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By mucahit78 at 2007-10-12

Perhaps the meaning of the verse is more symbolic.
Here follows the understanding of the verse by Akhtar Shearzi as presented in one of his books

The phrase Arbaatum-min-al-tair identifies a group or a band of free men. This also denotes a large number of people, who are like-minded, with a liberated and independent way of thinking. In Arabic Arbaal Qoum identifies a gathering of men, whereas Humulyaom-al-Rabaa signifies a large number. Therefore, in this verse Arbaa transcends its usual literal connotation of numeral four and stands for a large gathering of people in the form of a party, a group or a big assembly.
Literally, the word Al-tair translates into bird, but here it symbolically represents a free soul, an unprejudiced person. As the English adage goes, "free like a Jay bird." Here the stress is upon the free spirit of the person and not on the bird.
The word Juz signifies even or odd numbers and does not stand for pieces of birds or minced meat. it also encompasses every member of a particular group or a party. However, it should be understood clearly that it does not, in a ny way, condone the ridiculous translations of cutting up slaughtered birds into pieces.
This composition Qulloo jublim-min-hoona refers to the stalwart leaders among the people of that time, who had rock solid position among them and had inflexible views, such as immovable high mountains. This expression is just a figurative description of the people in power, who opposed the system that the messenger wanted to implement.
........
So the right and logical explanation of the verse should read as under
"Abraham you are at a loss to understand the procedure, by adopting which, you are going to change this lifeless nation into an active and dynamic force? instead of getting confused, you should take the following steps
Select the unbiased and unprejudiced people , teach them the revelation sent to you, train them how to apply the constitution of Allah and then form a party of these companions, equipped with the real knowledge provided by you sustainer. Then sent each of them, all over the place, to convince the people to accept the new program. They should go as far as they can, running over hills and valleys. Some of them should approuch their dominent leaders, who are established among the populace, like high and colossal mountains and convey the Message to them, disregarding their opposition to the program presented. These members of your party should support you through thick and thin and appreciate your efforts from the core of their hearts. Therefore, whenever you will call them back from their missions for consultation, regarding any important development, they shall dash, immediately, back to you. Precisely, this is the procedure, adopting which you can instill a new life in this listless nation"
..........

The mythological story or the folklore presented by the contemporary Islamic pundits is a ridiculous misrepresentation of the quoted Quranic verse. Abraham was faced with a challenge of resurrecting his nation from the physical and mental apathy. He was given the job to chisel the rock like nation into a vibrant and energetic shape. However, he was at a loss to understand, how to go forward and achieve the givenobjective. Then he received the master plan from his Creator, which he put into action and achieved unprecendented succes.
Now, the question is, did his purported miracle solved his predicament? The answer is definite NO. Miracles never solve any problems the human ingenuity, determination, consistent effort and right guidance remove insurmountable obstacles out of the way and help in achieving the pre-determined objective.
Is it logical to believe the dead birds, whose meat is cut up, ground together and placed on different hilltops turned alive on a gesture of Abraham? This is a clear contravention of Allah's code of death and of Mother Nature, which unambiguously, declares that dead people or animals are gone forever and never return

Peace

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Watch this educational presentation about the creation of money.
It's a real eyeopener

Thanks for your satisfying explanation Tanveer.
Actually I knew about this rule but I didn't expect Aidid, claiming to have studied Arabic, to make such an error.
This makes all his claims he does about the quran questionable.

Peace

Peace,

This is an usefull link about the Zamzam well
http//www.sgs.org.sa/index.cfm?sec=311&page=

We have seen/understood your face turning around in the sky, so We will turn/enable/appoint you a direction you accept/approve it, so turn your face towards the Mosque the Forbidden/Respected/Sacred and wherever you were so turn your faces towards it, and that those who were given The Book they know that it is the truth from their Lord, and that God is not with neglecting/disregarding about what they make/do

And from where you got out so turn your face towards the Mosque the Forbidden/Sacred, and that it is the truth from your Lord, and that God (is) not with ignoring/disregarding about what you are making/doing.

And that stand/keep up your face to the religion (as) a submitter/Unifier of God, and do
not be from the sharers/takers of partners (with God).

So keep up your face to the religion, (as) a submitter/Moslem/Unifier of God, God's nature/manner/religion which He created/originated the people on it, (there is) no replacement/substitution to God's creation, that (is) the religion the straight/valuable, and but most of the people do not know.

So keep up your face to the religion, the straight/valuable, from before that a day/time comes, (there is) no return to it from God, (on) that day they declare openly/separate

I think the order of chapters has never been changed since its revelation, because of the system of self-reverence it contains.

For example, the great reading states that "Jesus is like Adam".
The meaning of the statement is clear. Jesus being born without a father is like adam's creation.
However, in the mention of words, it says that the word "Jesus (Eesa)," in the Koran is like the word "Adam." It is surprising to note that indeed the word "Jesus" (Eesa) in its mention in the Koran is like the mention of the word "Adam", Both words occur in the Koran twenty five times. Not only that, it is in the same order of succession. The verse that mentions that they are like each other is the seventh time the word "Jesus" is mentioned and the seventh time "Adam" is mentioned.

This is just one of the many examples one can find in the great reading which proof that the great reading hasn't been tampered with.
The system would fail if the order of chapters would have been changed.
See for more examples the following article about the "Quran and self-reverence"

http//godel.rationalreality.com/

Peace

While reading the book "Mental Bondage" of Aidid Safar, I came across the topic of restricted food.
Now Aidid asserts that Khinziri in verse 53 does not refer to swine but literally means "rotten" (decaying meat).
I've checked the root, http//www.textinmotion.com/roots.jsp?id=&root= but I think his understanding is inconsistent with verse 560.

However, as my knowledge of the Arabic language is limited, I'd like to hear your opinions about this.
Perhaps the word ape in verse 560 also refers to something else.

Peace