Atheists in Quran (43) when their Doubt Leads to Hell

In Surah 2, there is no doubt the Quran that it is Allah’s Book.

However, the Atheists and unbelievers are in doubt about it.

Well, if they are in doubt about the Quran, then produce only one Surah like it. If they do not do it, otherwise, this doubt will leads to the Eternal Hell in the Afterlife!

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In the previous articles,

  1. Allah challenges the entire Humankind to produce a Quran like the one revealed and when they have failed,
  2. Allah challenged them to produce ten Surah similar to the Quran.  When the entire Humankind have failed,
  3. Allah challenges the entire Humankind to produce only ONE Surah similar to the Quran.

In this article, Surah 2 (chapter 2) of the Noble Quran puts the end of this unique linguistic Challenge

Surah 2 begins with Allah’s affirmation that the Quran is His book without any doubt; in it, there is guidance unto those who ward off Hell. (Verse 2:2)

The Creator, Exalted be He, knows that some of his arrogant creature have doubt about the Quran.

Allah knows that the Atheists and unbelievers claim that Muhammad forged the Quran and they are in doubt about the Quran.

In the verses 2:23-24 we have this strict clear-cut plan that is followed by severe warning

1)    If you are in doubt about the Quran, then produce only one Surah like it

2)    Seek the help of the entire humankind to help you in your work

3)    If you do not do it, and in fact you WILL NEVER Ever DO IT, then guard yourselves against the Hell whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the Atheists and unbelievers.

Hence, the verse 2:23 put the end of the unique linguistic Challenge by stating that the Atheists + the unbelievers + humankind will never ever Challenge the Quran and they are unable to cope with the challenge and emulate even one Surah like it

The Atheists + the unbelievers + humankind cannot produce 15 Arabic words and produce a Surah like that present in the Quran!

This is the summary of the plan that is followed by severe warning

Now, let us discuss this risky issue calmly

 “This is the Book; there is no doubt about it a guidance unto those who ward off Hell.” (Verse 2)

The key words in this statement are:

  • Doubt
  • Guidance
  • Hell

Guidance expresses the essence and the nature of the Quran.

But guidance for whom? Who are the people who will find that this Book provides them with light, direction and true counsel?

They are the Allah-fearing.

They fear Allah, submit, obey and Ward off Hell

Once a man’s heart is filled with the fear of Allah, he will benefit by the Quran. Fear and consciousness of Allah is the quality that opens one’s mind to the true guidance contained in the Quran and allows it to have its proper effect on one’s life.

Fear of Allah is the factor that causes one’s heart and mind to become sensitive and receptive to Allah’s guidance and enables one to respond to His call and His instruction.

Anyone seeking the benefit and Allahly wisdom of the Quran must approach it with an open mind and a pure heart. One must also approach it with perception and sensitivity, and with a determination not to fall by the wayside or be tempted away from Allah.

Then, and only then, will the marvels and treasures of the Quran be opened and revealed, and their light and wisdom will pour into this apprehensive, alert and welcoming heart.

Fear of Allah, then, is to have a sensitive conscience, clear feelings, a continuous concern, vigilance and alacrity, and a yearning for the correct path in life. It is a feeling that is ever alive, a feeling of being aware of life’s temptations and pitfalls; and the ambitions and hopes, and the worries and fears that come with it. It is a feeling of being able to discern false hopes and unwarranted fears that one associates with individuals or powers that could neither bring benefit nor cause harm.

A Divine Challenge

Allah puts a scientific plan for the Atheists and unbelievers

The Quran is challenging them all, as indeed it challenges humankind in general, saying:

“If you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce one Surah comparable to it and call upon all your witnesses, other than Allah, if what you say is true.” (Verse 23)

The challenge begins with emphasizing an important fact by describing the Prophet Muhammad as Allah’s ‘servant’. This description is significant in a number of ways: it is,

First, an honor to the Prophet himself and an indication that to be a ‘servant’ of Allah is the highest honor a human being can attain.

Second, it affirms the essence of servitude to Allah in the universal human context, calling on all men to submit only to Allah and renounce all partners that may be associated with Him.

The Prophet Muhammad, who attained the highest position of honor as a recipient of Allah’s Revelations, is also honored by being described as a servant of Allah.

The challenge = If they were in any doubt, they were free to produce anything, even one Surah, comparable to it, and they could seek the help of the entire humankind.

This challenge remained open throughout the Prophet’s life, and has done so ever since. The Quranic argument stands just as firmly today as it has through the centuries.

Thus, Allah’s words, and His warning, remain true:

“But if you fail, as you will certainly do, then guard yourselves against the fire, fuelled by men and stones, prepared for the unbelievers.” (Verse 24)

It is a remarkable challenge indeed, but what is even more remarkable is the absolute certainty with which it is made. Were any of the unbelieving Arabs able to take up the challenge, they would not have hesitated for a moment. The Quranic assertion of the futility of their task, and the endurance of that assertion, are in themselves manifest and irrefutable proof of its superior nature.

The opportunity remains wide open for anyone or any group to pick up the gauntlet and try their best to match the Quran and refute its claims of divinity and superiority.

However, this has not happened and, as the Quran clearly states, will never happen. That is the Quran’s final word for posterity.

Anyone with any real knowledge or appreciation of literary styles, or expertise in philosophy, psychology, social science, or any other science at all, will not fail to recognize that whatever the Quran has to say in any field of knowledge is something unique, unlike anything human beings would say. Argument over this fact can only arise from blind ignorance or sheer prejudice.

The stern warning to “guard yourselves against the fire, fuelled by men and stones” comes as no surprise to those who may fail in their challenge to Allah but persist, nevertheless, with their rejection of the truth.

The use of the word ‘stones’ here is fascinating.

This fire is prepared for the Atheists and unbelievers.

They are the ones who have failed to take up Allah’s challenge, and persisted, nevertheless, in their rejection of His message.

They are stone like, although they have a human form. Hence the connection between humans and stones in this verse. The expression amply conveys the horror of the awesome scene in which people and stones are both:

  • The fuel of the Fire
  • Consumed by Fire

Miserably, this is the doubt that leads to the Eternal Hell in the Afterlife!

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The verse 2:2 in different translations:

QARIB:

That is the (holy) book, where there is no doubt. it is a guidance for the cautious (of evil and hell).

SHAKIR:

This book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil)

PICKTHAL:

This is the scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).

YUSUFALI:

This is the book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;

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The verses 2:23-24 in different translations:

QARIB:

23- If you are in doubt of what we have sent down to our worshiper (prophet muhammad), produce a chapter comparable to it. call upon your helpers, other than Allah, to assist you, if you are true.

24- But if you fail, as you are sure to fail, then guard yourselves against the fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the unbelievers.

SHAKIR:

23- And if you are in doubt as to that which we have revealed to our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful

24- But if you do (it) not and never shall you do (it), then be on your guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel; it is prepared for the unbelievers

PICKTHAL:

23- And if ye are in doubt concerning that which we reveal unto our slave (Muhammad), then produce a surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful.

24- And if ye do it not – and ye can never do it – then guard yourselves against the fire prepared for disbelievers, whose fuel is of men and stones.

YUSUFALI:

23- And if ye are in doubt as to what we have revealed from time to time to our servant, then produce a sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.

24- But if ye cannot- and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones,- which is prepared for those who reject faith.

Atheists in Quran (31) Noah pleads with his Atheist son

Aware of the terrible reality, Noah pleads with him for the last time: O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown. His son said: I shall seek refuge in a mountain, which will afford me protection from the waves. In an instant, the gigantic waves swallow everything up, so he was among the drowned by the flood

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The verses 11:40-42 say,

“Embark with us, my child, and do not stay with the unbelievers.”

As a proud arrogant, the Atheist son does not respond to his loving father.

He does not realize the extent of the terrible event that is taking place.

Noah said: O my son! Come ride with us

His son said: I shall take refuge in a mountain that will protect me, from the water’.

Noah said: O my son! Be saved with us

His son said: the mountain that will preserve me, from the flood’.

Noah said: O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown

His son said: the mountain will prevent me from drowning, the mountain will afford me protection from the flood.

Aware of the terrible reality, Noah pleads with him for the last time:

“Today there is no protection for anyone from Allah’s judgment, except those who shall enjoy His mercy.”

In an instant, the scene changes and the gigantic waves swallow everything up:

The Huge waves came between them, so he was among the drowned by the flood

Today as we read this story, it is as if we see these events happening now before our very own eyes.

The ark is sailing amid huge waves, Noah, the worried father makes one plea after another; his conceited young son insolently turns his back, and then suddenly a towering wave settles the issue.

Everything is over as if the dialogue did not take place.

The element of fear and worry in this scene is measured by its:

  1. Depth in the human soul, in the conversation between Noah and his son.
  2. Extent in nature, as the waves rise high to submerge the tops of the mountains.

Both elements are equal.

This is a distinctive feature of how the Quran tells us about the ancient people.

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Then, the storm subsides, an air of calmness spreads, the matter is settled according to Allah’s will.

The verse here gives the impression of something coming to a complete standstill.

“And the word was spoken: ‘Earth, swallow up your waters. Heaven, cease (your rain).’ Thus, the waters sank into the earth, and Allah’s will was done, and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. The word was spoken: Away with these evil-doing folk.’”

It was said,

‘O earth, swallow your waters, that have sprung forth from you, and the Earth reabsorbed it and

O heaven, abate!’ withhold the rain, and it did.

The waters subsided, the affair was accomplished, the matter of the destruction of Noah’s people was complete and it settled,

The earth swallows up its water and the heaven stops raining.

Furthermore, the earth’s surface was soon dry, as excess waters penetrated deep underground.

Allah addressed the earth and the heavens as if they were human beings.

Both comply with the commandment.

No wonder they did when they are Allah’s obedient creatures.

“Allah’s will was done and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi.”

That was its final stop. “The word was spoken: ‘Away with these evil-doing folk.’”

  • Those who were supposed to be destroyed were destroyed and
  • Those who were supposed to be saved were saved.

It was said:

‘Away with perish the evildoing, disbelieving, folk!’

The Quran does not say who said this statement, but it generates the impression that the whole affair does not in need to be considered again.

Let the evildoers disappear beyond Allah’s mercy for they deserve to be expelled;

Let them be banished from memory, for they do not deserve to be remembered.

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The verses 11:43-44 in different translations:

QARIB:

43- But he replied: ‘i shall seek refuge on a mountain, which will protect me from the water. ‘He (Noah) said: ‘today, there is no defender from the command of Allah, except those to whom he has mercy. ‘And the waves came between them, and he was drowned.

44- And it was said: ‘earth, swallow up your waters. Heaven, cease! ‘The water subsided and the matter was accomplished. And the ark came to rest upon (the mountain of) aljudi, and it was said: ‘be gone, evildoing nation! ‘

SHAKIR:

43- He said: i will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water. Nuh said: there is no protector today from Allah’s punishment but he who has mercy; and a wave intervened between them, so he was of the drowned

44- And it was said: o earth, swallow down your water, and o cloud, clear away; and the water was made to abate and the affair was decided, and the ark rested on the judi, and it was said: away with the unjust people

PICKTHAL:

43- He said: i shall betake me to some mountain that will save me from the water. (Noah) said: this day there is none that saveth from the commandment of Allah save him on whom he hath had mercy. And the wave came in between them, so he was among the drowned.

44- And it was said: o earth! swallow thy water and, o sky! be cleared of clouds! and the water was made to subside. And the commandment was fulfilled. And it (the ship) came to rest upon (the mount) al-judi and it was said: a far removal for wrongdoing folk!

YUSUFALI:

43- The son replied: “i will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water.” Noah said: “this day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom he hath mercy! “And the waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the flood.

44- Then the word went forth: “o earth! Swallow up thy water, and o sky! Withhold (thy rain)!” and the water abated, and the matter was ended. The ark rested on mount Judi, and the word went forth: “away with those who do wrong!”

Atheists in Quran (30) the Atheist Noah’ son in Tsunami

Noah saw his son; he was standing on the side of a mountain aloof from the Ark. The waves were as huge as mountains. Noah cried unto his son, O my son! Come ride with us, be saved with us; do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown. Does the Atheist Son respond to his loving father?

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In the previous article, Allah told Noah:

No more of your people will believe; they are hopeless.

Therefore, it is over and the unbelievers are done.

Verily, they will be drowned by the flood.

Allah commanded Noah: Build the ark

Then what happened?

The meanings of the verses11:40-42:

Allah gave Noah this sign;

‘The fountains of the earth gushed forth

This means when water started to gush forth from the earth and rain poured down in torrents.

When this took place, Allah said to Noah:

“Take into the Ark a pair of every species, as well as your family, except those against whom Our word has passed, and all those who have accepted the faith.”

It is obvious that Allah has revealed to Noah the whole process systematically at the right moment.

Noah first received orders to build the ark.

At the beginning, the verse does not tell us why the ark is built

Then, Noah received the instructions for the following stage

When the sign took place, (Allah told him 🙂

Such that when Our command came, for their destruction

When the appointed time for chastisement happens and you see the sign;

Load therein, in the ship:

  • Of every kind, male and female, that is, of every species of these two, two, a male and a female; Allah gathered for Noah all the beasts of prey and birds and other animals.  Noah was ordered to take into the ark a pair of all such living species as he could take.
  • Your family and your household save the unbeliever
  • Those who believed

However, a few were they who believed with him

It is said that the number of all those aboard the ship was eighty, half of whom were men and the other half were women.

Noah carried out his instructions exactly as they were given to him

Praying to Allah, Noah said to the believers:

  • Embark therein in the ship!
  • In the name of Allah be its course wherever it sails to and
  • In the name of Allah be its mooring wherever it stops.
  • Allah makes it sail wherever He wills and makes it stop wherever He wills.

This statement indicates that Noah put himself and the ark in Allah’s hands and trusted in Him. The ark would float and anchor under Allah’s watchful eyes. For, what could Noah and his people do to steer the ark to safety in such a flood?

[Envisage these huge waves like mountains that would have caused many titanic ships to drown, to understand Allah’s will, which protect the first primitive ship in the history of humankind]

Then Noah said:

Lo! My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful towards the one who believes and repents.

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The ship sailed with them amid huge waves; the waves’ height and size were like mountains

Noah’s Atheist Son

We then have the very awesome scene of the flood.

Two elements of fear are at work here: one originates from nature, stormy but silent as it is; and the other is felt in one’s innermost soul. Both converge as the ark moves on amidst waves as high as mountains.

At this terrible, decisive moment, Noah looks in a certain direction and sees one of his sons who has not joined them in the ark.

Noah saw his son; he was standing on the side of a mountain aloof from the ship

Paternal emotion roused up in Noah.

Immediately, Noah cried unto his stray son:

  • O my son! Come ride with us
  • O my son! Be saved with us
  • O my son! Do not be with the unbelievers lest you drown.

Does the Atheist Son respond to his loving father?

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The verses 11:40-42 in different translations:

QARIB:

40- And when our command came and the oven gushed (forth with water), we said (to Noah): ‘take on board (the ark) a pair from every species and your family, except he of whom the word has already been spoken, and those who believe. And none except a few believed with him.

41- He (Noah) said: ’embark. In the name of Allah will be its course and berthing. indeed, my lord is forgiving, the most merciful. ‘

42- And so it (the ark) ran with them amidst the mountainous waves, and Noah cried out to his son, who was standing apart, ’embark with us, my son, do not be with the unbelievers! ‘

SHAKIR:

40- Until when our command came and water came forth from the valley, we said: carry in it two of all things, a pair, and your own family– except those against whom the word has already gone forth, and those who believe. and there believed not with him but a few

41- And he said: embark in it, in the name of Allah be its sailing and its anchoring; most surely, my lord is forgiving, merciful

42- And it moved on with them amid waves like mountains; and nuh called out to his son, and he was aloof: o my son! Embark with us and be not with the unbelievers

PICKTHAL:

40- (Thus it was) till, when our commandment came to pass and the oven gushed forth water, we said: load therein two of every kind, a pair (the male and female), and thy household, save him against whom the word hath gone forth already, and those who believe. And but a few were they who believed with him.

41- And he said: embark therein! In the name of Allah be its course and its mooring. lo! my lord is forgiving, merciful.

42- And it sailed with them amid waves like mountains, and Noah cried unto his son – and he was standing aloof – o my son! Come ride with us, and be not with the disbelievers.

YUSUFALI:

40- At length, behold! there came our command, and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! we said: “embark therein, of each kind two, male and female, and your family – except those against whom the word has already gone forth,- and the believers.” but only a few believed with him.

41- So he said: “embark ye on the ark, in the name of Allah, whether it move or be at rest! for my lord is, be sure, oft-forgiving, most merciful!”

42- So the ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, And Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (from the rest): “o my son! Embark with us, and be not with the unbelievers!”

Angels in Islam (2) of what they are created?

Angels are an important part of the world of the “Unseen” which we cannot see.

Jinn are also part of the world of the “Unseen” which we cannot see.

It is said that it is not possible for humans to see the jinn unless they appear in a different form, such as in the form of humans and animals.

The angels cannot be seen in their original form by most people unless they appear in human form. 

In order to disclose the facts about the Angels:

§  Allah has told us about them in many places in the Quran.

§  The Prophet Muhammad (1) has told us about them in many Hadith (2)

If you know the facts about the angels, you will realize the greatness of the Almighty Creator and the greatness of Islam which has told us so much about them.

The Angels and Jinn are two important creatures in the world of the “Unseen”

Of what the Angels are created?
The Angels are created from light.

It is narrated that Aishah (3) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (1) said: ‘The angels are created from light, just as the jinn are created from smokeless fire and mankind is created from what you have been told about.”
So, we have three important creatures:

1. The unseen Angels and they are created of light.

2. The unseen Jinn and they are created of smokeless fire

3. Human beings and they are created of the dust and clay of the Earth.

 

Both, Jinn and Man have the free will to do what is good and what is bad.

The Angels have also will but their will goes only in one direction that is to obey and to satisfy their Almighty Creator.
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(1) When a Muslim mentions the last Prophet Muhammad, it is recommended to say: peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

(2) Hadith is the saying of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

(3) Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) is the wife of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

Allah does not love (10) the impious and guilty

Allah permits trading and forbids usury

The Devil statement: Trade is like usury

Allah deprives usury and makes the alms giving fruitful

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In the previous articles, we have seen that Allah does not love those:

1) the disbelievers,

2) the arrogant,

3) those who reject faith,

4) the proud and the boastful,

5) any swaggering braggart, strutting in his steps,

6) the harm doers,

7) any vainglorious prideful boasters,

8) those that do wrong and

9) the unjust. 

In this article, that Allah does not love the impious and guilty.

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The meanings of verses 2:275-276 of the Noble Quran:

Verse 2:275 says:

Allah then mentioned the punishment of consuming usury, saying:

Those who swallow usury) declaring it to be lawful (cannot rise up) from their graves on the Day of Judgment save as they arise) in the life of this world (whom the Devil has prostrated, confounded by his touch of insanity.

In other word, those who devour, that is, those who seize by way of, usury, which is an excess [levied] in transactions of money or foodstuffs either on their value or on credit, shall not rise again, from their graves, except, rising, as one whom Satan has made prostrate, demented, from touch, [through] madness; that, which befalls them, is because, of the fact that, they say, ‘Trade is like usury’, and ‘usury is like trade’

Increase at the end of selling, once the term is due, is like the increase at the beginning of a transaction when the sale is deferred; whereas Allah permitted trading and forbade usury.

God responds to them saying that: God has permitted trade, and forbidden usury. Whoever receives an admonition from his Lord and desists, from devouring it, he shall have his past gains, those made before the prohibition and which cannot be reclaimed from him, and his affair, with regard to pardoning him, is committed to God; but whoever reverts, to devouring it, treating it like trade in terms of lawfulness — those are the inhabitants of the Fire, abiding therein.

As for him who returned to usury, after usury has been made forbidden and says trade is just like usury, they certainly are the dwellers of Hell, they will abide therein.

Verse 2:276 says:

Allah effaces usury, diminishing it and eliminating any blessing in it,

i.e., He has wiped it out and removed its blessedness in the life of this world and in the Hereafter

But He augments voluntary almsgivings with interest, increasing them, making them grow and multiplying their reward many times at the Day of Judgment.

Allah does not love the impious and guilty, that is to say, He will requite, any guilty, profligate devouring it, ingrate, who deems usury licit and denies the unlawfulness of usury and consumes it.

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Verses 2:275-276 in different translations

QARIB:

275) Those who consume usury shall not rise up (from their tomb) except as he who rises in madness that Satan has touched. That is because they say: ‘selling is like usury. ‘Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury. To whomsoever an exhortation comes from his lord then he desists, he shall have his past gains, and his matter is with Allah. But whoever reverts shall be among the people of the fire and shall remain in it for ever.

276) Allah effaces usury and nurtures charity. Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.

SHAKIR:

275) Those who swallow down usury cannot arise except as one whom Satan has prostrated by (his) touch does rise. That is because they say, trading is only like usury; and Allah has allowed trading and forbidden usury. to whomsoever then the admonition has come from his lord, then he desists, he shall have what has already passed, and his affair is in the hands of Allah; and whoever returns (to it)– these arc the inmates of the fire; they shall abide in it.

276) Allah does not bless usury, and he causes charitable deeds to prosper, and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.

PICKTHAL:

275) Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. as for him who returneth (to usury) – such are rightful owners of the fire. They will abide therein.

 276) Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty.

YUSUFALI:

275) Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the evil one by his touch hath driven to madness. That is because they say: “trade is like usury,” but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (the offense) are companions of the fire: they will abide therein (for ever).

276) Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: for he loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.