Atheists in Quran (27) Noah’s values vs. their values

Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth. In Noah’s presentation, there were no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message. The Atheists stiffened their attitude became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case; they said: Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a truthful man.

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In the previous articles, the Atheists who were the council notables and the respected elders of Noah’s people claim that Noah is just looking for wealth and they said:

• We will never ever sit with Noah and listen to him unless he drives away those who are the most abject, lowly, and weak and the riffraff among us.
• Why have such lowly men followed Noah before us?

This was a part of their rotten arguments

They said such nasty statements to testify their unbelieving thoughts

The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless.

In this article, the Atheists continue their stubborn arguments with Noah.

The meanings of the verses 11:31-33

The Atheists demanded that they would never believe Noah unless:

• Noah tells them that he possess the treasure houses of Allah
• Noah tells them that he has the keys to Allah’s stores of provision
• Noah tells them that he has knowledge of the Unseen
• Noah tells the lowly men who followed him that Allah will not give them any good

However, you know what Noah (they said), we cannot believe in human being, tell your Lord to send us an Angel or to convert you to an Angel

Noah remains unaffected by the false accusations, insolence and blind rejection with which his people have received his message.

He applies his own values and maintains his own standards. He does not make false claims or accusations as they have done. Nor does he try to give himself any false image or impart anything alien to his message.

However, Allah inspired Noah the answers for their rotten arguments.

Peacefully, Noah introduces himself and his message. His presentation is simple, devoid of any ornament and decoration, free of all false standards and values.

Noah reminds them of the true values, looking with contempt on all superficial ones. He renounces all superficiality and states his message as it is, pure and simple, with no false claims. He, who wants it, let him take it, as it is as pure as Allah made it.

Noah said:

I do not say to you that God’s treasures are with me.

I do not claim that I am rich or that I can make any of you rich. “Or that

I know what lies beyond the reach of human perception.

I do not make any claim of any super-human status or

I do not allege that my relationship with Allah exceeds the fact that I am a messenger conveying Allah’s message.

Nor do I say: I am an angel.

I do not claim to have a position, which you think to be higher than that of man, so that I may gain favor or high position from you.

I cannot say to those whom you scorn that Allah will never grant them any good, so that I satisfy your pride or accommodate your standards and values.

Allah knows best what is in their hearts (those whom you scorn).

I have to go by what I see.

To me, they appear deserving of honor and hope that Allah will grant them of His bounty.

If I made such false claims, saying to them that Allah will never grant them any good, I would be unjust

• I would be unjust to the very truth I have come to convey.
• I would also be unjust to myself, exposed to Allah’s wrath,
• I would be unjust to other people to whom I gave a status other than that given them by Allah.

Thus, Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He faces them with the clarity and strength of the truth. Meanwhile, he makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth so that they may look it in the face and decide upon their line of action.

In Noah’s presentation, there were no pretense, no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message and its simple nature.

In this, Noah sets an example for all advocates of the Allah’s message in all generations and provides them with a lesson in how to confront the people of authority with the truth, without any attempt to compromise, or flatter, but with the sort of friendliness, which is not associated with submission.

At this point, it was clear to the notables that they had no chance of winning the argument. They stiffened their attitude, became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case, logical and natural as it certainly was.

Then they finally rallied themselves in order to deliver a challenge to Noah. They said:

Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a man of truth.

This is nothing short of deceit, an attempt to cover up their weakness by putting on a display of strength. It is a challenge made in order to mask their dread of the truth’s strength.

Noah, however, remains unaffected by their outright rejection and challenge. He maintains the noble attitude befitting a great prophet. He continues to explain to them the truth and the facts, which they have ignored

He restates the fact that he is only a messenger whose task is to deliver a message. Their punishment is left to Allah who has absolute control over their destiny.

Allah alone decides, at His own discretion, whether it is appropriate to punish them here and now or to delay their punishment until a later date. Allah’s will must happen, as it is and Noah has no power over it.

As a messenger, he has to continue to explain the truth to his people until the last moment. Their rejection and challenge must not deter him from fulfilling his task.

Hence, he says to them:

Only Allah can bring it upon you, if He so wills. You cannot be immune. Nor will my counsel benefit you, much as I desire to give you good counsel, if it is Allah’s will to let you remain in error. He is your Lord and to Him you shall return.

If He will to punish you, none can by no means escape His chastisement.

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The verses 11:31-33 in different translations:

QARIB:

31- I do not say to you that i possess the treasuries of Allah, and i do not know the unseen. I do not say I am an angel, nor do I say to those whom you despise, Allah will not give them any good. Allah knows best what is in their hearts. indeed, if this were so then I would be amongst the harmdoers. ‘

32- They said: ‘o Noah, you have disputed, and disputed too much, with us. bring (down) upon us that which you promised us, if what you say is true! ‘

33- He replied: ‘Allah will bring it (down) upon you if he will; you will never frustrate him.

SHAKIR:

31- And I do not say to you that i have the treasures of Allah and I do not know the unseen, nor do I say that i am an angel, nor do I say about those whom your eyes hold in mean estimation (that) Allah will never grant them (any) good– Allah knows best what is in their souls– for then most surely I should be of the unjust

32- They said: o nuh! indeed you have disputed with us and lengthened dispute with us, therefore bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones

33- He said: Allah only will bring it to you if he please, and you will not escape:

PICKTHAL:

31- I say not unto you: “I have the treasures of Allah” nor “I have knowledge of the unseen,” nor say I: “lo! I am an angel!” nor say I unto those whom your eyes scorn that Allah will not give them good – Allah knoweth best what is in their hearts – lo! Then indeed, I should be of the wrong-doers.

32- They said: o Noah! thou hast disputed with us and multiplied disputation with us; now bring upon us that wherewith thou threatenest us, if thou art of the truthful.

33- He said: only Allah will bring it upon you if he will, and ye can by no means escape.

YUSUFALI:

31- “I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”

32- They said: “o Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”

33- He said: “truly, Allah will bring it on you if he wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!

Atheists in Quran (19) Travel and broaden your mind

The Quran says to the Atheists: Travel in the land, take admonition from the nature of the sequel for the unbelievers; and read the History to realize how the end of the Atheists was!

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The meanings of the verses 27:66-69:

Has the Atheists’ knowledge come to comprise and attained the Hereafter?

Such that they have reason to ask about the time of its coming.

Their knowledge is in consensus that there is no Hereafter

Nay, for they are in doubt of it.

Rather they are heart-blind to it

Linguistically, this Quranic statement is more powerful than the preceding one

The Atheists say, also in rejecting the idea of resurrection:

What! When our fathers and we are dust shall we indeed be brought forth again to life from the graves?

Shall we verily be brought forth (again)) given life again and brought out of the graves?

Our fathers and we have been already promised this before. Nevertheless these are just the legendary fables of the ancients; these are but lies.

We were promised this, which you are promising us, before us.

All this, which you are promising us, O Muhammad, is naught but fables tales (of the men of old.

Could it be true that after life has departed from us, and our bodies have decomposed and been reduced to dust and ashes, we will be brought back to life? Is it true that we and our forefathers, who died long before us, will be raised up from the earth when we have become part of its dust?

This physical image acts as a barrier preventing them from accepting the possibility of future life. They forget that they have been brought into this life from nothing.

Say: ‘Travel in the land and see how the sequel was for the criminals’, because of their denials — and this [sequel] is that they were destroyed with punishment.

Allah commanded,

Say O Muhammad, to the Atheists:

Travel in the land and see.

Travel in the land take admonition from the nature of the sequel for the guilty

Travel in the land and see how the end of the Atheists was!

In other word, read the History to realize how the end of the Atheists was!

At this point, the Quran directs the Atheists to turn their minds to the end met by earlier communities, which, like them, denied the warnings given by Allah’s messengers

The Atheists are described here as the guilty ones

What happened to those who were guilty in the past may happen to the guilty in later generations, because the divine laws admit no favoritism. Travelling about the land was certain to inform them of experiences, and these would contain a lesson for them. It would open their minds and hearts to light. The Quran directs people to learn of the operation of the divine laws to broaden their vision and give wider dimension to their lives.

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The verses 27:66-69 in different translations:

QARIB:

66- No, their knowledge fails them as to the everlasting life; no, they are in doubt about it, no, they are blind to it.

67- The unbelievers say: ‘when we and our fathers are turned to dust, shall we be brought forth?

68- We were promised this before, and so were our fathers. it is but the fictitious story of the ancients. ‘

69-Say: ‘journey in the land and see what was the end of the sinners. SHAKIR:

66- Nay, their knowledge respecting the hereafter is slight and hasty; nay, they are in doubt about it; nay, they are quite blind to it

67- And those who disbelieve say: what! when we have become dust and our fathers (too), shall we certainly be brought forth?

68-We have certainly been promised this, we and our fathers before; these are naught but stories of the ancients

69-Say: travel in the earth, then see how was the end of the guilty

PICKTHAL:

66- Nay, but doth their knowledge reach to the hereafter? nay, for they are in doubt concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it.

67- Yet those who disbelieve say: when we have become dust like our fathers, shall we verily be brought forth (again)?

68-We were promised this, forsooth, we and our fathers. (all) this is naught but fables of the men of old.

69-Say (unto them, o Muhammad): travel in the land and see the nature of the sequel for the guilty!

YUSUFALI:

66- Still less can their knowledge comprehend the hereafter: nay, they are in doubt and uncertainty thereanent; nay, they are blind thereunto!

67- The unbelievers say: “what! When we become dust, – we and our fathers, – shall we really be raised (from the dead)?

68-“it is true we were promised this, – we and our fathers before (us): these are nothing but tales of the ancients.”

69-Say: “go ye through the earth and see what has been the end of those guilty (of sin).”

Atheists in Quran (12) their odd wish

The Atheists requested an odd wish that their punishment be hastened instead of asking that they be given Allah’s guidance and praying for His grace and forgiveness. The Atheists have switched off all the abilities and talents Allah has given to them.

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The Surah No.13 of the Quran discusses the basic issue of faith, namely the revelation of Allah’s book, the Quran, and the truth it contains. This frames the foundation over which all the other issues of faith are built, including those of the oneness of Allah, belief in the hereafter, and the need to do good acts in this life.

All these comes out from the central point of believing that the One who commands us is Allah, and that the Quran is His revelation to the last Prophet Muhammad

The Surah starts with such panoramic scenes from the vast universe, but then speaks of people who remain uninspired by all these signs around them, visible in every aspect of creation. Their hearts and minds remain oblivious to the fact that behind all these marvels lies the great power of the Almighty Creator.

This is because their minds are in chains and their hearts bound.

They cannot contemplate the vast universal scenes around them.

The verses 13:5-6 say:

“But if you are amazed, amazing, too, is their saying:‘What! After we have become dust, shall we be raised [to life] in a new act of creation?’

Who say that? The Atheists who deny their Lord.

They are the ones who:

1. Carry their own manacles around their necks
2. Are ordained for the eternal fire wherein they will abide.

It is quite amazing that after all of Allah’ signs people should wonder:

‘What! After we have become dust, shall we be raised to life in a new act of creation?’

Allah has created the great universe and manages its affairs in meticulous fashion,

Is not He certainly able to resurrect human beings in a new act of creation.

And if you are wondering, because of their statement, then that [statement of theirs] itself is the cause for wonder, since man becomes a new creation in every minute, indeed, the world [itself] becomes a new creation at every moment by the changing of configurations, states, conditions and forms. How can one who has contemplated the world of engenderment and corruption with a heedful eye deny the [reality of] new creation? Those are the ones who, have been veiled from the essential vision of the acts and the self-disclosures of [His] Lordliness, and how much more so [are they veiled] from the self-disclosures of the divine attributes?

However, the Atheists refuse to believe this, lacking faith in their Lord who created them.

You will see their punishment will completed when the Angels throw them in the fire of hell where they will abide forever.

The Atheists have switched off all the abilities and talents Allah has given to man and has honored man on their account.

They have also accepted a low position in this life.

This earns them an even lower life in the hereafter, simply because they have lived their first life making no use of their abilities, talents, feelings and emotions.

Sinful Wrongdoers and odd wish

The Atheists wonder that Allah will bring them back to life after their death, yet it is their being amazed that is indeed amazing.

The Atheists at the time of the Prophet Muhammad ask that their punishment be hastened instead of asking that they be given Allah’s guidance and praying for His grace: “They ask you to hasten evil rather than good.”

Just as they do not look at the universe around them and do not contemplate its multitude of signs, they do not look at the fate of those communities before them.

Those communities adopted the same attitude, precipitating Allah’s punishment, and it came fast upon them, making of them a lesson to any future community:

“They ask you to hasten evil rather than good, although exemplary punishments have indeed come to pass before their time.”

Read the History of all messengers from Noah to Muhammad to know the outcome of the Atheists.

However, the Atheists are unaware even of the fate of the ancient generations that carry an effective lesson for those who wish to learn.

Look how the Quran answered them:

“Your Lord always extends forgiveness to people despite their wrongdoing.”

He bestows His mercy on them even if they commit injustice and wrongdoing, allowing them time to reevaluate and reconsider their position.

Allah allows them a chance to repent so that He will forgive them.

However, those Atheists who persist with their evil and wrongdoing, and remain unwilling to enter through the gate of Allah’s forgiveness, will find that Allah’s punishment is severe indeed.

“Your Lord is certainly severe in retribution.”

It should be emphasized that the verse puts Allah’s forgiveness ahead of His punishment to contrast it with those who pray for punishment rather than Allah’s guidance.

This demonstrates the great distance between the goodness that Allah wants for them and the evil they seek for themselves.

The verse illustrates how misguided, blind and abject the Atheists are.

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The verses 13:5-6 in different translations:

QARIB:

5-If you would wonder, then wondrous is their saying: ‘when we are dust, shall we be raised to life again, a new creation? ‘Such are those who disbelieve in their Lord. their necks shall be fettered. They shall be the inhabitants of the fire, in it they shall live forever.

6-They bid you to hasten the evil before the good, yet examples have passed away before them. Your Lord is forgiving to people despite their evildoing; yet your Lord is stern in retribution.

SHAKIR:

5-And if you would wonder, then wondrous is their saying: what! When we are dust, shall we then certainly be in a new creation? These are they, who disbelieve in their Lord, and these have chains on their necks, and they are the inmates of the fire; in it they shall abide

6-And they ask you to hasten on the evil before the good, and indeed there have been exemplary punishments before them; and most surely your Lord is the Lord of forgiveness to people, notwithstanding their injustice; and most surely your Lord is severe in requiting (evil)

PICKTHAL:

5-And if thou wonderest, then wondrous is their saying: when we are dust, are we then forsooth (to be raised) in a new creation? Such are they who disbelieve in their Lord; such have carcans on their necks; such are rightful owners of the fire, they will abide therein.

6-And they bid thee hasten on the evil rather than the good, when exemplary punishments have indeed occurred before them. But lo! Thy Lord is rich in pardon for mankind despite their wrong, and lo! Thy Lord is strong in punishment.

YUSUFALI:

5-If thou dost marvel (at their want of faith), strange is their saying: “when we are (actually) dust, shall we indeed then be in a creation renewed?” they are those who deny their Lord! They are those round whose necks will be yokes (of servitude): they will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (for aye)!

6-They ask thee to hasten on the evil in preference to the good: yet have come to pass, before them, (many) exemplary punishments! But verily thy Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrong-doing, and verily thy Lord is (also) strict in punishment.

Atheists in Quran (9) how they are in Catastrophes

Do not the Atheists know that if Allah will, He Can make the earth swallow them or Let fragments from the heaven fall on them and thus destroy all of them

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In the previous articles (1-8), we have seen that the problem of the Atheists is that they are full of pride; this leads to:

• Their god = their egos
• They are heedless
• They are not scientific-minded
• They contend with falsehood
• They mockingly disputed their messengers aiming to invalidate Allah’s message.

The verses 34:7-9 uncover their status saying:

The Atheists mockingly say to their followers especially the lowly among people in order to provoke disbelief [in them]:

• Shall we show you a man (the Prophet Muhammad) who will inform you that when you have been utterly torn to pieces (in graves) you shall indeed be created anew?
• Shall we show you a man who will tell you (that) when you have become dispersed in dust with most complete dispersal such that the skin and bones are separated from each other, (still, even then), Muhammad claims you will be created anew and came to life again
• Has he invented a lie against God, in this respect, or
• Is there a madness in him
• Does Muhammad suffer a dementia because of which he has imagined that?

Allah, exalted be He, says:

Nay, but those who do not believe in the Hereafter, those who disbelieve in resurrection after death, are in torment and will be in the chastisement in the Hereafter; they are in far error from the Truth and guidance in the life of this world.

1) Have they not observed Allah’ signs in heavens and earth.

2) How they are in Catastrophes

3) Do not the Atheists know that if Allah will, He:

• Can make the earth swallow them
• Let fragments from the heaven fall on them
• and thus destroy all the Atheists

Surely, in that, there is a sign for every penitent servant, turning back to his Lord, the Almighty Creator.

Such signs indicate Allah’s power to resurrect and to do what He will.

Such signs is a lesson for every servant who turns to Allah repentant, asking for His forgiveness.

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The verses 34:7-9 in different translations:

QARIB:

7-The unbelievers say: ‘shall we direct you to a man who will tell you that when you have been utterly torn into pieces you will be raised in a new creation?’

8-What, has he forged a lie about Allah, or is he mad! ‘No, those who do not believe in the everlasting life are in the punishment and in far error.

9-Have they not seen what is before them and behind them in heaven and earth? if we willed, we would make the earth swallow them up, or we would let lumps from heaven fall down on them. Surely, there is a sign in this for every penitent worshiper.

SHAKIR:

7-And those who disbelieve say: shall we point out to you a man who informs you that when you are scattered the utmost scattering you shall then be most surely (raised) in (to) a new creation?

8-He has forged a lie against Allah or there is madness in him. nay! Those who do not believe in the hereafter are in torment and in great error

9-Do they not then consider what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and the earth? if we please we will make them disappear in the land or bring down upon them a portion from the heaven; most surely there is a sign in this for every servant turning (to Allah)

PICKTHAL:

7-Those who disbelieve say: shall we show you a man who will tell you (that) when ye have become dispersed in dust with most complete dispersal still, even then, ye will be created anew?

8-Hath he invented a lie concerning Allah, or is there in him a madness? Nay, but those who disbelieve in the hereafter are in torment and far error.

9-Have they not observed what is before them and what is behind them of the sky and the earth? if we will, we can make the earth swallow them, or cause obliteration from the sky to fall on them. lo! Herein surely is a portent for every slave who turneth (to Allah) repentant.

YUSUFALI:

7-The unbelievers say (in ridicule): “shall we point out to you a man that will tell you, when ye are all scattered to pieces in disintegration, that ye shall (then be raised) in a new creation?

8-“Has he invented a falsehood against Allah, or has a spirit (seized) him?”- Nay, it is those who believe not in the hereafter, that are in (real) penalty, and in farthest error.

9-See they not what is before them and behind them, of the sky and the earth? if we wished, we could cause the earth to swallow them up, or cause a piece of the sky to fall upon them. verily in this is a sign for every devotee that turns to Allah (in repentance)

What lessons Allah teaches His Servants?

Among the sayings the Prophet Muhammad relates from his Lord (May He be glorified) is that

Allah said:

 

·         “My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another.

·        My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you.

·        My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you.

·        My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you.

·        My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and you will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me.

·        My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything.

·        My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the entire human beings and the jinn, to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decreases the sea if put into it.

·        My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.'”

 

This saying was:

1) Said on the authority of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, one of Muhammad’s companions (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

2) Narrated by the authors of At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Muslim

This is Allah (53) Who Does Allah Seal up their Hearts?

Do the Disbelievers Feel Secure From the Coming of Allah’s Chastisement?

The Quran is the First Book That Talks About the Difference in the Time on the Earth

None Deems Himself Secure From Allah’s Scheme and Punishment Save the Losers

Allah Says: Does not the Destruction of the Ancient Nations Help the Deniers to Believe?

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Many people do not know Allah. This series is an attempt to help them to know their Creator.

Verses 7:97-100 of the Noble Quran talk about:

1) Do the Disbelievers feel secure from the coming of Allah’s chastisement?

2) None deems himself secure from Allah’s punishment save the disbelievers, the losers,

3) Who does Allah seal up their hearts?

4) None deems himself secure from Allah’s scheme and punishment save the disbelievers, the losers,

5) Allah says: does not the destruction of the ancient nations help the deniers to believe? And

6) the Quran is the first book that talks about the difference in the time on the earth.

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The meaning of verse 7:97

Do the people of the townships, the deniers, feel secure from the coming of Allah’s wrath, Allah’s might, Allah’s chastisement, upon them as a night-raid while they are sleeping? And are completely unaware of it?

 

The meaning of verse 7:98

Or, the people of the townships, the deniers, feel secure from the coming of Allah’s wrath, Allah’s might, Allah’s chastisement, upon them in the daytime while they are playing? Playing herein may be literally used or as they are engaging in falsehood.

This verse talks about the coming Allah’s chastisement.  It is said that Allah’s chastisement will come at a specific time.  At such a specific time, we know that the time in half of the earth is day time while the time in the other half of the earth is night time.  The disbelievers are in the two halves.

So, when Allah’s chastisement comes, the disbelievers are either in day time or in night time.

It is a miracle of the Noble Quran to speak out about the difference in the time on the earth at a specific hour in which Allah’s chastisement shall come.

This scientific fact has been discovered after the revelation of the Noble Quran by more than 1200 years.

Consequently, it is likely to assume that the Quran is the first book on the earth that talks about the difference in the time on the earth at a specific hour

 

The meaning of verse 7:99

And so do they feel secure from Allah’s plotting?, from Allah’s scheming? that is, His drawing them on by degrees, through graces, and then seizing them suddenly. None feels secure from Allah’s scheming but the people who are losers, disbelievers; None deems himself secure from Allah’s scheme and punishment save the disbelievers

 

The meaning of verse 7:100

Is it not an indication, is it not clear to those who inherit the land after the destruction of its people that, if He will, Allah can smite them, punish them for their sins as He punished many nations before them; and seals their hearts so that they do not hear the messages of guidance and do not believe in Muhammad or the Quran?

In other words, the verse says:

Has it not been shown, [has it not] become clear, to those who inherit the earth, as a [place of] habitation, after, the destruction of, those who inhabited it that, if Allah will, He could smite them, with chastisement, for their sins?, as He smote those before them?

And, Allah seals up their hearts so that they do not hear, the admonition, in a way so as to reflect.

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Verses 7:97-100 in different English translations of the meanings of Arabic Quran:

QARIB:

97) Do the inhabitants of the villages feel secure from our might coming to them at night whilst they sleep?

98) Or do the inhabitants of the villages feel secure from our might coming to them in the midmorning while they play?

99) (In reply to your devising) do they feel secure from the devising of Allah? none feels secure from the devising of Allah except the loosing nation.

100) Is it not plain to those who inherit the earth after its inhabitants that if we willed we could smite them for their sins and set a seal upon their hearts, so that they do not hear.

 

SHAKIR:

97) What! do the people of the towns then feel secure from our punishment coming to them by night while they sleep?

98) What! do the people of the towns feel secure from our punishment coming to them in the morning while they play?

99) What! do they then feel secure from Allah’s plan? but none feels secure from Allah’s plan except the people who shall perish

100) Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth after its (former) residents that if we please we would afflict them on account of their faults and set a seal on their hearts so they would not hear

 

PICKTHAL:

97) Are the people of the townships then secure from the coming of our wrath upon them as a night-raid while they sleep?

98) Or are the people of the townships then secure from the coming of our wrath upon them in the daytime while they play?

99) Are they then secure from Allah’s scheme? none deemeth himself secure from Allah’s scheme save folk that perish.

100) Is it not an indication to those who inherit the land after its people (who thus reaped the consequence of evil-doing) that, if we will, we can smite them for their sins and print upon their hearts so that they hear not?

 

YUSUFALI:

97) Did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of our wrath by night while they were asleep?

98) Or else did they feel secure against its coming in broad daylight while they played about (care-free)?

99) Did they then feel secure against the plan of Allah?- but no one can feel secure from the plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!

100) To those who inherit the earth in succession to its (previous) possessors, is it not a guiding, (lesson) that, if we so willed, we could punish them (too) for their sins, and seal up their hearts so that they could not hear?

Allah does not love (5) any swaggering braggart, strutting in his steps

The Teaching of Luqman, the wise man

Luqman’s Wisdom and the Bright Behavior

The great lesson of Luqman to his son

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

(1) the disbelievers,

2) the arrogant,

3) those who reject faith and

4) the proud and the boastful; and there is an essential association between the disbelief and the arrogance.  

In this article, Luqman, the wise man, is giving great advices to his son then he said that Allah does not like any swaggering braggart, strutting in his step, boasting in front of people.  Luqman’s wisdom should be given to the students in schools.

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The meanings of verse 31:16-18 of the Noble Quran:

Verses 31:16-18 are a great lesson of Luqman to his son.

 

In verse 31:16, Luqman said:

 ‘O my dear son! Even if it, namely, the evil trait, should be the weight of a grain of mustard -seed,

And even if it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth,

In other words, in the most concealed place therein,

Allah will bring it forth to the one it is destined wherever he might be, and He will call that person to account for it.

Truly God is Subtle and Subtile, in bringing it forth, Aware, of its location.

 

In verse 31:17, Luqman said:

O my dear son!

Establish worship

Perform the prescribed prayer

Enjoin decency

Enjoin kindness through the profession of Allah’s divine Oneness and beneficence

Forbid indecency

Forbid iniquity, idolatry and foul words and deeds

Persevere whatever may befall you throughout

And be patient through whatever may befall you, as a result of such enjoining and forbidding.

Truly that i.e. enjoining good and forbidding evil, which is mentioned, is true constancy.  In other words, that is one of those necessary things regarding which one must have firm resolve.

It is also said that this refers to steadfastness (is of the steadfast heart of things) of the best and most resolute of things.

 

In verse 31:18, Luqman said:

Do not turn your cheek disdainfully from people

Do not turn your cheek in scorn towards folk

Do not turn your face away from people out of pride and haughtiness towards them,

Do not turn your face away in disdain,

Do not walk upon the earth exultantly, in other words, with haughtiness.

Do not walk with pertness the land, displaying hubris and pretentiousness

Truly Allah does not like any swaggering braggart, strutting in his step, [boasting] in front of people.

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Verse 31:16-18 in different translations

QARIB:

16) (Luqman said 🙂 ‘My son, if it should be but the weight of one grain of mustard seed, and though it be on a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah shall bring it. Surely, Allah is the subtle, aware.

17) my son, establish the prayer, order with honor but forbid dishonor, and bear patiently with whatever may fall upon you, indeed that is true constancy.

18) Do not turn your cheek in scorn away from people, nor walk proudly on the earth; Allah does not love the proud and the boastful.

 

SHAKIR:

16) O my son! surely if it is the very weight of the grain of a mustard-seed, even though it is in (the heart of) rock, or (high above) in the heaven or (deep down) in the earth, Allah will bring it (to light); surely Allah is knower of subtleties, aware;

17) O my son! Keep up prayer and enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and bear patiently that which befalls you; surely these acts require courage;

18) And do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exulting overmuch; surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster;

 

PICKTHAL:

16) O my dear son! Lo! Though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Lo! Allah is Subtile, aware.

17) o my dear son! Establish worship and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity, and persevere whatever may befall thee. Lo! That is of the steadfast heart of things.

18) Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. lo! Allah loveth not each braggart boaster.

 

YUSUFALI:

16) “O my son!” (Said Luqman), “if there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them)

17) “O my son! Establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong: and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs.

18) “And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.

How did Mohammad ban Color Discrimination in Few minutes?

Mohammad is the first who banned Color Discrimination

 

It is dishonorable that History ignores the valuable role of the last Prophet Mohammad as the first man on earth who banned Color Discrimination.

This is due to the prejudiced work of orientalists and the fact that Muslims would not be able to spread this information.

 

Color Discrimination is a famous international phenomenon of discrimination, where human beings are accorded different socio- economic status and treatment based on their skin color. White supremacy is a man-made belief that those whose skin color is “white” are the superior or the master race.

 

The root of Color Discrimination

For many scholars, though, the mysterious story in Genesis (9) describing how Noah cursed the descendants of his son Ham with servitude remains a way to discover the complex origins of the concept of Color Discrimination

 

Genesis 9:18-27

 18 The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19 These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth. 20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father’s nakedness.24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.” 26 He also said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. 27 May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his slave.”

 

Ham came to be widely described as a black person.

By the 19th century, many historians have the same opinion; the belief that African-Americans were descendants of Ham was a primary explanation for slavery among Christians.

 

However, the Negro Peoples fought for their rights.

 

The document of the:  “Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World.” Has been produced in 1920

 

In June 1963, USA President John F. Kennedy said:

“The Negro baby born in America has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much”.

Two years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s said at June 1965

“In far too many ways American Negroes have been another nation: deprived of freedom, crippled by hatred, the doors of opportunity closed to hope.”

 

Moreover, Recent News (between 2000-2004) reported that The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), argues that it is no longer acceptable to use skin color as an attribute to distinguish people,

 

Arabs and Color Discrimination before Islam:  

Before Islam, Color Discrimination was widespread among the Arabs. The black person was inferior and most of the slaves were black and they had no human rights.

 

How did Mohammad ban Color Discrimination ?

It is known that the main sources of Islam are 1)the Noble Quran and 2) the sayings or the acts of the Prophet Mohammad.

 

How did the Quran ban Color Discrimination ?

One Creator and one origin:

This is based on the verse of the Noble Quran

[Surah 4: 1] the meaning of which is translated as:

“Oh mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single Person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; fear Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you”.

 

It means that all men are the creatures of one Allah Who created man from one origin (Adam and Eve). Therefore, men are all equal. Any discrimination based on color, class, race, or territory is unfounded and illusory. It is a remnant of the days of ignorance that chained men down to servitude. Humanity is one single family under Allah, and there can be no sanction for those barriers.

 

Also, Allah Created Man as an honored creature:

[Surah 17: 70] “We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our Creation.”

 

Quran honored man and removes all the impositions of barriers and classes among the members of the Islamic society in order to enable them to enjoy and practice their legitimate rights. No color discrimination of any type is allowed in Islam.

 

The difference in colors is a sign of Allah the Almighty

 

[Surah 16: 13]  “And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors (and qualities): verily in this a Sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).”

 

[Surah 30: 22] “And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors; verily in that are Signs for those who know.”

 

[Surah 35: 28] “And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.”

 

This means that the differences in our colors, plants colors, animals’ colors are signs from the Great Creator, Allah the Almighty.

 

Who is the honored of you in the sight of Allah?

 [Surah 49: 13] “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).”

 

The differentiation between individuals in the Sight of Allah is based on their levels of piety, righteousness, compliance of the Commands of Allah.

Islam declares all people equal in terms of human values. The only distinction between people is on the basis of service that the individual presents to his society and community.

 

Mohammad said:

“O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a white person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a white person, except in piety. “

           

The practical lesson:

It is also reported that one of the Companions of Mohammad (named Abu Tharr) who was white once said to black slave who served him, calling him as follows:

“Oh you are the son of the black woman”.

Upon hearing this call, Mohammad turned to Abu Tharr and said to him immediately: “Are you insulting this man with his own (black) mother? Truly, you still possess some of the ignorance of the pre-Islamic era. It is over. It is over. There is no virtue or merits for the son of the white woman over the black woman except for piety and righteousness or good deeds and actions”.

Abu Tharr upon hearing the comment of Mohammad put his head down on the ground for his slave servant to come and step with his black foot on his head although Mohammad did not command him to do so. Abu Tharr felt very bad and regretted what he did and that was the reason that urged him to lay his head on the ground for his black slave servant to step on it in retaliation and revenge for what he, the master, attacked his servant with. Moreover, Abu Tharr wanted to discipline himself in a hard and humiliating way so as he would never repeat such a sin in the future.

 

Since this practical lesson, Muslims had never practiced Color Discrimination .

 

Also, Mohammad at His final sermon said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don’t know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”

 

Back to the history, we have two views:

The first view was in the Christian countries e.g. USA and Europe where Color Discrimination was a big problem.

The second view was in the Islamic countries where such a problem is not present because of the Noble Quran and the teachings of the last Prophet Mohammad, the first man on earth who banned Color Discrimination . Is not detestable that the History ignores this fact?