Hajj means Annual Global Debate--Explanation using Tasreef/Crossreference
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Salaam Aleikum,
A person asked me this question
Could you please inform us How you arrived at the Conclusion that, Hajj is an annual Event? Are you aware of 2197 " For Hajj is Months well known........................"
If you have any conviction in your belief that Hajj is a Yearly event, Please provide some relevant Quran Verse or Verses to back it up .So it is time to explain why we at OurBeacon.com believe Hajj is not a Pilgrimage. A ritual that is meant for personal salvation only, and not a global goal. The Quran itself clearly says it is meant for all of mankind. It's goal is unity of the people
First of all I suggest you should read this small article
Unity of people is the true purpose of the Quran
You can see that the Quran must be approached from a Deen point of view, and not from a religious point of view. It is not about God, but about us. Rituals as shaving your head and ritual baths are done to 'please' God, as if He needs the acknolwedgement and is pleased by trivial things as shoes that cover the middle bone.
He created the Universe, with all of its stars and galaxys, so we can peform these trivial things?
in verse 3191 it says "...Our Lord! You have not created all this without Purpose. High Above You are from creating anything in vain!..."
No, the Quran is here to give us stature in life!
2110 O Mankind! Now We have revealed unto you a Book that is all about you and it will give you eminence. Will you not, then, use your sense? (2124, 2370, 4343-44).
This verse clearly shows the Quran is for us, this is why Parwez says in his exposition of this verse "Allah has no personal motives in it" as Allah is above need.
All Laws in the Quran, all given concepts as Hajj and Saum and Salat are all meant to UNITE Mankind, not to worship Allah.
We can approach Hajj as a ritual gathering where everyone will only focus on Allah, on acknowledging Allah's Supramecy. We can all focus on Fasting to be meant for Allah. We can focus on Salat as only meaning Prayer. These concepts all come through approaching the Quran from a religious point of view. These will not bring unity to a people, as these are all personal goals through personal rituals.
But as I have told, these are all man-made ideas on what Allah demands. Allah says in the Quran that WE are the focus.
2094 Aaron said, "O Son of my mother! Don't get mad at me, nor treat me harshly. I feared that you would say, You have let the Children of Israel divide into parties and sects." (Moses accepted this explanation since sectarianism is no less a crime than idol worship in any form. Seizing the beard and head pertains to harsh interrogation 7150).
When we approach the Quran from a Deen point of view, it all becomes different. The Quranic purpose is to give Mankind the Perfect Divine System to unite them and give us eminence. So an idea on Hajj being only to focus on Allah is NON-Quranic.
The same holds for the word Salat. Salat means To Follow Closely, Attachment, Contact, Prayer and many more meanings. If we approach the Quranic Goal to be acknowledging Allah, to be a religious Book focussed on acknowledging Allah, then it is logical Salat means Prayer. But since it is clear WE are the focus of the Quran, then the meaning becomes totaly different.
The meaning of Salat is explained in
2441 Do you not realize that Allah, He it is Whom all beings in the heavens and the earth glorify, and the birds, with their wings outspread, as they fly in columns. All of them know their SALAT and TASBEEH (mission and strife). Allah is Aware of what they do to fulfill His Plan.
Tasbeeh means To Strive Hard, To go on a Quest/Mission, To Take Long Strides. Salat means To Follow Closely.
So in order of the verse, all beings knows what to follow closely to strive hard on their quest, they know their Salat and Tasbeeh.
What do animals follow? Their instinct which tells them how to work the Laws of Nature in the best way so to become the strongest and multiply.
We as humans don't have an instinct on a dominant level. So to follow the Laws of Nature, we must observe them closely. But there are also many Laws we can't observe through Scientific Research. These Laws are explained to us through Revelation. Revelations are Instincts for Mankind to follow voluntarely.
So Salat means to Follow the Divine Laws of Nature and Revelation so we can know how to strive hard on our Quest and Mission.
This is the difference and importance of approach. Believe in One God is a confirmation of Reality and the first step into uniting Mankind and the Muslims. But it is the same approach to the Quran which will truly unite us. It is clear the Quran is focussed on us, not on Allah. He has given us the Quran so we can become the best people on Earth. To make Paradise on earth that will be continued in the Next Life. We must all approach the Quran from this point, and then the true meanings of words become clear.
The Quran is also complete when it comes to the issues in matter of Deen, Allah has left out the rituals, but Allah does not forget, nor is the Quran incomplete or insufficient.
6115 Perfected is the Word of your Lord in Truth and Justice. None can change His Words and His Laws. This announcement comes to you from the Profound Hearer, the Knower.
The majority belief is not the criterion, the Quran is.
6116 (People will confront you with what the majority is doing.) Now if you pay heed to, or get intimidated by majority of those who live on earth, they will lead you astray from Allahs Way. Most of the people follow nothing but conjecture and they only live by guesswork.
251 Most Blessed is He Who has revealed to His servant, the Criterion of the right and the wrong so that to the entire world it might be a warning.
Allah warns us not to be like the people of Moses.
2108 Would you demand of your Messenger what was demanded of Moses in the past? But whoever chooses the darkness of Ignorance instead of the Light of Faith, has already strayed from the Right Way.
They kept asking frivolous details about how the heifer should look. If Allah cared about those details, He would have mentioned it, Allah does not play games with people. If you study the story of the heifer in Surah 2, you can see they keep asking more details, and because of this, they get such a difficult task to find such a heifer, adn they all did this to themselves as Allah never asked for that.
1.The Quran and all its goals are meant for us to unite mankind on Earth. so we can create Paradise here, which will be continued in the Next Life. The Quran only explains Allah, not how we should acknowledge Him through rituals.
2.The Quran is complete and detailed.
Hajj, the root means 'to argue'. This is also the way it has been used in the Quran.
= Haa-Jiim-Jiim = to intend to a certain target, aim at, repair, undertake, repaired/betook himself to or towards a person / place / object of veneration/respect/honour, went/visit frequently/repeatedly, pilgrimage.
Overcome another by/in argument/evidences/proofs/testimonies, plead, contend/argue/dispute.
Refrain/abstain.See under the letter = Ha at the Rootlist
Rootlist
Some examples of Tasreef on the word Hajja
Wa-itha laqoo allatheena amanooqaloo amanna wa-itha khalabaAAduhum ila baAAdin qaloo atuhaddithoonahumbima fataha Allahu AAalaykum liyuhajjookumbihi AAinda rabbikum afala taAAqiloona
Behold! when they meet the men of Faith, they say "We believe" But when they meet each other in private, they say "Shall you tell them what Allah hath revealed to you, that they may engage you in argument about it before your Lord?"- Do ye not understand (their aim)?
And when they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but when they get together with each other, they say, "Do not inform (the believers) of the information given to you by GOD, lest you provide them with support for their argument concerning your Lord. Do you not understand?"
Qul atuhajjoonana fee Allahiwahuwa rabbuna warabbukum walana aAAmalunawalakum aAAmalukum wanahnu lahu mukhlisoona
Say Will ye dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
Say, "Do you argue with us about GOD, when He is our Lord and your Lord? We are responsible for our deeds, and you are responsible for your deeds. To Him alone we are devoted."
Alam tara ila allathee hajjaibraheema fee rabbihi an atahu Allahualmulka ith qala ibraheemu rabbiya allatheeyuhyee wayumeetu qala ana ohyeewaomeetu qala ibraheemu fa-inna Allahaya/tee bialshshamsi mina almashriqi fa/ti biha minaalmaghribi fabuhita allathee kafara waAllahula yahdee alqawma alththalimeena
Hast thou not Turned thy vision to one who disputed with Abraham About his Lord, because Allah had granted him power? Abraham said "My Lord is He Who Giveth life and death." He said "I give life and death". Said Abraham "But it is Allah that causeth the sun to rise from the east Do thou then cause him to rise from the West." Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected faith. Nor doth Allah Give guidance to a people unjust.
Have you noted the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord, though GOD had given him kingship? Abraham said, "My Lord grants life and death." He said, "I grant life and death." Abraham said, "GOD brings the sun from the east, can you bring it from the west?" The disbeliever was stumped. GOD does not guide the wicked.
Fa-in hajjooka faqul aslamtu wajhiyalillahi wamani ittabaAAani waqul lillatheena ootooalkitaba waal-ommiyyeena aaslamtum fa-inaslamoo faqadi ihtadaw wa-in tawallaw fa-innama AAalaykaalbalaghu waAllahu baseerun bialAAibadi
So if they dispute with thee, say "I have submitted My whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, Thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants.
If they argue with you, then say, "I have simply submitted myself to GOD; I and those who follow me." You shall proclaim to those who received the scripture, as well as those who did not, "Would you submit?" If they submit, then they have been guided, but if they turn away, your sole mission is to deliver this message. GOD is Seer of all people.
Ya ahla alkitabi lima tuhajjoonafee ibraheema wama onzilati alttawratuwaal-injeelu illa min baAAdihi afalataAAqiloona
Ye People of the Book! Why dispute ye about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel Were not revealed Till after him? Have ye no understanding?
O followers of the scripture, why do you argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Do you not understand?
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Line359 Ha antum haola-i hajajtumfeema lakum bihi AAilmun falima tuhajjoona feemalaysa lakum bihi AAilmun waAllahu yaAAlamu waantumla taAAlamoonaAh! Ye are those who fell to disputing (Even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows, and ye who know not!
You have argued about things you knew; why do you argue about things you do not know? GOD knows, while you do not know.
You will see that ALL uses of Hajja has to do with argue/dispute/argument. So my conclusion is that the word Hajj itself must also be approached as such, and not as Pilgrimage.
It also means 'to cure a wound on the head' as seen in Lane's Lexicon
.~, (TA,) He probed
a fracture of the head, (],) or a wound,,
signifies he probed a fracture of his head for thke
purpose of curing itIt also means a year
_, in four place. - Also A
year (S, Msb, V) pl. r .. (S,A, MNb.)
You say, i o ,. .i-l , andl .L..b i.This can also been seen in the verse
2827 He (the father) said, "Behold, I am willing to let you marry one of these two daughters of mine on the understanding that you will remain eight years in my service. Then if you make it ten,.....
So we have the Quranic use of Hajja as 'to argue/dispute/argument/debate' and as a 'year'. So Hajj can be thus interpretated as a Yearly Debate. This is held in the known months, which are also given in the Quran.
2194 You may fight during the Months of Peace and Security if you are attacked, for, a violation of sanctity will activate the Law of Just Retribution. So, the one who attacks you should expect retaliation in like manner. Be mindful of Allah, and know that Allah is with those who walk aright.
95 When the four Sacred Months are over and if the idolaters are still aggressing, (neither becoming law-abiding citizens of the State, nor emigrating), subdue them whichever tribe they may belong to, take them captive, and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent from aggression, and help in the consolidation of the Divine System and in setting up the Just Economic Order of Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Forgiving Merciful (so shall you be).
936 Allah has ordained twelve months in one year. This has been Allahs Ordinance since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of these Months are Sacred, forbidden for all warfare. (Mankind, through international treaties, must agree to shun all kind of warfare during these four months. This will give them a cooling off period that sense may prevail over emotions). This is the Firm Religion, the right way. So, do not wrong yourselves by fighting during the Sacred Months. However, you may fight the idolaters in any or all these months if they fight against you in any or all of them (2194). And know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. (Four Sacred Months 2194, 91-5).
To know the 4 months is a long discussion, which will be explained later.
397 Therein are clear Messages (to achieve that coveted goal and recall) how Abraham once took his stand (against all divisions of humanity and was granted the leadership of all mankind 2124-125). Those who enter the System symbolized thereby shall find inner peace and external security. Hence, joining the Hajj Convention at this Meeting Point for the Cause of Allah alone is DUE ON ALL MANKIND who have the circumstantial means to undertake the visit. One who denies (this Wisdom, should know that) verily, Allah, the Rich is Self-Sufficient, want-free of any peoples.
But it is clear that we have 4 months of Peace. The subject is that the idolaters must stop the aggression. All of Mankind is asked to perform the Hajj, not just the Muslims. The meaning of Hajja is used in the Quran as Year and as 'to argue/dispute/argument/debate'. The word also means 'to go for an aim/to partake on a noble cause'. Also it refers to 'probing and curing wounds on heads'.
All of these together shows me that Hajj means a Yearly Global Debate that is meant to stop wars on Earth, by probing the issue and through discussion curing it.
I have used the Quran to explain it, and not loosing view on the global goal of the Quran. The Quran is meant to make a collective unity of Mankind based on the Divine Laws of Nature and Revelation. This is not done through personal salvation rituals as Pilgrimage.
This show that the traditional rituals that are attributed to Hajj, are false not only because they are non-Quranic, but also because they go against the main purpose of the Quran and the meaning of Hajj.
Hajj is the annual Convention in a specified time while Umrah is a visit to the Masjid of Makkah any time during the year. Both have a sublime objective as the Quran explains, although Muslims have reduced them into mere rituals similar to the Days of Ignorance. There is no mention of kissing the black-stone in Kabah, any "holiness" about the ZAM ZAM water, or that of throwing rocks at the three pillars signifying Satan. See footnote to Surah 105. The Noble Objective of the Pilgrimage is to arrange regular and intermittent international conferences in Makkah. Delegates from all over the world would get together there and devise ways to make the world a better place to live.
What is Haj as per Quraa'n
2196 (Peace cannot defend itself. Mankind has to guard it.) Therefore, observe the Hajj or Umrah Convention for Allah. If you are stranded, send in gifts that the congregation would utilize. Do not consider that by doing so you have relieved yourself of duty. Be with them at heart until the gifts have reached their destination. If someone is sick or has other compelling burdens denying him sending any contribution, then Abstinence for a few days at convenience, or an act of charity or fulfilling someones need shall be in order. If a person is present at the Convention but cannot afford to contribute, he should exercise Abstinence for a total number of ten days, three days there and seven days after coming home. This is for him whose folk do not live in the vicinity of the Convention. Be mindful of Allah, remembering the noble objective. And know that Allah's Law of Requital is strict in pursuing and grasping.
2197 The Convention shall take place in the months appointed for it and made well known to all. Whoever participates in the Convention shall refrain from sexual intimacy, slipping out of discipline and argumentation throughout Hajj. And whatever you accomplish for the good of mankind, Allah will acknowledge it. So make ample provision, yet the best provision is your good conduct. Be mindful of Me, O You of understanding!
2198 (The Convention is not an assembly of monks.) There is no blame on you if you seek the bounty of your Lord by trading. Returning in groups from where you got introduced to one another (Arafat) let your experience be a conscious and ever-lasting monument to peace in your lives. Take Allahs Messages to heart, and remember Him in the way He has directed you. And, verily, before this you were wandering to and fro.
2199 (When the Convention is over), let the congregation return to their hometowns without much delay. (Implement what you have learned and decided upon and) seek from Allah security and protection for mankind through this Program. Behold, Allah is the Provider of protection, Absolver of Imperfections, Eternally Merciful.
2200 When you have completed your duties, then, remain conscious of Allah with a stronger commitment than you used to display for your ancestors and their ways. (Their pilgrimage used to be momentary fun of ritualism.) Among the people is he who says, Our Lord! Give unto us in this world. But he, who looks only for instant gains disregarding the long term, has no portion in the Hereafter.
2201 And of them is he who says, Our Lord! Give unto us in this world that which is good, and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire.
2202 It is they for whom is a decent portion what they have themselves earned. And Allah is Swift in reckoning. (Actions get their imprints stamped upon the human 'Self' in this very life.)
2203 Remember Allah in the counted number of days (of the Convention.) Then if someones departure were hastened by a couple of days, there would be nothing detrimental. And if someones departure were delayed by a couple of days, there would be no detriment either. This is for him who lives upright. Be mindful of Allah, and know that all of you together are stepping toward the ultimate destination with Allah.
2204 (About delegating political authority, remember that) there is among mankind he whose chatter on worldly affairs dazzles you, and he keeps swearing by Allah about what is in his heart. And he is exceedingly skillful in contending for his viewpoint. (28-12)
2205 But as soon as he attains political power he goes all out spreading corruption in the earth. His authority results in destruction of the produce of land and labor and the damage he does affects generations - whereas Allah loves not corruption.
2206 When it is said to him, Be mindful of Allah, his false pride plunges him further down in inhumanity. Well, sufficient will be Hell for him what a cradle of despondence! (Such officials will be removed from office.)
2207 And of mankind is he who dedicates himself to achieve the goals ordained by Allah. And Allah is Compassionate to His servants (showing them both, the way to success and the way to failure. 34, 3923, 91
2208 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Enter whole-heartedly the Prescribed Way of Life that guarantees peace and security. And follow not the trails of the Satan. Verily, he is your open enemy that lays bare your flaws.
2209 And if you backslide after all evidence of the Truth has come to you, then know that Allah is Almighty, Wise. (The Divine Laws will overcome you.)
All the research that has been done on Mecca and its History has not brought any convincing conclusion to be accepted. This is why the Global Debate Conference should be held at Mecca, where the Kaaba only serves as a Meeting point for Mankind. Mecca and the Kaaba have no religious value, and the present rituals of Hajj are man-made and non-Quranic. They go back to ancient Pagantry, where the people worshipped the Sun and Moon. Thus any commentary on the present or past idolatry in Mecca is no proof for it to be rejected, as they have gained a new purpose that has no religous value, only a political one.
Sources
-QXP2 by Dr.Shabbir Ahmad
-Quran translations of Yusuf Ali and Dr.Rashad Khalifa
-Lane's Lexicon Ar-En dictionary
-Dictionary of the Holy Quran by AM Omar -
Peace Arnold,
Nice article .
All the research that has been done on Mecca and its History has not brought any convincing conclusion to be accepted.
Which sources did you use to study the history of Mecca?
I read an interesting article that said Hajj/debate was actually held somewhere else.
Assuming that a Quran alone state does materialize, does the location of the hajj/debate matter?
group
peace
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Peace,
I wll re-read through the articles but this following statement is a problem
Unity of people is the true purpose of the Quran
This is not the true purpose of the Quran and in this statement I see coercion and tyranny. Trying to unite everyone and unify them in one system has caused problems world wide. From seeing this I hope that people like you do not gain power and I see you trying to force this "unity" on the world.
I don't believe that the Quran is for debate at all. Debate can also be defined as jidaal and the Quran says that there is to be no jidaal in the Quran. I do believe that the Quran is an annual convention for Quranist where can an organize and become more efficient in our goals, one of which is offering this information of salvation to all.
Godbless,
Anwar -
Salaam Anwer.
Maybe it is wiser to next time ask how I believe such unity is gained. As your response is a bit ridicilous.
I believe Muslim states will emerge over time when the Muslim world reforms itself to part by part, and conform themselves to the Quranic Values. Because these states will attain harmony over time in their society through the Divine Laws, which are followed voluntarely, and people will see the wisdom and perfection in the Quranic Laws.
One by one, nations will reform themselves to the Quranic values. And eventualy are united under those Laws. This is all done under voluntarely submission, Islam.
This is the Quran says this Deen will prevail over all other systems on earth.
The Hajj conference is first only organised for Muslim countries. but will eventualy become so big in its visitation, even non-Muslim countries will respect its problem-solving power, and will join the Hajj conference to discuss world issues.
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Peace,
Like I said I need to re-read your articles. However, how do you think these governments will harmonize their governements and laws with the Quran, especially in the non-democratic governments or even in the democratic ones? Furthermore how will these governments conform to Quranic values? What will be their standard for this so that they can study the Quran or some teachings that they can understand that represent the Quran? How will they let go of their fathers traditions which they prize so dearly? Will these truly Islamic governments in your opinion require all its citizens to be this type of Muslim only? How do you plan on educating the Muslim world to the Quran-only path especially when so many Muslims are against this and when secular governments whose officials are Muslim would rather die than see Quranist Islam in their countries. Sometimes also the very respected leaders of these countries. Look at Egypt for instance, they jail anyone who they suspect of being a Quranist Muslim.
How do you plan on doing this without a solid Quranist front?
THere will always be Muslims who differ, how do you plan on dealing with them? What about traditional religionists (i.e. pagans) Jews and Christians or athiests or people who just want to do what they want to do and reject every belief system. How do you treat them in this Islamic government? Where are the people will not come to accept all Quranic values. That is just the fact of the matter.
It is a big goal I see you projecting but those little things like racism, tribalism and the fact that as the Quran says most of humanity will disbelieve are problems. So do you see this triumph of our way of life as ruling all nations or do you see it as an influential place in the world?
So I will ask your question, How do you plan on attaining this unity?
And how do you reconcile jidaal with debate, which will come with a conference based on debate. I agree that this conference should exist but I don't believe it should be the pilgrimage. But maybe I am wrong. Where do you find in the Quran that we are suppose to come together, not using the word hajj? And again how do you reconcile jidaal with debate?
Godbless,
Anwar -
It will take time, a long time, and I don't expect it will be done in our time. As for the people who don't want to become Muslims in those states. You forget the Quran is a constitution. I live in Holland and I am subjected to the Dutch constitution, I may not agree with all of its laws, still I'm subject to it. The same is with the Quran, the common laws it has, are laws just like any other modern country, only the difference here is that these laws do give the positive results as promised in the Quran. And so people will accept, even if they do not believe in the Quran or have a different approach to it.
And that Mankind will accept the Quranic Laws is a matter of time. People will eventualy see its logic and will take them over.
All our efforts for to establish the Deen on earth, even if it's just following the Laws of the Quran or it is spreading its Message. It is not a lost cause. Allah has promised victory for the Quranic Deen, as all nations will eventually voluntarily accept it as the only true way for humanity.
When people and nations fall into misery, they will acknowledge that following God's guidance is the best way. So falling into misery and war(jahannam) is also a lesson. Jahannam is called the maula/protector in 5715 of the rejectors, as refering it to be a between phase of humanity, and also called umm/mother in 1019, which refers that Jahannam is a position of nurturing as a lesson to them for knowing that following all selfish desires will not attain them anything. It is a classroom that will show them their way will get them nowhere. Jahannam in the history of this earth, is a lesson between believing in illusion and reality, following God's guidance and following human ideas, which is why everyone will see Jahannam, once in their excistence 1971. This verse beautifully shows that everyone in their lifetime has one time neglected following God's guidance which in the end gave them misery.
That Jahannam is a between phase of humanity can also be seen at the use of fitnah in 2191, 292&10, where it refers to the trials for the believers. Fitnah comes from the meaning of 'purifying gold' or 'throwing in rubbish to the fire'. Which refers to loosing illusions that will create bad fruits/results, as they are confronted with the truth during those fitnah's, they are confronted with the Law of Requital, the result of their deeds. The gold=nafs must be cleaned of all veils/illusions as in 1746, so it can attain the higher mindstate and society. In 3763 people in a Jahannam will also get fitnah, which refers to 'the tree of zaqum'.
As shown by the word Jannah='garden covered in foilage', whereby the ground refers to the Nafs/Self or society which has certain knowledge and beliefs, which will create certain deeds=trees, and the fruits are it's results. So is the same understanding with 'the tree of zaqum' which is a deed which is called a 'fitnah' in 3763, a purifying deed. Zaqum means literally, 'a tree with small round leaves without thornes, it has a penetrating smell and is bitter, the tips of the leaves are filthy tasting'. It is a real existing tree in East Arabia. It is so bitter, even camels don't eat it.
So for humanity, the Hells on earth they have created themselves through following their selfish desires, are purifying, but this purifying will be experienced as eating something filthy. It is falling into destruction which will taste bitter, but is in the same time a purifying thing, as they have at least lost the belief that greed will get them anywhere, they will loose the belief humanity can guide itself alone or by 'religions'. They are purified from the concepts of following their own desires and neglecting God's true guidance.
In short, humanity will learn the truth, as it will be sick of all the misery they have created throughout the ages, and they will accept the Quran as their guide
With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and Sustaining Source of All
Mercy and Kindness.
1101 When comes Allah's Help and the Victory.
1102 And you see the people enter Allahs Religion in throngs. (1996).933 He it is Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the True Religion (DEEN = The System of Life), that He may cause it to prevail over all religions and systems of life, even though the idolaters may detest it. (931-33, 1448, 1848, 4828, 619).
I will quote Allamma Parwez and Muhammed Asad, who both beautifully show that the acceptance of the true Deen by the world is a long process.
"This discussion emerged out of the question why the Quranic Social Order which assures a peaceful, prosperous and glorious life to mankind has not been established anywhere in the world, not even in any Muslim state, although the Divine Guidance has been with us for fourteen centuries. The answer so far provided is that cosmic process is slow, very slow when measured by serial or historic time. The point requires further elucidation. Evolutionary changes take place in the outer universe automatically, according to Divine plan, and by stages, each involving thousand and thousand of years to accomplish.
This cosmic process. In the case of man, however, this process works in a somewhat different way. Man (and here we mean not travelling in the light of Divine guidance) when pressed by circumstances to modify any existing state of affairs, adopts a course which he thinks the best, works on it strenuously day in and day out, but finds at the end that the course adopted was wrong. He abandons it and embarks upon another course. This he has to repeat time and again.
Often he feels exhausted during the course of his journey and leaves the experiment incomplete in dire frustration. Even when he reaches his destination, the labour involved and the time spent do, not commensurate with the result achievedthe span of human life is so short and the distance to be traversed so lengthy. This process of "trial and error" is another form of cosmic process. Man has, however, not been left in wilderness to find his way out, un-aided by guide or without any signposts on his way. He has been blessed with Divine guidance. If he adopts the course suggested by it straightway, not only is he protected against pitfalls but the time taken to reach the goal also shrinks from cosmic reckoning to human calendar. Fourteen hundred years ago, a group of believers made this experiment most successfully, which, apart from the miraculous results it produced, proved that neither the Quranic Social Order was a utopia nor the programme laid down to establish it was un-workable.Their later generations, however abandoned that course, with the result that they met the same fate as did the past -nations who acted similarly. (This, by the way, is the negative proof of the efficacy of the Divine Law governing the rise and fall of nations). The Divine course is still there and can be taken up by any nation who wishes to reach human destination safely and within the shortest possible time
Say The truth from your Rabb is there ; so let whosoever will accept, and let whosoever will reject (18 29)."
And here is Muhammed Asad, the renowned translator
"I had no illusions as to the present state of affairs in the Muslim world. The 4 years i have spend in those countries had shown me that while Islam was still alive, perceptible in the world-view of its adherents and their silent admission of its ethical premises, they themselves were like people paralyzed, unable to translate their beliefs into fruitfull action. But what concerned me more than the failure of present-day Muslims to implement the scheme of islam were the potentialities of that scheme itself. It was sufficient for me to know that for a short time, quite at the beginning of Islamic history, a succesful attempt HAD been made to translate that scheme into practice; and what had seemed possible at one time might perhaps become really possible at another.
What did it matter, i told myself, that the Muslims had gone astray from the original teachings and subsided into indolence and ignorance? What did it matter that they did not live up to the ideal placed before them by the Arabian Prophet 13 centuries ago-if the ideal itself still lay open to all who were willing to listen to its message?And it might well be, i thought, that we latecomers needed that message even more desperately than did the people of Muhammed's time.
They lived in an enviroment much simpler than ours, and so their problems and difficluties had been much easier of solution. The world in which i was living-the whole of it-was wobbling because of the absence of any agreement as to what is good and what is evil spiritually and, therefor, socially and economically as well. I did not believe that individual man was in need of 'salvation' but i did believe that modern society was in need of salvation. More than any previous time, i felt with mounting certainty, this time of ours wa sin need of an ideological basis for a new social contract it needed a faith that would make us understand the hollowness of materail progress for the sake of progress alone-and nevertherless would give the life of this world its due; that would show us how to strike a balance between our spiritual and physical requirmentsa; and thus save us from the disaster into which we were rushing headlong."Rev E. Stephenson - My Reflections
The message of Mohammad, Islam, is nothing but a blessing for mankindThe usher from darkness to light and from Satan to God.Tor Andre - Muhammad, the Man and His Faith
Islam is a forceful spiritual energy. Its true meaning will manifest itself when it will be implemented on large scale.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - Letter to Eckermann 1830, Sir Henry Elliotts collection, 1865
The teachings of Islam can fail under no circumstances. With all our systems of culture and civilization, we cannot go beyond Islam and, as a matter of fact, no human mind can go beyond the Koran.J. H. Denison - Emotions as the Basis of Civilization
Muhammad saved the human civilization from extinction. Ponder! Which person is it who taught mankind the way to establish the greatest society; the society in which blessings descend upon every individual.Sir George Bernard Shaw - The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936
If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islam.
. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.H. N. Spalding - Civilization in the East and West
Mohammad was the greatest Executive Officer for implementation of the Divine Will. Like other prophets he knew that time will come when all mankind will become one community . In Islam the believer is a worshiper and a soldier ever ready to go to the battlefield but only for that battle which is waged to eradicate the evil.Napoleon Bonaparte as Quoted in Cherfils, Bonaparte et Islam, Paris, France
Moses has revealed the existence of God to his nation. Jesus Christ to the Roman world, Muhammad to the old continent....
Arabia was idolatrous when, six centuries after Jesus, Muhammad introduced the worship of the God of Abraham, of Ishmael, of Moses, and Jesus. The Ariyans and some other sects had disturbed the tranquility of the east by agitating the question of the nature of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Muhammad declared that there was none but one God who had no father, no son and that the trinity imported the idea of idolatry....
I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of Koran which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness.Raymond Lerouge - Life de Mohamet
The Arabian Prophet Mohammad is the founder of a revolution unparalleled in history. He founded a political state that will ultimately embrace the entire planet. The law of that Government would rest on justice and kindness. His teachings revolve around human equality, mutual cooperation and universal brotherhood.Sir Richard Gregory - Religion in Science and Civilization
The Book revealed to Muhammad defines an unalterable guide to individual and collective life of people.Rev. B. Margoliouth - Biographies of Mohammad
The Book revealed to Mohammad is one and unique of its kind. It has left indelible impression on the hearts of humanity. Nothing can overcome its majesty. The Quran has given new dimensions to human thinking.
Surprising reforms, stunning success! . The power that created in Muslims ravenous appetite for knowledge sprung from the Quran.These people have seen the Quran's true liberating power, just as we. God promises that eventually the whole of mankind will see it...
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Peace Arnold,
Thank you for your thought-provoking article. I think that sometimes we make things too complicated for ourselves when the simplest answer is usually the most correct.
Your goals of unity are admirable but impractical and besides the point. What unites us here is not government but seeking the truth. People who are united on other than seeking the truth are worse off by their unity. From a practical point of view, 1939 Germans were united behind Hitler and this didn't help them. So unity is irrelevant while truth is.
I have a couple of comments.
First, if you are going to use crossreference then you need to include a passage like 2226-28. From a practical prespective, how would you invite people (not just the peaceful/"al-muslimin" to this gobal debate? How many people would be interested in debating you? Remember 2227-28 talks about inviting people not intellectuals or only the type of people who would travel hundreds or thousands of miles for a debate. From a practical point of view, what would make people in general travel for thousands of miles to attend your gathering?
My next set of comments are related to the following
2194 You may fight during the Months of Peace and Security if you are attacked, for, a violation of sanctity will activate the Law of Just Retribution. So, the one who attacks you should expect retaliation in like manner. Be mindful of Allah, and know that Allah is with those who walk aright.
95 When the four Sacred Months are over and if the idolaters are still aggressing, (neither becoming law-abiding citizens of the State, nor emigrating), subdue them whichever tribe they may belong to, take them captive, and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent from aggression, and help in the consolidation of the Divine System and in setting up the Just Economic Order of Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Forgiving Merciful (so shall you be).
Isn't this passage saying the exact opposite of the interpretation in brackets? it says YOU MAY FIGHT. Also, isn't fighting if we are attacked what we should do ALL THE TIME. So what 2194 is saying is that there is nothing special about fighting during this period. Unless of course, you are claiming that the peaceful/"almuslimin" should be the agressors in other periods.
Isn't the passage from the beginning of chapter 9 about the god saying that he and his messenger have nothing to do with this treaty that prevents fighting in this specific period? So how come this interpretation now says that it is the god's law not to fight in this period?
936 Allah has ordained twelve months in one year. This has been Allah?s Ordinance since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of these Months are Sacred, forbidden for all warfare. (Mankind, through international treaties, must agree to shun all kind of warfare during these four months. This will give them a cooling off period that sense may prevail over emotions). This is the Firm Religion, the right way. So, do not wrong yourselves by fighting during the Sacred Months. However, you may fight the idolaters in any or all these months if they fight against you in any or all of them (2194). And know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. (Four Sacred Months 2194, 91-5).
To know the 4 months is a long discussion, which will be explained later.
936 doesn't say anything about warfare, treaties, or cooling off.
Peace,
Ayman
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Thank you for your thought-provoking article. I think that sometimes we make things too complicated for ourselves when the simplest answer is usually the most correct.
Salam brother,
Yes, it takes time for people to see the truth. It is the evolution of thinking, it all takes time.
Your goals of unity are admirable but impractical and besides the point. What unites us here is not government but seeking the truth. People who are united on other than seeking the truth are worse off by their unity. From a practical point of view, 1939 Germans were united behind Hitler and this didn't help them. So unity is irrelevant while truth is.
I believe the unity of Truth will be created over time. But if this is done in 100 years or a thousand, I don't know. But I do believe Mankind will be one again.
First, if you are going to use crossreference then you need to include a passage like 2226-28. From a practical prespective, how would you invite people (not just the peaceful/"al-muslimin" to this gobal debate? How many people would be interested in debating you? Remember 2227-28 talks about inviting people not intellectuals or only the type of people who would travel hundreds or thousands of miles for a debate. From a practical point of view, what would make people in general travel for thousands of miles to attend your gathering?
My article was not meant to be complete in explaining the whole Hajj conference. It was more about showing that Hajj does mean Debate/Argument in Quranic Arabic.
Isn't this passage saying the exact opposite of the interpretation in brackets? it says YOU MAY FIGHT. Also, isn't fighting if we are attacked what we should do ALL THE TIME. So what 2194 is saying is that there is nothing special about fighting during this period. Unless of course, you are claiming that the peaceful/"almuslimin" should be the agressors in other periods.
What is meant is that there are 4 months of Peace, if people violate these 4 months of cease-fire, then 2194 kicks in, and we must fight those who do not respect the cease-fire. The cease-fire and Hajj conference are meant to resolve the issue, but if people still fight during the cease-fire/Hajj, then its means they don't want peace. These are clearly the tyrants and must be fought hard against. I will make sure this is stated more clearly in QXP3's edition.
936 doesn't say anything about warfare, treaties, or cooling off.
QXP, which I used here, is a combination of direct translation and explanation of verses through other verses, Tasreef.
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Peace bro "Arnold",
The article is very well except im having a problem how to understand this verse then
Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.
GOD Bless! -
Salaam Jonny, it becomes clear when we translate Salat correctly
Salat as As-sala meant Middle of the back, A horse that is second in a race and is catching up on the first horse, Following closely, Dependence, Adherence, Attachment, Contact, Bond. These meanings can all be found in ancient dictionaries. If we approach the Quranic Goal to be only acknowledging Allah, to be a religious Book focussed on only acknowledging Allah, then it is logical Salat means Prayer. But since it is clear WE are the focus of the Quran, then the meaning becomes totaly different. See
2094 Aaron said, "O Son of my mother! Don't get mad at me, nor treat me harshly. I feared that you would say, You have let the Children of Israel divide into parties and sects."
The Prophet of Allah preferred unity of his people above the right concept of Allah. And thus unity of mankind to create the best society is the goal of Revelation. Believing in One God is creating the correct view on Reality and creates unity. But it is not about pleasing God.
The meaning of Salat is explained in
2441 Do you not realize that Allah, He it is Whom all beings in the heavens and the earth glorify, and the birds, with their wings outspread, as they fly in columns. All of them know their SALAT and TASBEEH (mission and strife). Allah is Aware of what they do to fulfill His Plan.
Tasbeeh means To Strive Hard, To go on a Quest/Mission, To Take Long Strides. Salat's main meaning is To Follow Closely/remain attached.
So in order of the verse, all beings knows what to follow closely to strive hard on their quest, they know their Salat and Tasbeeh.
What do animals follow? Their instinct which tells them how to work the Laws of Nature in the best way so to become the strongest and multiply.
We as humans don't have an instinct on a dominant level. So to follow the Laws of Nature, we must observe them closely. But there are also many Laws we can't observe through Scientific Research. These Laws are explained to us through Revelation. Revelations are Instincts for Mankind to follow voluntarely.
So Salat means to Follow the Divine Laws of Nature and Revelation so we can know how to strive hard on our Quest and Mission. There is a Prayer mentioned, which is always in a gathering/Jumaah, see 4102-105. The prostration and kneeling/bowing, sujood and rukuh, are both meant symbolically and literal.
So now let's translate the verse again
6162 Say,"All my following of the Divine Laws, the ways to discharge them/practice them, my living and my dying are for God alone, the Lord of the Worlds.
The Divine Laws of the Quran are meant to establish a Divine System, the Deen on Earth, so following the Divine Laws, is creating and upholding the Deen. Thus Salat=following the Divine Laws=creating and sustaining the Deen.
And thus you will end up with this meaning
6162 Say, "All my duties to the Divine System, the ways to discharge them, my living and my dying are for God alone, the Lord of the Worlds.So to understand Hajj as Debate Conference fits exactly with 6162 as it is part of creating and sustaining the Deen on Earth. Worship in Islam is done through following His Laws, not through rituals.
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Peace Arnold,
Here are some problems
The Quran says most poeple will not believe but you say that all people will eventually come to believe.
The Quran says that those who believe that hell is temporary (in your scenario war and misery on earth) are deluded in their faith.
Umm means also means a reference point or what someone goes back to. It does not always mean mother. Arabic's words have different meanings in different contexts.
You say that the Quran is a constitution, and is made so that its law can be applied to all people when the Quran calls mankind to become believers and those loyal to God and that the believers and loyal to God are those who rule by God's book. Not all mankind.
Godbless,
Anwar -
Peace Anwer,
No these are not problems in my thinking, these are problems in how you think I interpretate things. Let's explain my view a bit better
The Quran says most poeple will not believe but you say that all people will eventually come to believe.
The Quran says also that eventually people will flock to the Deen and also that it will prevail over all other systems of life.
The Quran says that those who believe that hell is temporary (in your scenario war and misery on earth) are deluded in their faith.
You have 2 states of Hell, one here on Earth, expressed in misery of societies, as for example, and you have a state of existence called Hell in the Next Life. Also the people who believe Hell is temporarely, believe this in a state of denial/kafr, and believe they can come out of Hell while still being in this state of denial/kafr, this is why they will never come out of it.
Umm means also means a reference point or what someone goes back to. It does not always mean mother. Arabic's words have different meanings in different contexts.
I know that Umm also means that, it is more the discussion what we both feel fits the context better.
You say that the Quran is a constitution, and is made so that its law can be applied to all people when the Quran calls mankind to become believers and those loyal to God and that the believers and loyal to God are those who rule by God's book. Not all mankind.
I believe the Quran is meant to be used by the believers, and that mankind will accept them as the Law makers on Earth, it doesn't immediately mean they believe the Laws are Divine, but they will see that they are the best for the societies.
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Peace
Arnold Yasin Salat as As-sala meant Middle of the back, A horse that is second in a race and is catching up on the first horse, Following closely,
I have seen you using this example of horse following another for salat even in other posts where in the Quran can I find the cross reference ?
Arnold Yasin These meanings can all be found in ancient dictionaries.
In which periods were these ancient dictionaries written. Are they pre Quranic ?
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Salaam Arnold
you wrote
But as I have told, these are all man-made ideas on what Allah demands. Allah says in the Quran that WE are the focus.
2094 Aaron said, "O Son of my mother! Don't get mad at me, nor treat me harshly. I feared that you would say, ?You have let the Children of Israel divide into parties and sects." (Moses accepted this explanation since sectarianism is no less a crime than idol worship in any form. Seizing the beard and head pertains to harsh interrogation 7150).
In fact Moses did not accept this explanation. In a following verse 2097, he showed Aaron what he should have done, and proved him wrong, as there was no division amongst banu Israel Moses burned the calf and scattered its particles in the sea.
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Of course he destroyed it, but he could have only destroyed after he showed that this idol was falsehood. People accepted it being destroyed, as otherwise they could have simply rebelled aginst it and killed Moses, but they didn't. This shows that Moses convinced them through logical arguments that their idol was false. The verse doesn't say he disagreed with Aaron, it only says that he destroyed the idol. The destruction is because the people changed themselves and accepted the idol being false. Believing in One Creator is accepting Reality.
When Abraham destroyed the idols, his people still not believed him and persecuted him. Moses remained his status of leadership, this could only be maintained through violence or that he convinced his people. Since violence is out of the question, it means he convinced his people through logic. The Quran is full with logical statements on the image of God.
So Unity of his people was put on top, so he could reform them again to the correct view. Otherwise he would have lost his people and all would be in vain. The people of Moses was liberated so they would be no longer slaves, they were not freed so that they could believe in God alone, this belief can also be sustained while being slaves.
Unity and righteousness of a society is thus the main point for Revelation...
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No these are not problems in my thinking, these are problems in how you think I interpretate things. Let's explain my view a bit better
Quote from progod on Yesterday at 043120 AM
The Quran says most poeple will not believe but you say that all people will eventually come to believe.The Quran says also that eventually people will flock to the Deen and also that it will prevail over all other systems of life.
Quote from progod on Yesterday at 043120 AM
The Quran says that those who believe that hell is temporary (in your scenario war and misery on earth) are deluded in their faith.You have 2 states of Hell, one here on Earth, expressed in misery of societies, as for example, and you have a state of existence called Hell in the Next Life. Also the people who believe Hell is temporarely, believe this in a state of denial/kafr, and believe they can come out of Hell while still being in this state of denial/kafr, this is why they will never come out of it.
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So which is right. idhaa jaaoo ilaa deen afwaajan can also mean If and not when.
Secondly, it says when/if people enter God's religion in crowds. That does not mean all men. That just means alot of people will, or MIGHT. -
Where do you get your idea of two Hells. The Quran only speaks of one and says that it is eternal.
As for those who questioned you about Salaa or Salan. It means the hind part or hock of a horse or any other animal, but especially the horse. From which derived sallaa as to follow right behind. It is like saying 'to hock' or 'to hind' and comes from the context of racing horses but can be applied to following closely or adhering to anything. As for bond. I still doubt this meaning. I have never seen it in any Arabic lexicon, in english/arabic or arabic/arabic.
Godbless,
Anwar -
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peace Pimp, I have to agree with Ayman. This idea of a global debate seems kinda silly. It's too optimistic and too idealistic. Even if there are people from all over the world who want to come and have a debate in a certain location, what will be the outcome of it? Will anyone actually learn?
But if that is what Hajj is, then this forum is your global debate, isn't it? I think the internet makes it very easy. Instead of an annual global debate, we have a constant global debate. -
Peace,
The Quran says that most will not be momin, those that are convinced. I believe that not everyone will believe the Quran is from God, but I do believe they agree with its principals. Just like in Holland we have a Christian government, most people in Holland are not Christians, but they certainly agree with the Christians ideals. The same will be with the Quranic ideals being taken over by non-Muslim countries.
And one of my beliefs is also that Mankind will be one again, although this lays far in the future. First Islamic States will reform themselves, then eventually non-Muslim countries will accept them as arbiters, just like the UN-conventions is now. Hajj is indeed meant for many things. And our discussions are part of them. Hajj is for improvement of society on all levels.
As for Salat, I have studied dictionaries on this, and many ideas can be attained from it. I believe the 'following of the Divine Laws' is the best understanding, but life is a never-ending research...
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Peace,
Very noble but it sounds like this is coming from your hopes and dreams and not from the Quran. Secondly where to you see God's laws in Salat. It one thing to say that it means 'to follow' and another to say that it means 'to follow God's laws.' Don't you think you are adding to waht is said and being a little fanciful.
Godbless,
Anwar