `Alawi al-Malaki)
When he reached there he heard the screeching of the pen writing the decree (fate of all creation)
"The first thing which Allah created was the pen. Then, He said to it: Write. It asked: My Lord, what should I write? He said: Write the proportions of all things up until the Hour." (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi)
"The pens have been lifted, and the tablets have dried." (At-Tirmidhi)
From above ahadith it is clear that Allah created the Pen, and the Pen wrote everything that has to happen, and then stopped, and then the creation was created. So, if the pen(s) stopped writting, how can Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) heard it writing that decree just 1430 years ago.
So, lets put all our knowledge together. Time slows as you travel towards the end of the creation, and does not exist beyond the Lote tree, and The decree was still being written close to the limits. It is only logical that Time doesn't exist or very very slow in some part of the creation. Furthermore, Hell and Paradise exist in those part of the creation, and so Angels, and so The Pen. What Prophet (PBUH) may have seen was the act that started along time and still cotinues.
In fact, our reality exists like a bubble which is progressing from begining to end. Angels enter this bubble at different point in time and space as Allah commands them.
For example, Aslam and Salman are sleeping in two rooms in the same house, and die in an explosion at the same time. Angel of death will enter at January 5, 2010 1:10:01 PM at Aslam's room and take his soul, then re-enter at the same exact time but different space (location) and take Salman's soul. If we can see both death happening at the same time, we will see them happening simultaneously, but in reality (true reality) Angel took Aslam's first then Salman's.
2) How was Mohammad (PBUH) able to see people in Hell and Paradise, when no one has entered yet?
During the asecention of our Prophet (PBUH) visited Hell and Paradise, and saw humans there. One thing to note is that NO human will enter the Hell or Paradise untill the day of Qiyamah (last day), so it seems impossible for our Prophet (PBUH) to see us in there. In fact, it may be possible, if the Hell and Paradise exist outside this reality and time bubble, Judgment day has already happened, and we all entered the appropriate last abode. However, in this world, we still experiencing the time captured in the bubble.
In other words, if our entering into Jannah or Jahanam follows in time progression after this world ends, then the after life will become the part of time progression, and time concept will extend to afterlife, which is highly unlikely.
3) How was Mohammad (PBUH) traveled to seventh heaven and beyond in one night?
So, when Rasool Allah (PBUH) traveled through the staircase of spirits, he crossed the boundries of time bubble, where all of us are existing after Qayamah in Hell and Paradise, and Pen writting at the same time (using it losely). When he returned, Angels brough him back to the same point in time then he departed, becuase remember he spent some time in Jerusalem.
"They asked about this, when the Prophet came back from Miraj. they asked, Where was he? His wife said that he was sleeping in the bed next to her. He went on Miraj and came back. The place he was lying was still warm, she said, when he came back." (Cliamed to be authenticated, but I couldn't find the reference)
There are other reports that the journey took one third of the night. Only Allah knows, which report is true. One thing for sure that Isra was in this world so time was passing, but Miraj was outside the bubble of time, so time didn't pass.
4) How long would we be in afterlife?
Regarding the question on how long we will live in Hell and Paradise. There is no progression of time there, so we will live there until Allah decides to destroy us from existence.
In truth, Prophet (PBUH) hearing the footsteps of Bilal, or knowing about the future generation is not very difficult for Angels, if Allah wills. We all exist here in this bubble whose worth is less than a wing of Mosquito, and when Allah promises that not even an atom worth of deed will be forgotten, it makes sense, because Angels can retreive that by entering this bubble at any point in time and space, if they haven't been recorded already.
This concept of time explains many of the mysteries that we struggle with, but it is an opinion. Please don't hesitate to follow up on this.
Just a Thinker
Adnan Jumani
[It (the Qur'an) is a Book We have sent down to you, full of blessing, that they may ponder over its verses and that people of intelligence take heed.] (Saad 38:29)
PLEASE DO NOT READ BELOW IF YOU ARE NOT A THINKER.
Since I was a child, concept of time has always been my interest. When I read fiction and non-fiction about time-travel, it sparked many ideas and questions in my mind. In fact, I was sure that Time Travel is possible, but when I start reading Quran, I realized that Allah has already told us that some people slept for centuries in a cave, which is time travel.
Here are some of the questions.
1) If God created us and wrote our destiny, how do we have free will?
2) How was Mohammad (PBUH) able to see people in Hell and Paradise, when no one has entered yet?
3) How was Mohammad (PBUH) to travel to seventh heaven and beyond in one night?
4) How long would we be in afterlife?
All of these questions are interesting ones, there are many explaination given for them. Let me explain my point of view on these.
1) If God created us and wrote our destiny, how do we have free will?
Yes, Allah created The Pen, and told it to write everything he will create and everything about it. It includes, what all of us will do , including if we will go to Hell or Paradise. Now, on the face of this, it sounds like we don't have the free will, if our actions are known, but a deep analysis reveals that thats not true.
Allah in his infinite wisdom know everything that will happen, because if he doesn't he will not be All knowing. However, we don't know what he knows about us, or what is written. So, in the absence of that knowledge, we can keep striving for salvation.
Also, knowing what we will do doesn't mean he decided for us. For example, on your way to school, you see your friend still not ready for school, and when you reach school you tell everyone that your friend will be late today. Now, you knew that you friend will be late, but it doesn't mean your friend can blame you for making him late. Of course there is no comparison to Allah, but he has provided us free will to chose the right or wring path, otherwise it wouldn't have been fair for him to judge us.
Also, our free will is limited to our intention, but all the movements including brain sparks (thoughts) are carried by the angels. For example, if you make intention to raise your hand to scratch your face, intention is yours, but you can't move your hand unless Allah permits, and Angels make it happen. If we were to have free will in action, it would nullify many of Allah's attribute. As you remember, reward of good deeds depend upon intentions and not actions.
Next three question are connected to each other, so let's tackle them together. They are all related to our concept of time.
So, within the creation of Allah, he created a concept of progression. Everthing is progressing towards an end stage. If we think for a second, our concept of time is deduced from this progression. Earth rotating around its access gives us a day. Moon rotating around earth gives us a month and year. Our bodies growing and aging gives us life spans. Now there are some of Allah's creation where progression is very slow or different. For example, Angels are not limited to progression as we see it. In fact, they seem to go and come back through out our history without aging.
Now, everything Allah created has an end, and it will die, but some are progressing faster. I argue that concept of time in our world is even more explicit. Our universe is like a watch that was wound a long time ago, and it is winding down to its end. And, we know that there are seven firmaments (heavens) and lowest is our reality which has the slowest progression of time. It is clear in the following.
"He arranges (every) affair from the heavens to the earth, then it (affair) will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thousand years of your reckoning (i.e. reckoning of our present world's time)." (Quran 32:5)
Above verses and hadith clearly shows the difference of progression in time through seven firmaments. It takes 500 years to reach from earth to boundries of duniya. Then, the heaven surrounding the duniya is 500 years thick, so it takes 1000 years of our time for something to reach the highest point of creation at the highest speed possible for us in Duniya (not planet earth but the lowest reality).
"The angels and the Rûh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years,..." (Quran 70:4)
"Allaah passes judgement between His slaves on a Day the length of which will be “like fifty thousand years”, ..." (Saheeh Muslim)
In the above verse and hadith, Allah is revealing the length of the day of judgment when sun will be overthrown, mening lower reality will cease to exist, and the progression of time will change.
One can go on for hours on the knowledge in Quran on time, but let's move on to the next point. So, we know that there are different time progression at different levels of creation. So, there must be a highest place where progression stops. Naturally that exist outside the boundaries of creation or close to it, known as SidratulMuntaha (Lote tree of the extreme limit).
"It is na on the authority of Abdullah (b. Umar) that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was taken for the Night journey, he was taken to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha, which is situated on the sixth heaven, where terminates everything that ascends from the earth and is held there, and where terminates every- thing that descends from above it and is held there. (It is with reference to this that) Allah said:” When that which covers covered the lote-tree” (al-Qur’an, Iiii. 16). He (the narrator) said: (It was) gold moths." (Saheeh Muslim)
During the ascention of our Prophet (PBUH) reached that tree which is the edge of all creation.
"During the night of Isra' and Mi`raj, the Prophet was taken up to a point where he heard the screeching of the Pens (writing the divine Decree)."(Shaykh Muhammad `Alawi al-Malaki)
When he reached there he heard the screeching of the pen writing the decree (fate of all creation)
"The first thing which Allah created was the pen. Then, He said to it: Write. It asked: My Lord, what should I write? He said: Write the proportions of all things up until the Hour." (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi)
"The pens have been lifted, and the tablets have dried." (At-Tirmidhi)
From above ahadith it is clear that Allah created the Pen, and the Pen wrote everything that has to happen, and then stopped, and then the creation was created. So, if the pen(s) stopped writting, how can Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) heard it writing that decree just 1430 years ago.
So, lets put all our knowledge together. Time slows as you travel towards the end of the creation, and does not exist beyond the Lote tree, and The decree was still being written close to the limits. It is only logical that Time doesn't exist or very very slow in some part of the creation. Furthermore, Hell and Paradise exist in those part of the creation, and so Angels, and so The Pen. What Prophet (PBUH) may have seen was the act that started along time and still cotinues.
In fact, our reality exists like a bubble which is progressing from begining to end. Angels enter this bubble at different point in time and space as Allah commands them.
For example, Aslam and Salman are sleeping in two rooms in the same house, and die in an explosion at the same time. Angel of death will enter at January 5, 2010 1:10:01 PM at Aslam's room and take his soul, then re-enter at the same exact time but different space (location) and take Salman's soul. If we can see both death happening at the same time, we will see them happening simultaneously, but in reality (true reality) Angel took Aslam's first then Salman's.
2) How was Mohammad (PBUH) able to see people in Hell and Paradise, when no one has entered yet?
During the asecention of our Prophet (PBUH) visited Hell and Paradise, and saw humans there. One thing to note is that NO human will enter the Hell or Paradise untill the day of Qiyamah (last day), so it seems impossible for our Prophet (PBUH) to see us in there. In fact, it may be possible, if the Hell and Paradise exist outside this reality and time bubble, Judgment day has already happened, and we all entered the appropriate last abode. However, in this world, we still experiencing the time captured in the bubble.
In other words, if our entering into Jannah or Jahanam follows in time progression after this world ends, then the after life will become the part of time progression, and time concept will extend to afterlife, which is highly unlikely.
3) How was Mohammad (PBUH) traveled to seventh heaven and beyond in one night?
So, when Rasool Allah (PBUH) traveled through the staircase of spirits, he crossed the boundries of time bubble, where all of us are existing after Qayamah in Hell and Paradise, and Pen writting at the same time (using it losely). When he returned, Angels brough him back to the same point in time then he departed, becuase remember he spent some time in Jerusalem.
"They asked about this, when the Prophet came back from Miraj. they asked, Where was he? His wife said that he was sleeping in the bed next to her. He went on Miraj and came back. The place he was lying was still warm, she said, when he came back." (Cliamed to be authenticated, but I couldn't find the reference)
There are other reports that the journey took one third of the night. Only Allah knows, which report is true. One thing for sure that Isra was in this world so time was passing, but Miraj was outside the bubble of time, so time didn't pass.
4) How long would we be in afterlife?
Regarding the question on how long we will live in Hell and Paradise. There is no progression of time there, so we will live there until Allah decides to destroy us from existence.
In truth, Prophet (PBUH) hearing the footsteps of Bilal, or knowing about the future generation is not very difficult for Angels, if Allah wills. We all exist here in this bubble whose worth is less than a wing of Mosquito, and when Allah promises that not even an atom worth of deed will be forgotten, it makes sense, because Angels can retreive that by entering this bubble at any point in time and space, if they haven't been recorded already.
This concept of time explains many of the mysteries that we struggle with, but it is an opinion. Please don't hesitate to follow up on this.
Just a Thinker
Adnan Jumani
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