Salaam,

Well, the story says that the man should have said "God willing" (insh'allah) instead of being so sure that everything was going to be fine with his garden. It is a moral lesson and perhaps not meant to be so literal as to always say "insh'allah" whatever situation, as long as you know that it is God's will that determines the fate of whatever you are doing.

The man with the garden was very arrogant and boastful and not heeding God at all and God obviously taught him a lesson and the other man afterwards said that he should have said "God willing" instead of being so over-confident and proud over his land.

On the other hand, saying God willing or if God wills is pretty automatic for someone that believe. But pure thoughts and reassurance that God is in control of your fate is probably sufficient as God knows what is in your mind. A Believer knows that he or she is in God's hands and what you know God knows.

God bless you

Peace,

I think you are thinking of 1839 not 1823-1824 which is what i'm referencing. What are your thoughts on that? Also i'm pretty sure the exact wording was "Except if Allah wills" in the beginning of 1824

Salaam,

As long as you know in your heart that the future event is depending on God's will then I cannot think that it is a sin in it. But daring to say the phrase that it depends on God would of course seem more righteous and eventually you might even spread the Light if they are curious and ask what you mean and you explain.

However, in work situations I sometimes avoid using these expressions myself as I try to be secular in professional situations, but off-duty I would say God willing whenever applicable. Apart from avoiding religious expressions in work-related situations I apply the morals of God's religion during my shift.

God bless you

Peace,

Well the thing is that it appears to be a command to say "except if Allah wills". So I would think it would be a sin to disobey a command of Allah.

but I still am looking for more the answer to my question stating
"However i've been rethinking and wondering if what i'm doing is infact incorrect and thus I am required to say those exact words "except if Allah wills"?"

Peace Red_Eyes,

Stating the facts of what politicians have done is not wrong or related to this verse. In fact, wouldn't it be Quranic, to uphold goodness and justice? There's a lot of wrong going on even by the admission of some politicians.

Well it's still talking ill of politicians and other public figures so I would think it can relate to those verses and the thing that i'm wondering is that the verses I stated in this topic doesn't exclude public figures as far as I understand. So if indeed there is nothing wrong, I want an explanation about the verses as I may be possibly be taking these verses incorrectly, but i'm not sure and need some explanation and understanding.

Simple, talking ill about politicians is a character assasination, even it's already became habits to some people

4912 O you who believe, you shall avoid much suspicion, for somesuspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite. Would any of you enjoy eating the flesh of his dead brother? You certainly would hate this. You shall observe God.
God is Redeemer, Merciful.

Talking ill (ghibah) can also create a fitnah (slander) to victims, and verse 2191, fitnah is more cruel than murder (al qatl).

Sallam

Peace,

So then how is one suppose to discuss the evils of a politician? How does one warn others not to vote for them?

and also slander means " A false and malicious statement or report about someone." that is not what fitnah means as I understand.

Peace Savage_Carrot,

First off it seems you are fixiated on the idea that kufr has a wider definition simply because of how you take 4153.

Before I get to 4153, I have to state a few things. Kufr throughout the Quran has as i've stated only been within that limited definition as far as i've seen. You claim it has a wider definition yet I have yet to see a single example showing that. In fact the very fact that the defintion is being soo widened reminds me of some who try to widen the meaning of shirk to the point where they say that simply doing any sort of sin is shirk because you've associated "yourself" to God which the Quran has shown that a sin and shirk are separate from each other. This is also the case with Kufr in that it is separate from a lie that isn't reference Allah and that i've seen no reference to it and that all references point to it being about covering the truth about Allah.

4153 as i've stated seems to be your reason that because the signs of God are everything, that any sort of lie that doesn't even talk about God whether a white lie or a really bad one such as false witness that doesn't reference God at all is kufr.

I would like you to look at 1759
"And what stopped Us from sending the signs except that the previous people disbelieved in them. And We sent to Thamud the camel with foresight, but they did her wrong. And We do not send the signs except to make them fearful." (1759)

According to this the signs of Allah STOPPED being sent eventually. The signs here refer to miracles of Allah with an example being the camel sent to Thamud. The people of Thamud killed that camel. That is how they covered the truth about Allah as it was a clear sign for them.

So what does that mean in relation to 4153? The miracles which eventually stopped as 1759 states and is that type which I believe kufr refers to when speaking about "signs". The "signs" mentioned in 4153 are in my opinion a reference to creation by Allah, in that the signs in the "horizons" and "with themselves" refers to our creation, the Earth, the sky, space, the universe and all of creation. This basically meaning that the proof to the existence and the truth of Allah is that there had to have been a creator to all of this which philosophically is an argument that everything was designed, created, given a role, etc... Edip's and Asad's commentary also states

"Falsifiable and verifiable physical evidence and sound logical inferences provide scientific or objective confirmation that the Quran is indeed the word of God. Our personal experiences parallel those objective facts and remove all doubts." (Edip)

"I.e., through a progressive deepening and widening of their insight into the wonders of the universe as well as through a deeper understanding of man's own psyche - all of which points to the existence of a conscious Creator. " (Asad)

Science has helped understand how true the Quran is with the creation of the universe. While the fact that everything exists is a sign of God, simply telling a lie doesn't equate to kufr. It would be kufr if one said that God wasn't the creator. Thus these are the signs of God and they eventually stopped as that verse said earlier. So therefore his signs I believe include miracles (which includes creation and other clear miracles that came to help people understand the truth such as the camel), and scripture (I don't think i'm missing anything else) and therefore if you cover any of those then one has committed kufr. Lying about a math test usually shouldn't involve any of these. So 4153 is in my opinion, about the creation of all things. While yes all things are signs of God, what we do is what we do as we got freewill. Thus us covering up what we did isn't covering up a sign of God as it was us who did that thing and that we aren't covering up something God did such as creation, scripture and His other miracles.

You may go onto say otherwise but in the end, the Quran DOES NOT as far as I know refer to kufr as anything beyond covering the truth about Allah. I have not seen any real evidence to widen it so much.

Peace Savage_Carrot,

The problem is that you guys have really widened the meaning of kufr when the Quran has only talked about it when it comes down to covering the truth about Allah as far as I know

"Who then is more wicked than one who lies about God, and denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not in Hell an abode for the rejecters? (3932)

"His friend said to him while discussing with him "Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dirt, then from a seed, then He evolved you into a man?" (1837)

"We did not create the heavens and the Earth, and everything between them except with truth, and for an appointed time. And those who disbelieve turn away from what they are being warned with." (463)

"Rejecters indeed are those who have said "God is the Messiah the son of Mary." Say "Who has any power against God if He had wanted to destroy the Messiah son of Mary, and his mother, and all who are on Earth!" And to God is the sovereignty of heavens and Earth and all that is in-between; He creates what He pleases. God is capable of all things." (517)

"Those to whom We have given the Scripture, they recite it as it truthfully deserves to be recited; they believe in it. As for those who disbelieve in it, they are the losers." (2121)

"And they serve besides God what does not benefit them nor harm them. And the rejecter is always set-against his Lord." (2555)

"And from among the people of the Scripture are those whom if you entrust him with a large amount he gives it back to you, and there are those whom if you entrust with one gold coin he will not return it to you unless you are standing over him. That is because they said "We have no obligation towards the Gentiles." They say about God lies while knowing." (375)

"And it has been sent down to you in the Scripture, that if you hear God's revelations being rejected and ridiculed in, then do not sit with them until they move on to a different subject; if not, then you are like them. God will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers in Hell all together." (4140)

"And from amongst them is a group that twist their tongues with the Scripture so that you may think it is from the Scripture, while it is not from the Scripture, and they say it is from God while it is not from God, and they say about God lies while they know." (37

"And from the camels two, and from the cattle two. Say "Is it the two males that He forbade or the two females, or what the womb of the two females bore? Or were you witnesses when God ordered you with this?" Who is more wicked than one who invents lies about God to misguide the people without knowledge. God does not guide the wicked people." (6144)

"Who is more wicked than one who invents lies about God, or denies His revelations? These will receive their recompense from the record; so that when Our messengers come to terminate their lives, they will say "Where are those whom you used to call on besides God?" they said "They have abandoned us!" and they bore witness upon themselves that they were rejecters." (737)

"Who then is more wicked than one who lies about God, and denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not in Hell an abode for the rejecters?" (3932)

From what I understand these verses all point to how kufr refers to covering the truth about Allah. Some of these examples include false religious teaching that made up rules and say it was from Allah, disbelieving in Allah, change the meaning of verses, telling lies about Allah. I have not seen an example as far as i've seen that refers to anything that isn't related to covering the truth about Allah. I haven't seen any evidence in the Quran as far as i've seen that points to Kufr having a wider meaning.

Someone lying that they didn't cheat in a math test while they did? I don't see them referring to Allah at all here, let alone any sort of religious reference whatsoever. They are lying about their actions instead without any reference to Allah. The Quran as far as i've seen refers to kufr in regards to covering the truth about Allah.

There I don't agree with you, if it's "Covering the truth/Cover up" (Kufr) then it's "Covering the truth/Cover up".

If you compare the first example and the third example, the MOTIVE is pretty much the same.

To "Protect / Save self-interest"

That's why "The Kufr" is actually serving "Their own EGO".

In the universe, God has a mechanism to bring forward 'truth', one way or another...
Thus it will only a matter of time when 'truth' will prevails.. despite any action "The Kufr" shall take to cover it.

The 'exam cheater' will lose (1st example) and the 'corrupt politician' (2nd example) will be exposed.. it just a matter of time.

Feel free to study human history for the abundant evidence.

This is inline with God's universal law of "Everyone shall get what they deserve"..

Salam / Peace

By that logic a 12 year old kid who cheats on his math test and lies about it is a kaffir. I haven't seen a single example in the Quran as far as I know that points to this. All the examples point to covering the truth from Allah such as where they lie about Allah or try to kill off those who are trying to spread the message of Allah in order to cover the truth. All the examples of a kaffir in the Quran are those who are trying to cover the truth about Allah as far as i'm aware.

I mean seriously look at this logic. You are comparing a person who cheats and lies on a exam to one who is about to cover the truth about Allah and thus lead themselves and/or others to the fire by making them/themselves the message from Allah. That's like comparing to the sky and the ground in how different the ethics are here.

Correct

Doubt got nothing to do with it.

Kufr is the result of a 'bad character', a simple example
"You cheated during your exams, a guy sitting next to you report you for cheating, you know very well that you did cheat during your exam, but to save your skin you try many things to cover it, ranging from blatant refusal (lying) up to killing or torturing the witness who saw your action of cheating".

Another example
"You're a politician and you took bribes, a guy report you for bribery/corruption, you know very well that you did took bribe, but to save your skin you try many things to cover / hides it, ranging from blatant refusal (lying) up to killing or torturing the witness who saw your action of taking bribe".

Another example
"You're a priest and you enjoy power, wealth and respect because your society consider you as 'the ultimate agent' to a specific deity, a guy came forward and expose the lies of your myth, the ridiculousness of your deity thus the ridiculousness of your statement/dogma/teachings. You tried to debate him but the more you debate with him the more you see that he's right, and worse.. it seems your society started to think that this guy is right and you're wrong. To protect your own power, wealth and respect you tried to 'silence him' with myriad of methods, starting from 'attacking the character' (thus not the subject itself being debated), threatening him, arrest him, torturing him and eventually when all else fails, you shall try to kill him"

That's the general characteristic of "The Kufrs", generally they're the same from times of Abraham up until now.

Salam / Peace

Er... the first two you stated, I don't see as the meaning of kufr I undersatand as when I said "cover the truth" I meant as in the truth from Allah, not cheating on a math test and then lying that you didn't cheat, granted in your example there the murderer is still guilty for murder. However as far as i've seen in the Quran, kufr refers to cover the truth from Allah such as the Quran. However your third point fits the definition of kufr.

Hello,

Well what I mean is that a believer might have doubts once in a while and think that it might not be true but quickly mends it to get rid of the doubt. Basically doubt going in and out for a believer. While yes I guess talking about doubt in a bigger case where one is in full doubt is good to discuss too.

What do you guys think? and as I stated above a "believer" who may have doubts at time. You guys are saying it's not kufr, can I ask the reason for your answers? and is that person still a believer?

And note I am not fully understanding of Hajj yet and I seen there are different interpretations the specifics of hajjs including date, time, place and what we must do. So i'm posting based on when and where Hajj is normaly done by trafitionalists at least as I haven't fully looked up some of the Quran only views yet fully. Unless wishes to tell me in thos topic more clearly about it.

)

There are other verses on the same subject
It is my opinion that a person of substance is someone who means what he says. If you don't take your own words seriously, how can anyone else? For me personally, learning to live up to this standard has required me to promise less and do more. I don't see this as a bad development at all.

A promise is not an oath as I understand it. The word "ayman" is what refers to oaths and neither of those you posted are those, which this topic is about oaths only.

Anyways the issue is 377 that I want an answer to, please and thank you.

Peace,

When I read this, it seems to me as those who don't take a serious oath seriously. By that I mean, one who gives others a false hope, so they believe and trust in that person but then the person just lets them down and that individual who made such an oath wouldn't really care about such consequences. I've found translations that say obligations and promises, does this change the meaning? Maybe part of this is that people should not become to careless in how they say things to God or other people. If you aren't sure if you can do something, tell God or them you'll do whatever you can etc but on that matter you won't make an oath unless you are certain you will meet it. I feel this is easy to avoid from what I understand of it. After all, isn't an oath supposed to signify that you would not break it unless there were circumstances too far out of your control?

can I ask how you came to that conclusion? I assume it has something to do with the part that says "purchase" and "small price"?

Well ley me ask you guys, how do you interpret that verse?

I see a lot say that simply saying you aren't a muslim or of a different faith unless you are forced to whule you believe is what that part of 16106 means however, I see the word "kufr" is used which I understand means covering the truth so it appears to me more that that part of 16106 means that you can't cover the truth about God unless you are forced to while still believing.

So how do you guys interpret that?

Gelatin, in my belief is on the controversial list. The way it s extracted is that the carcus of the animal is completely boiled (?)... So since only the meat of pigs is prohibited, if the gelatin is from the skin, then it is forbidden (?), but if it is from bone or around the fat, then it might not be prohibited (?).

However from what I understand, isn't skin separate from flesh?

Peace,

You can use an English word instead of "Islam" to refer to your religion, as it does not make it a different religion. There is only one religion anyway and Islam as a group is a man-made invention. My religion is the way of God. Perhaps the name Faith in God is enough? Peace seeker? I understand it is difficult to find a definition which does not sound dull in English, but if we try enough we might find one.

Islam is Arabic and God is not restricted to this language. If you live in an English-speaking country God probably does not mind you using English to define his religion.

God bless you

That doesn't answer my question though. I wanna know if I chose to keep it hidden on Facebook, if it's fine to do so.

Ok this is strictly my opinion, but the way I see it is that if you choose not to disclose your religion on facebook that's just you being private about one aspect of your life. So I hardly see it as sinful. I think you should do what you feel is right in your heart, unless someone can specifically give a quranic response regarding this issue.

Well here is my issue. I can think of two interpretations to 16106.
1)The common one I hear based on kufr is translated by many to mean disbelief and rejection. This as a result makes it sound that you cannot disbelieve in God unless you are forced to while believing, which by that interpretation I believe it means that you cannot tell others that you have left the faith unless you forced to while believing.

If this is the case, does me simply removing my status/hiding my status of my religious views count as telling others i've left the faith or rejected God? I hid it to keep my views from the public so they don't put on the negative images the media has given islam on me. As well it's not like i've said I have publicly said I left the religion or said i'm a part of another religion on Facebook.

2)The other interpretation is one I have where I understand kufr to mean "covering the truth". If you factor that in with 16106 it sounds like you cannot cover the truth about God unless you are forced to while still believing. Thus I would think an example of this can be one who is getting tortured to leave the religion and thus that person professes a lie about God which as a result makes it appear that have left the faith as well.

If this is the case, it doesn't apply to me at all I think as me not listing my religious views on Facebook is not covering the truth to others in any way.

Though I am rather unsure of what is what and which interpretation to go by if these are the interpretations. What does everyone else think?

I've been wondering. According to the Quran, how do dreams works?

Hi,
So for some time i've known about how in 1823-24 of the Quran we see that it is mentioned that if we stating that if will do something tomorrow we are to say "except if God wills".

Because I live in a secular western society, so I have thought that I might appear strange amongst many of them for saying it so much. I have interpreted these two verses to mean that if it is a sentense we say that appears as if it is saying that the will surely do that event, we are to add "except if God wills" to give the sentence an appearance of uncertainty as an event may happen beyond our control and only God knows the future.

Since I didn't want say the exact words "except if God wills" in this western society due to possibily standing out and maybe being looked down weirdly I have been saying "As planned " or "I hope" or other things along thse lines I think in place to give the sentence of what telling them i'm going to do a sense of uncertainty since only God knows what will happen in the future and if that it will happen and that if what is beyond my control may stop what I wanted to do.

However i've been rethinking and wondering if what i'm doing is infact incorrect and thus I am required to say those exact words "except if God wills"?

As well is my interpretation correct? And I wanna make sure if it is considered a sin if I don't say it?

so 3824 states this

"He said "He has wronged you by asking to combine your lamb with his lambs. And many who mix their properties take advantage of one another, except those who believe and do good works, and these are very few." And David guessed that We had tested him, so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, and fell down kneeling, and repented." (3824)

The free-minds translation here translated ruku into kneeling. I have also seen other translations translate ruku to prostration or bowing.

So what i'm wondering here is, is it actually required for us to do "ruku" when we are repenting?? It would be greatly appreciated if someone can explain to me if this verse is pointing us to if we are required to do ruku when repenting or not.