Atheists in Quran (15) they always forget

The Atheists are speaking proudly about what they enjoy in this life of pleasures and luxuries. They always forget the end suffered by one generation after another of the unbelievers of old and they remain heedless. In addition, they deny the Day of Judgment when they will realize who is worst in position and weaker in forces.

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The name of Surah (Chapter) 19 of the Quran is “Maryam”

“Maryam” is the Quranic name of the Pure Honored Virgin “Saint Mary”.

The Surah has given us accounts of some prophets, including

• Zachariah and the birth of John, his son,
• Saint Mary and the birth of Jesus, her son,
• Abraham and his split from his community and their false deities.

We have also heard about the generations that followed them, and whether they lived in accordance with the guidance Allah gave them or they fell into error.

The Surah comments on these accounts declaring that Lordship belongs solely to Allah, who alone deserves to be worshipped, without partners or son.

This was the essential fact that the earlier prophets brought throughout their histories.

Then the verses 19:73-75 discusses the issue of Atheists

The Quran paint an image of this world in which the unbelievers are shown behaving arrogantly towards the believers, stamping them as poor and weak, and swaggering about their own wealth and social values.

“When Allah’ revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, the unbelievers say to those who believe: ‘Which of the two sides has a better position and a superior community?”

The Atheists have their own social clubs demonstrating all the material values which the wealthy and powerful are keen to emphasize in their corrupt world.

By contrast, we see humble gatherings where there are no such material riches or adornments. Instead, there are only the values of faith, which unite people in these other groups.

The two parties are put side by side to fully demonstrate their contrast.

The first side stands out with its wide variety of temptations: wealth, beauty, power and influence. It uses all these to serve people’s interests, and provide them with all manner of pleasures.

The second side appears too humble by comparison, yet it looks with scorn at wealth and beauty and it ridicules power and influence. It calls on people to join its ranks, without offering them any personal gain, material interest or favors that ruler and governments can provide.

It simply offers them the faith, pure and simple, without adding to it any adornment.

It seeks strength through being on Allah’s side, nothing else.

In fact, it makes clear to humankind that accepting it will involve hardship, effort and scuffle.

Also clear is the fact that none will be rewarded for anything in this life.

The reward to be expected will be in the form of being close to Allah, enjoying His pleasure in the life to come.

The Atheists among the Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad used to listen to Muhammad reciting the Quran, but then they would say to the believers who lacked all riches:

• Which of the two sides has a better position and a superior community? Which side: the Atheists who denied Muhammad’s message or the humble who responded to him?
• Had the message preached by Muhammad been any good, would his followers be those who had no power or influence in the Arabs’ society?
• Would they have met in a humble place (as they used to do)?
• Would his opponents be those who enjoyed all the luxuries and social prominence?

Such is worldly logic, advanced by those who have no aspiration to any truly high outlook.

The divine wisdom keeps faith free of all adornment and superficial attraction, offering no temptation.

Thus, only those who take it for its real value, without hope of immediate gain, will accept it.

By contrast, those who are after wealth, worldly interests, pleasures and the like will turn away from it.

Then the Verse 74 comments on the boasts of those arrogant Atheists, speaking proudly about what they enjoy in this life of pleasures and luxuries.

The comment draws their attention to how earlier peoples were destroyed, despite the great riches they enjoyed:

“How many a generation has Allah destroyed before their time, who were superior in material riches and in splendor.”

They benefited nothing by their entire splendor, nor were their material privileges of any avail to them when Allah brought His punishment upon them.

Human beings always forget!

The end suffered by one generation after another of the unbelievers of old should serve as a clear warning but people remain heedless. They continue to ignore the destiny awaiting them, should they follow in the footsteps of those who preceded them.

After all, those earlier unbelievers were of greater strength and enjoyed larger followings and more wealth.

The Verse then instructs the Prophet Muhammad to pray against them in the form of a joint appeal to Allah to add to the misery to be suffered by the side, which persisted in error. This is to continue until Allah fulfils His promise either in this life or in the life to come:

Say O Muhammad:

As for those who live in error, may the Most Merciful lengthen their span of life!’

However, when they see the fulfilment of that of which they have been forewarned, be it suffering or the Last Hour, they will realize who is worst in position and weaker in forces.

They claim that they follow better and superior guidance to that advocated by Muhammad and his followers, and their evidence is their wealth and luxuries.

Be that as it may! Muhammad will appeal to his Lord to give increase to each side: the one in error and the one following right guidance.

Then when what Muhammad promises happens, which is the triumph of the believers over those in error, or the final punishment they receive on the Day of Judgment, they will realize which of the two sides is worse in position, weaker in forces.

Then, the next verse (76) declares that on the Day of Judgment, the believers will rejoice and feel their superiority.

This is certainly better than all that in which human beings find pleasure and enjoyment in the life of this world.

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The verses 19:73-75 in different translations:

19:73-75

QARIB:

73-When our clear verses are recited to them the unbelievers say to the believers: ‘which of the two parties has a better position or company?

74-How many generations have we destroyed before them, who were far greater in riches and more boastful!

75-Say: ‘whosoever is in error, let the most merciful prolong his life span until they see that which they were threatened, be it a punishment, or the hour. then shall they know whose is the worst place and who is weaker in hosts. ‘

SHAKIR:

73-And when our clear communications are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: which of the two parties is best in abiding and best in assembly?

74-And how many of the generations have we destroyed before them who were better in respect of goods and outward appearance!

75-Say: as for him who remains in error, the beneficent Allah will surely prolong his length of days, until they see what they were threatened with, either the punishment or the hour; then they shall know who is in more evil plight and weaker in forces

PICKTHAL:

73-And when our clear revelations are recited unto them, those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: which of the two parties (yours or ours) is better in position, and more imposing as an army?

74-How many a generation have we destroyed before them, who were more imposing in respect of gear and outward seeming!

75-Say: as for him who is in error, the beneficent will verily prolong his span of life until, when they behold that which they were promised, whether it be punishment (in the world), or the hour (of doom), they will know who is worse in position and who is weaker as YUSUFALI:

73-When our clear signs are rehearsed to them, the unbelievers say to those who believe, “which of the two sides is best in point of position? which makes the best show in council?”

74-But how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?

75-Say: “if any men go astray, (Allah) most gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) – either in punishment or in (the approach of) the hour, – they will at length realize who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces!

Why Do Priests Enter Islam? The story of conversion of the Preacher Yusuf Estes (4)

Preacher Has Heart Attack

Catholic Priest

Priest in Latin America

Priests Must Study ISLAM? – YES!

 

How a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam?

How could a preacher have turned his back on the perfect plan of salvation of Jesus Christ on the cross for you sins and converted to Islam?

The American X-preacher Yusuf Estes continues saying:

Moved to Our Home

One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he have been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time. I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us. After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around. My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.

Continued Ministry & Preaching

Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas. One of them lived on the Texas — Mexico border and another lived near lived Oklahoma border. One preacher liked to a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car. He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross. People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.

Preacher Has Heart Attack

One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the Veterans Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while. I used to visit him in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and religions. My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did not want to know anything about Islam. Then one day a man who was sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his wheelchair. I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn’t matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the planet Jupiter. I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.

Man in Wheelchair – Needed the Lord

I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life. So, I began to ‘witness’ to him about the Lord. I read to him out of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. I shared the story of the prophet Jonah who had been sent by the Lord to call his people to the correct way. Jonah had left his people and escaped by boat to leave his city and head out to sea. A storm came up and the ship almost capsized and the people on board threw Jonah over the side of the ship. A whale came up to the surface and grabbed Jonah, swallowed him and then went down to the bottom of the sea, where he stayed for 3 days and 3 nights. Yet because of God’s Mercy, He caused the whale to rise to the surface and then spit Jonah out to return back home safely to his city of Nineveh. And the idea was that we can’t really run away from our problems because we always know what we have done. And what is more, God also always knows what we have done.

Catholic Priest

After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and me and apologized. He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that he had experienced some real serious problems recently. Then he said that he wanted to confess something to me. And I said that I was not a Catholic priest and I don’t handle confessions. He replied back to me that he knew that. In fact, he said: “I am a Catholic priest.”

I was shocked. Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest. What in the world was happening here?

Priest in Latin America

The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New York’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen.’ When he was released from the hospital he needed a place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us in the country along with our families and Mohamed. It was agreed by all that he would so, he moved out right away.

Priests Must Study ISLAM? – YES!

During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the concepts of beliefs in Islam and to my surprise he agreed and then shared even more about this with me. I was shocked when he told me that Catholic priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors’ degrees in this subject. This was all very enlightening to me. But there was still a lot more to come.

 

Written by: Chaplain Yusuf Estes

To be continued.

In Bible vs. Quran, Jesus denied that He is God (10) His Testimony

In the Bible, the Lord Jesus says: If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.

The Quran says that Allah is the greatest in testimony and His testimony is the absolute Truth. And, Allah is sufficient as a witness.

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In the Bible, the Lord Jesus says in the verse John 5:31:‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.

Study of the verse John 5:31 in 24 different Bible’s versions reveal that:

Twelve versions say: If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.

Eight versions say: If I bear witness of Myself, My witness (testimony) is not true.

Two versions say: If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.

Two versions say: If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.

In addition, you will see in the Appendix what another 16 different Bible’s versions say.

Anyway, this verse is very strange and risky from the faith wise point of view.

Jesus is God or son of God which is equal to God as the Christians believe. 

If so, how come that His testimony about Himself is not true or not valid?

Wait to see what the editor of the other 16 versions say about His testimony 

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On the other hand, the Quran says that Allah is the greatest in testimony and His testimony is the absolute Truth. And, Allah is sufficient as a witness

The verse 6:19 and 4:166 of the Quran say according to Pickthal translation:

The verse 6:19

“Say (O Muhammad): what thing is of most weight in testimony? Say: Allah is witness between me and you. And this Qur’an hath been inspired in me, that I may warn therewith you and whomsoever it may reach. Do ye in sooth bear witness that there are gods beside Allah? Say: I bear no such witness. Say: he is only one Allah. Lo! I am innocent of that which ye associate (with him).”

The verse 4:166

But Allah (himself) testifieth concerning that which he hath revealeth unto thee; in his knowledge hath he revealed it; and the angels also testify. And Allah is sufficient witness. (Allah is sufficient as a witness)

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Appendix: Study of the other 16 versions different Bible’s versions shows how the editors of these versions understand, express and present what the Lord Jesus said in the verse John 5:31 of the Bible:

·       If I alone testify in My behalf, My testimony is not valid and cannot be worth anything.

·       You may say that I am bearing witness about myself, that therefore what I say about myself has no value

·       If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness.

·       If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.

·       If I talk about myself, then what I say is not true.

·       If only I tell people about myself, what I say is not true.

·       If I give witness about myself, it doesn’t count.

·       If I tell about Myself, My words are worth nothing.

·       If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not valid.

·       If I testify on my own behalf, what I say isn’t true

·       If I testify on my own behalf, what I say is not to be accepted as real proof.

·       If I testify in my own behalf, that testimony of mine is worth nothing;

·       If I speak for myself, there is no way to prove I am telling the truth.

·       If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.

·       If I bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.

·       If I tell people about myself, they cannot be sure that what I say is true.

 

Written by Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil, Articlebase.com

http://www.articlesbase.com/christianity-articles/in-bible-vs-quran-jesus-denied-that-he-is-god-7-his-testimony-6332861.html

This is Allah (43) if you are Allah’s Messenger, Bring upon us Allah’s Torment

The Leaders of Thamood’s people Broke the Deal Made with their Prophet Salih

Thamood Killed the Marvel Camel and Flouted Allah’s Commandment

The Eventual Outcome if We Do Not Love the Sincere Advisers

The Wisdom of the Real Ancient Story of Thamood

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Many people do not know Allah. This series, This is Allah (1- 49), is an attempt to help them in order to know and acknowledge their Creator.

Verses 7:73-75 of the Noble Quran talk about:

1) The leaders of Thamood’s people broke the deal made with their Prophet Salih,

2) Thamood killed the marvel Camel and flouted Allah’s commandment,

3) They said: if you are indeed Allah’s messenger, Bring upon us Allah’s torment, 

4) The eventual outcome if we do not love the sincere advisers and

5) The wisdom of the real ancient story of Thamood.

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In the previous article:

The leaders of Thamood said unto their Prophet Salih:

If you are truthful in your claim that you are a messenger from Allah, then tell your Lord to bring us a she-camel out of this (specific huge) rock!

Salih said: then you will believe?

They said: oh, yes, sure we will

Salih said: and you will let the she-camel eat and drink without bothering her?

They said: oh, yes, sure we will

Salih said: Look, if you hurt the she-camel you be seized by a severe chastisement

They said: agreed, deal !

Salih prayed to Allah to bring the she-camel out of the specific huge rock that they determined.

Allah did. Miraculously, this she-camel had no father, no mother; it just came out of the rock when Allah has said: Be.

But most of Thamood’s people especially their leaders did not believe in Allah and did not follow the teaching of their Prophet Salih.

the leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who were oppressed, to such of them as believed, that is, from among Thamood’s people who were overpowered, despised and weak:

So you know that Salih is sent from his Lord to you?

They, chieftains of Thamood’s people who were scornful, waxed proud, who disdained belief in Salih said that mocking.

The poor people replied: Yes! Truly we believe in the Message with which Salih has been sent.

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The meaning of verse 7: 76

The leaders, those who were proud and scornful towards the believers said: ‘Truly we are disbelievers of that which you believe!’

And they broke the deal and did not keep their word that they had given their Prophet Salih.

Not only that but…

 

The meaning of verse 7: 77

They hamstrung the she-camel,

They killed the Most Amazing Camel in the History, the Miraculous Camel that has no Father and no Mother.

They hamstrung her by their command, killing her with a sword

And they flouted the commandment of their Lord,

They refused to accept the commands of their Lord with which Salih enjoined them,

And they, ‘O Salih, bring upon us that which you promised us, in the way of chastisement for our killing it, if you are indeed a messenger’; Bring upon us that which you threaten of torment if you are indeed Allah’s messenger; they said this out of mockery. 

 

The meaning of verse 7: 78

So the Trembling, a violent earthquake and a cry from the heaven, a loud noise announcing their torment, seized them, and they lay lifeless prostrate in their habitations, keeled over their knees, dead without a movement (in their dwelling-place) in their town.

But what about Salih and the believers?

They left them before they were destroyed.

When Salih saw what happened, he said:

 

The meaning of verse 7: 79

Salih turned on them and said: O my people! I delivered my Lord’s message unto you, explaining the commands and prohibitions and gave you good advice; I warned you of Allah’s torment and called you to repent and believe, but you do not listen to those who advise you; you do not love sincere advisers.

 

Herein, in this story, two parties were given advice

The first party was sincere, Salih which is Allah’s messenger.

The second party was dishonest, proud, sarcastic leaders which are Satan’s hosts on the earth.

This story is repeated everyday; the wisdom of the story is to inspect what you hear, what you see, what you read, what you do and look at it;  is it from your Creator Who loves you or from your enemy, the Satan who want you end up in the Eternal Fire!

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Verses 7:76-79 in different English translations of the meanings of Arabic Quran:

QARIB:

76) Those who were proud said: ‘we disbelieve in that which you believed in. ‘

77) (Then) they hamstrung the shecamel and defied the order of their lord, saying to salih: ‘bring down that which you have promised us if you truly are one of the messengers. ‘

78) Thereupon the earthquake seized them, at morning in their dwellings they were crouched, dead.

79) He turned from them, saying: ‘i conveyed to you, my nation the message of my lord and gave you counsel; but you had no love for sincere advisers. ‘

 

SHAKIR:

76) Those who were haughty said: surely we are deniers of what you believe in

77) So they slew the she-camel and revolted against their lord’s commandment, and they said: o salih! bring us what you threatened us with, if you are one of the messengers

78) Then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode

79) Then he turned away from them and said: o my people i did certainly deliver to you the message of my lord, and i gave you good advice, but you do not love those who give good advice

 

PICKTHAL:

76) Those who were scornful said: lo! in that which ye believe we are disbelievers.

77) So they hamstrung the she-camel, and they flouted the commandment of their lord, and they said: o salih! bring upon us that thou threatenest if thou art indeed of those sent (from Allah).

78) So the earthquake seized them, and morning found them prostrate in their dwelling-place.

79) And (Salih) turned from them and said: o my people! i delivered my lord’s message unto you and gave you good advice, but ye love not good advisers.

 

YUSUFALI:

76) The arrogant party said: “for our part, we reject what ye believe in.”

77) Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their lord, saying: “o salih! bring about thy threats, if thou art a messenger (of Allah)!”

78) So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning!

79) So Salih left them, saying: “o my people! i did indeed convey to you the message for which i was sent by my lord: i gave you good counsel, but ye love not good counsellors!”

Chapter 6 of the Quran (84) Hamzah and Abu Jahl

One day, while the Prophet Muhammad was praying and prostrating unto Allah; Abu Jahl had thrown the waste of an animal on his back. Hamzah was informed about the deed of Abu Jahl upon his return from hunting and he still had his bow in his hand.

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The background of Ayah 6:122 is a real story that has two characters; they are:

Hamzah, the uncle of Muhammad; when Hamzah was not a believer yet.

Abu Jahl, one of the big enemies of the Prophet Muhammad. He used to deal with Muhammad very cruelly.

One day, while the Prophet Muhammad was praying and prostrating unto Allah; Abu Jahl had thrown the waste of an animal on his back.

Hamzah was informed about the deed of Abu Jahl upon his return from hunting and he still had his bow in his hand.

Hamzah went straight to Abu Jahl and hit him with his bow.

Abu Jahl said to Hamza: ‘O brother, do you not see what uhammad has brought; he has ridiculed our religion, reviled our idols and opposed our forefathers’.

Hamzah responded: ‘And who is more foolish than you? You worship stones instead of Allah.

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, without associates, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger’.

And then Allah, revealed this verse.

Ayah 6:122 says:

is he who was dead (Hamzah) , through unbelief, and  Allah gave him life, through guidance, and honoured him with faith and appointed for him a light by which to walk among people, distinguishing thereby the truth from falsehood; is he as the disbeliever (Abu Jahl) whose likeness is in darkness whence he cannot emerge?

No! So, in the same way that faith has been adorned for believers, what the disbelievers have been doing, in the way of disbelief and acts of disobedience, has been adorned for them.

As for Abu Jahl, he cannot free himself from disbelief and error in this world or from the darkness of the Eternal Hell in the Afterlife. And so is the outcome of the disbelievers.

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The verse 6:122 in different translations

QARIB:

Is he who was dead whom we have revived and given a light with which he walks among people to be compared to him who blunders about in darkness from which he will never emerge? as such what the unbelievers have done appear decorated to them.

SHAKIR:

Is he who was dead then we raised him to life and made for him a light by which he walks among the people, like him whose likeness is that of one in utter darkness whence he cannot come forth? thus what they did was made fair seeming to the unbelievers

PICKTHAL:

Is he who was dead and we have raised him unto life, and set for him a light wherein he walketh among men, as him whose similitude is in utter darkness whence he cannot emerge? thus is their conduct made fairseeming for the disbelievers.

YUSUFALI:

Can he who was dead, to whom we gave life, and a light whereby he can walk amongst men, be like him who is in the depths of darkness, from which he can never come out? thus to those without faith their own deeds seem pleasing.