know Allah

Baqarah 113

113- AND THE JEWS SAY: “THE CHRISTIANS FOLLOW NOTHING TRUE” AND THE CHRUSTIANS SAY: “THE JEWS FOLLOW NOTHING TRUE”, WHILE BOTH READ THE SCRIPTURE. THE SAME WAS SAID BY THOSE WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE. ALLAH WILL JUDGE BETWEEN THEM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION CONCERNING WHAT THEY DISPUTE.

A Christian delegation from Nagran at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, went to Medina to meet with Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him. They wanted to learn about this new religion, Islam. The delegation included their chiefs, and priests and religious scholars. They met Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, heard from him, a few of them embraced Islam, the rest went back home. (More detailed account of this visit will come when discussing the Ayahs in the Quran mentioning it).

They met with the Jews and their chiefs and scholars in the presence of Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, and they argued. Each group said that that the other is following nothing true in terms of religion.

This is strange, as both groups; the Christians and the Jews have an important part of their scripture in common, the Old Testament. So there is a great deal in common between them. It can not be anything, for if what each group accuses the other of is true, then they judge that they do not follow the truth themselves.

This is an example of the arguments and disputes between people in which no one means to reach the truth, but each wants to prove themselves right and the others wrong. These are futile argument, not for the sake of Allah but for the sake of scoring points and self esteem.

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, should be the one to settle this dispute as the messenger of Allah the Highest, but they did not believe in his prophecy and message. Had they believed, their dispute would have been over, and they would have followed what is good for their life and their Hereafter.

Consequently; they are left in their misunderstanding when Allah the Highest had promised to resolve this dispute between them. In fact Allah the Highest will resolve all disputes in belief between the different faiths, including Idolaters, as He said: “THOSE WHO BELIEVE, THOSE WHO ARE JEWS, THE SABAEN, THE CHRISTIANS, THE MAGOSE (FIRE WORSHIPPERS), AND THE IDOLATERS, ALLAH WILL JUDGE BETWEEN THEM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, FOR ALLAH IS A WITNESS OVER ALL THINGS”. (S: 22 A: 17)

Unfortunately at that time, it will be too late to put things right, or to make amend. On that Day, there will be no longer any chances for believe or deeds but only Judgment by Allah the Highest.

Baqarah 111-112

111- AND THEY SAID: “NO ONE WILL ENTER THE PARADISE EXCEPT THE JEWS AND CHRISTIANS”, SUCH ARE THEIR HOPES. SAY: “SHOW US YOUR PROOF IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL”.

112- CERTAINLY; WHOEVER SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO ALLAH AND DOES GOOD DEEDS, HIS REWARD IS WITH HIS LORD, AND THERE IS NO FEAR UPON THEM, NEITHER WILL THEY BE SADDENED.

The Jews and Christians claim that they have a very great privilege with Allah the Highest; only they will enter the Paradise. Each group claims that with them, the message from Allah the Highest came to an end. Allah the Highest answers their claims:

First: He challenges them to produces a proof if they are truthful. Saying “IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL” this implies that they are lying.

Second: Allah the Highest states very briefly the conditions for entry to the Paradise:

1- The person should submit themselves to God, which is the basis and meaning of Islam, Submission. This submission, to Allah the Highest, has to involve believing in Him with no partners, this includes not having a son. This is the basis of True Faith.

2- To do good deeds. This involves worshipping Allah the Highest obeying him as if you see him. The word used is Mohsen which Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, told us what it means when he was asked about the meaning of Ihsan, he said: “To worship Allah as if you see him, for if he you do not see him, he sees you”. (B:Eman;36 & M:Eman;1 & D:Sonah;16 & T:Eman;4 )

Belief comes before good deeds, for good deeds like charity, kindness etc without belief in Allah the Highest is rewarded in this life, not in the Hereafter. It stands to reason, than any one who does not believe that there is a God and there is Judgment and reward or punishment, should not expect a reward from the God he did not believe in, in the Paradise he did not believe in? Allah the Highest said about those: “THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE, THEIR DEEDS ARE LIKE A MIRAGE IN A DRY DESERT, A THIRSTY PERSON WILL THINK IT TO BE WATER, UNTIL HE REACHES IT AND FINDS IT NOTHING, AND FINDS ALLAH THERE TO PAY HIM HIS DUES IN FULL, FOR ALLAH IS SWIFT IN RECKONING”.

(S: 24 A: 39)

Good deeds, starting with the worship of Allah the Highest, are the real proof of having good faith.

Those who fulfill these conditions will be rewarded by their Lord. Allah the Highest also describes their state of mind then, and it is a happy one which has no fear. Allah the Highest also said about them on the Day of Judgment “SOME FACES WILL BE BEAMING * LAUGHING AND REJOICING”. (S: 80 A: 38-39)

This is beautiful description of the state of such believers who do good deeds when they meet their Lord.

We ask Allah the Highest to let us be amongst them. Amen

B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood

Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi

Baqarah 109-110

109- MANY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK WISH TO TURN YOU BACK TO BE DISBELIEVERS AFTER YOU HAVE BELIEVED, OUT OF THEIR ENVY. FORGIVE AND PARDON UNTIL ALLAH BRINGS HIS COMMANDS FORTH, FOR ALLAH IS MOST ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS.

110- AND BE STEADFAST IN SALAH, GIVE ZAKAH, FOR WHATEVER GOOD YOU SEND BEFORE YOUR SOULS YOU WILL FIND WITH ALLAH, FOR ALLAH SEES ALL THAT YOU DO.

There are Two Perspectives to these Ayahs; Historic and Contemporary one’s:

Historical Perspective:

When Islam spread in Medina among the Arab tribes there, the Jews hated to see them becoming Muslims. In fact they tried hard to turn them back to Idolatry, Why? Because they expected and hoped that the expected messenger would be one of them, not from the Arabs, the descendants of Ismael, peace upon him.

Allah the Highest commanded the Muslims to forgive and Pardon them. The struggle of the Jews against Islam was a verbal struggle only. Yet, Allah the Highest promised the believers that He protects His Faith until it is complete. “THEY DESIRE TO EXTINGUISH ALLAH’S FAITH WITH THEIR MOUTHS, BUT ALLAH WILL COMPLETE AND PERFECT HIS LIGHT, EVEN THOUGH THE DISBELIEVERS HATE IT” (S: 9 A: 32)

They heard a great deal of hurt, insults and mocking, just as we do now “YOU WILL HEAR FROM THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU AND FROM THE IDOLATERS A GREAT DEAL OF HURT”. (S: 3 A: 186)

Prescribed for the Muslims are the ways of dealing with such plotting, it is by strengthening their faith. This is by Salah and Zakah. This worship leads them to Certainty. Allah the Highest reassures the Muslims that whatever good they do, they will find with Allah on Judgment Day, having increased by many multiples.

It was not for 2 years after the Muslims migration to Medina that Allah the Highest allowed them to fight the disbelievers.

The Contemporary Perspective:

The Muslims throughout the world face a great deal of opposition and challenge to their Faith, by the disbelievers or the people of the book. We are often mocked, put down, portrayed as terrorists, backward, uncivilized etc. and often ignored as a group of people, when the people’s welfare is discussed internationally.

Allah the Highest promised us support, as long as we stand firmly for our faith, and obey His Commands. This applies as much if not more, to the Muslims living in the western world.

While we are entitled to protect ourselves by whatever means available, yet we are commanded to forgive and pardon, also to make sure our Faith is firm and strong first. We should attend to our Salah, Give Zakah, and Fast Ramadan; go to Hajj, and do all that is good and righteous in our day to day living.

For these; we will be rewarded most generously by Allah the Highest. Also this will strengthen the Muslim society and make us stand out as the people who truly follow God’s Way, the Only Way to Paradise.

Baqarah 108

108- OR DO YOU WISH TO QUESTION YOUR MESSENGER AS MOSES WAS QUESTIONED BEFOREHAND? WHOEVER EXCHANGES BELIEF FOR DISBELIEF, HE HAS GONE ASTRAY OF THE EVEN PATH.

Allah the Highest is warning and forbidding the Muslims from questioning and doubting Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, as the Jews did with Moses, peace upon him.

Questioning and doubting Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, in this way may lead to disbelieve, and going off Allah’s Path.

In general, too many questions do not make things easier, but a great deal harder, and let us not forget what happened with the Jews concerning the cow. They ended up having great difficulty finding the cow in question, then paying a great deal of money for it, when, had they not asked, any ordinary cow would have been sufficient.

Allah the Highest told us in a very embracing Ayah: “YOU WHO BELIEVE, DO NOT ASK ABOUT THINGS WHICH IF SHOWN SHALL HURT YOU”. (S: 5 A: 101)

Al-Mogera Ibn Shouba, Allah’s messenger’s companion, reported that Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, forbad the Muslims from saying that it was said and he said, and from wasting money and from asking too many questions”.

(B: Reqaq; 22 & M: Aqdiah; 10 & Mal: Kalam; 20)

When Allah the Highest, made Hajj a duty upon the Muslims, a man asked Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him: “Would it be for every year Allah’s messenger?” He did not get an answer. He asked three times without getting an answer. Then Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “No, and had I said yes, it would have become an obligation for you”. Then he, prayer and peace upon him, said: “Do not ask about the things I did not tell you about, for what caused the destruction of people before you, was; asking too many question, their disputes and differing with their prophets. Therefore, whenever I command you to do something, do I, and whenever I forbid you from doing something, avoid it”.

(B: Etesam; 2 & M: Hajj; 411& N: Hajj; 1 & Ma: Moqademah; 1 & A: 246,249)

Thanks to Allah; Allah’s messenger’s companions were very economical with their questions to him. Had they been always questioning Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, arguing and disputing with him as the Jews were with their prophets and messengers; they would have made things very difficult for the Muslim Nation.

This questioning and disputing leads us astray from Allah’s Path, the Even Path to the Uneven Path. This Uneven Path is full of difficulties; these are all of our own making.

Nowadays, we hear many Muslims ask many detailed questions about their religion, concerning very simple and clear rules, as to whether this or the other is better, and some so called scholars, giving answers which make the Muslims daily life difficult, when the questions should not have been asked in the first place. This is something we should not do.

B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood

Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi

Baqarah 106-107

106- IF WE ABROGATE AN AYAH OR CAUSE IT TO BE FORGOTTEN, WE REPLACE IT WITH WHAT IS BETTER THAN IT OR LIKE IT, DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT ALLAH HAS POWER TO DO ALL THINGS.

107- DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT TO ALLAH BELONGS THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS AND OF THE EARTH, AND YOU HAVE NEITHER AN ALLY NOR SUPPORTER OTHER THAN HIM.

There are two facts in these Ayahs; they are both important for understanding the Quran. I will mention the second first, which is that Allah the Highest caused some of the Ayahs of the Quran to be forgotten. These Ayahs are not known to us, this was a way of abolishing a temporary rule included in these Ayahs. By causing them to be forgotten, this ruling would have been abolished totally from the minds as well as from the Quran.

Abrogation is for the rule mentioned in the Ayah to be overruled. It is not necessarily totally cancelled, but almost.

The reasons for that were that Islam went through phases:

- The Muslims were living in Mekka for 13 years before migrating to Medina. There, they were few and were persecuted. The commands to regulate their lives were mainly, in general moral and ethical terms, but there was no Law, Sharia, or Hodoud (the penalties of the Islamic law), as there was no authority to implement it.

-

- When the Muslims migrated to Yathrib (Medina), they soon became the Majority. Allah the Highest sent down Quran with commands and Laws to regulate the Muslim’s society, which the Muslims were then able to enforce, as they had a state and Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, was the Head of this State.

- Allah the Highest did not send the Quran down as one piece, but an Ayah or a few Ayahs at a time. The same happened with the Islamic Law, it was sent down gradually mostly over the last 10 years of Allah’s messenger’s life.

- Some of the Laws were introduced gradually. Like Inheritance.

Initially, Allah the Highest commanded the Muslims to make wills, and to make these wills in favour of their parents and close kin. Allah the Highest sent this Ayah first: “IT IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU THAT SHOULD DEATH APPROACHES ONE OF YOU AND HE HAS SOME GOODS TO LEAVE BEHIND, TO MAKE A WILL TO THE PARENTS, CLOSE KIN, KINDLY. THIS IS A DUTY UPON THE PIOUS”. (S: 2 A: 180)

This was later followed by the commands in Sorah Al-Nesae, and other Ayahs detailing the portion every inheritor should have. This did not abolish the will altogether, but limited it to no more than one third of the estate and this has two conditions: a- It should not be unjust. b- It should not be made to one of the inheritors. Detailed discussion of this will be made when discussing these Ayahs.

- Some prohibitions were done gradually also, as with Intoxicants and Gambling. This was out of Allah’s Mercy, as these idle worshipping societies were full of many evil habits, and stopping them suddenly could have been difficult.

First Allah the Highest sent this Ayah down: “THEY ASK YOU ABOUT INTOXICANTS AND GAMBLING; SAY: ‘THEY HAVE A GREAT SIN AS WELL AS BENEFITS TO PEOPLE, BUT THEIR EVIL IS GREATER THAN THEIR BENEFITS”.

(S: 2 A: 219)

Then Allah the Highest commanded the Muslims not to pray while drunk so that they did not make mistakes in their Salah, saying: “YOU WHO BELIEVE, DO NOT APPROACH THE SALAH WHILE YOU ARE DRUNK, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT TO SAY”.

(S: 3 A: 43)

This meant that the Muslims could not drink wine and intoxicants during the day, but only after they prayed Esha Salah, which was too late for most of them. They were people who worked manually all day; they woke up for Fajr and slept when it was dark.

Then Allah the Highest forbad intoxicants and gambling totally saying: “BUT SATAN WISHES TO CAUSE ANIMOSITY AND HATRED BETWEEN YOU THROUGH WINE (INTOXICANTS) AND GAMBLING, AND PREVENTS YOU FROM REMEMBERING ALLAH AND FROM SALAH, SO WOULD YOU NOT BE FORBIDDEN”. (S: 5 A: 91)

- Some commands were hard for the Muslims to follow, and they were abrogated to make things easier for them. This was Allah the Highest showing His Mercy and Compassion to the Muslims after they showed their willingness to obey and submit to difficult commands. For Example; Allah the Highest sent down this Ayah: “TO ALLAH BELONGS ALLAH BELONGS ALL THERE IS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH, AND WHETHER YOU SHOW WHAT IS INSIDE YOU OR HIDE IT, ALLAH WILL JUDGE YOU BY IT, FORGIVING WHOM HE WILLS AND PUNISHES WHOM HE WILLS, AND ALLAH IS ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS”. (S:2 A:284)

This was difficult for the believers, and they told Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, so. He told them to accept Allah’s rule and say we hear and we obey. When they did this, Allah the Highest sent the next two Ayahs down: “THE MESSENGER BELIEVED IN WHAT WAS SENT DOWN TO HIM FROM HIS LORD, SO DID THE BELIEVERS; THEY ALL BELIEVED IN ALLAH, HIS ANGELS, HIS BOOKS AND HIS MESSENGER, WE DO NOT MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN HIS MESSENGERS, AND THEY SAID: ‘WE HEAR AND WE OBEY, OUR LORD FORGIVE US, FOR TO YOU IS OUR DESTINY * ALLAH DOES NOT DEMAND FROM A SOUL MORE THAN IT CAN BEAR, FOR IT WHAT IT HAS EARNED AND UPON IT WHAT IT HAS EARNED, …………………….” (S: 2 A: 285-286)

And Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “Allah pardoned for my nation what they thought of inside themselves, as long as they did not do it or speak of it”. (B: Talaq; 11)

- Testing People’s faith; as happened when the Qibla (the direction one faces when praying) was changed from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Sacred Mosque (in Mekka).

Before Migration to Medina in the North, the Muslims prayed towards both Al-Aqsa mosque and the Kabba. After migrating, they prayed towards Al-Aqsa mosque for some 17 months. Then, Allah the Highest sent down Quran changing the Qibla to the Kabba saying: “WE SEE THE TURNING OF YOUR FACE FROM THE SKY, SO WE WILL TURN YOU TOWARDS A QIBLA WHICH WILL PLEASE YOU, SO TURN YOUR FACE TOWARDS THE SACRED MOSQUE, AND WHEREVER YOU ARE TURN YOUR FACE TOWARDS IT. THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK KNOW THAT IT IS THE TRUTH FROM THEIR LORD, AND ALLAH IS NOT UNAWARE OF WHAT THEY DO”. (S: 2 A: 144)

Allah the Highest made it clear that this was a test to distinguish the true from the untrue believers saying: “AND WE DID NOT MAKE YOU FACE THE QIBLA YOU USED TO FOLLOW EXCEPT TO KNOW WHO FOLLOWS THE MESSENGERS FROM THOSE WHO TURN BACK ON THEIR HEALS, INDEED IT IS HARD EXCEPT FOR THOSE TRULY GUIDED BY ALLAH”. (S: 2 A: 143)

These were just some examples to explain the concept of abrogation in the Quran and in Islam. They are certainly not all the cases, but just examples to explain the idea and concept. I hope it made the issue clear.

B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood

Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi

Baqarah 105

105- NEITHER THOSE WHO DISBELIEVED OUT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK NOR DO THE IDOLATERS WISH ANY GOODNESS TO COME DOWN TO YOU FROM YOUR LORD. ALLAH CHOOSES WHOM HE WILLS FOR HIS MERCY, AND ALLAH HAS INFINITE BOUNTIES.

There are more Ayahs which carry the same meaning, Allah the Highest said: “IF YOU ARE AFFECTED BY SOMETHING GOOD, IT WILL DISPLEASE THEM, BUT IF AFFLICTION STRIKES YOU, IT WILL PLEASE THEM, BUT IF YOU ARE PATIENT AND PERSEVERE, THEIR PLOTTING WILL NOT AFFECT YOU IN ANY WAY, FOR ALLAH KNOW ALL THEY DO”. (S: 3 A: 120)

What we should know, is that the disbelievers of any kind do not wish any goodness to come to us, neither in this life, nor in the Hereafter. This includes the people of the book, i.e. The Jews and Christians.

Allah’s bounties are plenty, some are given to the every one, believer and disbelievers, like wealth and health. Other bounties are given to the believers only, in this life and in the hereafter, they include:

- Understanding Faith. Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “Allah gives of this world those he loves and those he does not love, but gives faith only to those he loves”.

- This Faith, and it’s understanding, is what Allah the Highest called “Wisdom” in the Quran, it is a great bounty, for Allah the Highest said: “HE GIVES THE WISDOM TO WHOM HE WILLS, AND HE WHO IS GRANTED THE WISDOM, HE HAS BEEN GRANTED A GREAT DEAL OF BOUNTY, BUT ONLY THOSE OF SOUND MINDS WILL KNOW AND REMEMBER”. (S:2 A:269)

- There is no limit or restriction to Allah’s bounties. Allah the Highest rewards the Muslim twice as much as he would reward other nations. Allah the Highest said: “YOU WHO BELIEVE, BE RIGHTEOUS AND GUARD YOURSELVES FROM ALLAH’S DISPLEASURE, AND BELIEVE IN HIS MESSENGER, HE WILL GIVE YOU TWICE AS MUCH OF HIS MERCY AND WILL LET YOU HAVE LIGHTS TO WALK WITH, AND WILL FORGIVE YOU, FOR ALLAH IS MOST FORGIVING, MOST MERCIFUL”. (S:57 A:28)

This Ayah is clarified by this Hadith in which Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “The parable of you and the Jews is like that of a man who hired workers telling them: ‘You will work for me to midday for so much’. The Jews worked for that much and the Christians worked for the same amount. Then you come and work from ASR, until Magrib (i.e. mid-afternoon until sunset) for twice the payment. The Jews and Christians get angry and say: ‘Our work is more than them but our bounty is less’. He (Allah) says: ‘Did I hold back what is due to you unjustly?’ They say: ‘No’. He says: “This is my bounty; I give to whoever I wish”.

(B: Maqaqeet; 17 & T: Adab; 82 & Ma: Nekah; 48 & A: 2; 111,121 6; 95)

106- IF WE ABROGATE AN AYAH OR CAUSE IT TO BE FORGOTTEN, WE REPLACE IT WITH WHAT IS BETTER THAN IT OR LIKE IT, DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT ALLAH HAS POWER TO DO ALL THINGS.

107- DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT TO ALLAH BELONGS THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS AND OF THE EARTH, AND YOU HAVE NEITHER AN ALLY NOR SUPPORTER OTHER THAN HIM.

There are two facts in these Ayahs; they are both important for understanding the Quran. I will mention the second first, which is that Allah the Highest caused some of the Ayahs of the Quran to be forgotten. These Ayahs are not known to us, this was a way of abolishing a temporary rule included in these Ayahs. By causing them to be forgotten, this ruling would have been abolished totally from the minds as well as from the Quran.

Abrogation is for the rule mentioned in the Ayah to be overruled. It is not necessarily totally cancelled, but almost.

The reasons for that were that Islam went through phases:

- The Muslims were living in Mekka for 13 years before migrating to Medina. There, they were few and were persecuted. The commands to regulate their lives were mainly, in general moral and ethical terms, but there was no Law, Sharia, or Hodoud (the penalties of the Islamic law), as there was no authority to implement it.

-

- When the Muslims migrated to Yathrib (Medina), they soon became the Majority. Allah the Highest sent down Quran with commands and Laws to regulate the Muslim’s society, which the Muslims were then able to enforce, as they had a state and Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, was the Head of this State.

- Allah the Highest did not send the Quran down as one piece, but an Ayah or a few Ayahs at a time. The same happened with the Islamic Law, it was sent down gradually mostly over the last 10 years of Allah’s messenger’s life.

- Some of the Laws were introduced gradually. Like Inheritance.

Initially, Allah the Highest commanded the Muslims to make wills, and to make these wills in favour of their parents and close kin. Allah the Highest sent this Ayah first: “IT IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU THAT SHOULD DEATH APPROACHES ONE OF YOU AND HE HAS SOME GOODS TO LEAVE BEHIND, TO MAKE A WILL TO THE PARENTS, CLOSE KIN, KINDLY. THIS IS A DUTY UPON THE PIOUS”. (S: 2 A: 180)

This was later followed by the commands in Sorah Al-Nesae, and other Ayahs detailing the portion every inheritor should have. This did not abolish the will altogether, but limited it to no more than one third of the estate and this has two conditions: a- It should not be unjust. b- It should not be made to one of the inheritors. Detailed discussion of this will be made when discussing these Ayahs.

- Some prohibitions were done gradually also, as with Intoxicants and Gambling. This was out of Allah’s Mercy, as these idle worshipping societies were full of many evil habits, and stopping them suddenly could have been difficult.

First Allah the Highest sent this Ayah down: “THEY ASK YOU ABOUT INTOXICANTS AND GAMBLING; SAY: ‘THEY HAVE A GREAT SIN AS WELL AS BENEFITS TO PEOPLE, BUT THEIR EVIL IS GREATER THAN THEIR BENEFITS”.

(S: 2 A: 219)

Then Allah the Highest commanded the Muslims not to pray while drunk so that they did not make mistakes in their Salah, saying: “YOU WHO BELIEVE, DO NOT APPROACH THE SALAH WHILE YOU ARE DRUNK, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT TO SAY”.

(S: 3 A: 43)

This meant that the Muslims could not drink wine and intoxicants during the day, but only after they prayed Esha Salah, which was too late for most of them. They were people who worked manually all day; they woke up for Fajr and slept when it was dark.

Then Allah the Highest forbad intoxicants and gambling totally saying: “BUT SATAN WISHES TO CAUSE ANIMOSITY AND HATRED BETWEEN YOU THROUGH WINE (INTOXICANTS) AND GAMBLING, AND PREVENTS YOU FROM REMEMBERING ALLAH AND FROM SALAH, SO WOULD YOU NOT BE FORBIDDEN”. (S: 5 A: 91)

- Some commands were hard for the Muslims to follow, and they were abrogated to make things easier for them. This was Allah the Highest showing His Mercy and Compassion to the Muslims after they showed their willingness to obey and submit to difficult commands. For Example; Allah the Highest sent down this Ayah: “TO ALLAH BELONGS ALLAH BELONGS ALL THERE IS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH, AND WHETHER YOU SHOW WHAT IS INSIDE YOU OR HIDE IT, ALLAH WILL JUDGE YOU BY IT, FORGIVING WHOM HE WILLS AND PUNISHES WHOM HE WILLS, AND ALLAH IS ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS”. (S:2 A:284)

This was difficult for the believers, and they told Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, so. He told them to accept Allah’s rule and say we hear and we obey. When they did this, Allah the Highest sent the next two Ayahs down: “THE MESSENGER BELIEVED IN WHAT WAS SENT DOWN TO HIM FROM HIS LORD, SO DID THE BELIEVERS; THEY ALL BELIEVED IN ALLAH, HIS ANGELS, HIS BOOKS AND HIS MESSENGER, WE DO NOT MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN HIS MESSENGERS, AND THEY SAID: ‘WE HEAR AND WE OBEY, OUR LORD FORGIVE US, FOR TO YOU IS OUR DESTINY * ALLAH DOES NOT DEMAND FROM A SOUL MORE THAN IT CAN BEAR, FOR IT WHAT IT HAS EARNED AND UPON IT WHAT IT HAS EARNED, …………………….” (S: 2 A: 285-286)

And Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “Allah pardoned for my nation what they thought of inside themselves, as long as they did not do it or speak of it”. (B: Talaq; 11)

- Testing People’s faith; as happened when the Qibla (the direction one faces when praying) was changed from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the Sacred Mosque (in Mekka).

Before Migration to Medina in the North, the Muslims prayed towards both Al-Aqsa mosque and the Kabba. After migrating, they prayed towards Al-Aqsa mosque for some 17 months. Then, Allah the Highest sent down Quran changing the Qibla to the Kabba saying: “WE SEE THE TURNING OF YOUR FACE FROM THE SKY, SO WE WILL TURN YOU TOWARDS A QIBLA WHICH WILL PLEASE YOU, SO TURN YOUR FACE TOWARDS THE SACRED MOSQUE, AND WHEREVER YOU ARE TURN YOUR FACE TOWARDS IT. THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK KNOW THAT IT IS THE TRUTH FROM THEIR LORD, AND ALLAH IS NOT UNAWARE OF WHAT THEY DO”. (S: 2 A: 144)

Allah the Highest made it clear that this was a test to distinguish the true from the untrue believers saying: “AND WE DID NOT MAKE YOU FACE THE QIBLA YOU USED TO FOLLOW EXCEPT TO KNOW WHO FOLLOWS THE MESSENGERS FROM THOSE WHO TURN BACK ON THEIR HEALS, INDEED IT IS HARD EXCEPT FOR THOSE TRULY GUIDED BY ALLAH”. (S: 2 A: 143)

These were just some examples to explain the concept of abrogation in the Quran and in Islam. They are certainly not all the cases, but just examples to explain the idea and concept. I hope it made the issue clear.

B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood

Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi

Baqarah 104

104- YOU WHO BELIEVE, DO NOT SAY: “RAENA” (ATTEND TO US) AND SAY: “INZORNA” (LOOK AT US) AND LISTEN, AND THE DISBELIEVERS WILL HAVE HUMILIATING PUNISHMENT.

Allah the Highest is addressing the Muslims saying “YOU WHO BELIEVE”. This means that it is instructions and commands for the believers, which is different from addressing mankind, which usually takes the form of “O PEOPLE” or “O MANKIND”. So there is a command to the believers in this Ayah.

The command is not to use a certain word addressing Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him. Why?

When the Jews of Medina went to see Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, about something, they did not call him Allah’s messenger, but called him by the name Aba Al Qasim (Father of Qasim). Qasim was his first son who died before he was two.

When they wanted to attract his attention, they said to him Raenn, which means reckless and irresponsible, twisting their tongues with the word Raena which means attend to us. This was to covertly insult him, prayer and peace upon him.

Unaware of what the Jews were doing, some of the Muslims said to Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, “Raena”, therefore Allah the Highest forbad the Muslims from using this word with Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him. Consequently, any one who does will mean to insult Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him.

Allah the Highest spoke about the Jews doing this on another occasion in Sorah Al-Nesae saying: “ OF THE JEWS THOSE WHO TAKE WORDS OUT OF CONTEXT AND THEY SAY: “WE HEAR AND WE DISOBEY” AND “HEAR, BUT YOU ARE NOT BEING HEARD”, AND: “RAENA” TWISTING THEIR TONGUES WITH IT AND TO SLANDER THE RELIGION. BUT IF THEY SAY: “WE HEAR AND WE OBEY, AND LISTEN TO US AND LOOK AT US”, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR THEM AND MORE PROPER. BUT ALLAH CURSED THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR DISBELIEF, THEY DO NOT BELIEVE, JUST FEW OF THEM”. (S: 4 A: 46)

Allah the Highest is promising them a humiliating punishment. We notice that they meant, to mock Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, and in return Allah the Highest will humiliate them.

There are a number of lessons in this Ayah, of them:-

- The Muslims should not blindly imitate non-Muslims in what they say and do, they might find that they have been doing a great wrong and are becoming like them. Allah’s messenger prayers and peace upon him said: “He who imitates what a group of people do, he is one of them”. (A:2;50 & D:Lebas;4)

- Mohamed, prayer and peace upon him, was not just rejected by the Jews, but they mocked him and on several occasions tried to kill him. This is not new for them, as they did the same with other prophets and messengers of Allah.

- All Allah messengers, peace upon them, suffered physical and verbal abuse by the disbelievers. Allah the Highest said: “BUT NO MESSENGER EVER CAME WITHOUT BEING MOCKED”. (S:15 A:11)He also said: “OTHER MESSENGERS BEFORE YOU WERE MOCKED, HOWEVER THOSE WHO MOCKED THEM WERE TAKEN BY THE VERY THING THEY DREADED”. (S:6 A:10)

- The Muslims should never associate themselves with, or sit down with, those who mock their religion or Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, Allah the Highest said: “DO NOT TAKE THOSE WHO MOCK YOUR RELIGION OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU AND THE DISBELIEVERS AS CLOSE FRIENDS AND ALLIES, BE PIOUS IF YOU ARE TRULY BELIEVERS”. (S:5 A:57)

- The Muslims should never mock one another, for Allah the Highest said: “YOU WHO BELIEF, LET NOT ONE GROUP OF YOU MOCK ANOTHER, FOR THEY MIGHT BE BETTER THAN THEM, NOR SHALL ONE GROUP OF WOMEN MOCK ANOTHER GROUP OF WOMEN, FOR THEY MIGHT BE BETTER THAN THEM, AND DO NOT MAKE MOCKING GESTURES ABOUT EACH OTHER, AND DO NOT CALL EACH OTHER BAD NAMES, FOR THE WORST SIN IS EVIL DOING AFTER YOU HAVE BELIEVED, AS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT REPENT, THEY ARE THE EVIL DOERS”. (S:49 A:11)

B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood

Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi

Baqarah 102-103

102- AND THEY FOLLOWED WHAT THE DEVILS SAY ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF SOLIMAN. SOLIMAN DID NOT DISBELIEVE, BUT THE DEVILS DID. THEY TEACH PEOPLE BLACK MAGIC AND WHAT WAS SENT DOWN UPON THE ANGELS IN BABYLON; HAROUT AND MAROUT. THEY DO NOT TEACH ANYONE WITHOUT SAYING: “WE ARE BUT A TEMPTATION, DO NOT DISBELIEF”. THEY LEARN FROM THEM WHAT MAY CREATE DISCORD BETWEEN A MAN AND HIS WIFE; HOWEVER IT DOES NOT HARM ANYONE WITHOUT ALLAH’S PERMISSION. THEY LEARN WHAT HARMS AND DO NOT BENEFIT THEM, WHILE THEY KNOW THAT THOSE WHOEVER BUYS IT (WITCHCRAFT), THEY HAVE NO SHARE IN THE HEREAFTER. EVIL IS WHAT THEY SOLD THEIR SOULS FOR, HAD THEY KNOWN.

103- HAD THEY BELIEVED, AND BECOME PIOUS, ALLAH’S REWARD WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR THEM, IF THEY KNOW.

Many of the Jews practiced witchcraft, taught it, probably still do. They claim that it has been taught to them by Harout and Marout, two angels of Babylon, their story was narrated as follows:

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him: “When Allah sent Adam peace upon him to the Earth, the angels said: “O Lord, do you place therein he who causes mischief therein and sheds blood, while we hymn your praises and sanctify you?” Allah Said: “I know what you do not know”. The angels said: “O Lord, we are more obedient to you than the children of Adam” Allah said: “Bring two of the angels to be sent down to live on Earth (as humans) to see what they will do”. They said: “Our Lord, we choose Harout and Marout”. And they were sent down to Earth. A rose was made to be like the best looking of women. When they saw her, they asked her for herself, but she said: “Not before you say a word of taking partners with Allah”. They said: “Never, by Allah, we will never worship partners besides Allah”. She went away and came back carrying a boy. They asked her for herself again, but she said: “No by Allah. Not until you kill this boy”. They said: “No by Allah, well will never kill him”. She went away and came back with wine. When they asked her for herself, she said: “No by Allah, not before you drink the wine”. They drunk the wine, were drunk, they had her and they killed the boy. When they came back to their senses, the woman said: “By Allah, when you became drunk, you did every thing I asked you to do”. They were given a choice of either punishment in this life or in the hereafter, and they choose punishment in this life”. (Ahmed)

This did happen at the time of Babylon as these two angels lived in there. The practiced Witchcraft and were particularly good at it, which I part of disbelieve they did not submit initially. It is clear from the above Ayahs that Allah the Highest considers those who practice Witchcraft to have disbelieved, although they might still believe in God.

Harout and Marout were an example of those who lived pure life but were tempted to go astray, and they became a temptation themselves. They tempt people to teach them the power of Witchcraft, but the price is his, disbelieve. And they warn people about that.

Witchcraft is a kind of power, but evil power. Evil things are done via Witchcraft like creating discord between a husband and wife. To have power to do evil, makes a person very evil himself, to the point of disbelieve, even if they believe, Allah the Highest considers them disbelievers.

Temptation is a part of life and part of the destiny of the sons of Adam. No one will be left without temptation. Allah the Highest said: “DID PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY WILL BE LEFT FOR SAYING: “WE BELIEVE, WITHOUT BEING TEMPTED”. (S: 29 A: 2)

The angels are not made with a choice and they are not used to temptation and testing as humans are. What happens to Harout and Marout shows us that to stand firm and resist temptation is much harder than to worship all the time as the angels do, but without being subjected to the temptations and difficulties of life. Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “The believer who mixes with people and tolerates their hurt and trial will have a greater reward than he who does not mix with people nor tolerate their hurt”. (Ma: Fetan; 23 & A: 2:43)

Allah the Highest is clearing Solomon, peace upon him, of an Accusation made about him by the Jews, as they did about most of the prophets and messengers, peace upon them. They claim that, Solomon controlled his kingdom and the Jinn, birds, animals etc. by Witchcraft. Allah the Highest said “. SOLIMAN DID NOT DISBELIEVE, BUT THE DEVILS DID”. Meaning that he had nothing to do with Witchcraft, which Allah the Highest considers those who practice it to be disbelieves. They also do not believe that SOLIMAN or David were prophets, but kings. This is another issue however.

B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood

Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi

Baqarah 99-101

99- WE SENT CLEAR SIGNS DOWN TO YOU; ONLY THE EVIL DOERS REJECT THEM.

100- WOULD EVERY TIME THEY MAKE A COVENANT, SOME OF THEM CAST IT ASIDE, BUT MOST OF THEM DO NOT BELIEVE.

101- WHEN A MESSENGER FROM ALLAH COMES TO THEM CONFIRMING WHAT THEY HAVE (OF THE SCRIPTURE), THEN A GROUP OF THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE SCRIPTURE CAST ALLAH’S BOOK BEHIND THEIR BACKS AS IF THEY DO NOT KNOW.

Allah the Highest is again condemning the Jews for not believing. As mentioned in the previous Ayahs, it was clear to them that the Quran comes from Allah the Highest, via the Archangel Gabriel, who they do not like, hence their disbelief. Does this make sense to any one?

This is nothing but evil doing by evil doers.

They made covenants with Allah the Highest, to believe in His prophets and messengers, prayer and peace upon them all, but none of them keep their covenant. They cast these covenants behind their backs, ignoring them, as if they had never heard of them.

They see Allah’s Word in the Quran, understand it, then they cast it away behind their backs, meaning ,, as if they throw it away or ignore it. Not out of lack or understanding or real disbelief over where it came from, but out of rejecting any thing threatening to the status they claim for themselves as God’s chosen people.

Would God’s chosen people reject God’s guidance, His prophets and messengers?

Would God’s chosen people kill God’s prophets and messengers?

Would God’s chosen people, disobey Allah and become so stubborn and proud of it?

As the saying goes; We all make our beds and then have to lie in them.

Baqarah 97-98

97- SAY: “WHOEVER AN ENEMY OF GABRIEL IS, HE BROUGHT IT DOWN UPON YOUR HEART WITH ALLAH’S PERMISSION; CONFIRMING WHAT HAS BEEN SENT DOWN BEFORE YOU, GUIDANCE AND GOOD NEWS FOR THE BELIEVERS.

98- WHOEVER IS ANY ENEMY OF ALLAH, HIS ANGELS, HIS MESSENGERS, GABRIEL AND MICHAEL, THEN ALLAH IS AN ENEMY TO THE DISBELIEVERS.

Ibn Jarir Al-Tabari reported that Qitadah reported that Omar Ibn El-Khatab went to speak to the Jews. He said to them: “I did not come to you because I like you or your company, but because I came to listen to what you have to say”. They asked Him: “Who is the companion of your companion (of the Angels)?” He said: “Gabriel”. They said: “He is our enemy, he tells Mohamed our secrets, and whenever he comes to us, he comes with war and destruction. Our friend is Michael, when he comes; he brings us prosperity and peace”. Omar said: “Do you recognize Gabriel and reject Mohamed?”

Meaning how they can recognize the fact the Mohamed, prayer and peace upon him, receives revelations from Allah’s Archangel, then reject Mohamed as a messenger.

Omar left them and went to tell Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, to find that he received the above Ayahs.

The Jews spoke of Gabriel and Michael, Allah’s great Angels as if they have a will of their own, as if they do not do what they are commanded, but what they like. The Angels are but messengers from Allah the Highest. The prophets and messengers, prayer and peace upon them all, are human beings, therefore, they have a will, they have a choice, but the Angels do not have any choice. Allah the Highest said about them:

“ALLAH SELECTS MESSENGERS FROM THE ANGELS AND FROM PEOPLE”. (S: 22 A: 75)

Also said:

“THEY DO NOT DISOBEY A COMMAND THEY ARE GIVEN, THEY DO WHAT THEY ARE COMMANDED TO DO”. (S: 66 A: 6)

If they recognized that Mohamed, prayer and peace upon him, received his revelations from Allah’s Archangel Gabriel, then the revelations, that is the Quran must be truly from God. Then the disbelief of the Jews had nothing to do with their disbelief in Mohamed being a true messenger of God, but with their own desires and intentions.

Hence they incur Allah’s Wrath and Anger.