QIBLAH: in the midst of CONFUSION and CORRUPTION (REVISED)
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PEACE ALL
(this article is totally my understanding of the subject)
THE CONFUSION
The fools among the people say "WHAT has (WALLAA -HUM cAN) TURNED THEM AWAY FROM their Qiblah (Focus of attention) (MULTIPLE GODS) which was upon them?" Say To Allah belong both East and West; He GUIDES whom He will to a Way that is straight. 2142
The fools among the people say to those who were PAGANS and believed and followed the messenger that, "WHAT made them (pagans) turn away FROM their gods". The answer to "WHAT' is provided by Allah to the prophet " He GUIDES whom HE will to a way that is straight"
WHY ONLY THE FOOLS among mankind said and WHY NOT all?
And when it is said to them "Believe as the people have believed," they say "Shall we BELIEVE as the FOOLS have believed?" VERILY THEY ARE THE FOOLS, but they know not. 213
In the eyes of the FOOLS, those who BELIEVE are FOOLS; therefore it is they who are saying to the pagans what has TURNED THEM FROM their Qiblah (polytheism)
The "WHAT" is "the GUIDANCE of Allah" that has indeed TURNED the pagans, who followed the messenger, away FROM their gods?
Therefore shun those who (TAWALLAA cAN) TURN AWAY FROM Our Message and desire nothing but the life of this world. 5329
The pagans who TURNED AWAY FROM the polytheism became the believers
Thus have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced that ye might be witnesses over the nations and the Apostle a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qiblah (sect/ creed / faith of Abraham) which you are upon it, only to test those who follows the Apostle from those who would turn on their heels. Indeed it is hard except to those GUIDED by Allah. And never would Allah make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people most surely full of kindness Most Merciful. 2143
After TURNING AWAY the pagans who believed and followed the messenger FROM their Qiblah (multiple gods), Allah appointed a Qiblah (MILLAH IBRAHIM) only to test those who followed the messenger from those who would turn on their heels. It was very hard for those who followed the messenger to follow the sect of Abraham for he was a pure monotheist, except those who were GUIDED by Allah.
And who TURNS AWAY FROM the (MILLAH IBRAHIM) sect of Abraham EXCEPT HIM who BEFOOLS himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. 2130
The FOOLS among the people TURNED AWAY FROM the sect of Abraham (the monotheist)
We have seen the turning of thy FACE to the heaven, so CERTAINLY We shall TURN thee to a Qiblah, which shall please thee. So TURN thy FACE TOWARDS the RESTRICTION of the ACT OF OBEDIENCE; and TURN you (all), wheresoever you (all) are, your FACES TOWARDS IT. And verily those who are given the Book know that it is the truth from their Lord. Allah is not neglectful of that which they Work. 2144
After appointment of the Qiblah (MILLAH IBRAHIM) prophet directed his face to the heaven and Allah turned the prophet to another Qiblah, the Masjid Al Haram which was pleasing / satisfactory to him.
Verily those who disbelieve and keep away from the way of Allah, and the MASJID AL HARAM, which we have APPOINTED FOR THE MANKIND (and) equal are the dedicated in it and the perished and whosoever seeks in it infidelity with oppression We shall taste him of our painful punishment 2225
The Masjid Al Haram is the Qiblah of the Muslims but is appointed for the entire MANKIND?
THE FIRST QIBLAH WAS POLYTHEISM (of pagans) THE SECOND QIBLAH WAS (MONOTHEISM) THE SECT OF ABRAHAM (of the believers) AND THE THIRD QIBLAH WAS MASJID AL HARAM (of all mankind)
How did the people of the Book know that the MASJID AL HARAMt is the truth from their Lord? They knew only through their Books as we know through Quran.
But, if the MASJID AL HARAM was mentioned in their Books, then why prophet Moses and Jesus neglected it? Why they did not pray facing Masjid Al Haraam and followed the sect of Abraham? Surely prophet Moses and Jesus and their followers during their prophet's lifetime followed the sect of Abraham and followed the Masjid Al Haram but we do not know because we follow nothing but conjecture.
Remember there is no command to pray facing the Masid Al Haram and those who believe in this are actually following CONJECTURES.
And most of them FOLLOW nothing but CONJECTURE. Certainly, CONJECTURE can be of no avail against the TRUTH. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. 1036
Even if thou were to bring to the PEOPLE OF THE BOOK all the SIGNS (together) they would not FOLLOW thy Qiblah; nor art thou going to follow their Qiblah; nor indeed will they follow each other's Qiblah. If thou after the knowledge hath reached thee wert to follow their (vain) DESIRES then wert thou indeed (clearly) in the wrong. 2145
THE QIBLAH OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
They say "BECOME JEWS OR CHRISTIANS if ye would be guided (to salvation)." Say thou "Nay! (I would rather) the religion of Abraham the true and he joined not gods with Allah." 2135
The JEWS call UZAIR a SON of Allah and the CHRISTIANS call CHRIST the SON of Allah. That is a saying from their mouths; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them how they are deluded away from the truth! 930
They take their PRIESTS and their MONKS as their LORDS besides Allah and also the CHRIST the son of Mary; Yet they were COMMANDED to WORSHIP but ONE Allah there is no god but He. Praise and glory to him (far is He) from having the partners they associate (with him). 931
Their Qiblah (focus of attention) is their invented JUDAISM and CHRISTIANITY, UZAIR and JESUS as the SONS of Allah, their PRIESTS and MONKS as their LORD.
The Muslim believers focus of attention is the sect of Abraham, the monotheist. The Muslims are not supposed to follow their Qiblah and the people of the Book will not follow the Muslim's Qiblah, and they will not follow each other's Qiblah (UZAIR and JESUS as the SONS of god)
THE SIGNS
Or do ye say that ABRAHAM ISMAIL ISAAC JACOB and the TRIBES were JEWS or CHRISTIANS? Say Do ye know better than Allah? Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do! 2140
O people of the Book! Why do you dispute about ABRAHAM, whereas the Taurat and the Injil were not sent down save after him! Will ye not then under stand? Verily, you are those who have disputed about that of which you have knowledge. Why do you then dispute concerning that which you have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows, and you know not. ABRAHAM WAS NEITHER A JEW NOR A CHRISTIAN but he was true in faith and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam) and he joined not gods with Allah. 364/66/67
If the people of the Book were given the above signs about Abraham they would never believe, except that Abraham was a JEW / CHRISTIAN and follow their own Qiblah, and the Muslims believe that ABRAHAM was a pure monotheist and was neither a JEW nor a CHRISTIAN
THE DESIRES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
They say "BECOME JEWS OR CHRISTIANS if ye would be guided (to salvation)." Say thou "Nay! (I would rather) the religion of Abraham the true and he joined not gods with Allah." 2135
Their desire of the people of the Book is that the followers of the prophet should become JEWS or CHRISTIANS so that they may be guided.
The people of the Book know this as they know their own sons; but some of them conceal the truth, which they themselves know. 2146
The parents know their children because they are with them since their birth, in the same breadth the people of the Book knew their Qiblah as it was associated with their lives and were ruled by it and it was mentioned in their Books.
A physical building is never the TRUTH, and the people of the Book, who have never been to MECCA and in the absence of CAMERA and TELEVISION, would NEVER KNOW the PHYSICAL MASJID AL HARAM, which was NOT THERE during the period of the prophet and before.
THE CORRUPTION
And FROM wheresoever (KHARAJTA) you GO FORTH turn thy face towards the restriction of the act of compliance; that is indeed the truth from thy Lord. And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do. 2149
So FROM wheresoever (KHARAJTA) you GO FORTH turn thy face towards the restriction of the act of compliance; and wheresoever you (all) are turn your faces towards it lest there be no plea against you among the people except those of them that are wrong-doers; so fear them not but fear Me; and that I may complete My favors on you and ye may (consent to) be guided. 2150
There is no COMMAND to pray FACING the Masjid Al Haram
Has any Muslim ever pondered over the two separate commands?
The command to the prophet FROM WHERESOEVER you GO FORTH turn your face towards the Masjid Al Haram
The command to the believers WHERESOEVER YOU ARE, then turn your faces towards the Masjid Al Haram
SO FROM WHERESOEVER (KHARAJTA) YOU (PROPHET) go forth (into battle) / to attack / to rise / fight (against) / to rebel, to revolt (against) / exit / emerge / come out / depart / leave / retire / exude / effuse / project / stick out / dismount / alight / disembark / get out / step out / emanate / issue / arise / originate / draw away / segregate / separate / secede / dissent / disagree / depart / expel / dislodge / evict / drive / exile THEN TURN YOUR FACE TOWARDS THE MASJID AL HARAM.
The most appropriate meaning of KHARAJ is go forth (into battle) / to attack / to fight (against)
And if they had intended to (KHUROJ) GO FORTH, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)." Had they (KHARAJO) GONE FORTH with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among you, and there are some among you who would have listened to them. And Allah is the All-Knower of the Zalimun 946/47
Had it been a near gain (booty in front of them) and an easy journey, they would have followed you, but the distance (Tabuk expedition) was long for them, and they would swear by Allah, "If we only could, we would certainly have (KHARAJ) COME FORTH with you." They destroy their ownselves, and Allah knows that they are liars. 942
THE MASJID AL HARAM EXPLAINED
EXCEPT THOSE OF THE MUSHRIKON with whom you have a TREATY, and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their TREATY to them to the end of their term. Surely Allah loves the God fearing 94
But when the FORBIDDEN months are past then FIGHT and slay the pagans WHEREVER ye find them and seize them beleaguer them and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent and EXECUTE THE COMMITMENTS (uphold the treaty of peace) and bring forth the purity then open the way for them for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. 94
If one amongst the pagans ask thee for ASYLUM grant it to him so that he may hear the word of Allah and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge. 96
How can there be a TREATY with Allah and with His Messenger for the polytheist EXCEPT those with whom you made a TREATY upon the Restrictions of the act of compliance (no fighting while there is a treaty). So long, AS THEY ARE TRUE TO YOU, stand you true to them. Verily, Allah loves the God fearing 97
And kill them WHEREVER you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And do not FIGHT NOT THEM when in the RESTRICTION of the act of compliance unless they (first) fight you in it. BUT IF THEY ATTACK YOU, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers 2191
Whencesoever or Wheresoever there is a fight the focus of attention of the believer should be towards the RESTRICTION of the act of compliance (fighting). There should be no fight in the RESTRICTED or PROHIBITED months unless attacked by the enemies first. There should be no fight with the disbelievers with whom the believers have treaty of peace, except as long as they are true to it and no fighting without any valid reason.
The fighting is prescribed to the believers and when executed it is an act of compliance, but restrictions are attached to this act of compliance no fighting in the four prohibited months and no fighting with those with whom there is a treaty of peace.
But what plea have they that Allah should not PUNISH them when they KEEP AWAY FROM the Restriction of the act of obedience and they are not its PROTECTORS / PATRONS / SUPPORTERS? NO ONE can be its PROTECTOR / PATRON / SUPPORTER except the RIGHTEOUS / GOD FEARING but most of them do not understand. 834
Righteous and God-fearing people do not protect any physical building but armed bodyguards. HOW ALL MUSLIMS OF THE WORLD WHO ARE RIGHTEOUS, COULD PROTECT THE MASJID AL HARAM, WHICH IS LOCATED IN MECCA? IS IT POSSIBLE?
HOW COULD the BELIEVERS and the DISBELIEVERS PROTECT the PHYSICAL MASJID AL HARAM, which was non-existent at the time of the prophet and before?
But what pleas have they that Allah should not PUNISH them while they KEEP AWAY (men) FROM the Restriction of the act of obedience and they are not its SUPPORTERS? NO ONE can be its SUPPORTER except the RIGHTEOUS / GOD FEARING but most of them do not understand. 834
Any Muslim who is righteous and WHERESOEVER he is can support the restriction of the act of compliance (fighting) but cannot support the physical building WHERESOEVER he is.
Alif-Lam-Ra. (This is) a Book, the VERSES whereof are PERFECTED, and THEN EXPLAINED IN DETAIL from One (Allah), Who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted 111
If the VERSES are PERFECT and EXPLAINED in DETAIL then where is the explanation in DETAIL that the Muslims should face MASJID AL HARAM while PRAYING. Where is the explanation in DETAIL that the MASJID AL HARAM is a PHYSICAL building in which PRAYERS are offered?
FOLLOW that which is sent down toward you from your Lord, and FOLLOW NOT ANY PATRONS / SUPPORTERS / FRIENDS beside Him; yet little ye are admonished. 73
And most of them FOLLOW nothing but CONJECTURE. Certainly, CONJECTURE can be of no avail against the TRUTH. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. 1036
thanks
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peace Hafeez,
have you ever thought of writing your own translation? I've seen the extreme dedication you put in your work in exposing the Arab Religion and I believe you could do it easily, nice job though with these verses, my interpretation of it though is that the messenger had been following the physical quibla of the Jews and Christians which is Jerusalem, then he stopped and was searching for another quibla and God set him on the nonphysical quibla of the institution of hearing and obeying the forbidden (al masjid al haram)
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Salaams Id,All,
Just a quick glance.
I totally agree with Id,There are just two qiblas,the one the jews are following ,after deviating from the original qibla,which i think was the same to all the messengers of Allah - wasn't it?The same Deen i think it says was handed to all of them.
And the one we are supposed to follow ,Masjid al haram.
Salaams hafeez,Thanks.
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Peace brother Idris and mz357
(nothing to argue, nothing to debate it is just a sharing of knowledge)
Thanks for your comments on the subject. My intention is not to translate the whole Quran because that will consume all my time and I will have less time or no time to devote to other important issues which directly or indirectly affects our faith and practice and which if not understood correctly may render invalid our good deeds and thus make us the owners of Hell.
If I believe that gold and silk are banned for male Muslims, then I am disobeying Allah by following the Hadith.
Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto you from your Lord and follow not any friends or protectors other than Him. Little it is ye remember of admonition. 73
I did not understand this verse perfectly until I found the correct interpretation of word FOLLOW in LONGMAN'S and OXFORD DICTIONARY.
Accept the instructions and act according to the revelation given unto you from your Lord and DO NOT accept instructions and act according to any PATRONS / FRIEND / SUPPORTER other than HIM. 73
I will not argue with you on the Qiblah whether the first Qiblah was Jerusalem or not, but would rather try to convince you of my interpretation with some logical questions.
Do you find any verse commanding the Muslims to pray facing Jerusalem NO
Do you find any verse commanding the Muslims to pray facing Masjid Al Haram NO
Do you find any verse commanding the people of the Book to pray facing Jerusalem NOWe do not find in the Quran but in Hadith. So we are following conjecture and Hadith. On the contrary we find that Moses and his people were commanded to MAKE their houses in Egypt as their Qiblah (focus of attention).
Why there is a need to change from a physical Qiblah to a non-physical Qiblah? The change for a physical Qiblah would always be physical and not non physical. The switchover from the Book (Taurat) to another was a Book (Injil) and the switchover from the Book (Injil) to another was a Book (Quran).
Even if thou wert to bring to the people of the Book all the signs (together) they would not FOLLOW thy Qiblah; nor art thou going to FOLLOW their Qiblah; nor indeed will they FOLLOW each other's Qiblah . If thou after the knowledge hath reached thee wert to FOLLOW their (vain) desires then wert thou indeed (clearly) in the wrong. 2145
FOLLOW go or come after, go along, come next in order or time, practise, UNDERSTAND, take as a guide, take interest in (OXFORD)
FOLLOW to go after someone, to come after something, to go in the same direction as a road, path, river, to pay attention to something and take an interest in it as it develops, to UNDERSTAND something clearly, to accept someone's instructions, advice, example, and act according to it. (LONGMAN'S)
FOLLOWER supporter, devotee, person who follows (OXFORD)
FOLLOWER an admirer or SUPPORTER of person, belief, or cause. (LONGMAN'S)Even if thou wert to bring to the people of the Book all the signs (together) they would not (TABIcO) (FOLLOW) UNDERSTAND thy focus of attention; (MILLAH ABRAHAM /RESTRICTION OF THE ACT OF COMPLIANCE) nor art thou a (TAABIc) FOLLOWER of their Qiblah; and they are not (TAABIc) FOLLOWER of each other's focus of attention . If thou after the knowledge hath reached thee wert to (ITTABAc) ACCEPT INSTRUCTIONS AND ACT ACCORDING to their DESIRES then wert thou indeed (clearly) in the wrong. 2145
TABAc = FOLLOW
TAABIc = FOLLOWERNO ONE IN THIS WORLD CAN FOLLOW A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE MAY BE IT A JERUSALEM MOSQUE OR MASJID AL HARAM
Could you please explain me how shall I FOLLOW a stone building?
Could you please explain me how shall I be a FOLLOWER of a stone building?SOME VERSES ON THE MILLAH ABRAHAM (SECT OF ABRAHAM)
Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou FOLLOW their (MILLAH) SECT. Say "The guidance of Allah that is the (only) guidance." Wert thou to FOLLOW their desires after the knowledge, which hath reached thee then wouldst thou find neither protector nor helper against Allah. 2120
And they say, "BE JEWS OR CHRISTIANS, then you will be guided." Say "Nay, (We follow) only the SECT of ABRAHAM, the upright, and he was not of Al-Mushrikun " 2135
And who TURNS AWAY FROM the SECT of ABRAHAM except him who BEFOOLS himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. 2130
Say "Allah speaks the truth FOLLOW the SECT of ABRAHAM the upright; he was not of Al-Mushrikun " 395
Who can be better in the SYSTEM than one who submits his whole self to Allah does good and FOLLOWS the SECT of ABRAHAM the upright? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend. 4125
Say thou as for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path, a right SYSTEM, the SECT of ABRAHAM, the upright, and he was not of the Al-Mushrikun. 6161
Afterwards We inspired unto thee FOLLOW thou the SECT of ABRAHAM the upright; and he was not of the Al-Mushrikun. 16123
Thanks.
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Salaams Hafeez,
Although i am almost 99% sure from the context of the verses of sura 2,The Qibla as you have pointed out is not a physical in this sura ,it is the scriptures and the knowledge they are following or should follow.My main discrepancy i think was my previous belief ,the facing of mecca and from that we all assume the previose qibla to be Jeruselam - BUT NO WHERE IS IT MENTIONED BY NAME i think ,Layth should see that ,and the context of the sura is the other main pointer in what the qibla is the ilm-the knowledge,and what Allah is talking about.We shouldn't tap into our belief section of our minds or rather the hadith sections or we will be at a loss,so simply look to the context of the verses.
Salaams .
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Peace Idris, Hafeez, MZ,
I think that those are all good points made here about "qibla"/target/destination.
Another interesting thing to note is the response given to the foolish people who questioned the turning away from the first "qibla"/target.
say "To The God is the east and the west, He guides whom He wills to a straight path."
This response can also be understood in light of 2115 and 2177.
We are not told anything about the first "qibla"/target except that it was a physical "qibla"/target because of the reference to the physical directions to east and west. Notice that this first physical "qibla" is put in contrast to the non-physical straight path.
Why are we not told where the first physical "qibla"/target was? Because it doesn't matter where it was and those who attempt to face a physical "qibla" are not in TRUTH facing it. Their physical "qibla" is only in their imagination due to the spherical nature of the earth. Hence, any attempt to face a physical structure below the horizon is in fact an aimless gaze into the sky. Moreover, because the earth is constantly turning, one's direction is actually turning randomly in the sky. This is exactly the situation that the prophet was not satisfied with and that is described in 2144
Indeed We see the turning of your direction in the sky
We are told in 2144, 2145-146, and 2149 that "al-masjid al-haram" is THE TRUTH FROM OUR LORD.
The book is also described in many signs as the TRUTH FROM OUR LORD.
Thus as Hafeez correctly indicated, those who were given the book KNOW "al-masjid al-haram".
We can also see that "al-masjid al-haram" and the book are closely related.
We are told about the forbidden in the book. You see the book is not just some theoretical book. The institution of the hearing and obeying of the forbidden ("al-masjid al-haram") is the actual implementation of the book.
Peace and all best wishes,
Ayman.
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peace Hafeez,
I think you misunderstood what I was saying Hafeez, I was suggesting that the prophet turned from the physical quibla he used to be on to the nonphysical quibla of "the institution of hearing and obeying the forbidden" (al masjid al haram), read Ayman's explanation, I agree with him in this regard after reading his debate with Layth on this subject
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Peace be upon you,
I also agree with Ayman.
The journey is WITHIN, that is why Musa was told to remove his shoes, he was not going to need them for this journey