Nearness and Guidance -> Knowledge and Wisdom = Peace and Prosperity
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Lesson on 'Nearness and Guidance' part 1
Now that the topic from Nearness and Guidance until the blessing of Peace and Prosperity is explained quite thoroughly let us focus on specific parts of the topic. Let us take a lesson in what we shall do to begin on our path towards God.
Before we start let us see the circle of Faith again
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On this lesson let us have The Book (Qur'an) speak for us because the answer is in it, the Message, from God allegedly revealed in the 7th century AD. It was known before this age (the Message), but finally mankind had a direct narration from God in their hands which can make other sources redundant. As we saw in my post with the title 'The Ten Commandments in The Book (Qur'an)', the "so-called" Mosaic Law remains within The Book and hence the Bible is basically only necessary as a historical source of information.
I will not nag on about any rituals or specifics how to perform the commanded practices The Book speaks about and I highly doubt that there are such specifics ever decreed for the Believers. However, I do not exclude the wishes of the individual Believer to physically prostrate to God or any other righteous movement because I see that as something between a man or a woman before their God. But we ought to see what The Book actually says about prayers by highlighting "verses" talking about this practice. Whenever we do this thing it has an intricate meaning to establish a connection to God and the Arabic word we know for this called "salah" means just this thing. People have invented more meanings to a word that is pretty simple in syllables to mean more than it actually does. You cannot have such a short word alone mean more than something relatively simple, or it would be against logic. God does not do magic or expect us to understand a word only if it was a complicated meaning kept through history. Salah does not mean more than what one can expect it to do even if it vary slightly in wording in English, i.e. connection, bond, tie, 'Communion'.
Let us return to the topic and that is what gives us 'Nearness and Guidance', i.e. what brings us closer to God and on a straight path. I will quote a sentence from The Book
7205
• And remember your Lord within yourself, in humility and in reverence; and without loudness in words, during the morning and the evening. And do not be of the careless ones.
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And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless. *- I used Sahih because some people may think that 'the Free-Minds group' twists the passages of The Book.
We ought to ponder about these words and how we perceive our Communion with God. There are other sections of The Book that says that during daylight this time we are given respite for our daily hunt to survive. I would say that we should remain constant in our remembrance of God and The Lord should be with us in every action and decision that we take during the day. But the Communion itself, i.e. salah, is purely about establishing a link or connection to God and does not mean more than that. Forget that it means prayer because a prayer is when you wish for something and want a moment of talk with the Maker, for example, you call out upon the Lord for a certain event to take place or change or whatever you would like to happen. With strong Faith (big portion of the Holy Spirit resides in you) and by the Will of The Lord then a call unto the Lord may change things, even though often subtly so you should never expect food to rain from heaven, even though it could happen. If you believe it could happen if the Lord wills then you have a strong Faith. The Lord is always with you and thus you can always express something right out in the air even if it would appear crazy. This is what can make people ridicule you if you do it at any time of the day as in this verse
558 And if you call to the Communion, they take it for mockery and play. That is because they are a people who do not comprehend.
Without really being any expert at Arabic I see that this verse is not properly interpreted. A problem for a Believer is that people may think you are mentally ill for talking to yourself while you are speaking to The Lord who is always listening.
And you can call unto God using many different names as long as they are righteous. And when you call unto the Lord you shall probably restrain your anger for example that you do not scream, but do not be so shy as to whisper. This can be the reason why people would ridicule you as in the above example.
17110 Say ?Call on God or call on the Almighty; by whichever you call on, to Him are the best names.? And do not be too loud in making your contact prayer, nor too quiet; but seek a path in between.
From the prominent examples of communication with the Lord we seem to be expected to use our speech and not only think your glorification and remembrance of The Lord. It also implies in other parts that such communication has a purpose more than only parroting phrases because you need to know what you are saying
443 O you who believe, do not come near the Communion while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Clean people (in spirit) will understand the above command to clean yourself physically before calling unto the Lord because it will then turn obvious. It ought to mean being clean at any moment of your life because there are many occasions including Communion. For example here
5106 O you who believe, witnessing shall be done if death is approaching one of you and a will is being made, by two among you who are equitable. If you have gone forth in the land, and death is approaching, then any two may suffice - if you have doubt regarding them, then detain them after making the Communion, and they will swear by God ?We will not purchase with it any price, even if it was from a near relative, and we will not conceal the testimony of God, else we are of the sinners.?
So why do these people communicate with God prior to giving testimony?
Communion during the day seem to be allowed in a improvised way while performing another action such as driving or walking. Compared to the ritualists I rather think that it means that you perform the communication with The Lord while doing something else simultaneously. Best is of course to stop the vehicle and then focus on The Lord exclusively without concentrating on something else. Perhaps in the way of the person performing it, some kneel or some prostrate but with absolute concentration on the Communion. See the verse talking about Communion while doing other things
2239 But if you are fearful, then you may do so while walking or riding. If you become secure, then remember God as He has taught you what you did not know.
We can argue what "fearful" means in this situation, but it can probably be that you need to perform your duties without stopping in fear of the boss might fire you or that are not strong in Faith yet that people may ridicule you if you perform Communion in public that you rather do it in your car in the street.
999
• And from the Nomads are those who believe in God and the Last Day, and he looks upon what he spends to make him closer to God, and the communications of the messenger. It indeed makes them closer. God will admit them in His mercy; God is Forgiving, Merciful.
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But among the bedouins are some who believe in Allah and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allah and of invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allah will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.•
But some of the desert Arabs believe in Allah and the Last Day, and look on their payments as pious gifts bringing them nearer to Allah and obtaining the prayers of the Messenger. Aye, indeed they bring them nearer (to Him) soon will Allah admit them to His Mercy for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.Red The Free-Minds translation says Contact Prayers here.
It is obvious that salah is simply communication, a bond or as simple as I put it Communion, that you can understand something through intuition as if you always knew it even if you connected to The Lord and focused and commemorated Him that He blessed you with understanding.
Communions have an intricate meaning and especially a meaningful one. It is more than simply parroting phrases at a prayer mat. It is about obtaining active Guidance from The Lord by calling unto Him at every possible moment. We have many examples of when people of the Lore call unto the Lord. The response to a Communion, an expressed wish or generated Guidance, Knowledge or Wisdom is often gradual and therefore we ought to be steadfast as God says. But God responds to prayers as He pleases as we can see in this example
2822 And as he traveled towards Midyan, he said ?Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the right path.?
2823 When he arrived at the watering hole of Midyan, he found a crowd of people watering, and he found two women waiting on the side. He said ?What is holding you back.? They said ?We cannot draw water until the shepherds finish, and our father is an old man.?
2824 So he drew water for them, then he turned to a shaded area, and he said ?My Lord, I am poor, lacking any provisions You may have sent down.?
2825 So one of the two women approached him, shyly, and said ?My father invites you to reward you for watering for us.? So when he came to him, and told to him the stories, he said ?Do not fear, for you have been saved from the wicked people.?Red I.e. he went off to a remote location and performed a Communion seeking Guidance from The Lord.
Green Moses expressed wishes verbally with God as the recipient. This is Communion.He said some words that God may guide him straight and he soon came to a test of his Faith which he passed. Together with passing the test and also not forgetting to calling unto The Lord; God blessed him as you see in the last verse above.
This, stated above, is seeking Nearness and Guidance through Communion. I hope it helps clarifying what I have written about earlier in this thread.
See this that may hint that Moses was in a monogamous lifestyle. Some people advocate that The Book allows polygamy, but this is rarely the case among the Prophets and Messengers of old with the exception of Muhammad (and perhaps Solomon in the hearsay even if The Book does not reveal it). Apart from that only unrighteous people such as Pharaoh has multiple wives.
2827 He said ?I wish you to marry one of my two daughters, on condition that you work for me through eight pilgrimage periods; if you complete them to ten, it will be voluntary on your part. I do not wish to make this matter too difficult for you. You will find me, God willing, of the righteous.?
Note that Jacob, in another story, had two wives according to the hearsay in the Old Testament, but it was in that narration because he was promised Rachel for serving Laban seven years but was given Leah instead, and then served another seven years for Rachel. The narration seems pretty strange however if one takes the time to read it. And if we see the text we can observe that Jacob did not treat the women equally, because he originally did only want to marry one of them. He felt obliged to keep Leah. Not sure we can depend on the hearsay of the Bible though because it is often as reliable as hadith of Muhammad.
Sorry for the slip into another topic. I only felt the argue to point it out while reading these verses from chapter 28.
2267 For every nation We have established rites which they are to fulfill. So do not let the matter fall into dispute. And call upon your Lord, for you are on a guidance which is straight.
2186 And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
339 So the angels called to him while he was standing, making contact, in the temple enclosure ?God gives you glad tidings of John, authenticating the word from God, and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the upright.?
Red Admit it. Zachariah was performing a Communion. And he must have implored the Lord in his wordings to get a son.
I hope to have started to break the big myth about salah/Communion/communication with The Lord.
Next post I will try to discuss the disputed "prayer timings". Personally, I have two obvious timings that barely need discussing and that is morning and evening, but there is a trouble with justifying the prayers/communions during daylight. I am certain that there is Communion between dawn and dusk however, but that it has no fixed timing. If you forget remembrance of God for the whole day after the morning it seems negative as in the case of Solomon and his horses.
Time to end the day.
God bless you
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Lesson on 'Nearness and Guidance' part 2
(When?)
At any time
2186 And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
2120 They glorify in the night and the day, they do not cease.
4138 So, if they become arrogant, then those who are with your Lord glorify Him night and day, and they never despair.
Dawn and dusk
The Book is mainly talking about glorification repeatedly throughout the narration at dawn and dusk. This appears to be the only ritual-like practice for those who believe. However, there is another event in the afternoon as we shall soon see.
341 He said ?My Lord, make for me a sign.? He said ?Your sign is not to speak to the people for three days except by symbol, and remember your Lord greatly, and glorify at dusk and dawn.?
652 And do not turn away those who call on their Lord at dawn and dusk seeking His face; you are not responsible for their judgment, nor are they responsible for your judgment; if you turn them away, then you will be of the wicked.
7205 And remember your Lord within yourself, in humility and in reverence; and without loudness in words, during the morning and the evening. And do not be of the careless ones.
1778 Hold the Communion till the setting of the sun; to the murkiness of the night; and the Qur?an at dawn - the Qur?an at dawn is witnessed spectacular.
Red The current understanding of Qur'an is rendering the interpretation ridiculous. It is not even al-quran but quran, i.e. not definite article. Recitation at dawn could work better in that case as in reciting hymns etc. Hymns are a good way of glorifying The Lord as even Angels sing songs of praise.
1828 And have patience upon yourself regarding those who call on their Lord at dawn and dusk seeking His face, and let not your eyes overlook them that you seek the beauty of this worldly life. And do not obey he whom We have made his heart heedless of Our remembrance and he followed his desire, and his fate was lost.
1911 So he went out among his people from the temple enclosure, and he indicated to them that they should glorify Him at dawn and dusk.
2436 In homes that God has permitted to be raised, and His name mentioned in them. He is glorified therein in the mornings and the evenings.
2458 O you who believe, let those among you who are maintained by your oaths, and those who have not attained puberty, request your permission regarding three times before the dawn Communion, and when you put off your garments from the noon time, and after the evening Communion. These are three private times for you. Other than these times, it is not wrong for you or them to intermingle with one another. God thus clarifies the revelations for you. And God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
3017 So glory be to God, when you retire and when you wake.
3342 And glorify Him morning and evening.
3818 We commissioned the mountains to glorify with him, at dusk and dawn.
4055 So be patient, for the promise of God is true, and seek forgiveness for your sin, and glorify and praise your Lord evening and morning.
489 That you may believe in God and His messenger, and that you may support Him, honor Him, and glorify Him, morning and evening.
5248 You shall be patient for the judgment of your Lord, for you are in Our sights; and glorify the praise of your Lord when you rise.
7625 And remember the name of your Lord morning and evening.
Afternoon?
It is strange for a devoted servant of God to think that there is no commemoration of God through the whole day after the morning glorification, but there are hints at certain elements. Nevertheless, morning and evening are clearly the most important glorification moments of the day as seen above that they are repeated many times throughout The Book.
20130 So be patient to what they are saying and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and at the approach of the night - you shall glorify - and at parts of the day, perhaps you may be content.
Note Be aware of "at parts of the day". There is hinted at spontaneous communions whenever we like.
5039 So be patient to what they are saying, and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting.
Nights
God does not mean that you shall never sleep and stay awake all nights but this is clarified in a certain chapter.
317 The patient, and the truthful, and the dutiful, and the givers, and the seekers of forgiveness in the late hours of the night.
1779 And from the night, as an addition, you shall reflect upon it for yourself, perhaps your Lord would grant you a station that is praiseworthy.
5040 And from the night glorify Him, and after prostrating.
5249 Also from the night glorify Him, and at the fading of the stars.
7626 And from the night you shall prostrate to Him and praise Him throughout.
Specification of nightly communication
732 Stand the night except for a little.
733 Half of it, or a little less than that.
734 Or a little more, and arrange the Qur?an in its arrangement.736 The time of the night is more effective and better for study.
737 For you have many duties during the day.7320 Your Lord knows that you rise a little less than two thirds of the night, and half of it, and one third of it; and a group of those who are with you. And God measures the night and the day. He knows that you will not be able to keep-up, so He pardons you. So read what is made easy of the Qur?an. He knows that there will be sick among you, and others that go forth in the land seeking from the bounty of God, and others who are fighting in the cause of God, so read what you can of it. And hold the communication and contribute towards purification and lend God a loan of righteousness. And whatever you put forth yourselves, you will find it with God, for it is better and a greater reward. And seek the forgiveness of God, for God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Conclusion
There are only two utterly important occasions during the day to perform one's Communion, although we can see that the devout will also glorify during daylight hours. Nights are for meditation, thinking and reflection upon creation.
God bless you
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Lesson on 'Nearness and Guidance' part 3
Let us investigate the disputed word that is commonly translated into "contact prayer" (salah) and see that it is a communication taking place between the person performing it as in this case where Shu'ayb is told this
1187 They said ?O Shu?ayb, does your contact prayer order you (?) that we leave what our fathers served, or that we do not do with our money as we please? It seems only you are the compassionate, the wise!?
It implies that information is thought of being channeled down to the communicator, in this case Shu'aub. It breaks the myth of being a brain-dead uniform ritual. Thus you can say that the word in the verse with Zachariah, (aldduAAai), could as well be a part of a contact prayer, or as-salat. If you keep holding fast to the salah being a ritual where you aimlessly parrot verses from The Book or so then... keep reading and I will, God willing, intensify my attempts at convincing you. This is my duty from The Lord.
See that I have not done this because I master Arabic but because I enable my logic and God has blessed me with understanding. It can be done with the help of all the tools of understanding the Arabic passages and then simply through a deep analysis of the simple facts in their contexts, or logical deduction. Putting ALL instances of salat into testing and we can see that it can impossibly mean a stereotypical brainless ritual because as proven before in the thread it means that you can kill people unless they perform it and even birds perform them (!). But when you talk about channeling inspiration in a kind of communicative practice then it all makes sense. The birds perform it without any choice and they simply do it automatically. But for us humans is can come semi-automatically through channeling inspiration that we take the right life decisions and judgments. No wonder why salat is told to be done before giving testimony
5106 O you who believe, witnessing shall be done if death is approaching one of you and a will is being made, by two among you who are equitable. If you have gone forth in the land, and death is approaching, then any two may suffice - if you have doubt regarding them, then detain them after making the Communion, and they will swear by God ?We will not purchase with it any price, even if it was from a near relative, and we will not conceal the testimony of God, else we are of the sinners.?
So Communion can be sort of translated into prayer although so much more than only parroting verses but full-fledged communication.
2945 Recite what is inspired to you of the Message and hold the Communion, for the Communion prohibits immorality and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do.
When you communicate and seek inspiration from God then you can prevent immorality because your eyes are opened due to your daily questions for Guidance to the right decisions in life. Simply monotonously bowing and kneeling down does not on its own help with that. We have many cases with Communion done by the servants of God in the past as previously presented to you by me where they ask God for Guidance in various situations.
Despite all the talk about Communion not being a ritual it is generally practiced under formal conditions. We have various verses that mean you ought to be concentrated and focused while performing it
2238 Maintain the Communion; and the middle Communion; and stand for God dutifully.
2239 But if you are fearful, then you may do so while walking or riding. If you become secure, then remember God as He has taught you what you did not know.Red Translation disputed and I leave it be.
There is an example where Moses went away to an isolated place and undoubtedly performed a Communion under formal conditions
2824 So he drew water for them, then he turned to a shaded area, and he said ?My Lord, I am poor, lacking any provisions You may have sent down.?
Result of Communion
313 A guide and a mercy for (2) the good doers.
314 Those who (1) hold the Communion, and (2) contribute towards purification and (3) regarding the Hereafter they are certain.
315 These are on a guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful ones.The communication with The Lord causes them to be on Guidance because God actively guides them in real time with backup of all the good deeds that they are able to perform with the channeled inspiration.
4060 And your Lord said ?Call on Me and I will respond to you.? Surely, those who are too arrogant to serve Me, they will enter Hell, humbled.
4226 And those that believe and do good works respond to Him, and He increases for them His blessings. As for the rejecters, they have incurred a severe retribution.
What do you think He responds to? Yes very correct; The Lord responds to the Communion of His servants by giving them blessings. And response can be by obeying orders that are channeled down to you through inspiration as per 1187 (?O Shu?ayb, does your contact prayer order you...?) and in return God will reward you with blessings, understanding and so on.
Do you still think that Communion is a brainless ritual? Enjoying yourself?
2186 And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
1088 And Moses said ?Our Lord, you have given Pharaoh and his commanders adornments and wealth in this worldly life so that they will misguide from Your path. Our Lord, wipe out their wealth and bring grief to their hearts; for they will not believe until they see the painful retribution.?
1089 He said ?Your call has been responded to, so keep straight and do not follow the path of those who do not know.?Red Communion with their wish.
Purple Response - Wish granted
Green When God responds He expects continued devotion to His cause2189 And Zachariah when he called out to his Lord ?My Lord, do not leave me without an heir, and You are the best inheritor.?
2190 So We responded to him, and We granted him John, and We cured his wife. They used to (2) hasten to do good, and they would (1) call to Us in joy and in fear. And of Us they (1) were reverent.
2191 And the one who protected her chastity, so We blew into her from Our Spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds.
2192 This is your nation, one nation, and I am your Lord so serve Me.Face it; Communion is communication with The Lord, and on an intellectual level.
I suppose this rounds up Nearness and Guidance' and we know the basics of what there is to know about it.
And actually one more input actually connected to the last post (part 2) and prayer timings
3831 When, before evening, well trained horses were displayed before him.
3832 He said ?I have enjoyed materialism more than I enjoyed the remembrance of my Lord; until it had set beyond the horizon!?The horses were presented to him before nightfall which infers that he was not forgetful of the Communion in the morning/dawn but it was when those horses were presented to him presumably some time during the day. Dawn Communion is difficult to forget about as it is the first thing you do when you wake up so it is hard to believe that that is it. It may be related to the "Middle Communion", which can be done while riding and walking if necessary.
We also know
20130 So be patient to what they are saying and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and at the approach of the night - you shall glorify - and at parts of the day, perhaps you may be content.
With this in mind I am confident to say that Communion is something to be done frequently throughout the day.
God bless you
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Summary of 'Nearness and Guidance'
Let us summarize the last three lessons on this important part of our Faith.
• What is Communion (salah)? - Simply communication or connection with The Lord that we perform frequently
• When do we establish Communion? - Explicitly at mornings and evenings, with timings given even by name (as-salat al-fajr and as-salat al-isha). Less clear is a definite timing for the day but seems to be a frequency of communication, however the "wusta" (middle) prayer indicates a singular (ِ *
• Why Communion? - "for the Communion prohibits immorality and vice" - You seek for Guidance when you perform a Communion as in the examples previous shown to you by me as well as obviously bringing a Nearness between you and your Lord.
| 2238 Maintain the Communions; and the middle Communion; and stand for God dutifully. |
After the "and" (و in the beginning of the sentence both the clause from that verse and the next seem to belong to each other despite the separation.| 2239 But if you are fearful, then you may do so while walking or riding. If you become secure, then remember God as He has taught you what you did not know. |
The following verse subtly indicates that the so called "middle prayer" can be done "while walking or riding" in case your are not safe during the daily chores because the verse is not with "and" (و but rather continues as if part of the previous sentence/clause. There is no but or and in the Arabic discourse.|
It is also quite clear that you can normally pray as soon as you get up after sleep and before you need to retreat for the day without fearing an enemy, because there is likely pauses where you rest anyway. Carefully applying the logic to the passages disregarding the linguistic barrier reveals this. In ancient times, halting in dangerous lands with your caravan could perhaps have been a dangerous venture, thus it might have been better to communicate "on-the-fly" like in this verse|
2822 And as he traveled towards Midyan, he said ?Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the right path.?|
But as soon as he was not on foot he did this, and what else other than a Communion would he do isolated for himself and he was likely not performing a brain-dead ritual
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2824 So he drew water for them, then he turned to a shaded area, and he said ?My Lord, I am poor, lacking any provisions You may have sent down.?
There is much to indicate that there is time for Communion from dawn to dusk not to mention the case with Solomon and his newly gotten horses.
Historically, if we accept the Bible and such hearsay as honest references to history they prayed at dawn, afternoon and evening. The reason why I say afternoon is because on one occasion someone refers to the "3 o'clock prayer". Apart from this reference there are obvious instances of Communion taking place during daylight. Even The Book (Qur'an) gives reference to Communion before nightfall as in this case
5039 So be patient to what they are saying, and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting.
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From 2458|
Except for that it speaks about the approaches of the night (evening) before we retire for the night. Because after the night Communion we have private time and then children etc should be taught not to disturb. It is indicated in the sentence that it is because we take off our clothes and as you know showing yourself naked can be a bit immodest. Adults should certainly already know that one knocks before walking into someone's bedroom (2459).I accept what other people in God's system say about prayers, but I have carefully analyzed the discourse and I cannot draw any other logical conclusion from God's system that there are three recurring daily Communions, whereof two are repeated over and over again in The Book while glorification of The Lord during daylight is slightly more subtle but still there if you take the time of not being so overly criticizing of Communion. See the previous examples
20130 So be patient to what they are saying and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and at the approach of the night - you shall glorify - and at parts of the day, perhaps you may be content.
5039 So be patient to what they are saying, and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting.
Apart from this there is absolutely nothing which prevents a Believer to communicate sporadically throughout the day like every hour or more. The point in these Communions which God has laid forth in The Book is that we never lose the remembrance of The Lord and that we turn to Him for Guidance.
I know people say this and that about the word "wusta", but even ignoring the whole verse and there is yet no way I can erase a Communion during daylight from the map.
So now that if you have not already performed Communion frequently I urge my fellow brothers and sisters to communicate with The Lord on a regular basis. Not as a brain-dead ritual like the Pagans but yet with some formality and intention and for you to seek God's Nearness and Guidance, that you may be protected from the evil one and his followers, and from yourself and our evil-minded nature.
Next lesson we may, God willing, turn over to 'Knowledge and Wisdom'. I am not sure if there is much to say about that one though because it comes sort of "auto-magically" with 'Nearness and Guidance', and good deeds. Perchance God will inspire me that I have something to say. God's Message is so plain simple that if people would follow these three lessons and what is already posted in this thread should pose more than enough. If we take one step closer to God, devoting ourselves to Him alone then The Lord will basically help us with the rest, as long as we are patient and steadfast and turning to Him for Guidance, and avoid shameful deeds.
God's circle of Faith comes in three easy steps and sincerely stepping up on one is a great victory.
Thank you for reading yet another dull post. I hope, God willing, that it may help someone.
God bless you
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Lesson on 'Knowledge and Wisdom' part 1
A prerequisite to reach God-sanctioned Knowledge and Wisdom the previous part of the chain is utterly required where you need the proximity that Communion offers. Let us before we proceed with the topic of this post go through the intention with Communion one more time and add a few examples and details.
| "I seek Your Nearness and Guidance as well as protection from the evil one and his followers. I submit to Your Will" |
Example of introductory speech in a Communion; my own template when initiating contact, but please see that you can use your own customized speech.| 2186 And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided. |
"that they may be guided" Okay. Now that we have become guided and have His Nearness? After this progress God will bless us with a deeper insight and wisdom, as long as we round up the Communions with purification and good deeds.1823 And do not simply say of something ?I will do this tomorrow.?
1824 ?Except if God wills.? And remember your Lord if you forget and say ?Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this in wisdom.?The person who would do this mistake would not yet have become blessed with 'Knowledge and Wisdom' even though he/she has enough 'Nearness and Guidance' to realize the error. As high on step two and you will hardly do this mistake because you know that God will have the utter say in what will happen tomorrow. God is in your mind at all times. But the moral lesson is not to be so sure about what is going to happen the next day.
2810 And the heart of Moses? mother became anxious, that she nearly revealed her identity. But We strengthened her heart, so that she would be of the believers.
2811 And she said to his sister ?Follow his path.? So she watched him from afar, while they did not notice.
2812 And We forbade him from accepting all the nursing mothers. Then his sister said ?Shall I lead you to a household that can nurse him for you, and take good care of him??Moses' mother was certainly near God and a devoted servant and due to the filled 'Nearness and Guidance' "meter" God blessed her with Wisdom in this case that she would see clearly and be wise in the situation. This is a piece of what you get by completing the previous step that I talked about. She nearly disobeyed God by breaking what was inspired in verse 287.
Red She was inspired to use this strategy in this and the next verse.
Green It was but a baby, but God intervened and made the baby reject all tries to nurse him.
Perfect example of where God's Knowledge and Wisdom comes handy and God remarks that performing a Communion asking for the right Guidance in the situation is best instead of judging based on your level of infusion of the Holy Spirit.
458 God orders you to deliver anything you have been entrusted with to its owners. And if you judge between the people, then you shall judge with justice. It is always the best that God prescribes for you. God is Hearer, Seer.
542 They listen to lies, and consume money illicitly. If they come to you, then you may judge between them or turn away from them; and if you turn away from them then they cannot harm you in the least; and if you judge then judge between them with justice. God loves those who are just.
543 And how can they make you their judge when they have the Torah/Teaching(s), in which there is the judgment of God; then they turn away after that. Those are not believers.These people are typical sectarian religious people where God is not in their heart and they think that they are guided. Ironically these people may have Knowledge but nothing else and they have no way of applying it because they have drifted away from God, i.e. lacking Nearness and Guidance, nor are they wise.
10109 And follow what is being inspired to you and be patient until God judges. And He is the best of judges.
The same as with these following righteous people we are to follow their example and gain 'Knowledge and Wisdom' through 'Nearness and Guidance' and good deeds.
| 1222 And when he (Joseph) reached his independence, We gave him judgement and knowledge. It is thus that We reward the good doers. |
Observe this which proves my circle of Faith. Judgment here can be leaning towards Wisdom, so it is 'Knowledge and Wisdom'.2269 He grants Wisdom to whom He chooses, and whoever is granted wisdom has been given much good. Only those who possess intelligence will remember.
2174 And Lot, We gave him Wisdom and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town that used to do vile things. They were a people of evil, wicked.
2175 And We admitted him into Our mercy. He was of the good doers.2814 And when he (Moses) reached his independence and was established, We bestowed him with Wisdom and Knowledge. We thus reward the good doers.
3112 And We had given Luqmaan the Wisdom ?You shall be thankful to God, and whoever is thankful is being thankful for his own good. As for whoever rejects, then God is Rich, Praiseworthy.?
3820 And We strengthened his (David's) kingship, and We gave him the Wisdom and the ability to make sound Judgment.
2120 Neither the Jews nor the Nazarenes (nor the traditional Muslims) will be pleased with you until you follow their creed (of idolizing their Prophet and invented teachings). Say ?The Guidance is the Guidance of God.? And if you follow their desires after the Knowledge that has come to you, then there is none who can help or protect you against God.
Note Sorry, I simply had to add extra text within parenthesis to show how the situation is
37 He is the One who sent down to you the Lore, from which there are lawgiving revelations; they are the essence of the Lore; and others which are of a similitude. As for those who have a disease in their hearts, they will follow that which is of a similitude, seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God, and those who are well founded in Knowledge; they say ?We believe in it, all is from our Lord.? And none will remember except those who possess intelligence.
Anyone can excel in what I have been talking about all these posts up until now. Knowledge and Wisdom of the level of Prophets and Messengers; "ordinary" people can have that and it is the face of God that you are supposed to seek and gain Guidance. To (1) call upon God, believe, purify yourselves and (2) do good deeds, that is what the Messengers came around and preached, and if you but do this God will make you wise and knowledgeable as you are infused with a higher degree of the spirit.
With Knowledge and Wisdom everything turns more and more crystal clear for you and life thus becomes easier. Suddenly you can reach a whole new dimension of philosophical thinking. Our existence is so obvious. Hence I have separated Knowledge and Wisdom from Nearness and Guidance because it is the growth within you that has now come, the realization.
The sad thing however, that I have felt myself, is how depressing it is to look upon the world with "brand new" eyes. You wish that God would deliver Judgment immediately to stop the madness. But this is what is the test and the majority of people will burn in Hell. I know people want to have a trouble believing this, but it is the fact that most people will actually never go to Heaven. Check these verses which clarify that most people will not continue
6116 And if you obey most of those on the earth they will lead you away from the path of God; that is because they follow conjecture, and that is because they only guess.
1117 For those who are on a clarity from their Lord, and are followed by a testimony from Him; and before it was the Book of Moses, a beacon and a mercy; they will believe in it. And whoever rejects it from among the Confederates, then the Fire is his meeting place. So do not be in any doubt about it. It is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe.
12103 And most of the people, even if you are diligent, will not believe.
12106 And most of them will not believe in God except while setting up partners.
131 ALMR, these are the signs of the Lore. And what has been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth; but most of the people do not believe.
4059 Surely the Hour is coming, there is no doubt in it, but most of the people do not believe.
4060 And your Lord said ?Call on Me and I will respond to you.? Surely, those who are too arrogant to serve Me, they will enter Hell, humbled.
God is not harsh. It is obvious for an intelligent person to see that God exists. If only they were not so arrogant that they begun to seek God's Nearness and Guidance. God repeats over and over and over and over and over again in The Book (Qur'an) so many reasons to believe in God and yet people do not. A big portion of The Book goes to give reasons to believe. And with the advent of modern science there are a whole lot more because we are aware of more. The interesting thing is that atheism is like a trend now despite more ways of observing the Creation and our existence.
God willing, there would come down an updated Lore with analogies using modern science that you can see more signs. But sure they will be denied same as in the past despite an overwhelming Truth.
God bless you
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Summary of 'Knowledge and Wisdom'
Found nothing else to add to this subtopic, so let us make a summarizing post. I composed yet another illustration to present things clearly.
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And our system consists of Faith (1) and Actions (2), so without the right deeds one will not progress on that path.
262 Surely those who believe; and those who are Jewish, and the Nazarenes, and the Sabians (and the 'Muslims', whoever of them believes in God and the Last Day and does good works; they will have their recompense with their Lord, and there is no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.
Knowledge and Wisdom comes when Communion with God has become established by the servant of God and the servant does good. The Guidance of God will help to accomplish this righteous commitment and the blessings will land plentifully upon the righteous servant boosting his/her Knowledge and Wisdom. It is the ability to judge fairly and act righteously in "the eyes" of God which you can say is the descriptive phrase of Knowledge and Wisdom.
It is important to know that this parameter is not that much concrete information but rather like a realization from the servant that simply emerges. To put it simply it is like I said before that the spirit of God, that rests inside of us until we depart from this world and that keeps everything going, will have grown inside our souls and body and hence we can gain inspiration to take the right steps in situations and be thoughtful before we act.
Sadly, or depending on how we see it, is that you can easily draw parallels to Star Wars and the 'Force' and for those who have watched Star Wars will be able to understand the phenomenon of the 'Holy Spirit'. It will help us perform our actions and deeds in our daily lives, just like in Star Wars, although with less "hocus pocus". Strong with the Force/Holy Spirit will lead to many more benefits than plainly without it.
Nearness and Guidance is like bonding with the Force (but in reality God of course) and let is flow through the veins to charge you and then prayers are like the meditation they perform in the motion picture Star Wars. The eyes of the practitioner are opened and you become more aware of the world around you. The phenomenon of becoming more aware can be seen as the 'Knowledge and Wisdom' I have been rambling on about. When you realize more about the Truth then you will naturally act more accordingly. Knowledge and Wisdom in this sense cannot that much be studied in books although text from The Book and other Truthful stories will become clear with more awareness of the Truth.
I hope this gave a good and thorough explanation of my concept and what Knowledge and Wisdom means and that it all can be found within The Book and studied. I have done efforts to prove my standing by referring to The Book that readers do not think I am only conjecturing.
Next time I will, God willing, start on the last subtopic of the thread called 'Peace and Prosperity'. The rewards of reaching Islam, or fulfilling the "Circle of Faith", are quite well described within The Book but it may be worth highlighting things anyway. Perchance some brother or sister may not have realized the connection between all parameters in Faith, i.e. between Nearness and Guidance, Knowledge and Wisdom and Peace and Prosperity.
God bless you
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Lesson on 'Peace and Prosperity' part 1
3146 And many a prophet had a large number of Devotees fighting with him. They did not waver by what afflicted them in the cause of God, nor did they become weak, nor did they become discouraged; and God loves the patient ones.
3147 And they did not say except ?Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our shortcomings in our responsibility, and make firm our foothold, and grant us victory over the rejecting people.?
3148 So God gave them the reward of this world and the best reward of the Hereafter; and God loves the good doers.God will give people rewards in this life if they good so it would be unappreciative not to accept them by making one's life miserable while God wants to reward those that do good. It is often believed that people must abstain from all kinds of comforts and provisions in this life but they miss the fact that some of them may be rewards from God.
485 Whoever intercedes with a good intercession, he will have a reward of it; and whoever intercedes with an evil intercession, he will receive a share of it. And God has control over all things.
Doing good will be rewarding. This may not come without long-term testing, but persistent charity will be paid back without the slightest injustice, and that in this life as well as the next, which people ought to not forget.
1222 And when he (Joseph) reached his independence, We gave him Judgement and Knowledge. It is thus that We reward the good doers.
Red We can say that Joseph was blessed with Knowledge and Wisdom as in my chain of Faith.
1697 Whoever does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will give him a good life and We will reward them their dues with the best of what they used to do.
1976 And God increases the guidance of those who are guided. And the goodness that endures is better with your Lord as a reward and a far better return.
Guided people that keep the circle of Faith will have their Guidance increased, and we know what is meant by keeping the circle of Faith, right? Yes exactly, it is (1) believe and (2) do good. That is the fundamental explanation of God's System.
2814 And when he reached his independence and was established, We bestowed him with Wisdom and Knowledge. We thus reward the good doers.
2822 And as he traveled towards Midyan, he said ?Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the right path.?
2823 When he arrived at the watering hole of Midyan, he found a crowd of people watering, and he found two women waiting on the side. He said ?What is holding you back.? They said ?We cannot draw water until the shepherds finish, and our father is an old man.?
2824 So he drew water for them, then he turned to a shaded area, and he said ?My Lord, I am poor, lacking any provisions You may have sent down.?
2825 So one of the two women approached him, shyly, and said ?My father invites you to reward you for watering for us.? So when he came to him, and told to him the stories, he said ?Do not fear, for you have been saved from the wicked people.?
2826 One of the two women said ?O my father, hire him. For the best to be hired is one who is strong and honest.?Red & Purple Moses is doing good and is receiving a reward for his deeds. If we follow what many people advocate when it comes to accept rewards then you may actually not follow God's System. Think about that.
Of course Guidance, Knowledge and Wisdom are the best rewards of them all, so more than provisions.
1326 God gives the provisions for whom He wishes, and He is Capable. And they were happy with the worldly life, but the worldly life compared to the Hereafter is nothing except a brief enjoyment.
16112 And God puts forth the example of a town which was Peace-ful and content/Prosperous, its provisions were coming to it bountifully from all places, but then it rebelled against the blessings of God, and God made it taste hunger and fear for what they used to do.
Red Sorry I gave a little reference to my own chain with Peace and Prosperity through the passages of The Recitation.
1730 Your Lord lays out openly the provision for whom He wishes, and He is able to do so. He is Expert and Seer over His servants.
Here is a verse that many people mistranslate including Monotheist
My translation 1962 They will not hear in it any nonsense, only peace. And they will have their provision in it Day and Night.
Monotheist translation 1962 They will not hear in it any nonsense, only peace. And they will have their provision in it morning and evening.The phrase to get something Day and Night is a pretty common expression and so also in Arabic. With a modern tune-up we can say "around the clock". And same as in the example of 2458 isha (ا means Night and not evening as translations suggest. In that example salah al-isha ( ِ is something done before retiring for the night. I am not arguing what salah is here, only that this occurrence is something before going to sleep.
Here is what is disliked by God when it comes to provisions or bounty
975 And from them are those who pledged to God ?If He gives us from His bounty, then we will believe and we will be among the upright.?
976 So when He gave them from His bounty, they became stingy with it, and they turned away while they were averse.
977 Thus, hypocrisy follows in their hearts until the Day they meet Him; that is for breaking what they promised God, and for what they were lying.I will try to continue on this subtopic for yet another post as I have run out of time for now.
God bless you
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Lesson on 'Peace and Prosperity' part 2
Let us continue on the subtopic that I begun on the last time I wrote, 'Peace and Prosperity', i.e. the outcome of a dutiful and reverent lifestyle, and God gives us material rewards as well as more important abstract rewards which could also fall under the category 'Knowledge and Wisdom'. It is not shameful to accept these rewards, as long as we are not stingy with them and that we are thankful.
4173 As for those who believe and do good works, He will give them their recompense and increase for them from His bounty. And as for those who are too proud and arrogant, He will punish them a painful retribution, and they will not find besides God any supporter or victor.
We can argue that this is for the next life, but rewards will also come in this life. Guidance is however surely the best reward of them all. But if we do like this then the Guidance will vanish
975 And from them are those who pledged to God ?If He gives us from His bounty, then we will believe and we will be among the upright.?
976 So when He gave them from His bounty, they became stingy with it, and they turned away while they were averse.
977 Thus, hypocrisy follows in their hearts until the Day they meet Him; that is for breaking what they promised God, and for what they were lying.
3779 Peace be upon Noah among the worlds.
We have argued before about the root - - , but we say that it has a nearly magical meaning difficult to translate into English. However I have realized it has no any particularly intricate meaning but means something quite simple. Anyway the point I wanted to get to was that anyone who follows a similar path to Noah (in this case 3775 - 3779) will have "Islam" . If you get S L M like Noah in the above example then what you aim for is the path undertaken like in the example below
320 If they debate with you, then say ?I have submitted myself to God, as well as those who follow me.? And say to those who have received the Book and the Gentiles ?Have you submitted?? If they have submitted then they are guided, and if they turn away, then you are only to deliver, and God is Seer over the servants.
The problem with all kinds of translations and interpretations available is that they grossly create a kind of neanderthal worship of a deity while you can say that you "become one with the System" when you choose .
There is a reason why I call this last portion of the chain as 'Peace and Prosperity' because it is simply put the state of that you will gain. You are in union with God and His System so to say. Salat, or Communion, is a part of the whole unity as it is a kind of communication between you and your Lord and which those who do not really believe may mock you for if they discover that you appear to "speak to yourself" (or imaginary friend) when they cross your path while communicating with The Lord.
I cannot teach you salat, any rites or anything, but I can point towards . Rashad Khalifa, or others calling themselves Messengers, wanted to teach you things never conveyed by God and God's Recitation wanted to tell people a few simple things that some people can use to write entire books about. Simply put all I will tell you is to (1) believe/be with God and (2) be good, and that is where my responsibility ends. It is a spiritual state, with no particular methods, like the bonding with the Force in Star Wars, for those knowing what I am talking about. Your actions will precede you and you will be held responsible only for your own deeds but you can always spread the Light. Such is being a good preacher.
319
319 The system with God is 'Peace and Prosperity', and those who received the Decree did not dispute except after the facts came to them out of jealousy between them. And whoever rejects the revelations of God, then God is swift in judgment.320
320 If they debate with you, then say ?I have "humbled"/harmonized myself to God, as well as those who follow me.? And say to those who have received the Decree and the Gentiles ?Have you harmonized?? If they have harmonized then they are guided, and if they turn away, then you are only to deliver, and God is Seer over the servants.Red Insertion by me to raise your awareness. Moving into a kind of symbiotic state with a powerful system.
Green Experimental translation. Word may imply this meaning. Importance is to turn the obsession away from distinct books.
Purple In your studies of the Recitation, who is guided according to you? Is it not those that uphold a system of justice? And they have just like Noah in 3779.So what is ? Well, God tells throughout the Recitation that it is by upholding what is right, i.e. sound Judgment and Justice by literally bonding with The Lord, seeking His Nearness and Guidance and thus protection from the evil one and his followers. When you recite for protection from God (kind of in prayer) then this will be accomplished but only so when accompanied with good deeds. Corruption will be counter-productive.
In the case of God we can always figure about what the word Peace, or , means and I think I complement its meaning nicely with Prosperity. It is a feeling of wellness and completion. A system of Peace/Harmony/Balance could be a fine extraction into English from the ancient Arabic discourse. Only those with a lack of understanding will translate the word into Submission as the word does not imply that. However, service to God is carrying out His will and it could thus give the impression that it is submission to God, but God has no need for us at all, we only do our service for the betterment of our own "souls"/person. On the other hand, we can somewhat "impress" God by going against the stream and actually show God that He did not create everything in vain after he was gravely disappointed "once upon a time". God knew what the "angels"/malaik did not; that some of those they thought would only spread mischief and vice would actually be eligible for salvation. Such people will be under God's protection in this life and live perfectly well in the next. God loves such people and the malaik will also intervene/intercede on the behalf of these people in the test.
And it does not mean living passive lives but rather standing up for rights and helping those exposed to tyrants and arrogant people. You should struggle that you cause like Jesus allegedly said "may your will be done on Earth as is in Heaven". The practitioners that utter these words (in prayer) are supposed to stand up for the words themselves and live by them.
Note that 319 and 320 as previously quoted are followed by
321 Those who reject the revelations of God and kill the prophets without right, and kill those who order justice from among the people; inform them of a painful retribution.
Does this not ring a bell for you? Can not mean much more than the System as previously mentioned of justice, equity and balance? This is your .
3780 It is such that We reward the righteous.
3781 He (Noah) is of Our believing servants. (or participating servants depending on how you interpret ).Red Like many other Arabic words in the context is another common yet misunderstood one. As I started to study this word phenomenon I realized belief is not an option and this is simply an invented meaning. There is no belief but either proclaiming or hiding (the Truth) without knowing or knowing. Surely those who have not realized the Truth argue as if it is a matter of belief, but there is no belief but either you know or you are unknowing. This is why the understanding of certain verses seem so dull (see below verses for an example) because for God is one step above belief but more like knowing and then joining in, so to say. You are with God or you are not with God, and if you are not with God then you are something like without understanding as God seems to put it. "Kufr" is one that intentionally struggles to hide the Truth and should not be used as a curse word against those that are ignorant to the Truth such as those who have divided their system into sects, causing division and animosity, while there is basically only one objective which is to the discretion of the user (of the system) to choose how to serve. Many different people serve with their specific performances and all will lead on the same path if they are good deeds. What is good is in the narration.
3623 ?Shall I take gods besides Him? If the Almighty intends any harm for me, their intercession cannot help me in the least, nor can they save me.?
3624 ?Then I would be clearly astray.?
3625 ?I am with your Lord, so listen to me!?Red Perhaps it should not be translated this literally, but basically it means to have "joined in with" or simply joined. Is it not laughable when words finally come this clear?
Read that I am not teaching anything but rather "unteaching" what you know and putting things straight. This makes the Recitation so simply and easy that you may even laugh on how weird it feels. Like Yoda (from the motion picture 'Star Wars' said "You must unlearn what you have learned".
God bless you
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Philosophy or even truthful corrections to understanding?
Peace to you dear readers. I finalized my whole main purpose of this thread with my last post, but I thought that I might as well continue to give philosophical input on what I have previously discovered on the interpretation of the Recitation by the alleged prophet Muhammad, and it may as well be true. What I discuss is not completely unfounded and I have spent a long time considering the meaning of many verses and sometimes it is from a logical analysis of the discourse rather than a linguistic one. I argue that in Arabic, words carry a very descriptive and fundamental meanings and do not have multiple meanings but almost the same meaning with some variations, which can be noticed through different spellings. Worth noticing is that I am no Arabic scholar, but I only got interested in the analysis of words and the flow of text from a literal standpoint and by seeing that sentences should look fluent and coherent to be the true interpretation as well as reasonable and logical befitting the "Islamic" philosophy.I have argued that 'ketab' does not mean book based on many weird occasions where it sounds quite absurd and also that it is used for the English word 'decree' in many instances. Look at this experimental translation with controversial words in color
287 And We gave Moses the Decree, and after him We sent the missionaries. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary, the clear proofs, and We supported him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that every time a missionary comes to you with what your souls do not desire, you become arrogant? A group of them you deny, and a group of them you kill!
The same word is translated into 'letter' in the case of Solomon and the queen of Sheba. Check this experimental translation
2728 (Solomon) ?Take this decree of mine and cast it to them, then withdraw from them and observe what they respond with.?
2729 She said ?O commanders, a noble decree has been delivered to me.?
2730 ?It is from Solomon, and it reads ?In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful??
2731 ??Do not be arrogant towards me and come to me as harmonizers??Note that it is more a command than a letter in nature, and you see that it is 'In the name of God...', i.e. written through divine inspiration. Solomon would not write this on his own behalf and formulated like this. The following phrase is indicating that it is God and they should not come towards Him with arrogance and to come as harmonizers. Noble is likely because it is signed "in the name of God.."
Red Another experimentation with the word islam because traditionally it gives God a tyrannical feel when you say submitter.
You see how less idolatrous the recitation becomes with this alternative and probably more truthful interpretation of the ancient text? Moses received a decree and then the subsequent missionaries carried it out or upheld it in a succession. In my world these were not books but decrees, look into this verse with plural ketab (kutub)
6612 And Mary, daughter of Imran, who maintained the chastity of her private part, so We blew into it from Our Spirit, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His Decrees; and she was of those who were dutiful.
Why is dutiful mentioned in conjunction to the previous words? Because kutub in the previous phrase is decrees.
In terms of the "scribe" mentioned in some verses where ketab's root is used is probably likely to be a jurist (or similar) rather than scribe/writer, a person authorized for this kind of work.
You may wonder why it matters if ketaab is understood as book or decree, like my wife did, but it is actually making a big difference in understanding. It causes divine texts to become idols, particularly the so-called "Qur'an" which has no real name but is only called just "the recitation".
You may also have wondered why there seems to be only one highlighted al-ketaab throughout the whole narration, and that is basically because there is only a generic decree. The whole concept is gathered under the decree. This is why I erroneously but not so badly mistranslated the decree as message for a long time (see the earlier of my posts in this thread) and I tried several times with alternatives until I realized the simplest possible meaning was the Truth.
22 That is the Decree in which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous.
A guidance because you have a decree for them, i.e. the righteous ones.
278 And among them are Gentiles who do not know the Decree except by hearsay, and they only conjecture.
279 So woe to those who decree the Decree with their hands then say ?This is from God,? so that they can purchase with it a cheap price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they gained.Green Certainly in English a literal translation sounds a bit lame. I also wonder if "their hands" is intended to be literal, particularly in the context with hearsay. Consider that the same word for hand is used in 326 attributed to God and do you honestly think that God has hands? (see below)
Red The same people conjecture.326 Say ?Our god, Possessor of kingship; you grant kingship to whom You please, and revoke kingship from whom You please, and honor whom You please, and humiliate whom You please; in Your hand is goodness. You are capable of all things.?
Compare 279
Decree sounds much more accurate and to falsely decree something is the most dangerous of blasphemy, i.e. when you give teachings and then attribute them to God and weak-minded and misled people believe in it.
I am certain that ketaab in all instances basically carry the same meaning, i.e. to decree something in different ways, particularly in commanding or law-giving ways. Another traditional use is as record or record something as in
2282 O you who believe, if you borrow for a future period, then you shall decree it. And let a "decreer"/jurist of justice decree it for you; and let not the jurist refuse to decree as God has taught him. Let him decree and let the person who is borrowing dictate to him, and let him be aware of God, and let him not reduce from it anything. If the one who is borrowing is immature or weak or he cannot dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate with justice; and bring two witnesses from among your men; if there are not two men, then a man and two women from whom you will accept their testimony, so that if one of them becomes blindsided, then the one can remind the other. And let the witnesses not refuse to come if they are called. And do not fail to decree it no matter how small or large until its maturity. That is more just with God and better for the testimony, and better that you do not have doubts; except if it is a trade to be done on the spot between you, then there is no sin upon you if you do not record it. And have evidence if you trade. No jurist shall be harmed nor any witness; for if you do so then it is a wickedness on your part, and be aware of God and God teaches you and God is aware of all things.
353 ?Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down, and followed the messenger, so decree/order us with those who bear witness.?
3145 It is not permitted for a soul to die except by the permission of God in an appointed decree. And whoever wants the reward of this world We give him of it, and whoever wants the reward of the Hereafter, We give him of it. And We will reward the thankful.
3181 God has heard the words of those who said ?God is poor and we are rich!? We will decree (for) what they have said and (for) their killing of the prophets without right; and We will say ?Taste the retribution of the Fire!?
Purple This is the decree in the context.
Note the following verse is not completely understood as should be. I have personally not the right one but with decree as translation it could be corrected with some work
481 And they say ?Obedience? but when they come out from being with you a group of them prepares for other that what you have said, and God decrees what they planned. So turn away from them and put your trust in God. God is enough for your trust.
638 And there is not a creature on the earth, nor a bird that flies with its wings, except they belong to nations like you belong. We did not leave anything out of the decree; then to their Lord they will be gathered.
659 And with Him are the keys of the unseen, none know them except He. And He knows what is in the land and in the sea; and not a leaf falls except He knows of it; nor a seed in the darkness of the earth; nor anything moist or anything dry; all in a clear decree.
9121 And anything small or large they spend, or any valley they cross, God will decree a recompense for them with the best of what they did.
Green Entirely "remastered" English phrase based on the original Arabic using decree rather than record.
I see little reason why to ever consider ketaab to mean book ever again. And 'decree' fits the context all the time, when you do not manipulate the interpretation to fit things like record. It becomes more fluent and strange interpretations vanish in the occurrences with ketab. Record is a conclusion people have drawn based on their material obsession and is rooted in the understanding of it as book.
Let us continue because I know people will still hesitate
1021 And if We let the people taste a mercy after some hardship had afflicted them, they take to scheming against Our revelations! Say ?God is faster in scheming;? Our missionaries decree what you scheme.
Green Could be that they cannot keep their secrets hidden. Available translation likely lackluster.
1061 And any matter you are in, or any reciting you do of the Qur?an, or any work you do; We are witnesses over you when you undertake it. Nothing is hidden from your Lord, not even the weight of an atom on the earth or in the heavens, nor smaller than that nor larger, except it is clearly decreed,
1062 For the allies of God (that) there is no fear over them nor will they grieve.
1063 Those who have believed and are aware.
1064 For them are glad tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. There is no changing the words of God. Such is the great triumph.Purple I.e. no changing of the decree.
1713 And We have attached to the neck of every man his deeds, and We bring forth for him a decree on the Day of Resurrection which he will find on display.
1714 Read your decree! It is sufficient for you that you are aware of yourself today.Green I.e. his fate or decree for the remainder of his horrible time afterwards.
1758 And there is not a town before the Day of Resurrection that We will not destroy it, or punish it with a severe punishment. This is in the decree.
1979 No, for what he says, We will decree an increase for him of the retribution significantly.
1980 Then We inherit from him all that he said, and he shall come to Us all alone.It is past midnight here and I have no more time to write, but I hope it makes sense to you, if you have appreciated what I wrote and not taken it for mad ramblings.
God bless us all
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Continuation of the research on ketab (in all forms)I will continue to give new light to phrases of the recitation for you to see if you can realign your thoughts that you realize that ketab is not book, not record but decree in all uses of the word. It takes new thinking and pondering upon what the phrases mean with decree as the keyword.
2362 And We do not burden a soul except with what it can bear. And We have a decree that speaks with the truth, they will not be wronged.
Red Why is this word obsessively translated into book everywhere in the recitation but when it becomes complicated it is all of a sudden translated as record. Nay, it means decree in all forms of the word as shown in the previous post, although you need to adapt the word in English into something like "jurist" for a person who works with decrees, where "scribe" is traditionally used .
3511 And God created you from dust, then from a seed, then He made you into pairs. And no female becomes pregnant, nor gives birth, without His knowledge. Nor does anyone have his life extended, or his life is shortened, except in a decree. This is easy for God.
God decrees this thing if a persons life is shortened or extended, i.e. it is in a decree.
3611 You can only warn him who follows the Reminder, and is concerned towards the Almighty while unseen. Give him good news of forgiveness and a generous reward.
3612 It is indeed Us who resurrect the dead, and We decree what they have done and left behind. And everything We have counted in a clear ledger.Red Their deeds and its reward.
4319 And they have claimed the angels who are with the Almighty are females! Have they been made witness to their creation? We will decree their testimony, and they will be asked.
Green Much like "order their testimony" you see, not record.
4380 Or do they think that We do not hear their secrets and their private counsel? Yes indeed; and Our missionaries are with them, decreeing.
4381 Say ?If the Almighty had a son, I would be the first to serve!?
4382 Glory be to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, from what they describe.4528 And you will see every nation lined-up together. Every nation will be called to its decree. ?Today, you will be recompensed for everything you have done.?
4529 ?This is Our decree; it utters the truth about you. We used to transcribe/copy/record what you used to do.?
4530 As for those who believed and did good works, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. Such is the clear triumph.
4531 As for those who disbelieve ?Were not My revelations recited to you, but you turned arrogant and were a criminal people??Red Uncertain translation. I did not want to put any more thinking power into this, but it sounds pretty absurd. Perhaps record in this case is right for the phrase.
521 By the mount.
522 And an inscribed decree.
523 In parchment published.5722 No misfortune can happen on the earth, or in yourselves, except it is in a decree, before We bring it about. This is easy for God to do.
586 The Day when God resurrects them all, then He informs them of what they had done. God has decreed it, while they have forgotten it. God witnesses all things.
I.e. people have forgotten what the decree was. It does not make sense with the traditional recorded and they forgot. One hardly forgets something like it.
6919 As for the one who is given his decree/(verdict) in his right, he will say ?Here, come and read my decree!?
6920 ?I knew that I was going to be held accountable.?6925 As for him who is given his decree in his left, he will say ?Oh, I wish I never received my decree,?
6926 ?And that I never knew my account,?
6927 ?I wish the end had been final,?
6928 ?My money cannot help me,?7829 And everything We have counted in a decree.
Peace out. Now I am tired of this word actually. Next time I might look into something else.
God bless you
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Kafir - Does it really means to reject or disbelieve?
I went into some serious thinking after philosophizing upon which people The Master will really place in Hell. I begun to think that the Arabic word 'kafir' does not simply mean reject/disbelieve, but it means much more. And more or less all instances with the word is in a negative context where its attributed targets have been doing very bad things, and not simply disbelieving in God. I have not yet found an instance of when God threatens of throwing someone in Hell except while doing some serious mischief.
I was thinking it may mean "corruptor" rather than disbeliever/rejector, but that did not fit all occurrences of the word in "mid-quranic" sections. 'Corrupt with God and His Messenger' it would indicate with my imaginative theory which does sound lame. Yet all known instances of the word 'kafir' has been in instances where its culprits have done bad things and not simply for being ignorant to God's existence and only saying God does not exist.
And I do not believe in the concept of 'belief' but we can have various levels of faith, but there are no disbelievers and only corruptors or the likes. You need to remember that even Satan is a kafir and he sure knows about God. A kafir is not someone that does not think that God is non-existent. Despite my faulty theory of corruptor, disbeliever or rejector does not fit as translation either. Rejector is a better translation, but if we go into real-life scenarios, atheists deny the entire existence of God and then the Arabic word kafir in inaccurate in my opinion. It is not that target that God in an angry-like way threatens to throw straight into Hell, and which atheists openly use as an argument to call God a terrorist etc. The target 'kafir' in the context of the recitation to X (allegedly Muhammad) is for someone who refuses to harmonize with the force in the universe, i.e. what we generally call God, and they spread mischief, just as Satan.
Someone that does not believe has no faith, but can be a good person as we already know, although they are basically living for nothing and are no better than animals in that regard. The question is if God will throw a person living a righteous albeit with a lack of faith in a supernatural entity. A question is whether this person innately has faith despite being ignorant to this fact. And another is if God will throw an ignorant person which still does good into the hellfire. It does rhyme pretty badly with the narration and virtually 50% of the faith is accomplished merely by doing good.
This topic is something very commonly attacked by atheists on adherents to both the sects Islam and Christianity, and God is oftentimes called a tyrant or terrorist. God comes down on a neanderthal level while being the most advanced entity in the universe. I think that they would be less insistent if they knew that God throws who commit atrocities into Hell and not plainly through lack of faith. In ways I can understand why some people despise "religion" because of all the stupidity that is done in the name of god(s) while attributing it to the Master of the Universe who is innocent of what they do, and that the 'kafiroon' that God mentions in the recitation to X (allegedly Muhammad) are these people performing the stupidity in the world, i.e. all those crimes in the name of god, and it they that God angrily say will taste the retribution of Hell.
And many of the problems stem from the interpretation of this word 'kafir' which is misused plentifully by the sectarians and how "Islam" is perceived by the crowd.
And know that Hell is barely talked about in the text collection referred to as the Bible for some reason, but a retribution from God is commonly referred to. This kind of punishment of Hell does primarily seem to be to the real criminals of the world and not the common atheist without faith. And the concept of Hell is many times used to scare people who do not need to be scared to obey to sectarian rules. One example is if one does not do five prayers per day, exactly the sectarian way, they are thrown in Hell.
Indeed religion is a scary invention.
But kafir is not merely disbelieve or reject except while done so by committing crimes causing a disturbance in the harmony (Islam). You cannot say an atheist is a kafir and that deserves to be killed or be unkind against because of their apparent lack of faith. People, such as the people who killed a woman in Pakistan the past few days are kafirs. They corrupt and do evil. One has to fulfill the criteria of working against the system of God to qualify to be a kafir.
I will try to look deeper into the word because it is important to our understanding. Jesus in the (perhaps unreliable) Gospel testimonies written by his followers said that people had a lack of faith and not that they were disbelievers. You lack iman or do not have iman, but there is no disbeliever. The concept of disbeliever invites to transgression. A disbeliever is in that case someone who corrupts and spreads mischief.
Shame I had no more news on this as I thought when I begun studying the phenomenon with a zoom lens.
God bless you
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I went into some serious thinking after philosophizing upon which people The Master will really place in Hell.
Someone that does not believe has no faith, but can be a good person as we already know, although they are basically living for nothing and are no better than animals in that regard. The question is if God will throw a person living a righteous albeit with a lack of faith in a supernatural entity. A question is whether this person innately has faith despite being ignorant to this fact. And another is if God will throw an ignorant person which still does good into the hellfire. It does rhyme pretty badly with the narration and virtually 50% of the faith is accomplished merely by doing good.
This topic is something very commonly attacked by atheists on adherents to both the sects Islam and Christianity, and God is oftentimes called a tyrant or terrorist.
For us, may be very hard to see our loved ones turn away from God. Especially if we perceive them as "good people" or "kind/nice people" by our limited knowledge as human.
I've ever tried many ways in order to make my Christian friend to realize the falsehood of trinity, long time struggle and so many discussions/debates between us.
I was hoping very much that someday he will realize that Jesus is not God. He was a very dear friend, so it's very hard for me to know that he's devout in worshiping Jesus.
After very much struggle in a quite long time and always fail, I finally quit my attempt. I have to trust upon God for his destiny.
God knows what I don't know. I should let God decides what will happen to His own creations.
(635)
If their aversion is hard on you (distress you), then perhaps you could make a tunnel in the Earth, or a ladder to the heavens, in order to bring them bring them a sign. Had God willed, He would have gathered them to the guidance; so do not be of the ignorant ones.(7311)
And leave Me to deal with the deniers who enjoy the blessings of life, and give them time for a while.(7411)
So leave Me alone with the one I have created.Those verses remind me to not interfere in the decision of God.
When I was still in my urge to change my Christian friend, then reading those kind of verses was pretty shook me, but over time I learned to accept God's decision over my friend.
I believe any type of attacks/critics from the atheist cannot change God's decree.
God knows very well what He decided for each of us.
Peace.
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Peace,
Thanks for your words. I am nowadays sure that all it takes is a person who believes in ONE creator entity and who does good to qualify for The Master's kingdom. So summary is that it takes faith and good deeds and it is declared in the recitation that it is enough. God even says that "they say you have to be "X" to be accepted", but anyone who believes and does good will have nothing to fear. They follow the decree because it does not take barely reading it to know what the decree is. The only ones who dispute about it are those who received it while they know. It is a merciful and simple decree not difficult to follow really. People who follow the popular "Christian values" have practically grasped it. It is only that most people do not have faith except while giving God partners.
God bless you
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It is only that most people do not have faith except while giving God partners.
Indeed. That's VERY serious issue.
I believe my Christian friend knows that God is One,
but the problem is he insisted that Jesus = God.
For him, worshiping Jesus is the same as worshiping God. '(
His father is a Pastor.
Peace.
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For us, may be very hard to see our loved ones turn away from God. Especially if we perceive them as "good people" or "kind/nice people" by our limited knowledge as human.
I've ever tried many ways in order to make my Christian friend to realize the falsehood of trinity, long time struggle and so many discussions/debates between us.
I was hoping very much that someday he will realize that Jesus is not God. He was a very dear friend, so it's very hard for me to know that he's devout in worshiping Jesus.
After very much struggle in a quite long time and always fail, I finally quit my attempt. I have to trust upon God for his destiny.
God knows what I don't know. I should let God decides what will happen to His own creations.
(635)
If their aversion is hard on you (distress you), then perhaps you could make a tunnel in the Earth, or a ladder to the heavens, in order to bring them bring them a sign. Had God willed, He would have gathered them to the guidance; so do not be of the ignorant ones.(7311)
And leave Me to deal with the deniers who enjoy the blessings of life, and give them time for a while.(7411)
So leave Me alone with the one I have created.Those verses remind me to not interfere in the decision of God.
When I was still in my urge to change my Christian friend, then reading those kind of verses was pretty shook me, but over time I learned to accept God's decision over my friend.
I believe any type of attacks/critics from the atheist cannot change God's decree.
God knows very well what He decided for each of us.
Peace.
Salaam,
MashaAllah, very well said bravo
May Allah reward you the best and guide us on His path pr
mmKhan -
Kafir - Does it really means to reject or disbelieve?
I went into some serious thinking after philosophizing upon which people The Master will really place in Hell. I begun to think that the Arabic word 'kafir' does not simply mean reject/disbelieve, but it means much more. And more or less all instances with the word is in a negative context where its attributed targets have been doing very bad things, and not simply disbelieving in God. I have not yet found an instance of when God threatens of throwing someone in Hell except while doing some serious mischief.
Salaam,
I understood the word kafir from 234, easy and simple, alhamduliAllah. And disbelieving in Allah is not a kafir as per my understanding.
There are two things shown in 234,
1- Refusal of Allah's command.
2- Pride.These two things made him kafir.
If you notice the derivative of word is used in 3372 as means they refused, but still Allah did not called them kafir as He did for Iblis in 234 because they did not do takabbur .May Allah increase our knowledge and guide us on His path pr
mmKhan -
Salaam,
MashaAllah, very well said bravo
May Allah reward you the best and guide us on His path pr
mmKhanThank you, brother mmkhan. )
Note Correction for 635
If their aversion is hard on you (distress you), then perhaps you could make a tunnel in the earth, or a ladder to the heavens, in order to bring them a sign. Had God willed, He would have gathered them to the guidance, so do not be of the ignorant ones. (635)
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2- Pride.
Glad you bring this up.
I suppose many people fall into this "pride/proud/takabbur".
I tend to see that the suggestion such as
"You should be proud of yourself" <--- is actually a trap!
I think "being proud" is useless.
If we're able to achieve something, then what we need is thankful to Allah, and not need to proud over it.
Peace.
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Peace mmkhan,
Thank you for your elaboration. It is dangerous with the understanding that faithlessness is being Kaffir when you associate it with the passages of the recitation because they pronounce that they deserve the fiercest of punishments both in this life with the next giving the Kaffir of the Arab religious sects to show hate against anyone they deem not following their ways. The Master s against this sect-making against the previous receivers of the decree and yet Muslims make the same grand mistake by forming a sect and pronouncing themselves as Muslims in their ignorance whole while their behavior does not suit their claim. Islam is to go into balance/harmony with your Master and fight for The Master's cause to stop oppression and injustice, and if things are "in Islam/faithful/harmonious/balanced like in the prayer by Ebrahem (commonly translated secure by the root of iman). It is an honorable mission in an equally honorable decree. Will you say that these "jihadists" do that?
I propagate that the root s - l - m does not mean submit but rather meld with or go into symbiosis by a form of harmony and peace. You greet a believer with salaam just due to this reason. And you do not say to your brother "submit" (you dumb fool). You have another word for submit in Quran-Arabic and that is the one commonly used to refer to prostration(s - j - d). So I think some people on this forum were partially right with peacemaker, but not truly right. More like balance or into harmony-maker.
In symbiosis with the creator = peace and prosperity is the meaning whenever the combination with Arabic word islam is used and with 'Allah'. Submission is another topic. So when you greet someone 'salaam' you technically wish them peace and prosperity (through The Master). Submission accidentally entered into the word by misled clerics who know 'sujud' as prostration while it is the word to submit. But to tell them to humble themselves you use sujud. Historically a prostration is to humble yourself to someone which has caused its deep association with the word.
And may The Master continue to enlighten us.
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I understood the word kafir from 234, easy and simple, alhamduliAllah. And disbelieving in Allah is not a kafir as per my understanding.
There are two things shown in 234,
1- Refusal of Allah's command.
2- Pride.These two things made him kafir.
But, how can we accept/obey Allah's command if we don't believe in Allah?
I mean, if I don't believe in Allah, then I have no reason to accept/obey Allah's commands.
I can't obey someone who I don't even believe that he/she exists.
If I want to accept/obey Allah's commad, then I think first I need to believe in Allah.
Peace.